07:00 start this morning. Not good. (Well, 07:10.) Still, I was out of the house pretty early, but was overtaken on my way to the station by what I assume was the 08:00 RUG service. It wasn't too long a wait, though, for the 08:09 WER and I was soon on the move.
It was a beautiful morning this morning as well and I took the opportunity to admire the view of the skyline from the bridge leading to platform 1 at ROV. The clouds made for a sky which more poetic people would probably call "majestic" (but which I would call "cloudy") and the sunlight produced a beautiful, bright yellow patch of sky. As a result, I had a really lovely journey from ROV to SOW, admiring the various views on offer. At SNA, however, my enjoyable, peaceful journey was interrupted by the arrival of a mother with two little kids. Being a considerate sort, I thought I'd better surrender my seat to the more needy. I am not a fan of school holidays :P
Anyway, in spite of my new-found lack of seat, it wasn't a bad journey in. Quite tiring at that time of the morning, but to me it's sort of like exercise :P After pulling away from BEG promptly (unlike yesterday, when we had a bit of a dwell there; I'm guessing we were held to timetable or held to regulate the service, since the T/Op informed us we'd be there for about a minute, so he'd obviously been warned in advance), I noticed we were very slow and stop-start on the way to LIS. Nothing much else of interest happened though.
At LIS, I changed for what I think was the all stations Watford and that took me to King's X without incident. Also, with no artwork taking up much-needed seats, I was able to take one up instead :P Happened to notice a co-acting starter (OD2, I think) at LIS on the WB sub-surface lines platform, too. I think that's new, I've not seen it before.
Got the Circle line from King's X back to LIS and changed onto a HAI via NEP. Naturally, changed at LES for the EPP. It was a fine trip, indeed. With the sun high in the sky it was a surprisingly bright day and I did enjoy myself. This enjoyment was slightly dented by missing the HAI and having quite a wait at WOO. Bright it may have been, but not especially warm. Could've been worse, though, nothing wrong with a bit of time to oneself watching the trains go by at WOO :P
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Monday, 17 February 2014
Back to class. Again
After many fine days off, I was forced to return to class. It wasn't fun, either - I didn't negotiate the changeover very well. Basically, I'd meant to get up quite early on Sunday so I was tired enough to get to sleep quite early that night, so I wouldn't be so tired this morning. Unfortunately, I overslept on Sunday, couldn't sleep last night and was surely still awake at 04:30, if not 05:00. I was then woken up at about 07:30 and had to get up at 08:00 anyway so didn't get back to sleep. In spite of this, I was very happy to be back at LIS this morning :P
Anyway, for once I got to ROV quite early and had a bit of a wait for the WOO train. This took my tired, wrecked self into WOO, where I changed for a WER (I think). Whichever train I changed onto, there wasn't much to report, as much as I did enjoy the journey. There was a bit of commuter rage at STR which continued into the westbound tunnel towards MIE. Apart from that, I changed at LIS, just missed one train (all stations Watford, I think) and shortly after was able to take a Hammersmith & City line train for Hammersmith to Euston Square. In the end I was very early and the most exciting part of my journey was probably the temperamental lift, which tried to take me and a classmate to the fourth floor and spluttered to a halt almost immediately. A calm second press of the button for the fourth floor was all that was required, though - and I so nearly missed Hindi :P
On the way back, I got an Aldgate train which was surprisingly quiet (I mean, it was pretty full, but there were even a few seats knocking around); although one person felt justified in taking up an entire two-seat bench with what looked like a painting. This really is world class douchebaggery and I'm sure this person will medal in this year's world championships :P I'm sorry, but this isn't to be condoned at rush hour. Ah well, end of rant. We were a little slow to LIS, but that's only to be expected at that time.
At LIS, I walked away from the escalators and saw a train standing in the platform. In line with my own chastisements, I resisted the temptation to run or anything like that and walked calmly onto the platform and onto the train. Almost immediately, the doors started closing, but not before I had noticed the train was for GRH via WOO (Grange Hill via Woodford). I am so glad I made it onto that one and it really did smooth the journey out nicely :P
And that was all, really - nice day on the tube.
Anyway, for once I got to ROV quite early and had a bit of a wait for the WOO train. This took my tired, wrecked self into WOO, where I changed for a WER (I think). Whichever train I changed onto, there wasn't much to report, as much as I did enjoy the journey. There was a bit of commuter rage at STR which continued into the westbound tunnel towards MIE. Apart from that, I changed at LIS, just missed one train (all stations Watford, I think) and shortly after was able to take a Hammersmith & City line train for Hammersmith to Euston Square. In the end I was very early and the most exciting part of my journey was probably the temperamental lift, which tried to take me and a classmate to the fourth floor and spluttered to a halt almost immediately. A calm second press of the button for the fourth floor was all that was required, though - and I so nearly missed Hindi :P
On the way back, I got an Aldgate train which was surprisingly quiet (I mean, it was pretty full, but there were even a few seats knocking around); although one person felt justified in taking up an entire two-seat bench with what looked like a painting. This really is world class douchebaggery and I'm sure this person will medal in this year's world championships :P I'm sorry, but this isn't to be condoned at rush hour. Ah well, end of rant. We were a little slow to LIS, but that's only to be expected at that time.
At LIS, I walked away from the escalators and saw a train standing in the platform. In line with my own chastisements, I resisted the temptation to run or anything like that and walked calmly onto the platform and onto the train. Almost immediately, the doors started closing, but not before I had noticed the train was for GRH via WOO (Grange Hill via Woodford). I am so glad I made it onto that one and it really did smooth the journey out nicely :P
And that was all, really - nice day on the tube.
Friday, 14 February 2014
Banking
Today, I was asked to deliver a parcel to my sister, who works up near BAN (Bank) station. Bit of a long story but, in short, it was a gift for Valentine's day and she obviously needed it today, before she left work for her boyfriend's, and it only came this morning.
So, basically, I was once more on the Central line and it wasn't a bad little trip actually. It was a wet trip though - absolutely miserable weather. I arrived at damp ROV with about 10 minutes to wait for the WOO train and spent the time huddled in my coat :P The rain had really built up on the rails by the time the HAI train arrived on the opposite platform. It seemed to manage to stop alright, though, but I quite enjoyed the sight of the pick-up shoes scything their way through the puddles of water on the conductor rails.
