Changing Ends

On a 95 stock it can be done in about 90 seconds if the driver is keen - with these trains it's just a case of getting in the cab and turning the key. In reality 4 minutes is considered about the minimum acceptable time, even this doesn't allow much time for basic tasks like a quick visit to the toilet. All this is assuming things like the radio, TMS are already logged in.

Stocks with the Westinghouse brake (e.g. 72 stock) will take about a minute longer due to needing to wait for the train line to charge with air before the brake will release.

Having said all this, rushing is never a good idea, as it can lead to things like the rear handle being left unstowed or the cab door left open, which then results in an undignified trip back to the rear, and more than likely a delay followed by a meeting with a manager. Unstowed handle might be ok as you would generally get a warning as soon as the other cab is opened up, however with the rear cab door this will not show up until the passenger doors are closed and the train doesn't get a pilot light.

I did read of a bored crew on the Aldwych shuttle one afternoon who decided to see how many round trips they could squeeze in to half an hour in the off-peak.

Another thing I have read of which might have speeded things up in the past was the (strictly unofficial) practice of double-ending - if the rostered guard was a qualified driver (as was often the case: waiting for a vacancy) and the driver was still qualified as a guard (as was again often the case) then rather than change ends they would change roles: one chap drive to Chesham (for example) and guard back, and vice versa. Perfectly safe and probably useful practice for both.

I did it in 30 seconds at Whitechapel several years back when I took a wrong stick at Tower Hill. Legged it down the platform gave the signalman a toot as I opened up, he cleared and offi went. Got back to Tower Hill bang on time.