BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In 1936, these ultra-modern, streamlined, futuristic Tube trains were the talk of London; nothing like then had ever been operated on the Underground.....nor has any stock since then even faintly resembled these sleek units, which, sadly, were not successful (many rare images on this page)......

https://www.hydeparknow.uk/2020/03/26/that-streamlined-tube-train

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More rare photos and information on the streamlined Tube trains......

https://www.londonist.com/london/transport/art-deco-tube-trains-1930s-london-underground-streamlined-trains

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Other MU equipment that quite departed from the ordinary were the 12 double-deck MU cars SR "4DD" Class) built for the Southern's (BR's third-rail commuter network)

These handsome and unique units were the only double-deck units to operate on British Rail.

Entering service in 1949, the unique MU's provided reliable service until they were retired in the early 1970's.

Two of these historic units survive today.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR_Class_4DD

.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More on the "SR Class 4DD" double-deck MU's.....

www.bulleidlocos.org.uk/_oth/4_dd.aspx

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The streamliner craze of the mid-1930's also carried over to main-line rails in Great Britain; thee futuristic GWR (Great Western Railway) railcars were indeed state-of-the-art when they entered service in 1934.

Three of these historic and highly-distinctive units survive today......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GWR_railcars

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an excellent page (w/many photos) on the 1930's GWR streamlined railcars......

https://archive.md/20130218014630/http://www.engrailhistory.info/r127.html

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This highly-detailed, exhaustive page deals with the complexity of railway signalling in Great Britain, past and present.

Some of the older type signals were similar to those used on the Underground (the Underground today is all CBTC)......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_railway_signalling

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Traditional" Underground signalling.......

www.trainweb.org/tubeprune/signalling.htm

www.trainweb.org/tubeprune/signalling1.htm

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In Great Britain for many decades, virtually every "Fun Fair" had its own "Ghost Train" amusement ride.

In 1940, another type of "ghost train" appeared; this time on the Waterloo & City Railway.

The modern, silvery trains were almost ghostly in appearance to many; they also lasted in service for many, many years.

These unique units were also highly unorthodox in that they could (and did) operate in single-car trains during the off-hours, a highly-unorthodox Underground practice.

This VERY exhaustive page (many, many vintage photos are to be found here) will indeed satisfy even the most die-hard, "in-depth" enthusiast)........

http://bloodandcustard.com/SR-WC.html

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are more photos and information on the 1940 W&CRy/SOUTHERN "Ghost Train" ("487 Class").......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_487

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Historical information on the Waterloo & City Line; on the top of the page you will see one of the original 1898 MU cars, which, in 1940, were replaced by the silvery, "ghostly" "487" Stock (another photo of one of these units is also here)......

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/collections/stories/transport/waterloo-city-line

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Regarding single-car "Underground" operation.....

The only other instance of Underground stock running as single-car units was on the South Acton Shuttle;two of these clerestory-roof cars (later absorbed into the "Q" Stock) were revamped in 1939 (converted to double cab/one-man operation) for use on the shuttle between Acton Town and South Acton.

This (above ground) line closed in 1959........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This extensive page is an in-depth "glossary"/"dictionary" of UndergrounD terminology.....

www.trainweb.org/tubeprune/dictionary.htm

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interestingly, though the H&M (Hudson Tubes) utilized rolling stock that featured air-operated doors from 1908 on, it was not until 1919 that tube stock in London (with air doors) began to appear.

The first group of such were stock were 40 cars built by Cammell & Laird; these were the first cars designed with air doors as new.

There were, however, trials with pneumatic doors as early as 1911, but these "newfangled" doors proved troublesome; the doors on these test cars were fitted on the outside of the car body (like the BMT "C" class El cars), and, later, were modified to operated mechanically via a capstan and wires, controlled by the guard (conductor)

As technology improved, the older "gate stock" trains were rebuilt with air doors as well.....

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Photos and information on the "gate stock" Tube equipment......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground_1906_Stock

https://topstastic.blogspot.com/2019/09/london-underground-1906-stock-gate-stock.html