Anyway, the WOO train soon had me on my way and I changed at WOO for a NOR (Northolt) train, which carried me into BAN no problem. I don't think there was really anything much of note, except that we were held on the westbound approaching LEY, waiting for the train from platform 1, which departed after us. Thanks Wood Lane :P There was a moment when I wasn't sure why we'd stopped and then I felt it come whooshing past :P
It was, though, nice to get a chance to have a look round BAN station - bit of something new - and it was also a nice walk through what is a very pretty part of London. Umbrellas and narrow streets, however, are not a good mix and I nearly lost an eye at least five times to my fellow pedestrians :P (One of the reasons I prefer a coat). Also got a chance, at BAN, to have a peak at the equipment which is attached to the check rail and applies grease to the running rail, to keep noise and wear down.
Sadly, I had a dentist's appointment this afternoon (everything seems fine, thanks) and was in a hurry. I thought I probably just had enough time to pop home, brush my teeth and pick up a bottle of water. Therefore, I decided to stay on the NEP (Newbury Park) train and was able to watch it run into the siding - which made a nice change - at the very pretty NEP:
This I did because the WOO via HAI was just a few minutes behind it. That took me back to ROV, where it was positively tipping it down - the heavens really opened while we were waiting for the starter at GRH (Grange Hill) to clear and it was still raining hard as I made my sodden way home for the pit stop. Got drenched on the way to the dentist's as well.
The rain didn't please the train, either. At BAR (Barkingside), I noticed we weren't moving - even though the doors had been closed for some time. Eventually we had movement, but it was a hard stop at FAI (Fairlop) and it needed a brief application of power (or, certainly the brakes came off for a moment) at HAI to make the stopping mark. It was like I was driving! :P Auto, then, still not enjoying the rain from where I was sitting :P (I doubt we were in coded - it crossed my mind, but the braking profile of the train matches descriptions and footage of Auto's problems with wet weather.)
So, basically, I was once more on the Central line and it wasn't a bad little trip actually. It was a wet trip though - absolutely miserable weather. I arrived at damp ROV with about 10 minutes to wait for the WOO train and spent the time huddled in my coat :P The rain had really built up on the rails by the time the HAI train arrived on the opposite platform. It seemed to manage to stop alright, though, but I quite enjoyed the sight of the pick-up shoes scything their way through the puddles of water on the conductor rails.
Anyway, the WOO train soon had me on my way and I changed at WOO for a NOR (Northolt) train, which carried me into BAN no problem. I don't think there was really anything much of note, except that we were held on the westbound approaching LEY, waiting for the train from platform 1, which departed after us. Thanks Wood Lane :P There was a moment when I wasn't sure why we'd stopped and then I felt it come whooshing past :P
It was, though, nice to get a chance to have a look round BAN station - bit of something new - and it was also a nice walk through what is a very pretty part of London. Umbrellas and narrow streets, however, are not a good mix and I nearly lost an eye at least five times to my fellow pedestrians :P (One of the reasons I prefer a coat). Also got a chance, at BAN, to have a peak at the equipment which is attached to the check rail and applies grease to the running rail, to keep noise and wear down.
Sadly, I had a dentist's appointment this afternoon (everything seems fine, thanks) and was in a hurry. I thought I probably just had enough time to pop home, brush my teeth and pick up a bottle of water. Therefore, I decided to stay on the NEP (Newbury Park) train and was able to watch it run into the siding - which made a nice change - at the very pretty NEP:
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| Newbury Park station, with a train standing in the siding visible in the background |
The rain didn't please the train, either. At BAR (Barkingside), I noticed we weren't moving - even though the doors had been closed for some time. Eventually we had movement, but it was a hard stop at FAI (Fairlop) and it needed a brief application of power (or, certainly the brakes came off for a moment) at HAI to make the stopping mark. It was like I was driving! :P Auto, then, still not enjoying the rain from where I was sitting :P (I doubt we were in coded - it crossed my mind, but the braking profile of the train matches descriptions and footage of Auto's problems with wet weather.)
Saturday, 8 February 2014
C is for Circle
It took a considerable effort to get myself out of bed this morning and I nearly saved my jaunt on the Circle line for tomorrow. (For those who haven't read yesterday's post, I decided to bid farewell to the C stock (which are due to be entirely replaced by S stock on Monday - although that's only what's on the timetable) by riding the full length of the Circle line in a C stock (having done the same on the H&C yesterday).) However, I eventually managed to pool my resolve and extract myself from the warm depths of my covers and soon I was on a Central line train. Well, not that soon, it was a substantial wait in the cold at ROV first. But, no matter, I was able to change for a NOA (North Acton) train at WOO without a problem and made LIS (Liverpool Street) in good time. It's like being back in class :P
I decided my best bet would be to go to Edgware Road, where Circle line trains arrive at three of the four platforms and so a Circle line C stock would be easier to nab. To get there, I took the first train, which happened to be a Circle line train - but was an S stock. As I was pulling in, I saw a C stock on the Circle line - for a moment I thought I might just be in luck, that - after yesterday's endless hours in the cold - I would get what I'd hoped for. And then it pulled out. So I got cold. Very cold. I mustn't complain, because Edgware Road is a fantastic place to be, really, and it's actually a very pretty little station too. However, it was cold today.
After a long wait - perhaps made slightly worse by the fact that C stocks on the Wimbleware were coming and going regularly and I did once confuse a Wimbleware for my target - I finally saw a C stock bound for Hammersmith pull into platform 4. I headed over to it and listened for the announcement and the bugger was on the Hammersmith & City line! Turns out, then, I was wrong about no C stocks on the H&C this weekend, but I don't think one is due to be out and about tomorrow (one could come into service, though).
Finally, though, an actual Circle line C stock turned up, bound for Hammersmith. I took it and was soon back at Hammersmith. I noticed that at Hammersmith, there was some work being done on the depot and there was a possession just outside of the train shed. I think they were replacing a walkway and they were finished by the time I returned.
Eventually, at about 12:15, we were away - back to Edgware Road, back to LIS and finally all the way round to Edgware Road, taking in the bay platforms at Tower Hill and Mansion House, the crossover at South Kensington, some of the fun and games between Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington and Edgware Road itself, of course. Never quite got a glimpse of the crossover at Embankment, though :( Still, there are some wonderful sights to see - the very green Sloane Square, the beautiful, old-fashioned Gloucester Road, really everything from High Street Kensington to Edgware Road and the lovely, modern Blackfriars. Very nice line, actually, the Circle - I often tend to overlook it a bit.
