The Pic to Ealing BDY

[edb]

As per my new and first avatar, i saw a 73 Stock in Platform 7 at Ealing BDY today.

What went on there then?

(sorry, i managed to compress the 2 Mpixel version so i dont have a high res of it anymore).

[Tomcakes]

Retailiation for previous enroachments on their territory ?

[Deleted]

There were quite a few wrong signals at Hanger lane today. Two Districts managed to reach South Harrow and I believe two Picc trains managed to reach Ealing Broadway!

It was one of those days to be honest. I've just got home after an amazing FORTY FIVE minutes waiting at Acton for a Rayners Lane train. The poor SA on the platform was being severely abused. he was only a little chap, so me being 6'3 stepped in and explained things as I saw them... Which just seemed to make Mr shouty even more irate!
Still, the Picc controllers want a good kick up the rear for the pathetic 'service' they offered tonight!

[Tubeboy]

It is always the poor sa who gets it worse, well we are the face of the company are we not!. TWO picc trains to Ealing Broadway in one day, that is rare isnt it? When was the last time it happened?. Funny I was thinking this last night.... spooky!!

[Deleted]

Last year, I and another Picc driver had to take trains to Ealing Broadway as the points at Hangar Lane had thrown (Or not) a wobbly. Becoming more common now I think.

[Deleted]

I was at Ealing Broadway from 6am until 1pm on Monday and I bet it just happened after I left

[Deleted]

The picc made its way there for a number of reasons. Because a D stock had gone the blue way at Hanger Lane Jct, the branch was then shut down while a pilotman was transported to North Ealing, to meet the Train Op.

While that was going on, a Picc was stuck at Ealing Common with nowhere to go. The Train OP came up with the idea of running his train to Ealing, as he was fimiliar with the road, the controller agreed and that is why you saw a little blue train in big green terrortory!

All that sounds like a board game!

[Oracle]

transported to North Ealing

...No, I must not ask did they teleport but ask if the trailing #-over at North Ealing removed years ago despite considerable popular discussion at the time as to its effectiveness in such a case would have made any practical difference now? I am wracking my brain as to whether it was a ground frame or not although when removed I seem to recall that it had not been used for some time. Perhaps it was thought less likely to cause service disruption to merely send any Districts suffering the 'Blues' to go to South Harrow and back?

Also, being ahem[!] a Picc enthusiast of over 40 years I would love to know if the persons in front of the two trains would have been given a typical friendly greeting from their colleagues when they got back to their depot? Or are the Picc t/ops not as friendly as their District opos?

[Deleted]

oracle said:

transported to North Ealing

...No, I must not ask did they teleport but ask if the trailing #-over at North Ealing removed years ago despite considerable popular discussion at the time as to its effectiveness in such a case would have made any practical difference now? I am wracking my brain as to whether it was a ground frame or not although when removed I seem to recall that it had not been used for some time. Perhaps it was thought less likely to cause service disruption to merely send any Districts suffering the 'Blues' to go to South Harrow and back?

The crossover at North Ealing was controlled via a ground frame. It was positioned north of the station between the last home signal on the eastbound line (A545c) and the platform tailwall. The crossover's signalling code was WU.

Given the instances when the Hanger Lane Junction area goes spectacularly wrong, restoring the crossover would probably be a very good idea.

[Deleted]

oracle said:

Also, being ahem[!] a Picc enthusiast of over 40 years I would love to know if the persons in front of the two trains would have been given a typical friendly greeting from their colleagues when they got back to their depot? Or are the Picc t/ops not as friendly as their District opos?

The District Drivers would certainly get a fair amount of abuse friendly banter, especially as one of the drivers is a VERY experienced District man!
I can't speak for the Picc, but I imagine there'd be a welcoming committee laid on for them too! ;D

Always a good topic of conversation in the canteens trying to find out who took the wrong 'un in case the guilty party doesn't own up to it! ;D