HANGER LANE JUNCTION

A DISTRICT DRIVER’S ROUTE LEARNING GUIDE

This is a plan of the area. Study it carefully as it will provide an overall impression of the track layout. The major difference between the diagram and reality is that the District Line (the one that uses big trains) does actually turn left at the junction and the Piccadilly Line (little trains) goes straight ahead. Try to remember which type of train you are driving.

 
The picture that follows is a driver’s eye view of the approach to the junction shewing the repeater. This is the point at which many people make their first mistake. They fail to notice the ABSENCE of the ‘arbour lights. This is crucial. If the three white light are NOT shewing you should stop and speak nicely to the person on the other end of the phone or radio. His job description is "Signaller" although his grade might have a different title and most drivers will almost certainly call him/her something different. Please remember that everyone can hear your dulcet tones over the radio and you should continue the robust friendly banter in the traditional style that has long been a hallmark of the working relationship between drivers and signallers.

 
The next picture shews what you should expect to see at the junction home signal. The printed sign is a new feature for those with poor information retention. If you don't see those three white lights and are travelling at normal speed then you are already in serious trouble. 

 
The last image in the sequence is to give an indication of what you SHOULD see if you have negotiated the junction correctly. If this is indeed the view that confronts you then all is right with the world and you can relax and continue as normal.

 

If the view bears more resemblance to a traditional wayside station of yesteryear with a dainty footbridge across the track - as seen below - then you have taken the wrong turning and are now on the Piccadilly Line. Whilst it is one of the more pleasant stations on the Combine you don't have the luxury of admiring the view.

Although this section was built and operated by the Metropolitan District Railway they stopped using it long before you were born. YOU SHOULD NOT BE HERE. You will also find that your radio no longer functions in the manner to which you are accustomed. This break in communications is not due to one of the all too often faults with the system, it simply means that you are in the wrong place.

The best thing to do is to stop at the station, explain to your passengers (if there are any) that you have fouled up big time and what they should do to reach their destinations - remembering a) to keep it polite, and b) to prostrate yourself and beg their forgiveness.

The next step is to talk very very nicely to the Piccadilly Line Controller by using the autophone. You will need to beg his forgiveness for imposing on his hospitality. They are not noted for being party animals and do not normally welcome guests onto their patch. You should listen very carefully and follow his instructions precisely. You should also accept with grace any references to your parentage etc.

Having expressed his disappointment that you have gone against the conventions of good manners he will either invite you to remain there until a conductor driver arrives from Acton Town or he will ask of you can find your way to South Harrow and Rayners Lane.

Waiting for a Piccadilly Line conductor is NOT the preferred option because you will cause a massive delay in the Piccadilly service which will make you even more unpopular with your hosts than you are already. Upsetting the management is one thing, it's what they're there for, but upsetting other train crew will get you serious grief. The safest option is to proceed at a steady speed towards Rayners Lane. Don't worry, there are no side turnings along this road and you cannot get more lost.

The only thing you need to be careful of (hopefully you are by now fully awake?) is that there is a 15mph speed restriction under the bridges on this section. Even if it is a nice bright sunny morning we don't want to take back an open top train do we? They weren't built that way and it will disrupt the service even more if drivers have to stop and pull the hood up when it looks like rain.
 
As you travel towards Rayners Lane you will find that the Piccadilly Line drivers will be much more friendly than you are usually accustomed to when meeting them in Acton canteen. They will almost certainly give you a welcoming wave.

As long as your attention is not distracted you could take the opportunity to phone all your mates and tell them all about this new section of the railway that you are seeing for the first time. They're going to find out anyway and will take the micky quite mercilessly, such that the boss's rollocking will be as nothing by comparison.
Something that you might find useful, should this unhappy situation confront you, is this delightful diagram of the South Harrow area. (They won't actually let you go through to Rayner's Lane 'cause they don't want to subject you to the mickey taking that the Metropolitan Line staff will hand out. The Met expect people who drive surface stock to know better. (Strange but true)).

As  you get close to South Harrow it is possible that the signaller will have stayed awake and will realise that it is you approaching. There are two possibilites for reversing you and getting you back to your own country. One of these moves allows the possibility that you could continue to Rayners Lane. This one is to let you into the westbound platform and reverse. However, there being the possibility that if the westbound starter happens to be clear you might decide to make a try for Uxbridge so is not the preferred move. In addition, there is also the possibility that as he selects the route the signallers finger might slip and the dolly for the sidings would then clear and you'd take that. It seems that some people are never satisfied and always want to go somewhere new.

So, in order to avoid this possibility the signaller will set the points and the signal to allow you to move across into the eastbound platform. The reason for this is that there is no possibility of a green light at the end of the platform, there is only a red one. It is always alight (as long as the artisans have changed the bulb) and it means only one thing, stop. When you have done this, you should shut down the train and change ends as quickly as possible, avoiding questions from passengers such as "Oh, is the District starting to come up here again?"

One thing that is no longer possible is for you to pop into the messroom and say "Hello" to the Piccadilly Line traincrew, South Harrow ceased to be a booking on point some while ago. Shame, they were always most welcoming to misplaced District Line drivers.

So having successfully changed ends and reopened the train you will be ready to return to Acton Town. Some extra care is needed at this point (pity you weren't awake earlier, you wouldn't be in this situation now if you had been) as it is possible for the signaller to send you into the sidings. As long as the signal at the end of the platform goes to green you'll be OK and you can carry on back towards Acton Town. If that funny little disc with the red stripe rotates slightly and a number comes up above it you are allowed to phone the signaller and enquire as to the state of his alertness.

So off you go back the way you came, again there are no side turnings for you to get lost. However there is a speed control signal approaching North Ealing to protect Hanger Lane Junction, (remember where you should have turned left).

Something to be prepared for is that another driver will come to see you when you arrive at Acton Town. He will probably ask if you've had a nice trip and tell you that the manager wants to have a chat to find out what you've seen that was new and interesting, you'll certainly have lots to tell him.
 

Unfortunately, since you have dropped a monumental clanger he has to tell you that you've been extremely naughty. Although he will have been instructed by the Human Remains in all the latest touchy feely management techniques he will in reality be thinking and so you should sit quietly, accept what he says and disappear as soon as possible.

THE PINTS ARE ON YOU.