An Unusual Collection

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
I've just been thinking about the Met line photos in this collection and I don't think I've seen so many before of T stock operating north of Rickmansworth to Amersham.

The perception is that the trains were operated only by A60 (and later A62) stock when Amersham was electrified, rather than with T stock until the Harrow-Moor Park widening was completed. This collection appears to capture the transitional period of electric trains north of Rickmansworth which appears to have largely gone unnoticed.

The significance of the photos showing the Oerlikon stock being replaced by the class 501s has already been noted.

Given the large number of electric stock photos taken on the LT and around Stonebridge Park depot (and on the GE lines) I now wonder if the photographer was an electrical engineer by profession. The photographer may have worked at Stonebridge Park given the number of photos taken of moving trains around the depot and in areas I would doubt a member of the public would have such access. Or maybe things were different in those days.
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
A veritable plethora of info, Dave and Col for which I thank you. I'm rather disappointed that I didn't recognise Amersham which is local and was well known to me! As far as T stock at Amersham is concerned it was there in the earliest days, in fact on the official day that the conversion from loco hauled to EMU stock occurred.

This is on 10th September 1961.

42070.  With T Stock,  Amersham.  10 September 1961.  Photo Brian Dale.jpg

Brian
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Following from yesterday here are some more which, I believe, are from the same trip.

This is one of very few with some sort of identification. It is Croxley Green Junction.

img391  Mid right pic is identified as Croxley Green Junction - Copy (6).jpg

I suspect this is between Croxley Green Junction and Rickmansworth High Street as distinct from Rickmansworth Met. Is the (what appears to be) gasometer in the distance at Rickmansworth, as it appears from the map which Col referenced earlier that there was a gas works close to the station?

img391  Mid right pic is identified as Croxley Green Junction - Copy.jpg

Finally I assume this must be Rickmansworth with 2P 4-4-0 No 40657 in attendance.

img392 - Copy (3).jpg

Brian
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
Finally I assume this must be Rickmansworth with 2P 4-4-0 No 40657 in attendance.

Yes - Rickmansworth Church Street.

This is one of very few with some sort of identification. It is Croxley Green Junction.

Croxley Green Electric Depot is behind and on the left of the photographer. The lines on the right lead to the Croxley branches - Croxley Green Station and the John Dickinson Croxley Paper Mills.

There's an interesting Croxley Green History website here: Croxley Green History - The Railway to Croxley Green
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Here's some more which appear to be the same trip. Thanks for your confirmation that it's Rickmansworth Church Street, not High Street, Dave. I too have wondered whether this chap is employed somewhere on the LM electric units as his access seems to be quite rare.

However, today starts with a warning sign, but one which appears to have been here for a long while, suggesting that it's not associated with the extension of the Met electrification. One for you, Dave (unless you already have one) to add to your collection.:) Doubtless you'll be able to confirm whether this is BR or LT signage - I'm veering towards LT.

img392 - Copy (4).jpg
Then back to Rickmansworth Church Street.
img392 - Copy (5).jpg
I'll take a wager that this is the same trip, and at Rickmansworth again. I know not what may have made this track layout worthy of a photograph, but perhaps someone does.

img392 - Copy (6).jpg
Rickmansworth Church Street again, this time from across the River Chess with the tower of St Mary's Church in the right background. The loco has come off the train and is probably about to back up and couple for the return journey.

img392 - Copy.jpg

Brian
 

76043

Western Thunderer
More great shots, please keep 'em coming! The trackwork shot appears to have some sort of wooden protection for centre rail shoe gear, so may have interested the photographer for that reason? I'm sure someone will put us right.

The sign looks like LT's Johnston typeface as the capital R has a straight tail, Gill Sans has a curve in the tail.

76044 and 42070 were Neasden engines, 76044 was a long time resident, 42070 from May 1960 to 62. The wonders of BR database help here.

http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=S&id=426403021&loco=42070
 
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oldravendale

Western Thunderer
I'm delighted that you are enjoying these. They are certainly different from the run of the mill shots we usually see - whether for good or ill in some cases I'm not too sure!

Thanks for the additional comments. I must admit that I wondered whether the wooden accoutrement had anything to do with it, but to the best of my knowledge electric stock never went near Rickmansworth Church Street unless, as you say, somebody knows better.

I'd not checked the history of 76044 but I'm not surprised to hear that it's a Neasden loco. I certainly knew that 42070 was shedded at Neasden - there were a few based there for the Met trains and the Standard 4s were also common towards the end of the shed's existence.. When Neasden closed I believe the few remaining locos went to Cricklewood then, when Cricklewood closed, to Willesden. Not surprisingly 40657 was a Watford engine. Using the site you've brought up 44575 looks to have been a Toton loco at around this time, but I'll have a look at some old locoshed books from the period which might suggest otherwise - I wonder whether it was a Watford loco for a time.

