kabsonline
Best SSL Train: S Stock Best Tube Train: 92 Stock
Posts: 686
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Post by kabsonline on Apr 27, 2012 12:26:39 GMT
Hi all Travelling from Baker Street to Chesham yesterday, I managed to travel on an A Stock. Not only this but throughout the whole journey I only saw about three S Stocks in service. Going past Neasden there were quite a few S Stocks just sitting there. Why weren't they out and in services? I have not seen so many A Stocks in a long while. Even at Baker Street there were three A Stocks with no S Stocks. That will probably be the last time I see it like that. As much as I like the new S Stock, it will still be sad to see the A Stock to go!  kabsonline |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2012 14:24:48 GMT
It would help if you say what time of day you went,
if its off peak then trains are stabled there
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kabsonline
Best SSL Train: S Stock Best Tube Train: 92 Stock
Posts: 686
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Post by kabsonline on Apr 27, 2012 14:33:40 GMT
Yeah it was off peak. Around 3ish. My point is that with all these S Stocks now, why are they being left in the depot and the A Stocks (which are looking very tatty now) being put into service? Surely it would be more cost effective to put the S Stocks out as there is less chance of something going wrong with them as they are new. LU are advertising that they've got these new trains onboard the S Stocks (the posters etc) but then there not putting them into service. Is there a reason for this? |
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Post by phillw48 on Apr 27, 2012 16:51:04 GMT
Perhaps its because the schools turn out 3-4 pm and they don't want to leave the shiny new 'S' stocks to the tender mercy's of the little darlings.  |
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kabsonline
Best SSL Train: S Stock Best Tube Train: 92 Stock
Posts: 686
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Post by kabsonline on Apr 27, 2012 17:10:46 GMT
They'll have to soon lol! I worked out (may be wrong) its six weeks before a full S Stock fleet will be in place or will at least be in Neasden if two keep coming each week. This has probably been worked out somewhere else on here lol |
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Post by Deep Level on Apr 27, 2012 17:15:35 GMT
They will not come at 2 a week, there are only 2 trains on the test track right now and they usually spend 2 - 5 weeks on the test track before leaving for London so we're looking at a few more weeks than that. Of course your maths are correct but we're looking at anywhere between 7 & 11 weeks (possibly 12, but that's the latest).
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metman
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5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
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Post by metman on Apr 27, 2012 17:54:20 GMT
Yeah it was off peak. Around 3ish. My point is that with all these S Stocks now, why are they being left in the depot and the A Stocks (which are looking very tatty now) being put into service? Surely it would be more cost effective to put the S Stocks out as there is less chance of something going wrong with them as they are new. LU are advertising that they've got these new trains onboard the S Stocks (the posters etc) but then there not putting them into service. Is there a reason for this? I thought the A stock was more reliable than the S stock ;D |
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Post by adehare2012 on Apr 27, 2012 18:13:36 GMT
Afraid the A Stock I was unfortunate enough to get on at Liverpool Street this morning sounded like it was on its last legs.
The one at Kings Cross this afternoon wasn't much better.
Come on LU, hurry up and get the rest of the S Stock down here and get rid of the relics
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metman
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5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
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Post by metman on Apr 27, 2012 18:22:28 GMT
Which numbers? Perhaps there are so many S stocks on the Met people are forgetting what a real train sounds like |
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Post by causton on Apr 28, 2012 1:49:18 GMT
You mean the horrible beeping of the doors (where instead of the beep-beep-beep there is now a constant tone) or the horrible PA speakers or the unmistakeable smell of 20 year old urine in the carriage - that's a real train ;D
No really, I will probably miss A stock. But as I catch more S stocks and less A stocks, I seem to like the A stocks less... perhaps it's because they're slowly being run down but hey...!
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kabsonline
Best SSL Train: S Stock Best Tube Train: 92 Stock
Posts: 686
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Post by kabsonline on Apr 28, 2012 13:15:09 GMT
Completely agree! The A Stock are on there last legs. Years of neglect I'm afriad. The one I went on today (number not noted) was in a flipping awful state!  Such a nice train but time to accept that they are now very old and its there time to retire |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2012 21:51:55 GMT
As much as I love the A-Stock I did have a sigh and a chuckle when reading the post about stale urine...
