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Post by seaeagle on Sept 1, 2021 12:27:34 GMT
On this day, 1st September 1968 the first stage of the Victoria Line opened from Walthamstow Central to Highbury & Islington
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class411
Operations: Normal
Posts: 2,718
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Post by class411 on Sept 1, 2021 13:02:17 GMT
Good old Vic.
I used to use it daily for a few years, when I first started working in London, not that long after it opened.
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gantshill
I had to change my profile pic!
Posts: 1,341
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Post by gantshill on Sept 1, 2021 14:22:03 GMT
I remember when it was new, but I don't think I used it until it was open through to Victoria. I share its birthday, although I pre-date it.
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Post by jimbo on Sept 1, 2021 20:13:58 GMT
I was on that first train! The opening was so uncertain that I phoned travel enquiries in the early hours to check if it was still on before leaving home. The new tunnels were so damp and cold from the surrounding clay that condensation caused track circuits to leak to earth. They were still lifting chairs to insert insulation to overcome this problem. There were giant gas fan heaters on the platforms to try to raise the temperature. Hard to believe today! Any other members there with me on that train?
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Post by jimbo on Sept 2, 2021 1:36:47 GMT
It is amazing to think that this was over 50 years back, and was the world's first self-drive trains. Even today, less than half of LU operates that way! Misha Black did a good job with the cabs, outside and in, if you compare with the 1960TS prototype cars. I was always fascinated by the candle emergency lights in each car, since batteries couldn't be relied upon for two hours. A link back to earlier days in an automatic train! They were removed with the first overhaul I believe.
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