District Memories

[Deleted]

Thought I'd share a few memories of travelling on the District when I was growing up in the sixties and seventies - you never know, it might jog some other memories too!

I used to travel between Wimbledon and Sloane Square, first with my mum to and from her work and later to and from school, although every so often I'd get sick of the District (gasp) and switch to rail between Victoria and Raynes Park changing at Clapham. Talking of which, in those days Victoria had mega-long platforms and the old 4-Subs used to enter the station without slowing down for quite a way. Quite entertaining to see the look on some infrequent travellers' faces as the "Victoria" signs flashed past.

Anyway - Wimbledon used to have old Southern green finger boards for the District platforms, except for the ones for Tower Hill which were black and white and looked handmade - possibly to do with the rebuilding from Mark Lane?

I remember once arriving on a Q stock train that stopped half way along the platform, then suddenly sped up and knocked over the red stop lamp just in front of the buffers. Anyone any idea what would have happened?

Am I right in remembering trains terminating at Charing Cross, Aldgate East and Aldgate from Wimbledon?

I remember seeing two coach units in the sidings at Parsons Green and I think I remember trains that didn't stop at all stations, although that might have been my mum telling me about them.

"Vote Robson in 1966" was a sight to look out for up to the 80s at Fulham Broadway. First punk (green hair) at Earl's Court in 1976.

Coming back from Sloane Square, spoilt brat that I was, I'd make my mum wait for a Q stock train - we'd sit in the front coach for Wimbledon. There was one set that had a Q38 coach leading, with the rest of the train older. Very disappointing as the second coach was smoking so my poor mum would be dragged down the platform. After all, Q38s were just like the boring old CO/CP stock and who wanted to travel in them?

Sorry to drone on but I've got some very good memories of bouncing up and down the District!

[trainopd78]

personally I like hearing/ reading peoples recollections of times past. I just wish I was old enough to have been able to have experienced those more interesting days for myself. I would be in my element travelling in conventional trains of all descriptions.

[Deleted]

Yes, I agree, IMHO the older stock had much more character than the present, as a schoolboy I spent many a happy day, traveling around the system in the sixties, with a travel card known as a 'Twin Rover'. In my fifth year at school, I was asked to do a project on the subject of my choice, which allowed me to write to London Transport requesting depot visits etc. During this period I was invited into the cab by the motorman on a Pic 59, and a 38 on the Northern.

[Phil]

True, but what parent would let their 9yr old loose across the whole of LT for all a Saturday these days, as mine did?

Alas how times have changed...

[Deleted]

Sorry if I've confused anyone, I meant my fifth year at senior school. Showing my age again!!

[frimm]

Interesting thread.... Like Phil, I too used buy a twin rover and travel the system, in the late 60's. I remember one day during school holidays, ending up on the drain during rush hour, with the old stock they used to use. Was hanging on a pole and looked up to see this big bank manager type in his bowler hat glaring down at me, as if to say whats an oik like you doing on here then......... funny to think that if this blokes still around, he'd make Q8 look young

[Deleted]

The drain was always a scary place as a youngster. As Frimm says, it was very much a "city gent" line where everyone used to (do they still?) queue up at the white lines on the platforms that would line up with the doors. Heaven forbid anyone trying to sneak round! The old trains were good, though, with the Art Deco-looking grilles reading "Southern". I think one or two even read "British Railways" but I might be wrong.