london transport museum friends news

Heritage Train Engineering
Project
Tim Shields describes an important new
interpretive engineering project, based around
the 1967 Victoria line car.
When introduced over 40 years ago, the Victoria line 1967-tube stock
was at the forefront of engineering design and development. Based on
the technological success of the earlier 1938-tube stock (there was
considerable similarity in much of the operating equipment) the trains
incorporated ground-breaking automatic train protection (ATP) and
operation (ATO) equipment. This enabled the Victoria Line to become
the first automatic passenger railway system in the world.
As this generation of rolling stock is particularly important in the
history of tube train design, the decision was taken by the Museum to
acquire driving motor car no. 3052. It had operated in passenger service
since the line opened and, although the interior was refurbished in the
1980s, the majority of the equipment is original. Interestingly, it was
the leading car of the Royal Train used for the official opening of the
line to Victoria in 1969.
In addition to acquiring the driving motor car, the Museum has also
taken the opportunity to collect a select quantity of other material,
including: a sectioned train cab (car no 3110); the traction motors
and their control equipment; motor alternator rectifiers and air
compressors; door and brake control and operating gear; as well as
the original signalling safety and auto-driver units which were fitted
under the train seats. The long term aim is to use the equipment as
part of a comprehensive interpretative display positioned next to
motor car no. 3052.
There are many challenges involved in explaining complex electrical
systems; however, it is envisaged that the future display will use
diagrams, images and text to explain where the equipment is fitted on
the car, and how it was controlled either by the auto-driver unit or the
train driver. It is hoped that, by providing an air supply and low voltage
electrical current, some equipment may be shown operating, further to
demonstrate the technology of the time. Whilst the Museum at Covent
Garden and the Depot at Acton have a number of different rolling stock
Project Update
Bob Bird submitted this report to the late
Committee:
RM2 - The two front panels for fitting below the cab have been
made and, after a slight adjustment, will be fixed to the bodywork. The
quality is excellent and bodes well for the look of the remaining panels
to be made. Detailing of the radiator badge has been worked out and
will be cast in aluminium shortly.
Q-stock - Car 4417 has had most of the remaining asbestos
panelling removed from its underside, except for two pieces that have
been sealed. The Q35 car (08063) has had smaller quantities removed
and now requires replacement insulating panels to be made, so that
the function can be restored to fuse boxes required for the lighting
circuits. These have all been traced and a wiring plan produced, which
for this car retains most of the existing cable. However, the challenge
is to improve the earthing arrangement for each light fitting to meet
currently required standards. A prototype modification has been tried
which looks promising.
The Friends are indebted to
Trains Division at Acton Works
for continuing to work on the
Q-stock restoration, as time
permits with other workloads.
The photo shows Spencer
Mc Manus inspecting the
fuse boxes.
Page 4
examples, neither sites display and explain the working of train
equipment. An important benefit will be to encourage young people
visiting the Depot to consider engineering as a future career.
This project is being managed by a group of Friends with previous
rolling stock design, maintenance and operations experience; it has
the full support of the Museum staff and rolling stock engineers in
London Underground. In the short term, the sectioned cab will be
cleaned and tided before being mounted onto a specially constructed
metal base. This will support the structure and enable movement
within the Depot store. To increase online access, items such as the
auto-
Engineering Website browser over the months ahead.
The accompanying photograph shows a Victoria Line 1967 train set
th
was the first time a 1967-stock train had operated on sections of
the Underground away from the Victoria Line. The itinerary took
passengers from Seven Sisters, into Northumberland Park Depot
sidings, via the Victoria to Piccadilly Line connection at Kings Cross,
to Uxbridge (where the photo was taken), Acton Town, Ealing
read this, the 1967 stock should have been fully replaced on the
Victoria Line by the new 2009-stock trains.
Other Restorations
Work continues on London Trolleybus 1348 at the Trolleybus Museum
at Sandtoft. It is hoped that the vehicle will attend the planned
commemoration of the 50 th
trolleybus system, at the East Anglia Transport Museum over the Bank
Holiday of 5 th 7 th May 2012; however, restoration progress is
dependant in large part on the funds available. You can make donations
via the Sandtoft website at www.sandtoft.org.uk/exhibits/1348/
index.php
The restorers of 1348 are keen to track down items of equipment from
K2 trolleybuses, especially those working from Lea Bridge depot. The
wanted items include destination blinds, farecharts and vehicle running
plates. The Editor will pass on offers of help no questions asked as
to how the items might have been acquired!
The London Bus Preservation Trust has been leading efforts to
repatriate three London RLH buses from Oregon, USA - nos. 53, 69
and 71; the proposal is that one (53) will join the LBPT museum
collection and the other two will find other homes in the UK. All three
buses were last in service at Dalston garage and were withdrawn in
1970/71. They have remained together in the USA ever since.
Donations are being sought towards acquisition and shipping costs.
See www.lbpt.org for more details.
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