|
JUST ARRIVED In a sorry state "T Stock" motor car much graffitied by the vandals of Groombridge.
Blank end of coach, other than the face painting, the stock currently stored with the driver cabs in the middle.
Evidently much
work to do to restore the exterior finish to Acton works display condition.
Not really two faced just waiting for a little TLC then we can be returned "back to back"
|
"T"
Stock - A Basic History The "T" stock was built in 3 Batches 1927, 1930, & 1932 a total 59 Driving Motor Coaches being built, for use on the newly built & Electrified Watford Branch of the Metropolitan Railway. Running between the City [peak Hours only (Aldgate / Liverpool Street/ Moorgate)] Baker Street via Harrow on the Hill & Northwood, to Watford. Also ran some of the services on the Stanmore Branch, prior to transfer of Stanmore Branch to Bakerloo Line (Now Jubilee Line) Some runs also made to Uxbridge, (and after extension of the Fourth rail to Amersham, & Chesham, to these destinations as well). This Stock was Air Braked, unlike older stock, which was Vacuum Braked. The last batch of which 248, & 258 are part, built by Birmingham Carriage & Wagon Co Ltd in 1932, with Electrical equipment by Metropolitan Vickers. Four 210 h.p. motors were fitted in two bogies, electrification calling for a maximum speed of 65 MPH, acceleration in service proved to be such that 30 MPH was reached in less than 30 seconds. The Electrical equipment placed in a compartment behind the driver (unlike District Line stock of same era where it was under floor), giving protection for it from the weather, also allowing inspection whilst the train was running, in the same manner as the Locomotives of the same railway. The last batch was also the first electric rolling stock in Great Britain to be fitted with roller bearing axles. This batch was Steel Panelled (older batches followed the Metropolitan Railway practice of varnished teak sides, raised mouldings), & rounded ventilator’s over the doors of each of the six passenger compartments, which had strap operated windows. Ran as 6 or 8 car units with a Driving Motor Car at each end The Last stock built for the Metropolitan Railway (and as Metropolitan railway became part of London Transport), last Wooden Bodied, & Compartment Stock on Underground. The A60/62 Units, which were built on Electrification to Amersham replaced the “T” Stock, in the early 1960’s & all but these 2 Motor Cars being Scrapped. The extra Electrified Track Mileage, meant that another Sleet Loco (Loco that sprays De-Icing Fluid on Current rails to stop them Icing over in very cold weather was needed). So the door handles and compartment seats were removed and some of the motors, the bulkhead between the Luggage compartment, & first passenger compartment was removed to allow fitting of De-Icing Fluid Tanks and these two motor coaches ran coupled together back to back as Sleet Loco ESL118A, 118B, from 1961. Eventually some of the A60/62 Trailers were modified to spay de-icing fluid, but another problem was occurring. “Leaves on line” (not so new), caused the trains to stall on the steep gradients north of Rickmansworth, and even worse have difficulty-stopping coming down the gradient! Following experiments with various train formations. In 1980 the “T” stock sleet loco was sent to Acton works, & further modified to drop a solution onto the running rails to assist adhesion, also a flat wagon F311 (similar to F335 already at Quainton) was coupled between the Motor Cars. This carrying Water Tanks, a Diesel Water Pump to Water Jet the Railhead of Running rails to clear the leaf debris from railhead. With these becoming unreliable, & drivers having to be specially trained to drive these, it was then decided to dispose of them, a spare “A” stock trailer having been modified to drop Sandite Solution on the Running Rails, to solve the adhesion problem. F311 was scrapped, however ESL 118A/B sold to North Downs Steam Railway in the Parish of Stone, Dartford in 1987. Standard Screw couplings & side buffers having been fitted at some point, since leaving London Transport. They were used in service working in Push – Pull mode behind a Steam Locomotive, with a Compressor in coupled box van. Whilst the 2 “T” Stock Cars were at the North Downs Steam Railway the Motors and some of other Electrical equipment was removed and presumably scrapped. Door Handles & Seats etc from scrapped Southern Suburban EMUS being fitted. The compartment walls did not get refitted, but seats fitted where double doors of Luggage Compartment, can be used for Wheel chair access. In 1996 the North Downs Steam Railway Closed, amalgamating with the SPA Valley railway, the 2 “T” Stock cars going there. Both were fully overhauled at Tunbridge Wells, SPA Valley in 2003/5 Used in service on SPA Valley, but then put on one side, in favour of using normal coaching stock. Parked in damp cutting at Birchden Junction, near Groombridge Station for about 3+ Years, then out of sight of all but those who knew where to look for them. However the vandals found them & sprayed Graffiti over the bodies. Put up for sale & purchased by QRS Autumn 2015 then delivered to Quainton on 19th & 20th November 2015. When at Quainton this stock that had become forgotten will have returned home to the Metropolitan Railway. Proposal Initial thoughts are to run it with Class 165DE diesel locomotive now know as "Blue Circle", currently listed in the BRS Stockbook as Ruston & Hornsby No. 425477 "Arthur", which was fitted for Train Air Brakes. Some initial work is needed, it is felt this is minimal, (yes some leaks have damaged upholstery). Internally much better condition than Mk 1 Coaches used in our train. Externally the gutters which are internal (like COP [Underground Stock]) need attention, (but until roof level access no plan can be made on gutters). It is hoped a good clean will remove most Verdigris & Graffiti from the bodywork. Thus allowing use & rest our Mk 1 coaches on quitter days. A diesel compressor could be fitted to “T” Stock, to operate brakes, control being from adjacent locomotive. This being similar to how they worked at Dartford, & Original Steam on Met, with Air braked Rolling Stock, arrangements being made to allow for the risk of break away. Collection Policy Being Ex Metropolitan Railway fit very well into our updated collection policy, in fact better than the Mk 1 Coaches presently used for our passenger operation. Covered accommodation is ideally needed, but open air storage, not in a damp cutting will be an improvement. A part of the up dated collection policy it is intended to focus our collection policy, 1 part of which, is the Metropolitan Railway, its predecessors (Brill & Aylesbury Tram road), & successors LT(LUL), Network rail. Both LTM, & our Museum Mentors support our obtaining the “T” stock. Forward Plan Part of our forward plan is to get most of our stock under covered, accommodation could easily be included in that plan.
|
||
