Riding the Tube to Aldwych

[@RogersRamblings]

I used to work the Aldwych shuttle as both guard and motorman. One crew prepped it in Northfields Depot and took it into the station where they handed it over to another crew. That crew worked it empty to just east of Holborn Station, changed ends and shunted onto the branch. They then made (IIRC) nineteen trips to Aldwych and return before securing the train in Holborn platform and riding passenger to Wood Green for their meal relief. The late turn crew rode on the cushions to Holborn, prepped the train and did eighteen trips (IIRC) before working the train empty to Wood Green where they were relieved. Apart from one or two unusual people, it was generally everyone's least favourite turn. Prior to 1973 stock the usual set to work it was the only three car 1962 stock.

[@Zlervo]

Hear that beautiful sound the train makes when it's waiting on the platform

[@thatguyshawzy]

It’s just so beautiful.

[@Je_Existe]

Agreed it sounds so beautiful

[@thegroupofreptiles6823]

I believe it's the sound of the ventilation fans and the motor-alternators making that harmony

[@sjain8853]

wow, real history in HD. it's astonishing

[@Jallge]

Wow, a real blast from the past. Very nice.

[@AlexMetroman]

Thank you!

[@poznanskiszybkowiec_official]

Thats unrefurbished version when it was bought in 1972 for bakerloo line and jubilee line

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

Kacper Frankowski this 1972 mk1 was when it served the Northern line. Mk2 was the Jubilee then the Bakerloo

[@warweezil2802]

Oludotun John Showemimo The mk1 and mk 2 were slightly different units, one was built for pure crew operation the other for the opo that was expected to arrive during the operational life of the units, and I seem to remember the mk2 had an “auto” position on the reverser barrel for possible ATO use with the right equipment added to the unit which isn’t surprising considering the design is based on the 67 ATO stock that was built for the Victoria line.

[@LiftFan]

I've always wanted to see what the interior of an unrefurbished mk1 looked like in action, since the only videos of it inside are from the 90's and not HD

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

LiftFan remmber these old soldiers when they served the Northern line.

[@alfiewhittaker3763]

hope that 72 set is the preservation set as it is almost original

[@jamtart606]

Nice, I have never seen a Cab footage of the Holborn to Aldwych before, it's nice to see a one off operation of it.

[@vincentkohlumcfan22]

TopGearDog erm Strand and Aldwych are the same stations...Aldwych is the renamed version of Strand. Not to be confused with the old Charing Cross Northern line which was previously named Strand too. To avoid confusion Aldwych appeared

[@jamtart606]

@@vincentkohlumcfan22 Ah my mistake, I never realised that Strand and Aldwych were the same thing, I meant to say Holborn

[@InterRegios]

Nice ride, very lucky from you. Well done!

[@RJ-hi5pw]

I vividly remember those ball handles on coiled steel hanging from the ceilings from when I used to ride these as a teenager. Although I'd always end up knocking my head on them when standing up, they're still a unique feature from the tube which stand out in my memory

[@rjjcms1]

I noticed that some tube trains had black ones and other tube trains had grey ones.

[@Juniper458]

Last ever mk1 on LU metals! I'm glad they have kept it original. Nice video :)

[@BaileyChap]

It was fun while it lasted, the train has now been taken away for scrap, however, you can still ride on Mk I carriages (albeit modernised) on the Bakerloo line.

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

@@BaileyChap The Mk1 carriages have the black rubber seal around the door windows and the windows are longer

[@thestarlightalchemist7333]

Last train to serve Aldwych station, as Aldwych has been a museum/film set since the 1990s.

[@JoshNunnyt]

This was filmed recently 🤣

[@1paultay]

Last public service was 1994

[@Eurolex43]

Great video! Always wanted to see what the 1972 Stock (Unrefurbished) looks like.

[@AlexMetroman]

Thank you!

[@warweezil2802]

The cab droplights look rather low... is naughty driver running with the droplight interlocks cut out? 😁

[@kliximBRUH]

nice video how do u go on this train to aldwych though bc i would love to do that

[@AlexMetroman]

Thank you! You need to work on the tube and have special permission.