After that it was, of course, back the way I had come. When we returned to Hammersmith I got to watch an S7 leave the siding alongside platform 3 at Hammersmith, which I think is called 24 road, and see the fibre optic shunt signal clear it to do so. I think it entered service at Goldhawk Road, actually.
And then, finally, I returned on a Circle line C stock to LIS, doing Euston Square to LIS for what might well be the last time on a C stock. At LIS, I changed for an EPP train and arrived, uneventfully, at WOO with 12 minutes to wait for the HAI. Since I couldn't risk being left behind by my C stock, I hadn't been able to leave it for very long all day. As a result, I needed the loo and a bite to eat, so I popped into a nearby café and enjoyed a very nice strawberry tart ("tart" was spelt with an "e", because the place is Belgian :P). I then arrived back at WOO just in time to see the HAI train leave. Dammit. So I had another long wait for a train in the cold. And I wanted a drink.
It was nice to experience the sights of the Circle from a C stock train again, though. So, I suppose, again we say goodbye to this somehow slightly loveable pile of junk on the Circle line:
And keep it up to the S7s:
I decided my best bet would be to go to Edgware Road, where Circle line trains arrive at three of the four platforms and so a Circle line C stock would be easier to nab. To get there, I took the first train, which happened to be a Circle line train - but was an S stock. As I was pulling in, I saw a C stock on the Circle line - for a moment I thought I might just be in luck, that - after yesterday's endless hours in the cold - I would get what I'd hoped for. And then it pulled out. So I got cold. Very cold. I mustn't complain, because Edgware Road is a fantastic place to be, really, and it's actually a very pretty little station too. However, it was cold today.
After a long wait - perhaps made slightly worse by the fact that C stocks on the Wimbleware were coming and going regularly and I did once confuse a Wimbleware for my target - I finally saw a C stock bound for Hammersmith pull into platform 4. I headed over to it and listened for the announcement and the bugger was on the Hammersmith & City line! Turns out, then, I was wrong about no C stocks on the H&C this weekend, but I don't think one is due to be out and about tomorrow (one could come into service, though).
Finally, though, an actual Circle line C stock turned up, bound for Hammersmith. I took it and was soon back at Hammersmith. I noticed that at Hammersmith, there was some work being done on the depot and there was a possession just outside of the train shed. I think they were replacing a walkway and they were finished by the time I returned.
Eventually, at about 12:15, we were away - back to Edgware Road, back to LIS and finally all the way round to Edgware Road, taking in the bay platforms at Tower Hill and Mansion House, the crossover at South Kensington, some of the fun and games between Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington and Edgware Road itself, of course. Never quite got a glimpse of the crossover at Embankment, though :( Still, there are some wonderful sights to see - the very green Sloane Square, the beautiful, old-fashioned Gloucester Road, really everything from High Street Kensington to Edgware Road and the lovely, modern Blackfriars. Very nice line, actually, the Circle - I often tend to overlook it a bit.
After that it was, of course, back the way I had come. When we returned to Hammersmith I got to watch an S7 leave the siding alongside platform 3 at Hammersmith, which I think is called 24 road, and see the fibre optic shunt signal clear it to do so. I think it entered service at Goldhawk Road, actually.
And then, finally, I returned on a Circle line C stock to LIS, doing Euston Square to LIS for what might well be the last time on a C stock. At LIS, I changed for an EPP train and arrived, uneventfully, at WOO with 12 minutes to wait for the HAI. Since I couldn't risk being left behind by my C stock, I hadn't been able to leave it for very long all day. As a result, I needed the loo and a bite to eat, so I popped into a nearby café and enjoyed a very nice strawberry tart ("tart" was spelt with an "e", because the place is Belgian :P). I then arrived back at WOO just in time to see the HAI train leave. Dammit. So I had another long wait for a train in the cold. And I wanted a drink.
It was nice to experience the sights of the Circle from a C stock train again, though. So, I suppose, again we say goodbye to this somehow slightly loveable pile of junk on the Circle line:
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| A C stock train operating a Circle line service, seen here at High Street Kensington. (Image courtesy "Sunil060902" (via Wikipedia)) |
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| A superb capture of two S7 stock trains, both operating Circle line services, seen here at Paddington. This image is courtesy of "Flickr" user "κύριαsity" and the original (which I have not altered) may be viewed here. The license applying to the use of this image may be viewed here. |
Friday, 7 February 2014
'C's and the H & C
So, most of you will probably be aware that Hammersmith & City and Circle line services have for some time been operated by C stock trains. Additionally, they also operate on the Wimbledon - Edgware Road branch of the District line and occasionally serve Kensington (Olympia).
As Wikipedia will inform you, in 1968 an order for new, C stock trains was placed. It was originally intended that delivery would begin in 1969 and these trains were designated C69 stock. In the end, they were slightly delayed and trials didn't actually begin until 1970. Despite this hiccup, they entered service in 1970 and were eventually rolled out across the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. Then, in 1977, further C stock trains - designated C77 stock - were ordered to operate the Wimbledon - Edgware Road service. The line between High Street Kensington and Edgware Road could, at that time, only be operated by C stock, however District line D stock trains from central London augment the service between Earl's Court and Wimbledon and also operate the infrequent shuttle between High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia).
Now, however, many are significantly over 40 years old and they have been in dire need of replacement for some time. I can't honestly say they were the most lovable - or the most anything good really - trains to begin with. However, they were wonderful workhorses, they were very good at shifting lots of people over short distances and they've become part of the scenery - since they operate over so much of the network. I, myself, have lots of memories of C stock journeys from my early tube adventures and other, less nerdy, travels.
Still, as I'm sure you also know, the process of replacing them with S stock trains has been underway for a while, now. On the 06/07/2012, the first S7 stock train entered service on the Hammersmith & City line between Hammersmith and Moorgate. Then, on 09/12/2012, S7 stock trains began operating on the full length of the Hammersmith and City line. The Circle was next - but with no gradual phasing in, this time. On 02/09/2013, S7s also entered service on the Circle line (and on the District line, too, from Kensington (Olympia) to West Ham).
