please empty your brain below
The last C Stock District line train has already been spotted this morning, stickered up and ready to go: http://www.districtdavesforum.co.uk/post/388450/thread

diamond geezer | Homepage | 03.06.14 - 7:14 a.m. | #

Won't be missing these - my least favourite tube stock. TfL have done fine things with this S7 upgrade.

Do have a softspot for District D-stock though - when are those going to be phased out?

| 03.06.14 - 7:30 a.m. | #

Horrible trains, although the refurbishment in the 1990s did the world of good for them - they were dark and crowded trains before, with almost entirely transverse seating (so less standing space). And they had become very heavily vandalised too. A functional, rather than classic, stock.

Dominic H | 03.06.14 - 7:39 a.m. | #

That wonderful sound was just about the only saving grace for these otherwise uncomfortable trains in recent years. As a visually impaired person generally heading west when catching the Tube in Central London, it was a vital sign that the train before me would take a sharp turn at Gloucester Road, requiring me to change twice more to get home, all without risking the destination announcement being severed by the doors closing.

Of course the new stock has equally useful audible cues, but this will only be of use whilst the D Stock remains in service.

rjnet | Homepage | 03.06.14 - 7:41 a.m. | #

I talked to an LU driver last year about whether they preferred the new or old stock. She said the younger ones, like her, much preferred the S stock. The older drivers, however, couldn't get used to the touch screens - particularly the slight delay between touching the screen and something happening and the need to touch on the right place. She said some had taken to bashing the screen with things, thinking that would get a quicker reaction, with the result that some screens had been broken. LU had issued drivers with a "soft hammer", so those who wanted to bash could do so without breaking things. Generally speaking, it seems that the C stock wasn't much loved by anyone, though.

Baldassaro | 03.06.14 - 8:25 a.m. | #

Funny how the c-stock sound gave me a perfect vision of a Liverpool Street station platform. My favourite Tube sound is the Jubilee Line oooooooooh...aaaarrrgh coming into the station platforms.

B | 03.06.14 - 8:41 a.m. | #

Are the D-stock more loved? Single leaf doors and bland front ends. The D-Stock have those awful square lights reminiscent of the short-lived single-leaf Jubilee stock. For someone who grew up in the '80s at least the C-stock look like proper (for my generation) tubes. To me it's the the circular headlights that make it a real tube train. They look like larger versions of the Bakerloo and Piccadilly old (and old Victoria) stock. I rather like the new Circle line trains. Their bulbous sides even remind me of the kids' show Underground Ernie. I hope when the New Tube for London gets built the designers pick up on the 'classic' look of the circular headlights.

| 03.06.14 - 8:47 a.m. | #

And I thought I was one of the few to dislike the C-stock (apart from that door klunk.)

Worst thing of all about them? That horrible moquette. What were they thinking?

Andrew Bowden | Homepage | 03.06.14 - 9:09 a.m. | #

Train was withdrawn early at Edgware Road at around 0945 today in the event.

Kim | 03.06.14 - 9:48 a.m. | #

So they'll be passing the C-stock on to the Isle of Wight Railway? Or are they as yet too modern?

Bronchitikat | 03.06.14 - 10:06 a.m. | #

I was lucky enough to ride 3 of the final trains yesterday. What annoys me is that London Undergound / tfl won't preserve a complete set. One coach of C stock is like just preserving the front of a routemaster bus. Compare their attitude with the New York Subway and their collection of vintage trains. Earlier this year they were running a 1917 train for the price of a normal ticket. http://www.mta.info/news-nyct-train-bus-subway-yankees-yankee-stadium/2014/04/04/hop-nyc-transit%E2%80%99s-nostalgia-train

ap | 03.06.14 - 10:16 a.m. | #

C-Stock are too big for the Isle of Wight. They need tube stock due to low clearance.

There's occasional rumours that Bakerloo or Piccadilly line stock will head to the Isle of Wight. Not sure why the Victoria Line trains weren't suitable - perhaps the automation systems. Either way, they're going to need something "new" some day.

Andrew Bowden | Homepage | 03.06.14 - 10:18 a.m. | #

The last C Stock in passenger service has now departed early, ending at 0930 around Edgware Road, after the unit allocated for the run has used up its miles before maintenance is due. The same unit will be used for the Farewell Railtour on 29th June.

Kate | 03.06.14 - 11:07 a.m. | #

Good riddance to them. They were truly horrible. I was deeply involved with the refurbishment to try and make a silk purse..... The first one arrived as I started work. Perhaps my time has come too!

100andthirty | 03.06.14 - 6:15 p.m. | #

They were not the most pleasant trains to drive, especially if they suffered from a Martini dead man's handle;
♪ Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere
It just pops right up in the air ♪

Tetramesh | Homepage | 03.06.14 - 7:42 p.m. | #

My father was the guard on the first 'C' stock to enter passenger service in September 1970.

THC | 03.06.14 - 8:17 p.m. | #

Wow! The 09:05 from Wimbledon is my morning commute as far as East Putney, and I was on it this morning.
There was a green sticker on the back of the train when I got on at Wimbledon platform 4, stating
"1969 2014
Last District Line C Stock Train
3rd June 2014"
And it really was the last train!

Andrew-R | 03.06.14 - 9:32 p.m. | #

I also have no affection for the C-stock. They are purely functional, and I won't miss them.
However, I prefer the 'proper' District D-stock to the new S-stock. I like the small quirks in the design of the D-stock - the single doors and squarish profile. They are also quite spacious inside.
I prefer the D-stock as a passenger - more corner seats when you board at Wimbledon! The S-stock has no corners at all either for sitting in or leaning on when standing.
I can see that the S-stock can carry loads more passengers than C-stock (300 more - wow!), but
how much of an improvement over D-stock are they? D-stock are already 7 carriages, and there is lots of standing room.
I am also surprised that the control of S-stock is by touch screen. I am yet to be convinced that touch-screen technology has any longevity, but it seems I am they only luddite here...

ChrisMitch | 03.06.14 - 10:52 p.m. | #

ChrisMitch,

D stock are six carriages long. The carriages are slightly longer than both C stock and S stock carriages. An S7 is longer than a D6.

Pedantic of Purley | 03.06.14 - 11:36 p.m. | #

It wasn't mileage as such that curtailed the last day of operation, but the need to get the remaining units where they needed to be - the last one in service, which started the day at Parsons Green I think, had to be got to Hammersmith by the end of service ready for fettling up for the tour, whilst there were others at Hammermsith which had to be got out of its way, by sending off to the scrapman. Monday's extemporisation may have added to the difficulties, as trains were not where they had been expected to be on Tuesday morning - in particular, it was the tour train and not the scrapper which was at Parsons Green.

timbo | 04.06.14 - 8:14 a.m. | #











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