Last Thameslink out of Moorgate this evening

[mjobling]

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

[Flying Pig]

Originally Posted by mjobling

<snip>...."as the branch closes permanently at the weekend". <snip>

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.

[mjobling]

Originally Posted by Flying Pig

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?

[Flying Pig]

Originally Posted by mjobling

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.

The southwards extension of Pl 3 at Farringdon is certainly the reason for this, but it won't be happenening immediately.

Will the branch still be used as a stabling point for a while?

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

[ROUGH TOR]

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

[Flying Pig]

Originally Posted by ROUGH TOR

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 !

[ROUGH TOR]

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

[Flying Pig]

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'.

[ROUGH TOR]

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
The Catford posse are best avoided, just be wary of syringes!
It all starts on Monday, and I can hardly wait
Welcome to the Southern,s South-Eastern Division!

[Flying Pig]

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.


FP