Since then, it's been a gradual process of S stock deliveries, of new S stock trains entering service and of old C stock trains being retired and scrapped. Then came the news that from 10/02/2014 the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines are planned to go 100% S stock. That's to say that no more C stock trains are timetabled to run on those lines, but you never know what could happen if the service goes up the wall. Still, given all the memories and everything, I thought I'd have one last go, so I decided to go for a jaunt today.
I'm not completely certain, but I don't think that any C stocks are running on the H & C this weekend (and haven't been for a few weekends, I think), but I think one or two might still be out and about on the Circle. So, today, I decided to try and ride the full length of the Hammersmith & City line - in both directions - on a C stock. As I say, they're far from my favourite trains - I'll be quite glad to see the back of the buggers really - but I still felt the need to get all nostalgic, etc. :P
So, I got up bright and early, boarded a WOO train at ROV and then changed for what I think was a WER (West Ruislip) train to MIE (Mile End). At MIE, I hopped onto a District line train to Upminster and headed up to Barking. It was quite a good day for spotting unusual things, really - I noticed an S7 in the bay platform at Plaistow and then got to watch it leave before we headed on our way. Soon, I arrived at Barking and was under the impression that a C stock would be due out of Barking sidings at 10:12. Now, the H & C had minor delays at that time (presumably, hence the train in Plaistow bay platform) and, sadly, it never materialised. I did see the District line's S7 operating the Olympia service (which seems now to have been extended to Barking, and I saw it at least one more time, actually :P) but no sign of any H & C line C stock. I did notice an extremely unusual signal layout on platform 7, but that was all :P
In the end, I got too cold and gave up. Besides, I was worried my hanging around would begin to constitute suspicious behaviour. I decided to head up the line and try and wait somewhere warmer - somewhere in a tunnel, with a roof. So I made my way to Aldgate East and low and behold I passed the bugger going in the other direction at Stepney Green. If only I'd gotten off at MIE. Still, I knew it was out and about, so I carried on to Aldgate East and waited. Waited a lot. Then I got bored, and thought I'd move up to Baker Street - makes things more interesting and saves sitting around, not moving, for so long. On the way, I noticed a Met line train terminating at Moorgate platform 3.
Eventually, after a little while at Baker Street, I noticed the crappy yellow headlights of a C stock! But, alas, it was a Circle line train. Nevertheless, I took it to Hammersmith and waited a little bit more. Got to see an S7 go into the yard from platform 3 (plus the shunt signal clear it to do so) which was quite nice. Then, finally, it arrived!
So, I hopped on. I hopped on and headed all the way back the way I had come - albeit it at about 13:45 or something, at this stage :P It wasn't a bad trip actually and it didn't take very long to get back to Barking. Now, once upon a time (actually, until very recently), most Hammersmith & City lines terminated in a bay platform - platform 3. Nowadays, it seems that most Hammersmith & City line trains reverse via Barking sidings, terminating at what I think must be platform 2. The upshot of this was, however, that I had to get back out in the cold, make my way back to platform 6 and wait for it to come back out of the sidings, heading westbound.
Eventually, it returned from its trip to the sidings and we headed all the way back to Hammersmith - with just a short delay due to a platforms and hold call at Barbican, 'cause of a problem with a train at Baker Street. All in all, despite the cold (and it was freezing in the old C stocks (which I think have heaters, but the ones in today's train were either faulty or off)), it was a very nice trip and I made sure to get a good look at the crossover at East Ham, the bay platform at Plaistow, the reversing siding at West Ham (which looks like it could do with one or two rusty rail moves being routed through it :P) and crossovers at Whitechapel, Aldgate East, Baker Street and Royal Oak. I also managed to get a very nice view of Praed Street Junction (just outside Edgware Road). These are sights you won't be able to see from a C stock soon and it was lovely weather for it, too.
I plan to do pretty much the same on the Circle line tomorrow (and the Wimbleware, too, if I get lucky), let's hope I manage to have a bit more luck with the timings :P
For now, then, it's pretty much goodbye to these things on the H & C:
And over to you, S7s:
As Wikipedia will inform you, in 1968 an order for new, C stock trains was placed. It was originally intended that delivery would begin in 1969 and these trains were designated C69 stock. In the end, they were slightly delayed and trials didn't actually begin until 1970. Despite this hiccup, they entered service in 1970 and were eventually rolled out across the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. Then, in 1977, further C stock trains - designated C77 stock - were ordered to operate the Wimbledon - Edgware Road service. The line between High Street Kensington and Edgware Road could, at that time, only be operated by C stock, however District line D stock trains from central London augment the service between Earl's Court and Wimbledon and also operate the infrequent shuttle between High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia).
Now, however, many are significantly over 40 years old and they have been in dire need of replacement for some time. I can't honestly say they were the most lovable - or the most anything good really - trains to begin with. However, they were wonderful workhorses, they were very good at shifting lots of people over short distances and they've become part of the scenery - since they operate over so much of the network. I, myself, have lots of memories of C stock journeys from my early tube adventures and other, less nerdy, travels.
Still, as I'm sure you also know, the process of replacing them with S stock trains has been underway for a while, now. On the 06/07/2012, the first S7 stock train entered service on the Hammersmith & City line between Hammersmith and Moorgate. Then, on 09/12/2012, S7 stock trains began operating on the full length of the Hammersmith and City line. The Circle was next - but with no gradual phasing in, this time. On 02/09/2013, S7s also entered service on the Circle line (and on the District line, too, from Kensington (Olympia) to West Ham).
Since then, it's been a gradual process of S stock deliveries, of new S stock trains entering service and of old C stock trains being retired and scrapped. Then came the news that from 10/02/2014 the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines are planned to go 100% S stock. That's to say that no more C stock trains are timetabled to run on those lines, but you never know what could happen if the service goes up the wall. Still, given all the memories and everything, I thought I'd have one last go, so I decided to go for a jaunt today.
