A Stock withdrawals - Discussion

its the neglect too.



this is a sad sight.they should hang their heads in shame.

www.flickr.com/photos/33109/5497727701/in/photostream/

comments such as

I have a huge soft spot for the old A Stock, as their passing really represents the end of the Metropolitan Railway era in the same way.

show the feeling,as others have mentioned you feel as if part of your childhood is being torn up,it certainly feels that way.

[bronzeonion]

Even if all of my experiences of A stock have been in their refurbished state, they are a massive part of my childhood.

flic.kr/p/bxtnxW

[allan60]

Apr 23, 2012 19:48:14 GMT bronzeonion said:

Even if all of my experiences of A stock have been in their refurbished state, they are a massive part of my childhood.

www.flickr.com/photos/78822063@N03/6919719576/in/photostream

+1 especially on the East London line , I will be very sad to see these units go as this means the Metropolitan line will never be the same again. For at least another 50 years that is

[superteacher]

Yes, they are not in great condition, but do people really advocate spending money on stock that has a matter of weeks left?

[MCWM1199]

I was on the Met today and I was shocked to see so many S stocks in service now. I had my A62 (can't remember which unit, whichever one had its Emergency Alarm pulled between Willesden Grn & Neasden around 1400) and I think I saw 4 other A stocks on my travels....A very sad sight.
As Bronzeonion says, they've been a massive part of my childhood as well as my adulthood. I've been alive for just over half the A stocks life. I've seen Cars come and go, I've seen Buses come and go but yet every time I've walked into Uxbridge Station over the last 28 years, there has been an A Stock waiting. For me personally once the last one has departed us, it'll be like losing more than just a train. I know that sounds silly to most but its true.
My dad, who has no interest in trains, but travelled on the A stock to school in the 60's, when I told him they were in the process of being withdrawn, looked at one and from within deep thought said 'Its an end of an era'
Even my sister has said she'll miss the sound of the compressors whirling away!
I think my dad has got it right, it really will be an end of an era.

[metman]

Agreed. The Met will never be the same again. When the T stock and Dreadnoughts went 50 years ago, there would have been the same sadness. The A stock is not a Metropolitan Railway train, but it feels like it. The S stock won't last 50 years. It doesn't have the build quality. The A stock represents everything LT stood for, those values are now lacking.

[undergrounddriver]

Apr 23, 2012 16:51:22 GMT metman said:

Oh no! Is this on Wednesday?

Yes.

[ajax the warrior]

Saturday I really noticed the lack of A stock, at the moment I am trying to catch as many A stock trains on camera as I can, one thing I've noticed is the amount of other enthusiasts I've passed recently. I am trying to get as many trips on them as I can, even if it means waiting at Finchley Road for 5 trains to go past!
I can remember the A stock back in the early 2000's not long after refurbishment and they looked great (didn't some mistake them for new on being re-done?) that refurb had a real met line identity.

I really will miss the long journeys of sitting back and relaxing on those big seats, with no patronising digitized voice blabbering on in the background... theres me getting nostalgic about something thats still here! (just)

[undergrounddriver]

Apr 23, 2012 16:54:11 GMT metman said:

Is it still in service now? I need to be with her on her last trip

Nope. Stopped and stripped neasden.

[xercesfobe]

S for short lived stock -maybe a 83 stock all over again!

Wouldn't be nice if a metro system went retro with it's new trains!

XF

[a60]

Making the following bastions of units no longer available.
5000-009 (5000 final)
5050-059 (5052/7 going concurrent).
5140-149 (5149 final)
5170-179 (5177 final)
5190-199 (5195 final)

Many more have only one unit left, 503x, 504x, 507x, 513x, 515x, 520x, 521x, 522x. A dark time it is for the met. A Stock played its part in my life, my sentiments will not be the same for the S Stock.

Metropolitan Railway era

its uniqueness the A stock has brought. this has all but disappeared now.the picture casts an eerie shadow over the door across the roof section i noticed also.

feelings are high with good reason.each with personal reasons' often going back many years'.

[londonstuff]

I've had a look through pages 80-85 but there isn't actually this information - how many S and A stocks are there at the moment? Even a non-nostalgic bloke like me might need to start taking a few photos of the As before they go. A day or two of nice weather wouldn't help either.

[metman]

Apr 23, 2012 23:20:57 GMT a60 said:

Making the following bastions of units no longer available.
5000-009 (5000 final)
5050-059 (5052/7 going concurrent).
5140-149 (5149 final)
5170-179 (5177 final)
5190-199 (5195 final)

Many more have only one unit left, 503x, 504x, 507x, 513x, 515x, 520x, 521x, 522x. A dark time it is for the met. A Stock played its part in my life, my sentiments will not be the same for the S Stock.

This is the same list I was making in my head last night. Night time is a horrible time, a time where you cannot escape your darkest thoughts, and things that should remain in the corners of you mind raise themselves to the fore. All you can do is hope the morning comes swiftly or the tiredness takes you. I won't lie to you, I didn't sleep well folks.

Its a great shame that the A60 stock is going with a matter of weeks.
I would be both surprised if any of the 90's rolling stock up to now will last 50 years! When I come to London in June will there still be some A60's left? Or will I just see S stock after S stock?