Sarah Siddons on the Met

Nice photos there Nigel, thanks for posting them.

I saw this train today - pics at jonpotterphotos.fotopic.net

I have been reliably told that Metronet are hoping to run more of these as public shuttles in the summer, utilising 20227 and (presumably) 12. I really hope they do - although I went to every steam on the Met since 1993 (when I was 3) I only have vague memories of No. 12, was great to see it today.

Shame 20227 isn't in met livery still though...

Yes No 12 did a fine job today, asked politely and I was able to catch a lift on the return journey. A few photos are at inspectorsands.fotopic.net/c1277036.html

Note the 5/92 overhaul date! Not 1892! I last cabbed Sarah back in 1979..lovely memories.

I love this photo:
rjhamilton.fotopic.net/p42141745.html

Not having used Harrow for 25 years I think, I would love to know if this move is usual for fast trains? Also reversal in the adjacent P2 I think it is, that is only electrified as far as the platform end?

Great images. Glad to see this went well as it will hopefully be the start of many more heritage tours!

Sadly, after reading about this event here and looking forward to it, I wasn't able to go on the day, but thanks to all for posting shots and telling what happened.

Hopefully, it might lead to some more specials in the future.

There are some nice shots here, including some inside the engine on the move:

paulbigland.fotopic.net/c1299774.html

Regards,
Geoff

Door locks have been fitted to the 4TC set, together with tripcocks on the Class 20.

Having just started training at Harrow last night and only talking about this, there is only one train that is booked via platform 2, but its not the northwood shunt as that is ex watford.

Some photos from Sunday's tour. Can anyone confirm if the first shot is North Harrow, I can't for the life of me remember!

5944.fotopic.net/p42253301.html
5944.fotopic.net/p42253280.html
5944.fotopic.net/p42253289.html

Nigel

*sigh*

What a sight that must have been!

The first Class 20s, along with Class 15s and the spectacularly bad Class 16s (D8400 series, Paxman/GEC) were allocated to Devons Road. That depot worked a lot of cross-London freight, but I'm pretty sure that they didn't cover the Widened Lines/Snow Hill.

Cricklewood did freight via the Widened Lines using Class 24s for a while, until they were prohibited due to allegedly being excessively heavy, so they must presumably have been tripcock fitted. I don't think Cricklewood had Class 20s.

Hornsey used the Class 15s, but, once again, I don't think that they had Class 20s.

Given the above, I'd say it was very unlikely that any were tripcock fitted. The fact that they were listed as permitted to run over the Widened Lines doesn't meant that they would have to have tripcocks - they could have been the second loco in a multiple or tandem working, or been hauled dead.

I was told many years ago by a former Hornsey driver that Class 09 was trialled on cross London freight, due to the problems being experience with the Class 15s. I don't know whether any locos were tripcock fitted for those trials.

'Baby Deltics' had tripcocks, and worked to Moorgate, but were subsequently taken off those duties due to concerns about noise and exhaust.

Devons Road was an odd depot - originally under Plaistow (13A) as 13D it was retained by the LMR (becoming 1D, in the Willesden group) when Plaistow and the other LT&S sheds moved to the ER (Plaistow being 33A). It became the first all-diesel depot in 1957, but closed in 1962. Its locos and work were then divided between Stratford and Willesden. I'm pretty sure that that split involved the Class 20s going to Willesden, and the Class 15s and 16s to Stratford.



I'm sure that Stratford did work Class 15s on freight turns over the Central Line, but I suspect that the tripcocks were fitted after the transfer of the locos from Devons Road. The arrival of the Class 15s may have been the opportunity to stop using steam on those jobs. The Class 15s were withdrawn by 1971.



Their use to Moorgate was very short lived. They continued to work (albeit very unreliably) into both Kings Cross and Broad Street.

I second that

Quite likely the Devons Road examples working between the LT&S and Willesden.

Another class that is a candidate for having worked over the Widened Lines is the Class 21 NBL/MAN. Hornsey received a batch new, for use on GN suburban work. Plus, of course, Cricklewood used Metro-Vick Class 28 Co-Bos for a while.