I'm not completely certain, but I don't think that any C stocks are running on the H & C this weekend (and haven't been for a few weekends, I think), but I think one or two might still be out and about on the Circle. So, today, I decided to try and ride the full length of the Hammersmith & City line - in both directions - on a C stock. As I say, they're far from my favourite trains - I'll be quite glad to see the back of the buggers really - but I still felt the need to get all nostalgic, etc. :P
So, I got up bright and early, boarded a WOO train at ROV and then changed for what I think was a WER (West Ruislip) train to MIE (Mile End). At MIE, I hopped onto a District line train to Upminster and headed up to Barking. It was quite a good day for spotting unusual things, really - I noticed an S7 in the bay platform at Plaistow and then got to watch it leave before we headed on our way. Soon, I arrived at Barking and was under the impression that a C stock would be due out of Barking sidings at 10:12. Now, the H & C had minor delays at that time (presumably, hence the train in Plaistow bay platform) and, sadly, it never materialised. I did see the District line's S7 operating the Olympia service (which seems now to have been extended to Barking, and I saw it at least one more time, actually :P) but no sign of any H & C line C stock. I did notice an extremely unusual signal layout on platform 7, but that was all :P
In the end, I got too cold and gave up. Besides, I was worried my hanging around would begin to constitute suspicious behaviour. I decided to head up the line and try and wait somewhere warmer - somewhere in a tunnel, with a roof. So I made my way to Aldgate East and low and behold I passed the bugger going in the other direction at Stepney Green. If only I'd gotten off at MIE. Still, I knew it was out and about, so I carried on to Aldgate East and waited. Waited a lot. Then I got bored, and thought I'd move up to Baker Street - makes things more interesting and saves sitting around, not moving, for so long. On the way, I noticed a Met line train terminating at Moorgate platform 3.
Eventually, after a little while at Baker Street, I noticed the crappy yellow headlights of a C stock! But, alas, it was a Circle line train. Nevertheless, I took it to Hammersmith and waited a little bit more. Got to see an S7 go into the yard from platform 3 (plus the shunt signal clear it to do so) which was quite nice. Then, finally, it arrived!
So, I hopped on. I hopped on and headed all the way back the way I had come - albeit it at about 13:45 or something, at this stage :P It wasn't a bad trip actually and it didn't take very long to get back to Barking. Now, once upon a time (actually, until very recently), most Hammersmith & City lines terminated in a bay platform - platform 3. Nowadays, it seems that most Hammersmith & City line trains reverse via Barking sidings, terminating at what I think must be platform 2. The upshot of this was, however, that I had to get back out in the cold, make my way back to platform 6 and wait for it to come back out of the sidings, heading westbound.
Eventually, it returned from its trip to the sidings and we headed all the way back to Hammersmith - with just a short delay due to a platforms and hold call at Barbican, 'cause of a problem with a train at Baker Street. All in all, despite the cold (and it was freezing in the old C stocks (which I think have heaters, but the ones in today's train were either faulty or off)), it was a very nice trip and I made sure to get a good look at the crossover at East Ham, the bay platform at Plaistow, the reversing siding at West Ham (which looks like it could do with one or two rusty rail moves being routed through it :P) and crossovers at Whitechapel, Aldgate East, Baker Street and Royal Oak. I also managed to get a very nice view of Praed Street Junction (just outside Edgware Road). These are sights you won't be able to see from a C stock soon and it was lovely weather for it, too.
I plan to do pretty much the same on the Circle line tomorrow (and the Wimbleware, too, if I get lucky), let's hope I manage to have a bit more luck with the timings :P
For now, then, it's pretty much goodbye to these things on the H & C:
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| A C stock train operating a Hammersmith & City line service, seen here at West Ham. (Image courtesy "Edgepedia" (via Wikipedia)) |
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| An S7 stock train operating a Hammersmith & City line service, also shown at West Ham. (Image courtesy "Edgepedia" (via Wikipedia)) |
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Strike Tales
So the strike is upon us, the TV idiot has made his worthless comments, Unkle Bob is providing the Evening Standard with plenty of ammo and nobody seems to know who Manuel Cortes is. (Alright, the last comment is a little unfair on the free tabloids that continue to litter London Underground trains and stations - he's definitely being mentioned - but the big news is Johnson vs. Crow). More on the strike will follow (perhaps tomorrow, we'll see).
Now, I didn't post yesterday because I overslept (well, I was unusually reluctant to get out of bed, knowing I hadn't managed to track down a translation for class that morning, and ended up falling asleep again) and was fully intending to take advantage of the free days off, effectively giving myself a two week holiday (it's "reading week" next week, which is basically half term).
This morning, however, I got up to find that the Central line was running to HOL (Holborn). To HOL indeed! I have never been on a train that's reversed at HOL before, so I hastened to get ready and sample the unusual workings. Now, at HOL, trains can reverse using a siding located between HOL and TCR (Tottenham Court Road), which it's quite easy to catch a glimpse of from passing trains. It is located at the disused British Museum station, which was closed in 1933, I think ultimately due to "competition" from HOL. The platforms at British Museum have, however, been removed and I think the siding is outside of where they used to be. Anyway, I've got a very rough sketch of what it looks like there, but I've not really got any clue where the signals are and stuff, so this is pretty simplified:
In short, trains were arriving on westbound platform 1. There, they were tipped out and run empty into the siding to reverse. The T/Op then changed ends (I don't think, although it's possible, that a T/Op got into the cab at the back - which would allow him/her to take the train back out of the siding immediately, without the driver who took it into the siding needing to change ends) and drove it back out of the siding into eastbound platform 2.
So, that's what was happening and HOL and - never having seen it before - I decided to go and have a look (despite the need to struggle through the rain :P). My journey started at ROV, where it seems a WOO-HAI shuttle was being operated by all of one train at that time of day. I didn't have at all long to wait, though, and I took a WOO train into WOO. All pretty normal so far. At WOO, though (where - unsurprisingly - there were 3 trains in WOO sidings), things got interesting, with the WOO train reversing off platform 2 to go back round to HAI. I happened to notice that while this was happening, the EPP train was held outside of platform 3 and even when the HAI train was on its way, it only drew up to the block marker board outside platform 3, before finally being cleared into the platform. I can only imagine Wood Lane were understaffed and/or taking a lot more manual control (not that that block marker board can be controlled manually but the semi-auto signals around WOO can), but then maybe this is standard.
Not long after that, a LES (Leytonstone) train arrived - it seems that trains were shuttling back and forth between LES and EPP. That, then, took me into LES and it was certainly nice to hear Sonia announcing LES as a destination for a train. Apparently, the LES-EPP shuttles were all reversing off of platform 2 and I stayed to watch that. Meanwhile all trains serving platform 3 were going to HAI via NEP (Hainault via Newbury Park) - I believe a HOL to HAI via NEP shuttle service was operating. Since I'd had to let a HOL train go to watch the EPP reverse, I took the chance to get myself a drink and have a very brief look at the mosaics depicting the films of Alfred Hitchcock - which serve as a tribute to the director who was born there.
