Riding the 38 Stock | Hidden London Hangouts (S09E02)

[@DavidShepheard]

I don't remember seeing any strap-hangers that had advertising things on them. Two things I do remember about the strap-hangers on these and other trains was that, late at night, there would be people who would pretend that they were a boxing punch bag, and think they were the only person who had ever done that joke. The other thing that would occasionally happen, which would always make me grit my teeth, is that someone would decide to do acrobatics and grab one of these from above each set of seats and do a back flip while hanging from them. So, I'm not surprised those things used to get broken.

[@TheBadCivilServant]

The buses I drive have those things and kids like to use them for gymnastics. Of course, the parents don’t give a (excrement). So, since it’s up to me, I tell them to control their children. The straps will break, the kids will break, and we’re not going to pay them.

[@terminusaquo1980]

I remember going on a 38 stock train on the Isle of Wight, it was an amazing experience and I can say that I agree they are incredibly comfortable, everything from the warm lighting to the wood panelling and the seats make you feel at home from the moment you board the train 😊.

[@DavidShepheard]

I love the new WWII bomb-shelter studio, but could you maybe get slightly shorter mic stands for Alex and Chris or put the long distance camera slightly higher up. The sight lines have Siddy and Laura's faces right behind the boy's microphones.

[@travel_and_explore_with_BIP]

I traveled on these when I first came to London on a school trip in the -80’s. More recently I traveled on them regularly while living on the Isle Of Wight 2005-08. Always Loved them!

[@knownothing5518]

Ok I am fully convinced now, this underground Underground recording studio is a brilliant location! The dynamic between you all is just so enjoyable! Your collective knowledge and unique traits and interests fascinate me in every episode! I'm so glad something so good and high quality, made with genuine passion has made it into my life! Thank you all so much!

[@kenmorris100]

Without declaring my age I used to travel on the 1938 stock trains to school on the Bakerloo Line between Warwick Ave and Marylebone in 1958-63. They were still very modern especially as the Piccadilly and Central Lines were still running "standard stock and because of the space taken above floor level control equipment it was necessary to avoid the middle of the platform there were no doors. The Bakerloo line trains included a three car unit with a converted standard stock trailer. It is good to see the loving care used to keep at least one of these engineering icons running.

[@alexhastie905]

They brought them back mid 1980's on the northern line. Great memories of a truly fantastic train, just like the 7:42 RT buses@

[@WeronikaSzulc-bd7wc]

Train to send you train or something like this one time and time for your

[@WeronikaSzulc-bd7wc]

Baby girl 👧 is a big deal with a big deal on her way out to eat it bye bye for her and I love her

[@WeronikaSzulc-bd7wc]

S and I will send you the next one thousand times a week or two if I have a few questions or bye

[@WeronikaSzulc-bd7wc]

Right after you get back from the office to send the message and then send it back

[@TheDonald2000]

Am old enough to remember the Northern Line 38 stock, which I used between 1959 and 1988 until they were withdrawn. They are, as has been mentioned, works of art with beautiful flooring, seating and lighting. There has been nothing like them ever since and I am so glad that at least one full unit remains in stock at Acton Depot.

[@Apache__]

55:56 Chris: "[...] the Metropolitan Line out on the west side as well... keeping it West Side!" (Ali G ™) Alex, Siddy and Laura's reactions when they realised what Chris had just done really tickled me 😂 Well played, Mr Nix!

[@ralphups7782]

When I was very little, those. Trains were like rolls Royces. The small trains that run on the bakerloo line are so special to me even now. When they do get replaced by newer stock will break my heart, but then again I would have found something very similar and interesting about the new stuff too.

[@Gillian-xl7wb]

Fascinating, takes me back to t Central Line Watching t guard do their thing with t controls, etc. Would've loved to've seen that tube train passing by, whilst at a platform. AH, memories😊

[@CoxallK]

Can you imagine the 92 stock running up and down the line like the 38 can now in 86 years time? No is the answer.

[@VirreFriberg]

The 92 Stock has already been running for 31 years. Think you mean in 55 years

[@CoxallK]

@ let me be clear, I meant what I said, 86 years. Clown.

