1938 tube train

A few of us travelled down to Russell Square for a trip on a 1938 tube train to Ealing Broadway. This train has been lovingly preserved by the London Transport Museum’s Acton depot branch and looks, as far as I can remember, just as it did when trains of this type left the Bakerloo line around 1984. Not a bad innings for a hard worked tube. A few technicalities aren’t quite the same – the notching relays seem to come from a 1958 type tube, and the very tuneful original compressors have been replaced by Westinghouse units, straight from a Met Line train, but that’s stuff only a nerd would notice (yes, I’m one of ‘em).

We were impressed by the quality of the seats which were deep and accommodating. Those thirties chaps certainly knew a lot more about lumbar support than us – why are all seats in modern public transport so hard?

It was great to go back in time to a type of tube stock I just about remember. I would ideally love to ride an R stock train, as used on the District until about 1984, but I don’t think it’s possible as I’ve only seen them in 2 car formation at the same museum. They featured the loudest MA whine of any Underground train – ever.

Some interior shots of the train are below and I’ll be posting a video or two on Youtube shortly.

A new Grimm Bros fairytale

Ever heard of that well-known Brothers Grimm story, “Goldilocks and the Two Bears”.

Three bears, surely?

Well, if you’re parliament, then the two bears version is all we’re getting, because we’re not worth it.

The two bears story could, by a creative parent, me made to work for a slightly gullible and young child at bedtime. But we know the story has changed beyond recognition. Without the porridge being “just right” as it was with the third bear, the story flops and in fact becomes a non-story. Who cares?

I wouldn’t trust this lot to sell me a dog. I’d get a cat, and they would tell me I was privileged to receive a new breed of feline-hound.

Weasel words and phrases: "Lessons have been learned"

When politicians, those in public office and others in the business world, when referring to avoidable cock-up or more likely, spin malfunction say “lessons have been learned” I wonder what they mean?

Translated, if we take “lessons” to their natural environment, a school context, do they mean: “oops, we screwed up on the fire evacuation, so lessons have been learned and we won’t leave bin containers in front of the fire exits any more because if this had been real, there would have been child deaths on our conscience and more importantly, a raise on our insurance premiums”.

Or do they mean “lessons have been learned by this year’s intake of students?” In which case, the lessons will be unknown by next year’s intake of students.

You’d wonder how many “lessons” in the political/business sense actually stay learnt.

How I hate that phrase. Really, really hate it.

If at first you don't succeed

I couldn't sleep a few nights ago, so started comiong up with these "isms".

If I come up with any more, I'll probably not post them:

If at first you don't succeed...

...you didn't succeed.

...leave the band and start playing free jazz.

...give up on the IVF and know that 57 is too old to get pregnant.

...resign from the job as MP. Your constituents won't forgive you.

...you should have read the notice CAREFULLY before trying to bring drugs inito Singapore

...you will probably fail again next time. Some peeps are just born to lose.

...consider renaming yourself Giles and tell 'em you went to Eton.

Susan Boyle: I was right

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