Brian
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
However, today starts with a warning sign, but one which appears to have been here for a long while, suggesting that it's not associated with the extension of the Met electrification. One for you, Dave (unless you already have one) to add to your collection.:) Doubtless you'll be able to confirm whether this is BR or LT signage - I'm veering towards LT.

I believe this is a LMS/BR sign. This is a LT sign I photographed at Acton Town Depot - The letters E, F, S and W are slightly different.

Warning.jpg

I'll take a wager that this is the same trip, and at Rickmansworth again. I know not what may have made this track layout worthy of a photograph, but perhaps someone does.

This is a 'slipper block' which is designed to lift the central conductor shoe over the rail - now you only see them all over LT pointwork. Worthy as Rickmansworth Church St was electrified on 3rd and 4th rail before it was closed. Disused Stations: Rickmansworth Church Street Station
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Thank you David.

That link is fascinating. I had no idea that the Rickmansworth Church Street branch was ever electrified, and the the link shows the train which has been the subject of these later postings of mine. The fact that our photographer picked up the slipper block and made a point of photographing it suggests that he knows more about the electrified railways around Watford than any standard observer would.

Brian
 

daifly

Western Thunderer
I had no idea that the Rickmansworth Church Street branch was ever electrified, and the the link shows the train which has been the subject of these later postings of mine.
The photo referred to also has a photographer attribution which may warrant further investigation.
Dave
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Yes, checked that as soon as I saw the photo on the link, Dave. The name inside the album I have is D M Herbert so I claim no copyright - that's on my very first post. The photo on the Disused Stations site is by David Pearson, so no connection that I can determine.

Brian
 

daifly

Western Thunderer
Yes Brian, I'd twigged all of that but David Pearson may be the photographer rather than the original album owner. Either way, Pearson and Herbert got a copy of the same photo somehow.
Dave
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Sorry, Dave. Not the same photo at all. That can be established by looking at the attendees, apart from the angle being rather different.

Brian
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
As you've observed Tony, Gill Sans and LT Johnston P22 are very similar as to fool the casual observer. It's only when you look closely at the two typefaces the differences appear.
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Thanks for the clarification of the sign, Dave. I knew I could rely on you!:)

A few here from the same trip, one or two of which are particularly interesting, for me at least.

Here's 40657 again, at Rickmansworth Church Street. How Richard Attenborough managed to photo bomb this one I've no idea.

img393 - Copy (2).jpg
Same train, same loco, different view. I'm guessing that the loco is backing up to go around the train ready for hauling out of Rickmansworth.

img393 - Copy (3).jpg
Here, again it's an assumption and judging by the interest of a number of the participants, the loco is being coupled up ready for the return.

img393 - Copy (4).jpg
I'm as confident as I can be that this is Croxley Green Depot from the Rickmansworth Church Street Excursion. The units on the left appear to be the LMS version - or could possibly be Oerlikon, but I consider that unlikely - and in the centre 501 units. However, on the right, and also partially hidden by the nearest lighting post are 1938 tube stock trains. I had absolutely no idea that tube stocks were stored here, although they certainly ran as far as Watford Junction at the time.

img393 - Copy (5) - Copy.jpg
Here's an Oerlikon Driving Trailer (I believe, judging by the saloon windows and lack of slam doors) on jacks with the front bogie removed. I can't decide whether this is Croxley Green or Stonebridge Park but from the roof profile I suspect Croxley Green. It looks like an LMS trailer on the left and another behind the Oerlikon car.

img393 - Copy.jpg

Brian
 

cbrailways

Western Thunderer
1938 tube stock (four units) were stabled overnight and at weekends at Croxley Depot when I worked at Watford Junction in 1969/1970. They didn't stop running beyond Stonebridge Park until the 4th rail was de-commissioned sometime in the mid to late 1970s.

Interestingly, the set of points you can see in the foreground led to the third side of the Croxley Triangle. That linked the Ricky Line/Croxley Green Branches directly to Bushey and Oxhey station.
 
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76043

Western Thunderer
As you've observed Tony, Gill Sans and LT Johnston P22 are very similar as to fool the casual observer. It's only when you look closely at the two typefaces the differences appear.

Yes, but I'm a qualified Graphic Designer who learnt to type trace fonts with a pencil and Grant enlarger, so am mortified!! :rant::headbang::)

Mind you, I'm sure that R doesn't have a curly tail...;)

Still thoroughly enjoying the daily parade of images from NW London/Herts...

Tony
 
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