[@sarahjoyholden7856]

Andrew and Keith should join the hangout team, and both have a vast wealth of experience and knowledge.

[@discogareth]

What a lovely man Andrew is. I hope we get to see more of him in future episodes.

[@sanders2378]

How lovely to see the gentle lighting on the 38s, wish the newer trains weren’t so brightly lit.

[@MrAustinPowers]

Seeing this made me think if you don’t already maybe through Aldwych Station you should do Wedding Special Packages.

[@timothyp8947]

What a lovely episode - both with the little red train itself, and with Andrew's stories about staffing it as guard and driver… and the gentleman who described the process of keeping this beautiful and historic machine active on the rails. Thank you (extended) Team!

[@Lisbonized]

38s were definitely the best tube stock ever! As well as being a drivers favourite, passengers loved them too. I remember them when I first joined in the mid eighties. Classic train. Once when working at the Control Centre at Cobourg Street we ran a 38 heritage train one evening and obviously followed it on CCTV at each station. It was fascinating to see the look of pleasant surprise on passengers faces followed by a look of disappointment that they couldn’t get on!

[@paulwheeler4283]

Andrew is such a lovely Gentleman I hope you can invite him back for more episodes and how beautiful and comforting is the 38 stock I could honestly fall asleep on one without worrying xx thank you again for wonderful episode love you all xx

[@AtoZbyLocalBus]

On Saturday 6th July, when I got over a train at Llandudno Junction, and saw a stream train at the station. I decided to take a picture of it. I did not know it was there.

[@JaapFilius]

Thank you all again for another lovely episode. I loved the '38 Stock: When I visited London for the first time , back in 1976, they were in full service on the Bakerloo line (and maybe on other lines as well, but I do not know that). I did like the sounds these trains made and their interior as well. This preserved unit is clean and tidy (of course it is). At the time the entire Underground was in serious need for modernization and a thorough clean up... And what a great job they have done over the years!

[@MTGP1525]

I miss bouncing out my seat and and don't get me started on the compressor sounds.❤

[@bill5067]

I used to use them when I was much younger back in the very early 80s and the late 70s and it amazed me at the time that these trains were running through the blitz in ww2 at the time I used them the trains would have been more than 3 times my age

[@andymiller4971]

I remember the 38 stock back in the 70s , and of recent times on the Isle of Wight,of course now replaced , loved the soft bouncy seats and the compressor rattling away.

[@jacksugden8190]

I remember them in service on the Bakerloo and Northern lines, long time ago on those deep level tubes, remember the red and green, the interior features, didn’t ride then in the Isle of Wight, did the Standard Stock, nice once again to have seen it in show here.

[@MrStevetmq]

I loved them, looks, and riding on them. The red colour when I was young boy was less scary than the newer silver ones.

[@FamilyManPhil]

Memories of childhood in early 70s riding into London from Hounslow West before extension to Hatton Cross opened. Most were white but the occasional red one was a real treat.

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

Ditto!

[@huwdavies6650]

The last two 38 stock units to operate in revenue service on the Isle of Wight now currently reside at The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway. Initially they will be loco hauled but their owners have plans in place to convert them to battery power so that they can operate independently in preservation without the need for a third rail.

[@Big.Al.3]

Fantastic film. Really enjoyed the chat between Chris and Andrew. Hope there will be more like this chatting with staff and ex-staff😊

[@srfurley]

They still look surprisingly modern, as did the slightly younger Ex Southern Railway stock for the Waterloo & City line.

[@carolinecleaveley-q1r]

Sorry to hear about the damage to the 38 train. Hope can be afforded to bring it back to life again. caroline

[@sbowness]

Please, please, please can we have the whole cab ride as a separate video, possibly a Patreon special?

[@NapierNimbus]

Regularly travelled the Northern Line and loved the ride, sound, seat covering design and comfort of these trains.

