As part of the celebrations of 150 years of the London Underground, a steam-hauled service ran half a dozen times today between Harrow and Uxbridge. Tickets on the train sold out long ago. I joined a number of enthusiasts at Ruislip Manor to watch it go by.
It was rather a surprise when an "A" stock appeared first - I wondered
if this was some form of tribute but it was the rail adhesion train
going in the other way so just a coincidence. Quite nostalgic to watch
it dwindle toward Eastcote -how many times in my commuting past have I
run up the stairs and emerged panting on the platform to see this very
sight?
Then with uncanny timing a London-bound Met managed to obscure the arrival of the sight we had all been waiting for, producing the odd appearance of an 'S' stock wreathed in smoke.
Fortunately the interloper moved off in time and the star appeared.
This was one of the most eclectic assemblages of rolling stock one could imagine. Behind the steam loco was the venerable electric loco Sarah Siddons. A Class 20 Diesel, looking completely incongruous on a tube line, brought up the rear. Sandwiched between them were a number of ancient carriages including an1892 'Jubilee' which I snapped on its final run in the twilight, hence the flash and the slow shutter speed.
This grand carriage was once used for commuters from Aylesbury and beyond. They don't make 'em like that any more.
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