38's on the northern line

[Deleted]

Does anyone know if the 1938 stock served on the northern line?

I've seen old BW footage of a 38 entering a tunnel and it looks like its leaving morden but you couldn't really tell from the camera angle.

[CSLR]

jubblyman said:

Does anyone know if the 1938 stock served on the northern line?

I've seen old BW footage of a 38 entering a tunnel and it looks like its leaving morden but you couldn't really tell from the camera angle.

Yes. They were introduced on the line in 1938 and remained in service until their gradual withdrawal between 1975-1978. A few units were reintroduced temporarily in the 1980s.

[Phil]

Yup - the 38s WERE the Northern line for many a decade.

[Deleted]

I see. I must admit, I always thought the standard stock was used until the 59's came in. From what I've seen and heard from people who have used them, the 38's seemed to be quite good.

I tried the 38 simulator in the LT museum. The deadman was so stiff, I could hardly move it!

[Deleted]

jubblyman said:

I see. I must admit, I always thought the standard stock was used until the 59's came in. From what I've seen and heard from people who have used them, the 38's seemed to be quite good.

The 72's were on the Northern before the 59's, the service was worked with 38 and 72 stock for many years.

The 38 stock was very uncomfortable for the driver but with the plush seats, very comfy for the guard.

jubblyman said:

I tried the 38 simulator in the LT museum. The deadman was so stiff, I could hardly move it!

That was a common problem with the 38's and 59's. Another problem was when you got a train where the master controller had a broken spring, then you had to use all your strength to hold it down.

[Deleted]

I see. At my station, I work with a guy who used to drive the 59's and he mentioned that the deadmans used to be very stiff.

The 62 sims that they have in the museum felt quite comfortable to use.

[Deleted]

jubblyman said:

The 62 sims that they have in the museum felt quite comfortable to use.

I thought that as well - as for the 38 TS, the one in the LT Museum is so comfortable it's untrue - I'd love to see what those seats are like while it's actually in use. Does anyone know if the 38 unit used for the Uxbridge line centenary will be making another outing soon?

[Phil]

As a passenger the 38ts was undoubtedly by far the most comfortable TS as far as seats etc went . They went for a much harder seat for the 59ts, and after that things got even worse. I suspect the 38ts was the last stock with sprung seating, though I'm open to correction on that.

[trainopd78]

The 59 stock seat I have in my mothers shed is most definately sprung. They weren't so deep as those on the 38's, but were still reasonably comfy.

The 59's were initially ordered for the Piccadilly line, but the Central line urgently needed to get rid of it's standard stock as the line needed more capacity (no switch compartments on 59's and better acceleration), so the first 59's were diverted and converted to run on the Central with an additional car ordered from BR workshops to make the train into an 8 car formation. The 59's did replace or at least run alongside standard stock albeit on the Central and not the Northern.

As the 62's were delivered, the 59's went back to the Picc, with the additional trailer being kept and inserted into the 62 stock left on the Central.

[Deleted]

They did feel a lot 'springier', but it's getting a bit distant as I last went on a 59TS 7 years ago . Actually I seem to remember 72MK1 seating being better than it's refurbed MK2 cousins - or is it my mind playing tricks?

[Deleted]

In the 1950s, when I started travelling the Underground, the 38TS was used on the Northern and Bakerloo. The Central and Picc were still on Standard Stock, which I regarded as much inferior.

The soft seats and good springing on the 38TS were not entirely a Good Thing. You could get bounced around on the long run from East Finchley to Fin Cen!

[mowat]

The Northern used Standard stock from 1923 to 1939/40, 1938 stock from 1938 to 1978 & 1986 to 1988, 1959 stock from 1975 to 2000 and 1972mkI's from 1972 to 1999. The Standard stock was sent to the Central to replace the old CLR 1903 stock, Five trains of 1938 stock which were withdrawn from the Bakerloo in 1985 were referbished and returnd to service on the Northern during peak hours for two years intill 1988.

[mowat]

Quote: Does anyone know if the 38 unit used for the Uxbridge line centenary will be making another outing soon?
It might be used on the Loughton 150 event in August whith the Cravens 1960ts unit.