[@grahamclarke2319]

What a brilliant episode. I can vaguely remember the 1938 stock in service and it brought back some good memories to see it running. The sets weren't in quite such good condition back in the day. As you all said, it's visually stunning. I've also seen some recent footage of public running days, which looked really successful. I was saddened to read that the running days had to be curtailed, because the '38 stock had been vandalised. I wish all the great team at the museum and beyond all the very best with repairs and restoration and I hope to see the '38 stock back out doing what it does best very soon. I also hope the culprits are caught and severely punished. Your studio has lovely buttery sound too!

[@djtraxxehv1058]

Lovely to have a heritage journey on the actual main line of the London Underground in the summer. I feel sure that it will be very promising, pleasant and quite popular.

[@ralphups7782]

Those older trains, seemed to run faster on the line when I was a youngster.

[@peterpetrou2466]

Fantastic episode, I rwmwmber the 38 stock on the Bakerloo where I was a Stn Foreman at Regents Park in 1985. Welcome back, I forgot to say that last episode.

[@Slycockney]

I have tickets for July 21st 2024, can't wait.

[@AndrewDobie]

Fascinating! As always! I'll have to try and book a ride.

[@SaturnCanuck]

That was great. I have fond memories of riding these on my many visits to Jolly Ole

[@peterwroath1166]

I learnt how to drive an underground train on the Bakerloo line almost exactly 44 years ago. Back then the 38 stock was the basis of the entire training program for a would be guard at the training centre at White City. The thing I most remember about the 38 stock was it's total lack of a speedometer. Speed control relied on a combination of guess work & experience. It wasn't until I transferred to the Central Line & the 62 stock that I had the luxury of knowing just how fast I was going.

[@NickDavies-v2q]

For me it was the 1959 stock that was considered standard in the 90's. I had to learn to drive as a guard.

[@LadyInTrilby]

Thank you for keeping doing these, season 9 is nothing short of an amazing achievement! Please keep up the great work! As an uni student whose studies circle around work culture and cultural history, one of the highlights of these videos is meeting people who work or have worked for the London Underground. That’s also why I would absolutely love to hear more LU lores -and I don’t mean ghost stories, they sure are fun but very well known. Instead, it would be wonderful to hear those tales that are passed from older staff generations to younger ones, stories about exceptional, eccentric and excellent personalities, people who broke through the glass ceiling working for the London Transport, everyday happenings and incidents that have formed the Tube we know and love today… I strongly believe that such legends are just as remarkable part of the heritage as hard facts and artifacts, what do you think? Thank you and lots of love from the Arctic Circle, Finland

[@LordMattyA87]

Lovely vintage Underground EMU’s them. Love the 38 stock. And they’re so comfy! I got to travel on one when the Isle Of Wight used them. Incredibly comfortable.

[@johnrichardson-u2f]

At the time of writing, I am 76, I used to travel on these as a 15/16-year-old apprentice electrician when working on building sites in the city. They used to get so crowded in the rush hour that one time whilst standing holding the strap the train lurched and I ended up sitting in the lap of a pretty young lady of around my own age and was unable to get up until the next stop, which was only a minute or two. Whilst it was somewhat embarrassing for the young lady and me, those around us found it highly amusing.

[@isashax]

What a fab episode! I had to wait a day for watching, but it was so worth! I wish that I could be in London more often for doing these heritage rides!

[@mduigenan1980]

Looking forward to the next episode and my tour of Down Street in July

[@MrAsBBB]

Best video ever, loved Andrew to bits. Great information as I can remember as a kid travelling on this stock.. Fabulous…

[@fatblokes_ferguson]

I remember these old trains from the 80’s era, with slight variations, even though we didn’t vandalise them but we played run outs on the train, two teams and we would give clues but we had a lot of fun. Not a good idea now I’m a adult but we used to come out at St Paul and it was like the film 28 days later, knowing the business mostly closed for business, my favourite station was Grange Hill.

