Modelling the Met in 7mm

[Oz7mm]

I used the Met to go to school from Northwick Park to Farringdon. This did result in a cab ride in a Bo-Bo from Baker Street to Harrow on the Hill on one occasion, the abiding memory being the noise in the tunnel up to Finchley Road. I'm sure the HSE would have something to say about that. Dreadnoughts - with Ladies Only compartments - it's already a bygone age. Plus a fleeting entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the Underground touring record on the last day of services to Aylesbury by the Met, all leave a lifelong impression of the Underground.

It took me years to realise London wasn't the shape of the Underground map.

John

 

[mickoo]

From my small LU Collection

Baker Street Platform 1


Platforms 2 and 3 looking toward the circle line junction.


Liverpool Street looking toward Farringdon.

 

[mickoo]

Last few I have, I'm sure I had more? and was pleased to see, and ride on A and D stock yesterday whilst in London for the rugger, as well as the more modern S stock, which I also like the look of.

Not Met lines but still surface stock related, I think there's quite a few nice stations out on the west side of the Circle line.

Paddington looking North


Paddington looking South with S stock


Nottinghill Gate


Edgeware Road look West


LU is quite sensitive to photographers so most are grab shots and then moving on rapidly, adding to my collection with each visit. I do want some from Aldgate and some from the Circle part of Baker Street, which is very dark and requires a decent high ISO rated camera which is planned (Canon 6D) for later in the year.

 

[oldravendale]

Excellent Pics again Mick. Thank you. The surface stock stations have always had more interest and detail than the proper underground tube stock stations to my mind. On the whole I think London Underground do their best to respect the heritage of these stations, and going out of London Rickmansworth and Amersham, to name but two (actually, include Chesham to make it three) look very much as they did in Met Railway days.

Brian

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

A bit late into this thread.....

The building in front of which the loco stands is now painted white

Baker Street signal box. When I was living at Aylesbury in the 1974-1989 period I was fortunate to be able to visit this signal box along with Harrow on the Hill signal box. The latter was situated at the top of the stairs of Northbound platforms 3 and 4.

Up until Aylesbury station was refurbished the Met bay was used for Marylebone trains. This is now a car park and according to my sister they are regretting this.....

These are some of my photographs taken when I was living at Aylesbury.

Aylesbury (obviously)

Amersham


Baker Street platform 4


Baker Street platform 2 - this was taken in fading light.


Harrow on the Hill. This is an Aldgate train was taken from an Aylesbury train. At first I thought there was a processing fault until I looked closely to see the wheels lit by the arcing.

Although not the Met, Sloane Square with R and C stock. The Westbourne River is carried in the conduit running across the top of the picture. Not at elegant as the other District Line stations as Sloane Square was bombed in WWII.

 

[Oz7mm]

A few years backwhile helping ken de Groome pre[are his kit for the Met Bo-Bo, I had the privilege of riding on Sarah Siddons while on a test outing prior to taking part in a Steam on the Met day. The trip was Ruislip Depot - Uxbridge Branch connection - Neasden Depot - Amersham - Harrow-on-the-Hill - Amersham - Harrow-on-the-Hill- Ruislip Depot. Here are a few of the picture which may be of interest.

The train formation was Sarah Siddons - 4TC - 2 Class 20. The trailing engines were hauled dead which meant Sarah had to drag the 4TC and Class 20s up the underpass from Neasden Depot towards Wembley Park station. Quite noisy inside the loco.

A interior shot of the loco. I was amused that the speedometer was a Tom Tom SatNav.



Some interesting stock in the Ruislip sidings. Tunnel cleaning train



Tube gauge diesels



The spur onto the Uxbridge line. Sarah trailing and holding up a Baker Street service



Tea break at Neasden depot. New S Stock awaiting entry into service.



Coming up the underpass at Harrow.



I took a recorder along, and if I can work out how to post a sound file you will be reminded why the Bo-Bos were called Growlers.

It wasn't my only ride in a Bo-Bo. On my way home from school in the late 1950s I got a ride from Baker Street to Harrow. The noise in the tunnel would not please HSE today.

John

 

[Steph Dale]

How times have changed! When I first got to look inside Sarah Siddons all the electrical equipment was open, rather than boxed in. I'm guessing that would have been at one of the earlier Steam on the Met events...

Steph

 

[Oz7mm]

Steph

The alarmingly unboxed-in bit is the outlet for the spark from the contactors. I was casually leaning on this talking to one of our hosts when it was politely suggested that I might want to move. The rather sooty deposits around the opening are a bit of a give away.

By the way, the cab ride in 1958 or 59 was only going to be a look inside. I can't remember how open it all was then but after being shown round by the driver, he just closed the door and drove off without, as far as I recall, asking me where I was going. I actually had to get a train back to Northwick Park after getting into Harrow to get home. It might have been the first kidnapping by a Bo-Bo.

John

 

[Scale7JB]

John, these are indeed the diesels that brought the sliding door stock up to the Epping Ongar over 'the connection' for the special event..

JB.

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

It wasn't my only ride in a Bo-Bo. On my way home from school in the late 1950s I got a ride from Baker Street to Harrow. The noise in the tunnel would not please HSE today.

John

If you want to hear some horrendous underground noise you must try the Glasgow Subway before it gets its next upgrade. I often use it between Buchanan street and Hillhead. The noise is extreme with track noise and flange squeal. I wonder about the drivers hearing as they alway seem to drive with the window open and I have never seen anyone wearing obvious ear protectors.

Ian.

 

[S7BcSR]

John. There is a very good completed model of Sarah Siddons and some Met. coaches under construction which can be seen regularly at a certain house in Northwood. You should come along sometime and have a look. I am sure I have some photos. of Sarah Siddons on Croscombe Magna if I can put my hand on them.

Rob

 

[Oz7mm]

Rob - I think I might have seen that one.

John

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

I came across this in my collection. One of mine taken at Neasden Works open day during the 80's.