Discussion:
Ghost train?
(too old to reply)
Recliner
2024-10-03 22:22:56 UTC
Permalink
I caught an eastbound Central line train towards Epping today, and checked
the digital destination display on the front as it approached. To my
amazement, I think it showed ‘Ongar’, which hasn’t been a Central line
destination for over 30 years. In fact, the station closed on 30 September
1994, so I wondered if this was a discreet commemoration of that event?

I checked the following train to Epping, and it showed the usual Epping on
the display.

Assuming I’m not imagining what I saw, I’m surprised the 92 stock can still
show Ongar as a destination. I believe the stock was tested on the branch,
but never worked on it in passenger service. But the stock as originally
delivered probably could show it as a destination.

And I don’t think Ongar was ever available as a through destination from
stations on the west of the line. As far as I’m aware, it was only worked
as a short train shuttle, with passengers having to change at Epping.
Theo
2024-10-04 08:00:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by Recliner
I caught an eastbound Central line train towards Epping today, and checked
the digital destination display on the front as it approached. To my
amazement, I think it showed ‘Ongar’, which hasn’t been a Central line
destination for over 30 years. In fact, the station closed on 30 September
1994, so I wondered if this was a discreet commemoration of that event?
Or maybe fat fingers when setting up the display?
Post by Recliner
I checked the following train to Epping, and it showed the usual Epping on
the display.
Assuming I’m not imagining what I saw, I’m surprised the 92 stock can still
show Ongar as a destination. I believe the stock was tested on the branch,
but never worked on it in passenger service. But the stock as originally
delivered probably could show it as a destination.
Are the destination displays original?

I'm reminded of the displays on the similar vintage Thames 165s which had
some kind of backlit LCD that showed letters made up of triangles - the
segments were often faded, missing or flickery. After some years they were
replaced, and are now LED.
Post by Recliner
And I don’t think Ongar was ever available as a through destination from
stations on the west of the line. As far as I’m aware, it was only worked
as a short train shuttle, with passengers having to change at Epping.
I believe there were through trains for the airshow at Blake Hall. Not sure
if they happened post 92.

Theo
Recliner
2024-10-04 08:10:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
I caught an eastbound Central line train towards Epping today, and checked
the digital destination display on the front as it approached. To my
amazement, I think it showed ‘Ongar’, which hasn’t been a Central line
destination for over 30 years. In fact, the station closed on 30 September
1994, so I wondered if this was a discreet commemoration of that event?
Or maybe fat fingers when setting up the display?
Perhaps, but it was interesting that it was on an Epping-bound train, so
wouldn’t cause any confusion, and almost exactly 30 years to the day after
closure.
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
I checked the following train to Epping, and it showed the usual Epping on
the display.
Assuming I’m not imagining what I saw, I’m surprised the 92 stock can still
show Ongar as a destination. I believe the stock was tested on the branch,
but never worked on it in passenger service. But the stock as originally
delivered probably could show it as a destination.
Are the destination displays original?
Yes, I think so. The trains are currently being refurbished, and perhaps
they’ll update that display, but this was an unrefurbished one.
Post by Theo
I'm reminded of the displays on the similar vintage Thames 165s which had
some kind of backlit LCD that showed letters made up of triangles - the
segments were often faded, missing or flickery. After some years they were
replaced, and are now LED.
Yes, I think this was probably backlit LCDs. It was pale and flickery. I
was viewing in noontime daylight on an above-ground station, so it wasn’t
easy to read.
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
And I don’t think Ongar was ever available as a through destination from
stations on the west of the line. As far as I’m aware, it was only worked
as a short train shuttle, with passengers having to change at Epping.
I believe there were through trains for the airshow at Blake Hall. Not sure
if they happened post 92.
I thought the power supply on the branch only had enough juice for
half-length trains?
Theo
2024-10-04 10:34:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by Recliner
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
I caught an eastbound Central line train towards Epping today, and checked
the digital destination display on the front as it approached. To my
amazement, I think it showed ‘Ongar’, which hasn’t been a Central line
destination for over 30 years. In fact, the station closed on 30 September
1994, so I wondered if this was a discreet commemoration of that event?
Or maybe fat fingers when setting up the display?
Perhaps, but it was interesting that it was on an Epping-bound train, so
wouldn’t cause any confusion, and almost exactly 30 years to the day after
closure.
That presumes travellers know that Ongar is beyond Epping. I suspect many
of them will be thinking 'WTF is Ongar?'. It's not exactly a popular
destination for Londoners.