It is so true! These poor trains smell like the stairwell of a council car park now. Stale bleach with the smell of vomit or urine in the background. Grubby seats, windows so badly scratched you can hardly see out of them, dirty seats - Lets just hope they have a good deep clean of the heritage unit whichever unit that may be!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2012 22:05:55 GMT
You mean the horrible beeping of the doors (where instead of the beep-beep-beep there is now a constant tone) or the horrible PA speakers or the unmistakeable smell of 20 year old urine in the carriage - that's a real train ;D No really, I will probably miss A stock. But as I catch more S stocks and less A stocks, I seem to like the A stocks less... perhaps it's because they're slowly being run down but hey...! There used to be that horrible tocking noise on the PA system, which was installed in the mid 80s, every time the driver made an EP brake application, tock, tock, tock, tock. I will miss that uniquely A stock body panel creak which it has had since new. |
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Post by causton on Apr 28, 2012 22:42:11 GMT
Oh I believe the PA makes a pop at some stations now which sounds like the driver has just picked up the PA and is about to speak... you stay alert for a few seconds then realise nothing is being said |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2012 23:02:05 GMT
Oh I believe the PA makes a pop at some stations now which sounds like the driver has just picked up the PA and is about to speak... you stay alert for a few seconds then realise nothing is being said It never happened after they did the refurb in the 1990s. But prior to that every time the brake was applied or re-applied brake the PA would click, no other stock ever did that, it would happen half a dozen times or more every stop on every A stock train. On the old stocks prior to refurbs, like the 1972, 73 and C stocks, you used to hear over the PA the receiver being re-stowed in its cradle. |
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metman
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Post by metman on Apr 29, 2012 14:02:34 GMT
I thought it was just the handset moving in the holder ;D
I'd hate to see the state of the S stock in 5 years time. It's bad enough they smell of weed now!
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Post by A60stock on Apr 29, 2012 16:00:17 GMT
ive actually noticed this as well, it seems tthat the chances of catching an a stock are still relatively high despite there being so few of them. Whats the reasoning for holding back so many s stocks?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2012 12:14:56 GMT
On the contrary, I find the chances of catching an S-stock are higher than A-stock. I live in Harrow, and most trains I take to C. London are definitely S-Stock. According to the Wikipedia A-stock page, more than half will never see service again. I will greatly miss the A-Stock when it finally passes on  Not sure what you guys think, but it is far more comfortable (with its plentiful, cushiony seats, warm purple colour-scheme and luggage racks) than the S-Stock, which I like for its modernity but find a bit sterile and soulless, unlike grandpa A! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2012 17:29:34 GMT
I'm popping into London tomorrow as i'm metting a friend for coffee so thought rather than get the Chiltern from Wycombe i'm going to go down to Uxbridge and get the MET from there. Quite looking forward to it as I have never travelled on the MET from Uxbridge, only the Picc. And then on my way back I shall bring my sleeping bag and take the MET up to Amersham |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2012 22:23:33 GMT
Had a horrid 1hour in the rush hour this morning in a packed 6113 with all the heaters on full blast while the sun was shining outside... Normally I hate that, but I almost felt nostalgic today.... |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2012 17:58:10 GMT
And whilst you had that I was sat almost too cold in an air conditioned S Stock with school kids running up and down the gangways from Rickmansworth to Amersham! Not fun |
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Post by rogere on May 2, 2012 10:46:35 GMT
As much as I love the A-Stock I did have a sigh and a chuckle when reading the post about stale urine... It is so true! These poor trains smell like the stairwell of a council car park now. Stale bleach with the smell of vomit or urine in the background. Grubby seats, windows so badly scratched you can hardly see out of them, dirty seats - Lets just hope they have a good deep clean of the heritage unit whichever unit that may be! Give the S Stock a couple of years of rostering the late night services... |
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Post by fleetline on May 2, 2012 14:55:38 GMT
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Post by redsetter on May 2, 2012 19:04:50 GMT
once the quality was lost, and sight of it that's where it all went wrong.
the A stock took its name from an upmarket desirable location ensuring a strong association with quality and brand.the needs of the furthest passengers were taken into priority hence those also in between.
watching youtube videos' last night there appears to be dents in the driver door on the s stock.
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Post by superteacher on May 2, 2012 20:23:09 GMT
I'll miss the A stock, but their demise can't come soon enough now. Their condition is pretty embarrasing at the moment. 50+ years is a great achievement, and I'll be there to see them off. But is there any need for the constant S stock bashing? Some of the comments on this forum about the A stock are bordering on the hysterical!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2012 21:13:40 GMT
...bet many are jealous of this bloke! Not really. It was an idiot like this who almost saw that scrap yard stop permitting visitors on Saturday mornings - and forced them to change their insurance, doubling their admission charge in the process..! |
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kabsonline
Best SSL Train: S Stock Best Tube Train: 92 Stock
Posts: 686
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Post by kabsonline on May 2, 2012 21:23:21 GMT
Is Eastleigh open to the public on Saturdays? How much is admission? |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2012 21:32:21 GMT
Is Eastleigh open to the public on Saturdays? How much is admission? It's CF Booth's in Rotherham. |
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a60
I will make the 8100 Class DART my new A Stock.
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Post by a60 on May 2, 2012 23:16:49 GMT
I'm not at all jealous, I for one am not after a potential criminal record - be it espionage on the person's own volition, or riding on the back of an agreement...
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metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
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Post by metman on May 3, 2012 9:11:39 GMT
Can we remove this photo in case a member of Booths sees this?
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Such a nice train but time to accept that they are now very old and its there time to retire 
Not sure what you guys think, but it is far more comfortable (with its plentiful, cushiony seats, warm purple colour-scheme and luggage racks) than the S-Stock, which I like for its modernity but find a bit sterile and soulless, unlike grandpa A!