[@NewCityMedia]

Great episode, thank you. These trains are iconic, but none of you mentioned the marvellous unique whine of those old traction motors! I was lucky enough to ride 38 stock in late 2020 on the Isle of Wight (Class 483 as they were designated there), before they were withdrawn in early 2021. The only noticeable difference was that they had modern strip lightning. Since then I have visited one of them which was obtained by the Isle of wight Steam Railway - it doesn't run on the rails yet, but you can go on it. When travelling on these, I used to wonder whether my late mother had travelled on the very same vehicles when she worked in central London in the war.

[@Steven_Rowe]

The only thing missing was an open fire . You felt it was like your front room I must admit my favourite tube stock was the standard stock that predates the 1938 stock

[@markbeecroft-stretton3314]

I would absolutely adore the chance to ride on the 38 Stock before they run out of certification / compatible Pway...that's my Wife's Christmas present sorted!!

[@paulburton9386]

Excellent, I will look forward to it!

[@paulburton9386]

Great video! Thank you team!

[@Fedderchini]

Fantastic looking forward to this

[@alisonjones9089]

Takes me back. Back. Dirty old things though my shirt collars had a hard to shift black mark

[@michaelmiller641]

Fantastic episode! Thankyou so much for that!

[@PeterTorr]

Remember these trains in my younger days! Would love to go on one again will keep an eye out!? 😊

[@paulchance3766]

As a child i dont remember travelling on the underground much at all, but remember trying to exit elephant and castle in 1985 and seeing the 38's and thought "thats got to be a working museum"? Went back a while later and they were gone..! But i do remember also seeing one at my home station stockwell in 1988 and it was the only one i can ever properly remember actually getting on in 'service'.. Wasn't their other name the 'Scarlett Runner' ?

[@tardismole]

I remember these old girls. Brings back some wonderful memories of my first journey on the underground in 1975. I remember there was one sticking out of the wall at Victoria Station, advertising the London Transport Museum. I really wanted to go there, but my father vetoed that idea. :( And then I moved to another country, so I've never had the chance to visit. This episode has made 8-year-old me a very happy bunny.

[@annefieldhouse2020]

I remember riding on the 38 stock. it is how I remember the underground as a child. The Northern line was my home line.

[@dminalba]

I remember in the 1980s the 38 stock was in use on the Bakerloo line

[@clivecoles1288]

As a Child I travelled regularly from Hounslow West to Kings Cross on the Piccadilly line and then onward to Old Street on the Northern line. Definitely Standard stock and 38 stock

[@ForTheBirbs]

There are still guards on the Sydney trains system. They do announcements on top of the automated messaging. It's always interesting to hewr their different styles. One does thrm like aircraft, another as a "wecome to Sydney" tour guide, and a lot where you have no idea what they said! Cheers

[@andykopgod]

Absolutely fascinating, well done everyone, could you ask laura where she got her jumper from 🙈😂💪

[@Mr1234karlos]

Ooooooohhh Number Two.. here we Gooooo.. Saturday evening is now complete 🙂 Keeping it WEST SIDE !!! 🙂

[@davidgrundy5506]

Welcome back

[@JoeyFoo]

Lovely episode! Sad to know that the current roadmap for heritage trains on the Underground is still uncertain with upgrades and resignalling, but I'm quietly hopeful it would be possible, seeing how ETCS L2 is being installed on a literal steam locomotive right now. Maintaining heritage trains in the original condition as it left service has historical value, but being able to still have these trains moving does too, and finding that balance will be tough.

[@marcelwiszowaty1751]

Although my earliest memory is of the 1959 stock, I'm pretty certain that I travelled on a '38 stock first. This is because I'm from the North West and (prior to my dad learning to drive) we would've reached London by train into Euston. We had relatives about 10 minutes' walk from Osterley station, so of course to get there we'd need to take the Northern Line to Leicester Square to change onto the Piccadilly... this was around 1965 so no Victoria Line. In the following years I used both '38 and '59 stocks many, many times before they both retired and, yes, also on the East London line. I was also attracted to that shade of green on the interior (which was also seen on the sub-surface stock of the era.) It's worth noting too that the original external colour scheme was "train red" rather than the "bus red" of later years, as on this heritage unit. It all brings back many happy memories, so thanks for this nostalgic episode! 🙂

[@john_smith1471]

I was one of the people looking forward to the heritage tube ride when the event weekend in June 2024 was cancelled due to vandalism and deliberate damage to the 1938 train, I was disappointed that after repairs the event was now starting in Uxbridge a completely different part of Greater London that isn’t practical to travel to and also a shorter tube run.

