The Great Christmas Quiz 2007 - Answer

The events surrounding the last run of the standard stock in passenger service were quite interesting. In 1966, all special events were run through Broadway and the Press Office seemed to play a big part in deciding if anything would go ahead based on its newsworthiness.
Some time before the standard stock disappeared, it was made clear that there was nothing in the story; this was simply the replacement of obsolete trains with existing stock. The occasion would therefore not be commemorated officially so it was very much the do-it-yourself job that it looks like - but more so than you may imagine.
What was happening was that 1938ts was being sent into Drayton Park to replace standard stock one train at a time, so I did not know when the final transfer would take place until pretty close to the date. Once I knew that the last unit would move out on the night of 3 November 1966, it was a case of trying to figure out when the last train would run. As it had to be prepared for transfer during the afternoon, it could not run after the morning peak, but it did not have to run at all that day and could have stood spare. This meant that the last run could have occurred on 2 November.
The depot staff at Drayton Park were very co-operative and made sure that the unit was fit for service on 3 November and that it was allocated the 'best' train number (301 fitted in with my shift and the motorman on that duty was a good friend). A friend and I accompanied it for most of the morning and on the last run from Moorgate we fitted a special destination plate that I had knocked up. We also kitted it out with all we could get our hands on - some old Christmas decorations. We put them in the passenger compartment, the drivers cab (you can just see them through the window) and on the front of the train. It was a bit stupid I suppose, but the old girls had given us a lot of fun and we wanted to see them off. The decorations on the front were not tied down but surprisingly did not fly off in the tunnel.
As we saw daylight at Drayton Park, the whistle was blasted and held down right into the platform. This of course required a third hand, but there was no shortage of 'help' with the driving that day I must emphasise that those of us in the cab were authorised to be there and fully qualified on the stock, so this was not quite the same as some of the other things that have been discussed here recently. Also bear in mind that these were different times - Health and Safety would probably have a field day if someone tried to put up paper decorations on a train today.
There is a little mystery about the picture. The train was emptied very quickly as there were only a handful of passengers and I leaped out to take the photograph in question (note the open cab door). Before I even pressed the shutter, the shunting signal had been pulled off for the depot move - you can see the reflection of it in the front window. I then had to jump back on board before I had time to tidy the front decoration for a second shot.
So, why the illuminated tail light and the flashing electric tail lamp? I do not know. Tail lamps used to be fitted here as a matter of course when trains uncoupled, but I cannot remember why one was put in place on this occasion.
I will post some more pictures as soon as possibly that might explain things further.
In the meantime, I would be pleased to hear about other 'last train' memories from members of this forum. I remember riding the last District line passenger train to Hounslow and the last train to Finsbury Park. Both of those events were well attended.
I always feel it was rather sad that something as important to the evolution of London Underground as standard stock was allowed simply to slip away; but I am glad I was there when it did.

It was the guess that the 'extra' shadow in the window was NC33 that told me this was Drayton Park for sure - however I thought that you were a fair way down the platform with the train towards Moorgate and you'd obscured the green on the stick - hence thinking '64 rather than '66 - but (as any fule kno by '66 NC33 was a disc not a short-range colour light ) - so right place, wrong year.




Well, two red tail lights were used on GWR slip workings - perhaps this was there to shew that something was slipping away - we may never know. Perhaps it was just a decision to emphasise the finality of the occasion - we'll never know.





I'm glad that you were, primarily to record the event - the aesthetics of the Standard stock are even better than the '38 stock (even angelislington has agreed with me on this point!) and secondarily to give us this quiz. Thank-you.

I love that photo! I only ever traversed the line when 1938 Stock held sway, mid-1970s I would say. I wonder if the last Hounslow District was photographed for posterity? I was living in Feltham at the time and we did not move to Hounslow West until 1965. In November 1966 I was a fresh-faced newbie at Grammar School!

I would like to query the stock transfers if I may please? The New Works saw the ramp being built at Drayton Park to connect with the LNER, but how did stock access the branch previously? I do wish the film of the 1938 Stock transfer via the CWL was released as it was quite stunning at the time, and even more so now! The run up to Kings X Suburban from the Down CWL must have been fun.

Some more wonderfully nostalgic shots...

Those pictures are absolutely wonderful.

If only I was thirty years older...