S stock and the Chesham shuttle

Somehow the St Albans branch from Watford seems to go on using both EMU and occasionally DMU trains, using what is effectively I gather dedicated stock.

I just do not see a "classic" DMU being able to cope with the demands. Neither do I see heritage A Stock working...we have the 6 or so mile Lymington branch from Brockenhurst, run as a heritage line with the dedicated 3-CIGs. However they have not always been a paragon of reliability, and on two occasions since March Class 450s have been used instead.

I am surprised that the trains will not be able to be split. If that is the case, and the Chesham Shuttle continues, the train will probably run into the Southbound platform at Chalfont and reverse there. Having said that, it would need a slight modification to the signalling there.

I am trying to wrack my brain as to whether the D78 Metroliner tour of 21st September 1980 reversed in the SB and then ran from Amerhsam to Chalfont and thence to Chesham. I am pretty certain that this was the case. Solidbond may remember.

mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/LUArchive/html/d78_metroliner_tour_5.html
mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/LUArchive/html/d78_metroliner_tour_5.html

After Amersham I am sure that it was Chalfont SB, reverse (with the D Stock running in public service with the branch train in the bay) then onto the branch to Chesham, pick up the bemused Chesham passengers and instal them in one car, then ran back again into the SB at Chalfont . We then then headed via Rickmansworth and the North Curve to Croxley Tip and Watford. When was the last time that anything other than A60/62 Stock served Chesham?

Perhaps indeed retain some D Stock for the shuttle or even tube stock as happened with the 1938 Stock on the ELL?

Whats wrong with a 3 car 73ts?

I think the 73ts would go quirte nicely there too, as the double ended units are all fitted ready to go.

districtdave.proboards39.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=selfhelp&thread=1158379979&page=6

(reply #78)

Prjb mentioned this a while back...I just hope by now theyve come up with an answer!

One idea might be to make all Amersham/Chesham services part of the 'Overground' network using the dual voltage stock (Eventually this could take over the entire Aylesbury via Harrow service). This would of course nessessitate a connection in the Finchley Road area between Met and NLL or the Croxley Link to enable stock transfers to happen.

As much as enthusiasts would like it, the idea of keeping a tiny fleet on just for the shuttle seems uneconomical, whereas having a full 8car service run seems like overkill for the service, and might delay mainline opperations.

Well said..go the 1973 Stock route and order some Double-enders for Chesham!

I suspect that double-ended D stock will probably make an appearance on the shuttle after the A stock is gone. The biggest advantage is that a 3-car D stock has much higher acceleration and a better power to weight ratio (2/3 to 1/2 for A stock). Using the D stocks would then allow the shuttle service to be slightly sped up, which may allow services to be improved.

The biggest hurdle is getting the Met drivers trained on it, but once sufficient drivers are available I'll bet the Ds would probably run all the way up until their withdrawal from the District, after which this quandary will have to be visited again.

The main two issues are platform length at Chalfont and the economics of running an 8 car unit.

I see. 8 car units is overkill and not cheap but separate stock is not cheap either...[/quote]

Absolutely, hence no decision has been made as to the future of the branch.

No decision has been made on the Chesham shuttle, and as such no solution has been ruled out. Personally, I can't see 'heritage' stock being used as this will mean staff needing to know two stocks and the depot needing two sets of spares. Whilst you could argue this sort of resource for large sections, a two station shuttle doesn't qualify in my book. That said this is just a personal opinion and I have no bearing over this issue, as soon as I know - you will know!

That means that in 2013 the piccadilly line will get new trains, that doesnt mean that 73ts will never ever see work anywhere else on or off the combine does it ?

Combine all of these things. Keep the 73 stock fleet; re-equip and reform into 3car units, and put it to work on ALL shuttles that LU have (chesham, MHE, possibly Grange Hill loop, possibly Olympia, possibly Watford north curve, and if it comes about Aldwych [and in my head Ongar too ]) as well as leasing some to Island line for 38 stock replacement. That way there might just be enough demand to have another set of spares and make the whole thing ecconomically viable.

When was the last time that anything other than A60/62 Stock served Chesham?

I gather that the strict answer is the RAT that carried passengers in service on the Chesham branch? This from another forum.