[@SteveODonnell]

I am exactly like Siddy. More than ten mins in a bus, train or car and i will always doze off. Been the same since i was a small child. Once in Glasgow i fell asleep on a bus home from work. Woke up an hour later to see i was back in glasgow where i got on the bus😂

[@Shalott63]

Hello, thanks for a really special episode. This reminds me of when I was a child growing up in the Bounds Green - Arnos Grove area in the 60s and 70s. The Piccadilly fleet at that point was mostly 59 stock but it included a small number (I think I read somewhere it was 7) of trainsets of 38 stock for some reason, so if you were lucky you would get a ride on one if you were using the tube (even as a child I recognised that the 38 stock had much more character); also, whenever I was playing in Arnos Park I would keep an eye out on the trains going over the viaduct to see if I could spot a 'red train' occasionally. It's interesting to hear that the failure (sorry, I mean delay) in resignalling the Piccadilly Line for ATO ready for the 2024 stock means you can still run this train on that line, which I guess is a silver lining in the cloud (especially as that line is one of the most convenient for Acton where the train is kept).

[@JMGold-vc8qp]

Broadly, the Piccadilly line had some 1938 stock trains (I think I recall 15 at maximum but I may be wrong) because the post-war construction of additional cars (the 1949 stock) was to provide extra trains for the Bakerloo line which was planned to be extended to Camberwell. As this extension did not materialise, London Transport had a surplus of 1938s. Because of their additional capacity compared with the rest of the Piccadilly line fleet, there was a period when their 38 stocks were scheduled to run consecutively in a block at the height of the peaks. I don't know how well this worked in practice.

[@Shalott63]

@@JMGold-vc8qp Thank you for this, it's interesting. I think once the main part of the Piccadilly fleet had changed from Standard Stock to 1959's the capacity difference with the 1938 stock would have been much less, so that may have affected the running patterns from then on. Regarding the number, I wonder if it might have been 15 units rather than 15 trainsets? That would resolve the difference between our recollections of the figures.

[@srfurley]

I seem to remember that some of the 38 stock units carried plates stating that they were property of the LNER. Something to do with the Northern heights extensions I think.

[@chrisnix6352]

That is quite right!

[@JMGold-vc8qp]

Yes. The planned Northern line extensions to High Barnet, Edgware via Mill Hill, and to Alexandra Palace involved London Transport taking over these services the London & North Eastern Railway. The financial arrangements were presumably quite complex, and included the LNER becoming the legal owners of a proportion of the 1938 stock. I think some of these cars were included in the small batch that were purchased back from scrap dealers and returned to Northern line service and ultimately went to the Isle of Wight.

[@suecj8770]

Hi all this looks like a good one

[@jara2657]

Great episode! Long forgotten memory came to surface of "liberating" a really beautiful Tube advert in the late 80's. I want to say it was for either Kew Gardens or Chelsea Flower Show; something beautiful and botanical if memory serves. Sorry :(

[@johannesfeigl5309]

Travelled daily to and ffrom my home inwoodside parkto finchleycentralfromwhich i disembarked and walked to my schoolineast finchley.the walk was shorterfromfinchley central station than fromeast finchleystation.n😊😊

[@trained_4_life]

A school is East Finchley - The Alder by any chance? Travelled down to work from 1964 for 10 years to Bank then Waterloo in the 38 stock on the Northern. Always sat in the first seat at the very front of the train on the right hand side. Very upset if someone else got there first. Have always loved this stock - brings back such happy memories.

[@arw2008]

Should be good!

[@JMGold-vc8qp]

On a very small point of fact from the film, the driving cabs on 1959 stock were not bigger than on the 1938 stock. They were the same size. Indeed the physical dimensions of the 1938 stock, the 1949 cars built to enlarge the fleet, and the aluminium bodied 1956, 1959 and 1962 stocks were all identical.