After that, I finally boarded a HOL train, which was certainly a very nice change. It was a pretty good journey actually, we non-stopped BEG (Bethnal Green) and CHL (Chancery Lane) and I was able to get quite unusually good look at the sidings (BEG end) and crossover (BAN end) outside LIS (Liverpool Street). Admittedly there wasn't all that much to see at HOL, but it was a very nice trip and it's nice to be able to say I've been there, seen it and done it - although the T-shirts looked a bit tacky so I didn't get one of those :P
With my fun had, then, I got the next HAI via NEP train through. Wanting to see what was going on at HAI, I stuck with that. We non-stopped WAN (Wanstead) and RED (Redbridge), which came as a nasty surprise to some guy who hadn't checked before he'd travelled. I was quite glad that he could (and did) get off at GRH (Grange Hill) because he didn't seem happy and I wasn't so pleased to be the bearer of bad news, there :P
Now, I happen to know that the Central line's magnificent ATO cannot handle two consecutive station skips, as it picks up the information that the next station is closed only when it halts at the preceding station. So, let's take the example of BEG, which was closed today. At MIE (Mile End) westbound, when the train stops, various information is uploaded to the train, including that BEG is closed. However, the information that LIS is closed can only be uploaded when the train stops at BEG westbound, so if both were closed, the train wouldn't know and would stop at LIS. I noticed that we trundled through WAN - presumably in auto - at the usual crawling pace and then absolutely flew through RED - presumably in coded. I'm not sure I've ever known a train to hit such speeds in that tunnel (I also noticed the tunnel lights were on). Very exciting - don't know whether it's in line with procedure or not, though?
Eventually we made HAI where it was - even I will admit - bedlam.
To help you out, here's a diagram:
I can only imagine Wood Lane were clearing sticks as and when and T/Ops were just being told to go (or else, the first indication that they got that they were to go was when the stick cleared). This basically led to trains departing in an order and at times that bore no resemblance to anything displayed on the departure boards, which was obviously a bit confusing. I doubt the T/Ops, who aren't told anything after all, realised that pax were being left on platforms and that they didn't have the first clue which train was going where and when - but still, an announcement would have been good before leaving.
So anyway, I turned up on platform 2 to find - not unsurprisingly - that the next WOO would be from platform 1. I think the next train to London might have been due to leave from platform 3? I'm sorry to say my memory now fails me. There might have been a bit of coming and going, but I'm pretty sure that a train from FAI (Fairlop) arrived on platform 1 at some time and this might actually have happened before any other train arrived or left. I think the stick at the FAI end cleared fairly quickly and it then headed off towards London - quite possibly the first to do so. It didn't leave, however, before one guy had held the doors open for a slow-moving passenger. I get that things weren't fun at HAI today, but don't do that. Shortly after it had gone a bewildered passenger asked me which was the next train to London. I had to let him know that he'd just missed it and that the train on platform 3 would probably be his best bet (thus said the departure boards). Also, a train had already arrived on the inner rail (from FAI), wanting a platform. And then it waited at the signal controlling access to HAI. Then it waited some more, before finally being cleared into platform 1. No sign of the WOO. My first guess was that this train was bound for HAI depot, since no westbound destination was shown - just "terminates here". This is often what you see when trains are heading for the depot, although it's also quite common for this to be shown and then a westbound destination will be updated. I was wrong, though, it was to head back towards London.
Soon, the boards updated and the train on platform 2 (apparently for LIS) was shown as the next train out, set to leave in 5 minutes. I thought I'd better let the poor guy know and found him hanging around the entrance to the station. I let him know and headed up to platform 2 myself to see what I could see. He did follow, just in time for train on platform 2 to leave, with the boards still showing a LIS train due to leave in 5 mins. The train thought it was for HOL, so I'm guessing the poor T/Op was no more clued-up than we were (though, as I say, an announcement would have been nice).
So I headed back to platform 1 (besides, I didn't fancy another chat with the poor lost passenger :P), where I found the next WOO would be leaving from platform 2, so back I went. The WOO arrived from GRH on platform 2 and I got on it. The door chimes sound on the train on platform 3, I can only assume many people rush to get on it, because the doors don't close and then the T/Op has another go and it gets on its way. Next, the WOO train's T/Op makes an announcement (good man, kudos to you - he seemed nice, too, gave me a smile) and we get on our way, leaving behind us - I was pleased to see - an almost empty platform, so hopefully nearly everyone found a train.
Well I had fun anyway, and we zoomed round to ROV - quickest I've ever done that journey. HAI depot was, predictably, as full of trains as I've ever seen it, too :P
Now, I didn't post yesterday because I overslept (well, I was unusually reluctant to get out of bed, knowing I hadn't managed to track down a translation for class that morning, and ended up falling asleep again) and was fully intending to take advantage of the free days off, effectively giving myself a two week holiday (it's "reading week" next week, which is basically half term).
This morning, however, I got up to find that the Central line was running to HOL (Holborn). To HOL indeed! I have never been on a train that's reversed at HOL before, so I hastened to get ready and sample the unusual workings. Now, at HOL, trains can reverse using a siding located between HOL and TCR (Tottenham Court Road), which it's quite easy to catch a glimpse of from passing trains. It is located at the disused British Museum station, which was closed in 1933, I think ultimately due to "competition" from HOL. The platforms at British Museum have, however, been removed and I think the siding is outside of where they used to be. Anyway, I've got a very rough sketch of what it looks like there, but I've not really got any clue where the signals are and stuff, so this is pretty simplified:
 |
| A very simplified schematic diagram of the track layout around Holborn, showing the location of the reversing siding used today |
So, that's what was happening and HOL and - never having seen it before - I decided to go and have a look (despite the need to struggle through the rain :P). My journey started at ROV, where it seems a WOO-HAI shuttle was being operated by all of one train at that time of day. I didn't have at all long to wait, though, and I took a WOO train into WOO. All pretty normal so far. At WOO, though (where - unsurprisingly - there were 3 trains in WOO sidings), things got interesting, with the WOO train reversing off platform 2 to go back round to HAI. I happened to notice that while this was happening, the EPP train was held outside of platform 3 and even when the HAI train was on its way, it only drew up to the block marker board outside platform 3, before finally being cleared into the platform. I can only imagine Wood Lane were understaffed and/or taking a lot more manual control (not that that block marker board can be controlled manually but the semi-auto signals around WOO can), but then maybe this is standard.
