Last Thameslink out of Moorgate this evening
 

Last ever chance to ride a 319 unit out of Moorgate this evening, as the branch closes permanently at the weekend.

They're running a special final train to Kentish Town, departing at 19:54, open to all with commemorateive tickets provided.

http://londonreconnections.blogspot....-moorgate.html

I appreciate that this thread is about riding the last train in service, but it should be appreciated that although it's closing to passenger traffic, there will still be activity on the Moorgate Branch.

Is there something planned besides eventual track-lifting? I thought they are very soon going to extend the southbound platform at Farringdon, cutting off the branch. Will the branch still be used as a stabling point for a while?

The southwards extension of Pl 3 at Farringdon is certainly the reason for this, but it won't be happenening immediately.
Yes, and also a bolthole for 319 and 377s which fail in the KX corridor or won't switch from AC to DC at Farringdon.

Best wishes,
FP

Or get their pantographs knocked off leaving Farringdon because the South Eastern bloke forgot to lower it ;)
Flaming coat hangars!

Yup, the SE guys out road learning seem to fear that more than anything. There's a stake running on how many days pass before it happens.

When you see the pan assembly on the ground it's surprising just how big and heavy it is. The whole package including the VCB takes up roughly the area of a single bed. You certainly wouldn't want to be stood at the Smithfields foot crossing if that lot was flying through the air ! :eek:

Days?
Try hours!
My first attempt is on Monday.
May God help you all.

Nah - the scary bit is being in a zero-vis fog hammering towards Harpenden on the DF at 100.....when the Sig has told you to get a move on as there are 2 HSTs catching you up.

And I'm sure you DO know where ALL the signals are between St A and Harpenden, don't you ?

(Only kidding mate, you take as long as you need - The choice between an Overrun or a Please Explain is a no-brainer, as well as the fact that if you did mess up it would cause much greater delay).

Enjoy, as they say, & welcome to the 'Midland'.

For myself, I just can't wait to meet the Catford 'posse'. :(

Apparently I do know where they all are:) not that I will be doing 100 in the fog at Harpenden or anywhere else!
Given that we shut off at 2 yellow and brake at 1 the amount of lost time tickets generated is going to be interesting.
Watch Eynsford in the autumn, it is a pig on the up road, and given the "interesting" braking characteristics of those clapped out 319,s your lot and mine are in for some, er, fun:eek:
The Catford posse are best avoided, just be wary of syringes!
It all starts on Monday, and I can hardly wait:rolleyes:
Welcome to the Southern,s South-Eastern Division!

Well thankyou, as you say next week is certainly going to be....interesting.

Probably see you out there on the 'White Knuckle Ride' that is Sevenoaks to Bedford. :D


FP

Oh I think they have made sure that will happen!
Cricklewood Mon and Thurs, Bedford on Friday as it stands at the moment.
When we went to Cricklewood I was amazed how little of it was left.
Brent yard has vanished altogether.
Still, working to Bedford is a wonderful idea,not sure which impresses me more actually, running all stations Sevenoaks to Bedford or doing it in a scabby, clapped out Class 319 in a revolting livery:eek:
You sure it,s not catching?:p
All those 319 units that at least look like trains in their Southern livery I presume will soon be looking bowls of cat vomit on skateboards like all the others, and I don,t even want to think about the candy stripe monstrosity!:)
Have fun, be safe.
See you "OUT THERE":eek:

Ah - the pink peril, we call it 'The Only Gay Train in the Depot'.

In a rather poor attempt to ease this thread back on course....speaking of lifting track on closed lines, I see that the three bay platforms at Blackfriars have already had the line and buffer stops removed - and they only closed on Friday evening.

Better make damn sure the signaller gives us an 'H' approaching the place on the UP, if he/she gives us a 1,2, or 3 we'll be going for a swim ! I wonder how many points we'd get for that ? :rolleyes:

FP

Quite a few I imagine, follwowed by an immediate sense of humour failure.
I see I have to pick up my train from Cricklewood today, first time so should be interesting.
Luckily I take it straight back to the Southern so once that bit is done it is just the 319 I have to get used to.
Now, how do I lower the pantograph again?.........:o