Old Oak Common Open Day - Saturday 2nd September 2017

[whole diary]

[GBM]

Just went past OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) and there is a ferris wheel positioned in the middle of the sidings!

Maybe staff testing it before it's open to the public! 

[bobm]

Just went past OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) and there is a ferris wheel positioned in the middle of the sidings!

Maybe staff testing it before it's open to the public! 

Let's hope there are no cancellations due to "an obstruction on the line". 

[Adelante_CCT]

I'll be going too, dragging the family along 

Our method is drive to Westfield then one stop on the tube.

I remember last time I went (15 years ago?) they ran a turbo shuttle from Paddington, however I still went via pad then east Acton for some reason.
Time before that (25+ years ago) it was suppose to be a shuttle with a class 117? from the end of platform 1 at pad, however that failed before departure and we were transferred to an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) that was due to go to old oak anyway.

[stuving]

When I used to commute to OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) in the late 70's I used to get the Central Line from Ealing Broadway to North Acton, which was closer than East Acton.  However, this relied on a path that cut through to Old Oak Common Lane:  I've no idea if this path still exists as there's been a fair bit of development around there.

Would that be the footpath that ran alongside and south of the old (closed 1947) Old Oak Lane Halt? There is still a footbridge over the Central Line, and an entrance off Old Oak Lane though that's now gated. Where, how, or even if it went under the West London Line isn't clear on the maps I've seen. Ah - it did go under the WLL, and along the top of the deep cutting (with steps for the steep bit) and came out onto Victoria Road  opposite the old Station Cafe. See OS^▸ (Ordnance Survey) map TQ2181NW, Surveyed: 1953, Published: 1955 for details (lots of them; that's mapped at 1:1250).

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

I think that was the path, which is in fact marked on my Big London A-Z dated 2007.  Perhaps it is/was a railway-owned path and not a public footpath, and maybe it's not now open to the public.  I might have a look on Saturday, and might even go back via North Acton for old time's sake.

However, I normally went home on the drivers' "workabus" to Padd - there are some stories to be told about some of those journies journeys!

Edit - inexcusable spelling error!

[stuving]

I think that was the path, which is in fact marked on my Big London A-Z dated 2007.  Perhaps it is/was a railway-owned path and not a public footpath, and maybe it's not now open to the public.  I might have a look on Saturday, and might even go back via North Acton for old time's sake.

Yes, that's the one (I'd forgotten I've got an old A-Z; in my case from 1990). I think it was closed because a thing was built next to it at the Old Oak Lane end. What kind of thing? Kensal Green ATFS!

[Electric train]

When I used to commute to OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) in the late 70's I used to get the Central Line from Ealing Broadway to North Acton, which was closer than East Acton.  However, this relied on a path that cut through to Old Oak Common Lane:  I've no idea if this path still exists as there's been a fair bit of development around there.

I'll probably travel to Padd then Bakerloo line to Willesden J.

The path from North Acton to Old Oak Lane closed 25 years ago!!!!!

The best route if using TV locals is Ealing Broadway to East Acton on the Central  and hoof it or if using intercity Padd to Willesden Jcn on the Bakerloo and hoof it

[JayMac]

Our method is drive to Westfield then one stop on the tube.

I've decided to drive to Westfield Shepherds Bush too. With parking there only £6 it's a no-brainer. The 228 bus also calls at Westfield.

[TaplowGreen]

Just went past OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) and there is a ferris wheel positioned in the middle of the sidings!

Maybe staff testing it before it's open to the public! 

Let's hope there are no cancellations due to "an obstruction on the line". 

More Ferris wheels than usual needing repairs.

[JayMac]

In the queue. Without cap or camera. Left them both on coffee table. Realised when I was halfway up the A303.

[Oxonhutch]

A good line up today and a good time all round.  Took the VIP shed tour this morning and worth every penny.  Many thanks guys for your help and enthusiasm.

Some photos: (1) A trans-generational display including Didcot's steam rail motor giving rides, (2) In the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) shed to be gone by December to make way for HST2 OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) development, and (3) a 57 in the lifting shop (again? )

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Congratulations to everyone involved in putting on to-days event, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  First time I’ve been back to OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) in 37 years, but nice to see parts of the carriage shed just like they were in my time.  Also the café on the corner of Old Oak Common Lane is still there where the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) commissioning team would have their special fry up – an “Alfie”.  Met a few people who were there in my era, and it brought back many memories.

Well planned opening ceremony as well, with a specially-vinyled vehicles - first a 180, then a HST power car - rolling out of the heavy maintenance shed on their cues.

Well done GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) (and I don’t often think that)!

[stuving]

Well done GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) (and I don’t often think that)!

If only running a railway was as easy ...

[Electric train]

I spent about an hour at the depot, had another event to go to in the afternoon.

I did get a chance to meet a few ex colleges; some still at the depot but with literally weeks left before they take redundancy / retirement.

A well thought out event, excellent planning and management a real credit to the Old Oak team, they paid the 'ld girl a fitting tribute one that will be remembered for a long time.  All this in the phoenix just over the fence the Elizabeth Line Depot who continues to bare the proud name Old Oak Common 

[JayMac]

A grand (half) day out. In the company of PhilWakely. Plenty of 'Western' variety on display, from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) (original) King through to GWR (imposter) Class 800. Via diesel-hydraulics, 47s, 50s, HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) and 180s.

Two-fifths of a 180 was unveiled in a commerative vinyl wrap, celebrating 111 years of Old Oak Common and 'Legends of the Great Western', as well as highlighting the charity chosen as beneficiary for this event.

https://www.place2be.org.uk A children's mental health charity.

Also unveiled in a commerative livery was HST power car 43093. Which has been named 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018'.

Despite not taking my camera I do have a half decent set of photos taken on phone. I'm uploading those to my Google Drive as I type. I'll post a link to the folder later.