Not long after that, a LES (Leytonstone) train arrived - it seems that trains were shuttling back and forth between LES and EPP. That, then, took me into LES and it was certainly nice to hear Sonia announcing LES as a destination for a train. Apparently, the LES-EPP shuttles were all reversing off of platform 2 and I stayed to watch that. Meanwhile all trains serving platform 3 were going to HAI via NEP (Hainault via Newbury Park) - I believe a HOL to HAI via NEP shuttle service was operating. Since I'd had to let a HOL train go to watch the EPP reverse, I took the chance to get myself a drink and have a very brief look at the mosaics depicting the films of Alfred Hitchcock - which serve as a tribute to the director who was born there.
After that, I finally boarded a HOL train, which was certainly a very nice change. It was a pretty good journey actually, we non-stopped BEG (Bethnal Green) and CHL (Chancery Lane) and I was able to get quite unusually good look at the sidings (BEG end) and crossover (BAN end) outside LIS (Liverpool Street). Admittedly there wasn't all that much to see at HOL, but it was a very nice trip and it's nice to be able to say I've been there, seen it and done it - although the T-shirts looked a bit tacky so I didn't get one of those :P
With my fun had, then, I got the next HAI via NEP train through. Wanting to see what was going on at HAI, I stuck with that. We non-stopped WAN (Wanstead) and RED (Redbridge), which came as a nasty surprise to some guy who hadn't checked before he'd travelled. I was quite glad that he could (and did) get off at GRH (Grange Hill) because he didn't seem happy and I wasn't so pleased to be the bearer of bad news, there :P
Now, I happen to know that the Central line's magnificent ATO cannot handle two consecutive station skips, as it picks up the information that the next station is closed only when it halts at the preceding station. So, let's take the example of BEG, which was closed today. At MIE (Mile End) westbound, when the train stops, various information is uploaded to the train, including that BEG is closed. However, the information that LIS is closed can only be uploaded when the train stops at BEG westbound, so if both were closed, the train wouldn't know and would stop at LIS. I noticed that we trundled through WAN - presumably in auto - at the usual crawling pace and then absolutely flew through RED - presumably in coded. I'm not sure I've ever known a train to hit such speeds in that tunnel (I also noticed the tunnel lights were on). Very exciting - don't know whether it's in line with procedure or not, though?
Eventually we made HAI where it was - even I will admit - bedlam.
To help you out, here's a diagram:
 |
| A diagram of Hainault and the track layout around there |
So anyway, I turned up on platform 2 to find - not unsurprisingly - that the next WOO would be from platform 1. I think the next train to London might have been due to leave from platform 3? I'm sorry to say my memory now fails me. There might have been a bit of coming and going, but I'm pretty sure that a train from FAI (Fairlop) arrived on platform 1 at some time and this might actually have happened before any other train arrived or left. I think the stick at the FAI end cleared fairly quickly and it then headed off towards London - quite possibly the first to do so. It didn't leave, however, before one guy had held the doors open for a slow-moving passenger. I get that things weren't fun at HAI today, but don't do that. Shortly after it had gone a bewildered passenger asked me which was the next train to London. I had to let him know that he'd just missed it and that the train on platform 3 would probably be his best bet (thus said the departure boards). Also, a train had already arrived on the inner rail (from FAI), wanting a platform. And then it waited at the signal controlling access to HAI. Then it waited some more, before finally being cleared into platform 1. No sign of the WOO. My first guess was that this train was bound for HAI depot, since no westbound destination was shown - just "terminates here". This is often what you see when trains are heading for the depot, although it's also quite common for this to be shown and then a westbound destination will be updated. I was wrong, though, it was to head back towards London.
Soon, the boards updated and the train on platform 2 (apparently for LIS) was shown as the next train out, set to leave in 5 minutes. I thought I'd better let the poor guy know and found him hanging around the entrance to the station. I let him know and headed up to platform 2 myself to see what I could see. He did follow, just in time for train on platform 2 to leave, with the boards still showing a LIS train due to leave in 5 mins. The train thought it was for HOL, so I'm guessing the poor T/Op was no more clued-up than we were (though, as I say, an announcement would have been nice).
So I headed back to platform 1 (besides, I didn't fancy another chat with the poor lost passenger :P), where I found the next WOO would be leaving from platform 2, so back I went. The WOO arrived from GRH on platform 2 and I got on it. The door chimes sound on the train on platform 3, I can only assume many people rush to get on it, because the doors don't close and then the T/Op has another go and it gets on its way. Next, the WOO train's T/Op makes an announcement (good man, kudos to you - he seemed nice, too, gave me a smile) and we get on our way, leaving behind us - I was pleased to see - an almost empty platform, so hopefully nearly everyone found a train.
Well I had fun anyway, and we zoomed round to ROV - quickest I've ever done that journey. HAI depot was, predictably, as full of trains as I've ever seen it, too :P
Monday, 3 February 2014
MAA and TBTC
In all honesty, in terms of the commute, it was all pretty straightforward for me today. Despite not exactly flying out of bed, I managed to get ready pretty quickly and was set to make the earlier 08:54 train to WOO. I did make this train, but had to put on a last-minute burst of speed in the end, especially as I needed to top up my Oyster card. That was all, really, though. Central line to WOO and changed for a WER (West Ruislip) train to LIS (Liverpool Street). I then took a semi-fast Met line train for Harrow-on-the-Hill as far as Euston Square. And that was that. I did notice, though, that there were P way men on the track at WOO (well I assume they were P way). Dunno what they were doing, but it's a very regular occurrence of course.
Between classes, though, I had some time to kill and, actually, some research to do. I've been trying to draw one of my diagrams of MAA (Marble Arch) and essentially everything was complete. However, I wasn't sure of the location (in fact, I wasn't completely sure of the existence) of a shunt signal which I imagine clears trains into the siding from eastbound platform 2. Suffice it to say I couldn't find it, but this is my best guess:
Anyway, I wanted to have a look to see if I could actually see anything (and, to be honest, it was worth the trip), so I decided to go down to MAA. The best route would probably have been Russell Square to HOL (Holborn) and then Central from there; but I wanted to avoid the lifts - so I went to King's X from Euston Square and took the Picc to HOL from there.
