No narrow boat news due to bad weather!. Simon managed to get hold of two tickets for a trip on a steam train from Moorgate to Earls Court last Sunday. The trip was to celebrate The Metropolitan Railway opening the worlds first underground line from Paddington to Farringdon Street on the 9th January 1863. We therefore had to brave the weather on Sunday morning. Our train was on time despite the heavy snow and we met Simon at Waterloo. What could we do in the afternoon,it had to be something to do with boats, and should be associated with the 1860's what better than to go and see The Cutty Sark a tea clipper at Greenwich which was built at Dumbarton in November 1869. If you haven't seen it yet its well worth a trip although the building has been awarded the worst building in London 2012 by the Building Design journal. The ship is suspended in mid air as the weight 963tons could not be carried by the keel.
Anne stayed in our hotel at Earls Court whilst Simon and I made our way round to Moorgate to catch the 10.351/2 train.Yes that was the time it had to leave to make sure it had a slot within the other underground services. This was the last weekend as there were trips on the 13th as well. The train formation consisted of Met Loco No 1 built in 1898 , 4 Metropolitan "Chesham coaches built 1898-1900, a milk van of 1896 and a just restored Jubilee 4 wheel 1st class coach no 353 built 1892. They are all made of wood and look fantastic. Additional motive power was provided by Sarah Siddons a Metropolitan Railway electric locomotive no 12 built in 1923. I particularly wanted to see this as I remember them running through Harrow on the Hill in the late 1950s.
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| My only view of Met No 1 and the milk van |
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| A view looking out as we passed through Farringdon Street. The smoke made it very difficult for the photographers on the station to get good pics. |
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| Sarah Siddons acting as pusher at Earls Court station. It was only in the station for about five minutes before it had to leave so that the next service could come into the station. I therefore didn't get a chance to photograph Met No 1. |
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| The Cutty Sark floating in mid air with the glass building that was voted the worst building in 2012. |
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| Looking along the keel in the restaurant area which is in the old dry dock. |
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| Looking towards the bow at the floating ship. |
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| Just a beautiful hull shape |
