please empty your brain below

Fascinating stuff. And you leave us keenly anticipating.

I remember when the current (I think) Piccadilly trains first came. We called them "silver trains" - they were the first tube trains (as far as I knew at the time) not to be painted red.

I think I sort of appreciated the station architecture then. Except that I thought it was normal. Now I see that it's rather special.
@ Malcolm

The first silver "true" tube trains were three 1956 prototypes and were indeed built for the Picadilly, together with the 1959 production series, although very early on in their careers they were loaned to the Central Line as it became apparent that the trains then in use there were falling to bits.
The 1956/59 trains were replaced on thye Piccy by the current "1973" stock which went to the Northern and, later, Bakerloo lines.
The silver "A" stock on the Metropolitan was roughly contemporary (1960), but the very first unpainted "silver" stock of all ran on the District Line in 1952.
The Underground now paints its trains again, mainly because it is very difficult to remove aerosol daubings from bare aluminium surfaces. The very last unpainted train ran, also on the District, in 2008.

The Picadilly Line has a very complex and interesting history, originally cobbled together from three different projects, (and if you know where to look, you can still see the joins!)and later taking over parts of two other railways.
I always find your journey descriptions very enjoyable to read and am looking forward to the run through the 'H' stations tomorrow.

Have you been going back to the branches you've missed out (eg Ealing Broadway on the Central) on your end-to-end journeys so you'll be able to say you've travelled the whole network over the whole year.

And did you say if there was any special reason for the order you are doing the lines?
I think you can read the platform indicators at Northfield from the South Ealing platforms
Ah, you have passed my local station (Acton Town Picadilly line) at last and hardly a comment,( until you come back?). For me, especially if I ever come to sell my house, about 5 minutes walk away, I'ts the best staion on the system, for travelling east/west. I always tell my less fortunate near neighbours on the District that I can never walk the length of the platform before the next train comes in!
When you get to T5 I recommend you try the pod transit to the business car parking - you don't have to register or anything just get in. Quite a impressive system, perhaps the transport for the future. CCTC everywhere though so no dodgy goings on in the pods.
The longest continuous journey on the Underground is the Central line from West Ruislip to Epping, but you managed that in one post...

Suggestion for a Piccadilly-themed May post: Kim of Caledonian Road.
You're on my line too :-)

Southgate and Bounds Green are my usual jumping on or off points and I certainly prefer Southgate. If you'd come out of either Southgate or Arnos Grove and spent a few minutes by the exits you'd also see how well organised the bus arrangements are at both stations, as well as the wonderful architecture. Form and function - the best of both worlds.
Having read this - and the H stations post - I'm off to work by Piccadilly. Arsenal to Hammersmith here I come.
I think Southgate is unique in being a "true" tube station from the platforms of which daylight can be seen down the tracks.










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