LU 150

Now i would be amazed if the plans dont change before 2013, however initial plans for the anniversary have been discussed at a TfL Board Meeting - and they are quite interesting...


- Throughout 2013, a range of heritage tours will take place including the use of steam and electrically hauled passenger trains. The first outing would recreate the inaugural public trip on the Underground by running a steam hauled service from Paddington (or Baker Street) to Farringdon, hauled by the only Metropolitan Railway built locomotive with operational potential Met No1

- For the anniversary itself, the restored Metropolitan No1 will be put into Platform 1 at Baker Street for the whole day for a ceremonial event. Metropolitan No1 will run on the weekend of the 12/13 January 2013, from Acton to Edgware Road. Customers will board at Edgware Road with special guests boarding at Paddington.

- In addition, a summer of heritage rail trips is proposed on the Metropolitan line to Amersham using former Metropolitan Railway locomotive No.1, and ex LT Pannier Tank L99, supported by LTM’s 1938TS Tube train. A feature of the steam hauled services would be the restored Metropolitan Railway first class carriage, No. 353 (1892) and the use of Metropolitan Railway bogie stock carriages from the Bluebell railway and/or the Vintage Carriage Trust (up to six in total). The restoration is being funded through an award from the Heritage Lottery fund.

- In an echo of the centenary celebrations of 1963, it is proposed that the former Metropolitan Railway Depot at Neasden showcases all existing Underground train and stock types at a special weekend event. Additional rail outings, using the 1938TS, would be planned for the Northern and Piccadilly lines, with associated tours and events.


Now that is extremely ambitious, but with ATO likely to kill off future steam on the underground what an achievement if they can do it. Its a shame no mention is made of using the preserved 60 and 62TS owned by CHT, nor Tyseley's LT pannier which being mainline registered could open up new possibilities, but there's time for that to change i hope... but still, steam on the Inner Circle!

Chris

 

Re: LU 150 plans...

Exciting stuff. Let's hope they can pull it off.

 

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It sounds excellent. I hope it happens. I used to love going to Steam on the Met.

 

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What about using the B12 as they did last time?

 

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Sounds absolutely magic! If only the TOCs and NR were as open to events like these.

 

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What chance the Epping Ongar line being able to take part in some of this ?

 

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Depends on whether it is still connected to the Central line, but I suppose there is nothing stopping them marking the anniversary in some way.

Regards,

Dan

 

Re: LU 150 plans...

I cant see anything stopping them holding their own event, but they dont have any LU rolling stock and the stations are being restored to GER condition so their options are pretty limited.

Chris

 

Re: LU 150 plans...

Interesting to read that Met No. 1 will stay on loan to LT Museum for 10 years to pay off its overhaul.

I had heard a few months ago that the N2 was going to be fitted with TPWS and trip cock equipment. Whether that's true or not I don't know, but it would be nice to see that running. Can the condensing equipment be made to work again?

 

Re: LU 150 plans...

Indeed, EOR is very keen to be part of the LT150 celebrations, both as the only heritage railway of the former LU system, within easy reach of London and not having the operational limitations that come from a mainline environment.

We continue to work closely with our friends in the LTM, and hope that all parties can come together to make it a real special year to celebrate the rich and important history of the system. Who knows, we might even be able to host a few surprises!

Regards, Simon
P.S. Unconnected with LT150; while Ongar has been restored into GER colours, and North Weald in LNER... I would be keen that we take the opportunity to celebrate our LU history when we turn our attentions to building any future platform at Epping. )

 

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Strange that the TfL board paper makes no mention (other than a typo mistakenly giving the name to Met No.1) of Sarah Scissors*, the only operational Metropolitan Railway stock remaining with LUL.

 

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I wouldnt call it strange, its the return of steam thats the big selling point though she will almost certainly be involved, probably to help top and tail the various trains. Also, to be fair, it does say heritage tours will be both steam "and electrically hauled".

Chris

 

Re: LU 150 plans...

Just imagine the N2 with quad-arts running on the Underground - it would be the perfect complement to Met 1 and the Chesham set! But TfL won't have an unlimted budget so I suspect they will want to focus on stock that was actually owned by LT or its constituents.

Speaking of coaches, this sentence caught my eye:
"A feature of the steam hauled services would be the restored Metropolitan Railway first class carriage, No. 353 (1892) and the use of Metropolitan Railway bogie stock carriages from the Bluebell railway and/or the Vintage Carriage Trust (up to six in total)."
Four Chesham set coaches plus three "Dreadnoughts" equals seven available coaches! Is this simply another typo, or have TfL already decided that the budget will only stretch to six?

To be pedantic, there's the Metropolitan or District 4-wheeler No. 100 at the KESR and the T-stock cars at the Spa Valley as well...

 

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If I remember correctly one of the VCT Dreadnoughts is now under overhaul, and won't be back in time.

 

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Wouldn't it. Especially since it's the right colour at the moment.....

 

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I understand there is a very interesting engineers train on Sunday morning from Lillie Bridge to Edgware Road and back. 01.25 from LB, arrive back 06.15. Shame all the stations are locked up after the last service.

 

Re: LU 150 plans...

Best keep it low key for the moment - that depot is a bit too susceptible to 'taggers'.

Regards,

Dan