Preserving the C-Stock

[domh245]

For the SSL at least. If it is an S40 system that gets installed (with much gnashing of teeth and other moaning from the enthusiasts and operators!) then at least the heritage stock, namely the 38TS will be able to go back on to the Northern (and Jubilee for that matter!)

[tomek]

Good to hear that !

[crusty54]

Jul 17, 2014 13:40:52 GMT metman said:

I must remind you all that provision had been made for the installation of ATO compatible equipment on 10 heritage trains!

But not necessarily trains able to carry passengers

[br7mt]

ATO is Automatic Train Operation, which basically means a computer is controlling the traction and brakes. For heritage stock you would only need the ATP bit i.e. the driver operates the train to instructions on their in cab display (plus some lineside signals).

This is no different to how the engineers fleet operate under TBTC and Central Line ATP.

Regards,

Dan

[brigham]

Jul 17, 2014 13:40:52 GMT metman said:

I must remind you all that provision had been made for the installation of ATO compatible equipment on 10 heritage trains!

That is good to hear. The matter has seemingly been taken into consideration already.

I made the mistake of taking "The new signalling systems are making the use of LUL tracks impossible" at face value, and inadvertantly censured the designers of the new systems.

My apologies to them.

[metman]

Jul 17, 2014 19:29:31 GMT br7mt said:

ATO is Automatic Train Operation, which basically means a computer is controlling the traction and brakes. For heritage stock you would only need the ATP bit i.e. the driver operates the train to instructions on their in cab display (plus some lineside signals).

This is no different to how the engineers fleet operate under TBTC and Central Line ATP.

Regards,

Dan

I believe that is the plan.

[Deleted]

Jun 25, 2014 12:05:03 GMT @rm1422 said:

The demise of the C-Stock trains has again got me wondering what is the Underground's preservation policy. Yes lots is done to look after the system's architectural and design heritage but what about the trains? I was appalled to hear that just one coach of C-Stock may be being preserved. Surely that isn't enough. 

I was lucky enough as a child to go on one of the Q-Stock farewell trips. Even back then I imagined one of the trains would be kept for history and brought out in service on special occasions. Of course it didn't happen. I know attempts are now being made to do something about that but it should have been done 40 years ago.

Compare the situation with New York. There, preserved units run in service several times a year with no special tickets needed. Of course they run fund raising tours as well but then they have the trains to do it with. Look at this list to see how much has survived.

NY Subway preserved cars

Earlier this year veteran 1917 cars were in use to mark the start of the baseball season. They also run vintage "Nostalgia Trains" every Christmas as a holiday shoppers special.

Nostalgia Train

So, before the final C-Stock is scrapped, can more be done to keep a big part of London's transport history?

I totally agree. I think that these trains should be remembered because these trains served on the Circle, District and Hammersmith and City lines for many years and have had quite a history. I don't think a single car is enough.