[@kliximBRUH]

@@AlexMetroman oh im 13 lol but i do plan working on the tube when im older so hopefuly i can do a journey on those abandoned tracks

[@finnandbobo]

2:48 what station is this?

[@AlexMetroman]

Holborn

[@Ishak_2013]

This looks like the bakerloo line but the doors on the outside is not painted red

[@AlexMetroman]

It's the same type of train, it just hasn't been refurbished.

[@HarryElliott_2007]

will this train ever be in the london transport museum

[@AlexMetroman]

I doubt it.

[@HarryElliott_2007]

@@AlexMetroman what do they use this train for

[@AlexMetroman]

It was used for training the emergency services, but now it is currently being stripped of parts and shall go for scrap.

[@pickles501]

I wonder how often it moves. Very often? Or not so?

[@AlexMetroman]

Approximately once per year to Northfields Depot for maintenance.

[@MartinTheSmoggyUTB]

Nice vid. Thanks for sharing.

[@AlexMetroman]

Thank you!

[@NSE465]

Why did it keep stopping and starting

[@AlexMetroman]

It's tripcock was tripped so it had to stop to be reset and for air pressure to build up again.

[@QuarioQuario54321]

What exactly is this train used for?

[@AlexMetroman]

It's used mainly for filming and training excercises.

[@NetworkYellow516]

There is another set of the 72 stock but abandoned at Aldwych

[@AlexMetroman]

This was the set that was stored at Aldwych. It has gone for scrap now.

[@user-do2rj4sf8j]

Much better than todays shitty trains

[@stephthestar90]

How did it go from the main Piccadilly line at Holborn over to the Aldwych branch? BTW is that a ghost at 3:33?

[@AlexMetroman]

There is a junction on the Northbound Line just after Holborn.

[@stephthestar90]

CoachAlex1996 (AlexMetroman) I never knew that was there. Wonder why they didnt make use of it when Aldwych was a working station?

[@AlexMetroman]

They did, it's how they regularly swapped trains from the depot to the line.

[@stephthestar90]

CoachAlex1996 (AlexMetroman) Interesting. I'm surprised they didnt use it for passenger service though as it could have made the Aldwych branch more viable

[@RogersRamblings]

@@stephthestar90 The only move that could be made (signalling permitting which it didn't) would be from the branch northbound. Not worth the effort.

[@timosha21]

fun ride!!!!

[@jennydz3505]

Fun fact : no one remember that aldwych is also in Tomb Raider III 😢😅

[@HarryElliott_2007]

Is this train ever gonna be in use for passenger

[@AlexMetroman]

No, it won't.

[@HarryElliott_2007]

@@AlexMetroman was it ever in passenger ir was it always for testing

[@AlexMetroman]

It used to be a passenger train on the Northern Line.

[@madmackemstransportadventu523]

Is that the Disused platform at Holborn?

[@AlexMetroman]

Yes.

[@RogersRamblings]

@@AlexMetroman Are you aware that there is a second unused platform at Holborn? It was to be the westbound to Aldwych until the Great Northern and Strand Railway was merged with the Brompton and Piccadilly Circus Railway and the connecting link from Air Street (Piccadilly Circus) to Holborn was built. That's the reason for the Aldwych branch. One of the spaces on the second unused platform was used as a staff model railway club IIRC.

[@AlexMetroman]

@@RogersRamblings I am aware of such a platform but have not been able to see it as of yet. It's very appropriate that a staff model railway club be hosted there, what a great idea!

[@doomotron6160]

@@AlexMetroman It looks very clean and tidy. When was the platform last used?

[@AlexMetroman]

It last had a passenger train use it on the last day of the Aldwych Branch in service, but it has been since used to trail overhead projectors for advertisements and different station designs.

[@Viper-CT]

Do they still have a set of points at Holborn that head to Aldwych? i thought that was gotten rid of. anyway i also thought that the 1960s stock ran along there not the Bakerloo stock.

[@AlexMetroman]

The points are still there and the branch is still active. The 72TS did not work the shuttle but the MkI is kept there.

[@tonysrailwayadventure2729]

Nice video

[@owenchuarbx]

noice!

[@praiserdusty]

This service was shut down in 1994 can't ride it anymore unless you're in training or in a movie

[@AlexMetroman]

Yet the video still shows me riding the train to Aldwych...

