Forum Topic

Last Old type District trains this week

Just had a note from a pal on the Underground that the final 3 remaining old type District Line trains - Known as D78 Stock, will be removed from service this week with the last one running on 21st April finishing at Ealing Broadway early evening.These were the last London Underground trains my Grandfather was involved in development work with, prior to his retirement. Long before they actually appeared.As these trains are not particularly old nor worn out, many are being retained and rebuilt as Lightweight hi tech Diesel and Battery powered trains for Branch line and local metro train services. The idea being a high spec train at low cost.British ingenuity at it's best.The London Transport Museum is running a farewell tour but I understand it is sold out already and will take in the former District line route to Northfields.

Mark Kehoe ● 3121d9 Comments

A video of the last morning trip at Gunnersbury.D Stock (one westbound & one eastbound) from around 5 minutes 40 seconds into the video. 21/4/2017.https://youtu.be/a4OFgH8RNqs

Leslie Bailey ● 3116d

Unfortunately Andy, that's a bit of PR puff released a while ago and is the intention and only the results of a design consultation with a desired end result.But it is only the start and the engineering obstacles remain. The Bakerloo line in particular has a lot of tight curves as do all the older deep tube tunnels.The increase in capacity actually means far less seating and some of the other lauded features already exist on some lines.The air cooling (not conditioning) is still not terribly good. It's been a bit of a let down on the New Routemaster which has now had to have opening windows fitted.No orders have been placed, not even a prototype - which is necessary when fundamental changes are being planned for use on what is really very old infrastructure. I think even the finance is not yet agreed so it will be at least 10 years before this starts to happen on the Piccadilly line.

Mark Kehoe ● 3116d

They're on their way...https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/tube-improvements/what-we-are-doing/improving-the-trainsandhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-29520761

Andy Hamm ● 3117d

Replacing the Piccadilly line trains will be much more of an engineering and design challenge. Tight turns, limitations of suspension and space and various demands will make the walk thru' concept much more of a gamble and the air conditioning problem has not been resolved for tube trains. It could mean vast reductions in seating and reduced levels of comfort. Not ideal for the paying traveller.Some of the much newer Tube designs have failed in several areas and by comparison, the Piccadilly Trains remain about the best in all round user friendliness, and comfort. Reliability issues have been brought about more by bad managing of assets rather than the trains themselves. The cutting of corners and basic degree of patching up and reduced cleanliness bear testimony and that only what the passenger can see.The current trains are in need of a thorough, deep clean and tidy up and similarly a thorough overhaul to see them through the 10 years it may take before a replacement arrives.It seems unlikely though.

Mark Kehoe ● 3117d

If only they'd do the same for the wretched Piccadilly line

Jim McCauley ● 3117d

They are not bad for sure, although some designs aspects are a bit flawed. Some sections of the carriages the grab rails are too high for too many and subsequently less passengers move down into the cars and now block the door areas.There are too few seats for the generally longer and slower journeys on the Underground Sub-surface lines.Small details like reduced fonts on undersize size line diagrams and bad positioning along with too many signs are a bit retrograde but easily fixed with a few tweaks.But in the main, I think they are a pretty good all round improvement and a lot better than some other new trains.

Mark Kehoe ● 3119d

The new trains are so much better. No gaps to mind, continuous carriage so you can search for a seat the whole length, and, as you say, the much needed aircon.

Susan Kelly ● 3119d

Takes me back to the Circle Line parties that we used to have as students long ago. Perhaps this is an excuse for a couple of bottles of proseco (disguised as fizzy drink bottles) and some friends to relive those days on the last of these trains

John Alan Peters ● 3121d

Sad to see them go but the new air-conditioned models are far more comfortable during the summer

Jim McCauley ● 3121d