A Stock Farewell Tour

The behaviour of some individuals on the last pax run, and their postings about it, is a pointer to why some "more experienced" contributors no longer post on here.

If the Farewell Tour generates a repeat performance, I fear for the prospects of any future tours.

I was present at some point for some or all of every trip, in full LU uniform, except the first n/b from the depot. I did not witness anything that I considered required specific intervention. Perhaps my greatest concern was regular commuters (NOT ENTHUSIASTS) using the interconnecting doors freely as if they were on an S stock train.

It is true that their was some fairly boistrous enthusiasm from some of the younger enthusiasts in one of the cars. It is fair to say that this will not have been everyone's cup of tea, though I wasn't in that car on the final trip. I gather many videos were spoilt by the swearing of an older gent at Harrow! These are issues of respect for others, there is a balance to be found, but they should not be blown out of proportion! Any incursions beyond the barriers were frankly minor and insignificant and on the platforms and I never saw anyone unqualified going down ramps or anywhere near track. I never saw anyone doing anything dangerous overall and allowing for the vast numbers present and the desire for everyone to get at least a reasonable attempt at some photographs of a moment in history everyone seemed to be both reasonable and safe. A few people stood on platform seats or salt bins... so what! These things are mis-used daily by the locals and no-one says anything to them!

I can certainly tell you all that when you are on a train that passes through a station when the football kicks out you will know all about it. The last A stock has nothing on that hell. Chanting, singing, swinging on the hand rails and jumping up and down on the car floor and seats are normal and that's just the supporters of the winning team! Late night services can have an equal mix of singing and rowdy behaviour. Football and late night services do also get damaged from time to time! So keep it in perspective!

I fear, as usual, the excessive complaints being raised here do these events no favours and blow the whole thing out of all proportion, so that the "powers that be" when reading them will feel justified in preventing such events occurring in the future, when such steps would be wholly unjustified!

Extra security measures will be taken ... railway enthusiasts are a soft target. Football matches disrupt the railway, railway specials don't. Extra security would be better deployed on a match day or in the evening, not a running day!!! Deal with people drinking alcohol on my trains every single day... with their feet on seat cushions, holding doors open, abusing station staff and countless other incursions ... then after dealing with that, look at minor inconsequential transgressions by rail enthusiasts.

Also the "disruption to the running railway" was caused by some LU officials plan changes and co-operation refusals ... lets not go there!
Again nothing to the disruption a football match causes!

Lets keep it real! It was a great day. A few things were minor irritants for a few people, but everyone was safe and well behaved and a common sense approach was taken to getting pictures. The A stock had a great send off and LU should see the day as a great success with good publicity and should be delighted to run many more special train workings!

All together now:

[8]We love you MetControl an if it's quite alright, we love you MetControl...[/8]

Willesden Green would make a good photo, but you might have to be careful you don't get bowled by a Jubilee Line train.

As said elsewhere, it is 5118+5189 on T750.

5118 and 5089 will do T750 on Saturday.

I'm nicely perched on a Guard's tip down in 5062, our car steward is lovely and the atmosphere friendly. I'll post snaps from the day on my Twitter, if you don't follow me clicking the button below should have the desired effect.