[@makskol642]

But but but, aldwych was already closed since 1994!

[@AlexMetroman]

Only to passengers!

[@HammaneggsAirborne]

This stock didn't sound quite normal to me. Was it partially converted to diesel because of Aldwych 3rd and 4th rails perhaps no longer being maintained?

[@AlexMetroman]

The line to Aldwych is still electrified, it just has old equipment in it which wasn't replaced when the other trains were refurbished.

[@vincentkohlumcfan22]

I wonder what will happen when the Piccadilly line is upgraded to moving block signalling I wonder if they will still be able to keep the Aldwych part...

[@AlexMetroman]

@@vincentkohlumcfan22 The plan is that Holborn shall get a capacity upgrade and step free access, so the Aldwych branch shall eventually be severed to allow for the extra room and lifts.

[@davidtanycoed]

@@AlexMetroman Severed! That's sad to hear. So in other words are you saying it's game over for Aldwych - their will be no access for any stock to access the station?. Will the station remain forever empty or will they leave the 1972 stock in the station as a final static resting place? Such a shame as it would of been nice if Aldwych became a permanent functional preservation. Always hoped I could visit Aldwych one day - living in North Wales I not yet had a chance to catch one of the rare tours.

[@AlexMetroman]

Unfortunately so. I am not sure whether the 72TS will stay down there and would hope it doesn't. I think the Holborn capacity upgrade program has been put on hold due to a lack of funding, so you'll have plenty of time to get down there on a Hidden London tour.

[@user-do2rj4sf8j]

I swear the unrefurbished 1972 stock had red doors and white front

[@AlexMetroman]

It did have an unpainted aluminium front, however to comply with LU safety standards, it had to be painted red.

[@user-do2rj4sf8j]

CoachAlex1996 (AlexMetroman) ohhh but what about the red doors

[@AlexMetroman]

Some did, yes.

[@user-do2rj4sf8j]

CoachAlex1996 (AlexMetroman) i think i have an idea For the 1972 stock there is mk1 and 2 The one in this vid is the refurbished mk1 and the full aluminium is unrefurbished The aluminium one and red doors are unrefurbished mk2 And the current one is refurbished Sooo.. Full aluminium= unrefurbished mk1 Red front aluminium body= refurbished mk1 Aluminum body and red doors= unrefurbished mk2 Current one= refurbished mk2 Hoping to get a reply

[@AlexMetroman]

I think that sounds about right, however I am not sure for certain.

[@insertnewchannelnamehere739]

This looks a 73 stock

[@AlexMetroman]

I can assure you that it's a 72 Stock.

[@bakedsodium6528]

I still don't know why they only operated Holborn-Aldwych They should have done Heathrow-Aldwych or Cockfosters-Aldwych. Then there would have been more incentive to make it a busier station

[@AlexMetroman]

It would have been impossible to do either, as access to Aldwych is from the Eastbound Tunnel only, so if you were coming from the west, you'd need to do a reverse move (and passengers are forbidden to be carried over shunt signals as per LU rules) and if you are coming Westbound then there is no access to the tunnel.

[@RogersRamblings]

@@AlexMetroman I recall reading that in the early days of the GNPB/LER there were late night trains (probably only one) from Strand/Aldwych eastbound for theatregoers.

[@ANDREWWALLFORD123]

Pretty train gone neglect problem against this....

[@davidfalconer8913]

Would be worth ( part time ? ) reopening this for ( HUGE paying ! foreign / UK sightseers , like the tiny GPO line ? ) ..... L U L needs all the cash it can get , ( oh yes , indeed it does ! ! ) hmmm , another missed business opportunity by those that sit in offices ...( ? ) ..........

[@AlexMetroman]

You can't drive a train to Aldwych with passengers on, but you can drive a train to Holborn with passengers on (due to health and safety). I have suggested that a tour of Aldwych, then a ride to Holborn then a tour of Holborn is conducted but I doubt it shall come to fruition.

[@Looiiss37]

@@AlexMetroman is the Aldwych 1972 stock alive or is it completely well and truly dead?

[@AlexMetroman]

It's been stripped for spares, it's a skeleton of a train now.