(I find this every time I use the Paris RER - the trains advertised in the
direction of Melun or Malesherbes mean zero to me who just wants to get to
Gare de XXX, because those are places I've never heard of and how no sense
of whether they're E/W/N/S of the centre. LU with 'westbound' etc is much
more helpful)
Post by Recliner
Post by Theo
I believe there were through trains for the airshow at Blake Hall. Not sure
if they happened post 92.
I thought the power supply on the branch only had enough juice for
half-length trains?
I understand they were limited length (4 car?) sets for that reason.

(the airshows were on the weekend when a short-length Central Line train
might have been more acceptable, especially as London was less busy than it
is now)

Theo
M***@DastartdlyHQ.org
2024-10-04 14:00:44 UTC
Permalink
On 04 Oct 2024 11:34:10 +0100 (BST)
Post by Theo
(the airshows were on the weekend when a short-length Central Line train
might have been more acceptable, especially as London was less busy than it
is now)
The closing of the tube to Ongar killed the north wield air show stone dead
which was a real shame as it was the only one within easy public transport
reach of londoners.

Whether it would still be allowed today anyway with current safety rules is
another matter.
Lew1
2024-10-04 13:57:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Recliner
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
I caught an eastbound Central line train towards Epping today, and checked
the digital destination display on the front as it approached. To my
amazement, I think it showed ‘Ongar’, which hasn’t been a Central line
destination for over 30 years. In fact, the station closed on 30 September
1994, so I wondered if this was a discreet commemoration of that event?
Or maybe fat fingers when setting up the display?
Perhaps, but it was interesting that it was on an Epping-bound train, so
wouldn’t cause any confusion, and almost exactly 30 years to the day after
closure.
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
I checked the following train to Epping, and it showed the usual Epping on
the display.
Assuming I’m not imagining what I saw, I’m surprised the 92 stock can still
show Ongar as a destination. I believe the stock was tested on the branch,
but never worked on it in passenger service. But the stock as originally
delivered probably could show it as a destination.
Are the destination displays original?
Yes, I think so. The trains are currently being refurbished, and perhaps
they’ll update that display, but this was an unrefurbished one.
Post by Theo
I'm reminded of the displays on the similar vintage Thames 165s which had
some kind of backlit LCD that showed letters made up of triangles - the
segments were often faded, missing or flickery. After some years they were
replaced, and are now LED.
Yes, I think this was probably backlit LCDs. It was pale and flickery. I
was viewing in noontime daylight on an above-ground station, so it wasn’t
easy to read.
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
And I don’t think Ongar was ever available as a through destination from
stations on the west of the line. As far as I’m aware, it was only worked
as a short train shuttle, with passengers having to change at Epping.
I believe there were through trains for the airshow at Blake Hall. Not sure
if they happened post 92.
I thought the power supply on the branch only had enough juice for
half-length trains?
I thought the front displays were linked to the CIS system - what was being
announced in the carriages?

Lew
Recliner
2024-10-04 14:29:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by Lew1
Post by Recliner
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
I caught an eastbound Central line train towards Epping today, and checked
the digital destination display on the front as it approached. To my
amazement, I think it showed ‘Ongar’, which hasn’t been a Central line
destination for over 30 years. In fact, the station closed on 30 September
1994, so I wondered if this was a discreet commemoration of that event?
Or maybe fat fingers when setting up the display?
Perhaps, but it was interesting that it was on an Epping-bound train, so
wouldn’t cause any confusion, and almost exactly 30 years to the day after
closure.
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
I checked the following train to Epping, and it showed the usual Epping on
the display.
Assuming I’m not imagining what I saw, I’m surprised the 92 stock can still
show Ongar as a destination. I believe the stock was tested on the branch,
but never worked on it in passenger service. But the stock as originally
delivered probably could show it as a destination.
Are the destination displays original?
Yes, I think so. The trains are currently being refurbished, and perhaps
they’ll update that display, but this was an unrefurbished one.
Post by Theo
I'm reminded of the displays on the similar vintage Thames 165s which had
some kind of backlit LCD that showed letters made up of triangles - the
segments were often faded, missing or flickery. After some years they were
replaced, and are now LED.
Yes, I think this was probably backlit LCDs. It was pale and flickery. I
was viewing in noontime daylight on an above-ground station, so it wasn’t
easy to read.
Post by Theo
Post by Recliner
And I don’t think Ongar was ever available as a through destination from
stations on the west of the line. As far as I’m aware, it was only worked
as a short train shuttle, with passengers having to change at Epping.
I believe there were through trains for the airshow at Blake Hall. Not sure
if they happened post 92.
I thought the power supply on the branch only had enough juice for
half-length trains?
I thought the front displays were linked to the CIS system - what was being
announced in the carriages?
Nothing, They don’t have CIS displays, and I don’t recall what the voice
announcements said.

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