I got off at MAA to have a look around what is a nice station:
And see what I could see of the signals from the platform. I did manage to get quite a nice view of the siding itself but, ultimately, I didn't really learn anything. I took a train to LAG (Lancaster Gate) and then came back, hoping to spot that elusive signal to the left of EB2 in my diagram. As I say, it may not even exist and if it does, it's probably nothing more than a small, usually unilluminated screen, which'll basically just look like a small grey box. However, I'm pretty sure trains can reverse off of eastbound platform 2 into the siding and I'd expect there to be a shunt signal to clear them to do it. I was hoping I might catch a glimpse from the very back carriage as we slowed right down to stop in the platform. Nothing though.
So, having failed, I stayed on the train, not really sure where to go next. At HOL I finally decided to see how the TBTC (Transmission Based Train Control, sc. Northern line ATO) roll-out is going on on the Northern line. Of course, if I'd thought about it, I could've changed at TCR (Tottenham Court Road). As it was, I took the Picc to Leicester Square and changed there.
As of 19/01 (I believe that's the official date), NMA 4 is now live. As a quick reminder, the Northern line is currently being converted to ATO (Automatic Train Operation), using the SelTrac S40 TBTC system. Which, as far as I'm concerned, is a poor system, but that's a bit by the by. It is being commissioned in stages - the first of which (NMA 1) went live on 17/02/2013. NMA stands for New Migration Area and there're 6 of them. NMA 1 is High Barnet - West Finchley. NMA 2, which went live on 24/06/2013, I think, is West Finchley/Mill Hill East - Highgate. NMA 3, which I believe went live on 27/10/2013, is Highgate/Chalk Farm - Angel/Euston (Charing Cross branch). NMA 4 takes us from Angel/Euston (Charing Cross branch) - Oval. NMA 5 will be Oval - Morden and NMA 6 will be the last bit: Chalk Farm - Edgware. NMA 6 is suspected to be the most difficult one to complete, because of Golders Green. The equipment may well actually be all - or mostly - in place by now, mind you, but there's still testing and all the rest of it to get through.
Anyway, I went from Leicester Square to Kennington. The ride in TBTC was better than I'd expected at first, but it was awful between Waterloo and Kennington. Again, no good at all along the slower sections heading north out of Kennington - very poor really. Stops hard, too, but not as bad as on the Vic.
Still, despite the TBTC, and the rock hard new seats, it wasn't a bad little trip. I watched a train head round the Kennington reversing loop before making my way back northbound (after touching out and back in again, of course, and having to operate the lift myself, which I wasn't expecting :P) to King's X. Got a decent look at the crossover outside Moorgate on the way. Obviously it was a brief trip to Euston Square from there (I think I took a Chesham train, perhaps not?)
On the way home, it was all rather straightforward again. Ended up on one of the last 'C's on the Circle line to LIS and then I took an EPP (Epping) to LES (Leytonstone). Decided I might as well change for the WOO via HAI at LES, since it was the next train along and I didn't fancy chancing a long wait in the cold at WOO. Long dwells at HAI and GRH (Grange Hill) on the way back, though. Still, saw a train on the depot roads alongside GRH while we were waiting for our departure, which was quite nice.
Between classes, though, I had some time to kill and, actually, some research to do. I've been trying to draw one of my diagrams of MAA (Marble Arch) and essentially everything was complete. However, I wasn't sure of the location (in fact, I wasn't completely sure of the existence) of a shunt signal which I imagine clears trains into the siding from eastbound platform 2. Suffice it to say I couldn't find it, but this is my best guess:
 |
| A slightly provisional diagram showing the track layout around Marble Arch. The key point though, really, is the siding itself, rather than the signals, whose locations are approximate (and, in one or two cases, whose existence is not completely certain :P) |
I got off at MAA to have a look around what is a nice station:
 |
| Marble Arch station, with the decorative Marble Arch design visible on the left. (Image courtesy "Sunil060902" (via Wikipedia)) |
So, having failed, I stayed on the train, not really sure where to go next. At HOL I finally decided to see how the TBTC (Transmission Based Train Control, sc. Northern line ATO) roll-out is going on on the Northern line. Of course, if I'd thought about it, I could've changed at TCR (Tottenham Court Road). As it was, I took the Picc to Leicester Square and changed there.
As of 19/01 (I believe that's the official date), NMA 4 is now live. As a quick reminder, the Northern line is currently being converted to ATO (Automatic Train Operation), using the SelTrac S40 TBTC system. Which, as far as I'm concerned, is a poor system, but that's a bit by the by. It is being commissioned in stages - the first of which (NMA 1) went live on 17/02/2013. NMA stands for New Migration Area and there're 6 of them. NMA 1 is High Barnet - West Finchley. NMA 2, which went live on 24/06/2013, I think, is West Finchley/Mill Hill East - Highgate. NMA 3, which I believe went live on 27/10/2013, is Highgate/Chalk Farm - Angel/Euston (Charing Cross branch). NMA 4 takes us from Angel/Euston (Charing Cross branch) - Oval. NMA 5 will be Oval - Morden and NMA 6 will be the last bit: Chalk Farm - Edgware. NMA 6 is suspected to be the most difficult one to complete, because of Golders Green. The equipment may well actually be all - or mostly - in place by now, mind you, but there's still testing and all the rest of it to get through.
Anyway, I went from Leicester Square to Kennington. The ride in TBTC was better than I'd expected at first, but it was awful between Waterloo and Kennington. Again, no good at all along the slower sections heading north out of Kennington - very poor really. Stops hard, too, but not as bad as on the Vic.
Still, despite the TBTC, and the rock hard new seats, it wasn't a bad little trip. I watched a train head round the Kennington reversing loop before making my way back northbound (after touching out and back in again, of course, and having to operate the lift myself, which I wasn't expecting :P) to King's X. Got a decent look at the crossover outside Moorgate on the way. Obviously it was a brief trip to Euston Square from there (I think I took a Chesham train, perhaps not?)
On the way home, it was all rather straightforward again. Ended up on one of the last 'C's on the Circle line to LIS and then I took an EPP (Epping) to LES (Leytonstone). Decided I might as well change for the WOO via HAI at LES, since it was the next train along and I didn't fancy chancing a long wait in the cold at WOO. Long dwells at HAI and GRH (Grange Hill) on the way back, though. Still, saw a train on the depot roads alongside GRH while we were waiting for our departure, which was quite nice.
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