[@johannesfeigl5309]

These lovelytube stockwould trundleand clank their waypastthe end of my gardenas they wend their waybetween high barnet and morden.the most comfortableseats in the business!😊

[@j616s]

Can you disguise the new signalling kit? Maybe like a piece of luggage? Also, will we ever see heritage steam on the underground again?

[@malcolmhumphries3284]

Starlight Express and Transplant drivers?

[@rashikafelicien]

Combining elegance and luxury kislux

[@briancarson68]

34:30 where can we buy the replica shovel shade lamp covers ?

[@FART-REPELLENT]

I believe the London Transport Museum sell them.

[@Blade_Daddy]

Loved this! Thank you so much Andrew.

[@sarahjoyholden7856]

You can hear the faint rubble of the trains

[@Roylovelock]

Is that andrew on the front page, thought you were retired mate, cant keep away eh?

[@TheBadCivilServant]

I know this is out of left field, but I used to ride (and later - very briefly drive) Gloucester RC&W’s Q38 offshoot in Toronto, the G - Series (1954). You guys noted that the lighting in the 38-stock seen in this video had been modified. Prior to this, did the passenger lighting in each carriage cut out as it crossed over a break in traction rail? Thank you for an awesome video.

[@levigaming-1]

Did you by any chance see a firebreak bottle on either an s stock or White City westfields? I’ve lost it

[@DavidHamm-fb7nx]

I’ve actually driven a 38 stock train….. only in Train Sim World though 😂

[@stigroo9058]

More episodes w Andrew please🙏

[@Richardsrailway]

You forgot to mention the 62’s on the central ! ! What the motorman was doing with the handle was notching up . The 38’s had many unique features , one of which was that you could put the handle into full parallel and then bring it back to series without losing full parallel on the motors . The Speedo’s were removed as they were useless and unreliable. Brilliant trains all round . However if the mercury wasn’t set right in the cab over on the offside to do with the braking ( E.P) , you would get severe reduced rate in braking ! ,

[@joostducoh]

Hi, Thanks for the nice episode. What kind of music is used in this video? Thank you

[@chrisnix6352]

The music is a track I composed in 2022 called Explorer. It’s one of a number that I made for use on my own YT channel and for the Museum.

[@joostducoh]

@@chrisnix6352 Thank you for the answer. It's nice music for the program :)

[@bishwatntl]

The 38 stock would not have let you sleep on its last deployment - on the Island Line - much too bouncy!

[@andrewbeadle9168]

never realised the Drivers on there heritage runs.. that they are NOT qualified Train Operators.. my Dad would of loved to drive the 38

[@TheDonald2000]

I don't think you will find that is so, they have to be qualified to drive any sort of train on the LUL system; what you mean is they are test drivers, whilst fully qualified they don't operate trains in pax service. Otherwise the level of skilling is just the same.

[@ralphups7782]

People were , always smoking back then.

[@Berry-fr5wj]

Why is that everything in the past was better ?

[@ViceChairBrixtonWindmill]

Indeed - but it's actually better that it's a lot cleaner now. My memory of travelling the 38's was the dust and dirt, cigarette ends in the wooden floor grooves, and difficulty dealing with graffiti on the hand-painted surfaces. The floor varnish only lasted a few weeks after each refurbishment and then the wood turned grimy black. They were still my favourite train though. Plush and cosy.

[@gigteevee6118]

People also may have fallen asleep back in the day and ended up in Morden down to smokers sucking up the oxygen? Not really something we can replicate these days for heritage reasons😂

[@FART-REPELLENT]

Actually the correct way to phrase it should be 'The 1938 Tube Stock was introduced from 1938'; not "Introduced in 1938", as the delivery and implementation was spread over 5 years the delay caused by the outbreak of WW2. Lastly the 1938 Tube Stock isn't the only iconic Underground train, equally iconic were the O.37, P.38, and R.49 built for the Underground's Sub-Surface lines.