Differences between A60 and A62 stock

I don't know if this has been covered before either, and I don't know why A60 trailers don't have vents above the communicating doors but others do, but offer the following for interest.

I am fairly sure that the 'divide' between non-vent and vents above R and S doors doesn't go with the A60 and A62 divide. In the back of my mind (and I can't find my note on this) I seem to think it was between 6134/6135 (non-vents) and 6136/6137 (vents). Can a regular user (passenger or T/Op) of A Stock please keep his/her eyes open to confirm.

The careful observer will also note a difference on the exterior destination blind area. From unit 5158/5159 (well into the A62 deliveries) the design was changed to give the appearance of a double 'lip' to the surround. Even more sharp-eyed observers will see this on (middle) A60 DM 5077, which was an early collision victim and was rebuilt with the later style of destination blind box.

Another change in early days was that the first two units had grey 'J' doors (between the passenger saloon and the cab for non-LU readers) instead of the maroon melamine finish, but maybe only thee cars. During time, these were moved around and in 1977 I noted that 5000, 5002 and 5003 still had them. In November 1979, I noted that 5078 had a grey 'J' door, presumably a swap with 5003, as this by then had a red J door.

The first six units also had black roofs from new but were given grey roofs on their first Acton heavy overhaul, as follows:

5000/01 - 4/67
5002/03 - 5/66
5004/05 - 10/65
5006/07 - 1/65
5008/09 - 4/65
5010/11 - 7/65

Interestingly, not all units received grey roofs on HO. Units 5208/09, 5210/11 and 5216/17 and cars 6220 and 5221 kept theirs untreated until they went for refurb. Over the years there were several changes of policy at Acton as to whether roofs would be treated or not.

There were also differences in the tread plates - there were two types. These may have been changed during refurbishment, but I observed the following in 1979:

5000 unit and 5002/6002 had a '1960' date.
6003/5003 and unit 5004 onwards had a '1961' date
5124 unit had a mix of 1961 and 1962 dates
5126 onwards had a '1962' date

However, a new style of tread plate (1962 date) was introduced on unit 5152/5153 and this has a mix of both old and new styles.

Unit 5154 onwards had the new style with a 1962 date.

And finally, nothing to do with the differences in A Stock, I have a note to say that the last A Stock to use Liverpool Street bay platform was on 23 January 1981, train 20 (depart 18.30) comprising units 5042/43 (north) and 5130/31 (south).

Indeed it does, but I have left any post-refurb differences out of this. However, if anyone is interested, on the refurbs, the 'no-smoking' labels and the three different types on the first five refurbished trains opens up a new can of worms!

I am sure 5173 is still out of service, having met with a tree near Ruislip on 27 May 2007 and caused dame to its unique roof dome (shame!).

The DM roof domes slope down. To get an idea, look at the two inner cabs on an A stock and see!

the same applies to 5172, you can still spot the difference when another train pulls alongside it on 25 south.!!

Aren't some 'J' doors a different shape to others?

Thats right. The operative cab 'J' doors have rounded corners, the (effectively UNDM) others have square corners.

It is the door to the cab from the passenger saloon.