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Original poster

Random Tube Ride

58 replies

jossi · 15/07/2023 20:30

Hi, I just wondered if anyone has ever had an experience like I did after work last week. I was exhausted and was waiting for my tube ride on the Jubilee line where the front of the tube stops. It was hot and the tube was packed. I must have looked fed up because the tube driver opened his cab door and asked if I wanted a seat in the front of his cab. I hesitated but thought what the hell. He proceeded to tell me how the train operated and it was fascinating travelling 9 stops through the tunnels. He wasn't dodgy but a lovely man. He said he offered rides to pregnant woman and the elderly when conditions were like this. My partner was horrified and said this guy could've lost his job. Has anyone else ridden in the front like this?

OP posts:
BarelyLiterate · 15/07/2023 22:28

I have never been in the cab on a train, but I have sat in the jump seat on the flight deck of aircraft a few times, this was cback in the day before security restrictions were introduced.
The most memorable was an evening flight from Madrid to Heathrow. We took off in daylight & landed in darkness. As usual, the approach to LHR was over central London and it was a clear night so the views were spectacular. I showed interest in the aircraft’s controls, so the flight turned into a detailed tutorial on how to fly a Boeing 737. Takeoff is pretty straightforward ; landing is anything but.

fancreek · 15/07/2023 22:29

HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 15/07/2023 21:44

Were you on the DLR line? 😁

😂😂😂

nasanas · 15/07/2023 22:33

jossi · 15/07/2023 22:22

It is all true. I know it sounds unbelievable but it happened. Like I said, he said it is not the first time. He's an experienced driver apparently.

It's not true though.

The facts you have given cannot possibly be true.

Thelondonone · 15/07/2023 22:34

I have, though it was a friend of a friend. I have photos but won’t share as he would lose his job. Was great.

Campervangirl · 15/07/2023 22:34

Cab rides are actually a thing.
I work for Network Rail and we go out in the cab, we have to buy a train ticket and then ask the drivers permission, the driver is within his rights to refuse.
We use these cab rides to check signalling equipment, vegetation over growth etc on our route.
Never heard of a driver letting members of the public in their cab though

VivienneDelacroix · 15/07/2023 22:35

I was visiting Horseguards Parade last month and one of the guards pulled me up onto his horse and we cantered down Whitehall waving at the tourists.

Horriblewoman · 15/07/2023 22:37

VivienneDelacroix · 15/07/2023 22:35

I was visiting Horseguards Parade last month and one of the guards pulled me up onto his horse and we cantered down Whitehall waving at the tourists.

I was on a red bus the other day but it got stuck in traffic so the driver said eff this, threw me the keys and said your turn and jumped off! I finished the route for him 🙂

Campervangirl · 15/07/2023 22:37

Meant to add that I'm pretty sure members of the public are not allowed in the cab, it's a distraction, the driver should be watching for signals not chatting to people and explaining how it all works, bloody dangerous.

nasanas · 15/07/2023 22:38

Campervangirl · 15/07/2023 22:34

Cab rides are actually a thing.
I work for Network Rail and we go out in the cab, we have to buy a train ticket and then ask the drivers permission, the driver is within his rights to refuse.
We use these cab rides to check signalling equipment, vegetation over growth etc on our route.
Never heard of a driver letting members of the public in their cab though

Why would you have to buy a ticket to do a routing inspection?

Howdoesitworkagain · 15/07/2023 22:39

Toottooot · 15/07/2023 22:28

Fars yir photaes?

This.

Also known as “pics or it didn’t happen”
haha

Pandor · 15/07/2023 22:40

I suppose they do regularly give lifts to other members of staff, and I bet they have a good old chat so in terms of being distracted I don’t think this is worse.

DildoMadeOutOfAmericanCheese · 15/07/2023 22:40

Many years ago, in my late teens, I went to get on a train to see my boyfriend. The train was packed and I couldn't get on. The guard let me go in his 'cabin' told me to sit down, gave me a newspaper to read and warned me that the lights might go off while he was doing his rounds. It was very nice of him

Original poster
jossi · 15/07/2023 22:42

Gosh, I read that article and it wasn't him. It was during rush hour and the circumstances were very different. Wow all these random experiences people have such as riding on a horse at Horseguards parade and plane rides.

OP posts:
PurpleChrayne · 15/07/2023 22:42

I was on Concord once and the pilot invited me to fly it. I ended up out on the wing doing gymnastics as we crossed the sound barrier.

YourNameGoesHere · 15/07/2023 22:45

Pandor · 15/07/2023 22:40

I suppose they do regularly give lifts to other members of staff, and I bet they have a good old chat so in terms of being distracted I don’t think this is worse.

Of course it's worse. A known keber of staff I vastly different to the situation the OP says happened.

If a driver is genuinely letting complete strangers into the cab who can get access to all the controls should they wish to, who can distract them by getting them to do other tasks instead of driving and who could if they wished out the passengers at risk then that's not at all like a member of staff having a quick catch up.

Wincher · 15/07/2023 22:47

It does sound unlikely, but I have also ridden in the cab of a tube train: it was a tour of the depot and ride in the cab arranged for my local MP who invited a few constituents along. It was totally awesome!

Thatsshallot1967 · 15/07/2023 22:56

jossi · 15/07/2023 22:03

You got to sit in the plane cockpit and stay there! Wow that beats my story!! It's sad that my first thought was wondering if he was an axe murderer! I am a lucky person. I was on the way to the Maldives and my partner got the flight wrong. The checkout had been closed for half an hour and they said no of course. We were walking away and the manager came and said, 'Because it is Christmas we will let you on.' We had to get on with our luggage in tow.

Sounds fabulous experience, op!

Think I can beat the plane cockpit visit story?! Flying to Grand Canaria and asked if friend (now DH) could see the cockpit. He'd never flown. We got that visit about 45 mins before landing and invited by pilot to stay for the actual landing! I stood until about 30 secs before landing then took my seat. It was incredible view from flight-deck into Las Palmas airport. Wouldn't be allowed now of course; this was pre 9/11.

Original poster
jossi · 15/07/2023 23:01

I know my story sounds unlikely. I get it. That's why I wanted to know if others had experienced it as I can't quite believe it happened or could happen. So pleased it did though!

OP posts:
bonfirebash · 15/07/2023 23:17

I guess some unlikely things do happen. I've had two stories which people are Hmm at but both happened and I have photos for one of them!

KnickerlessParsons · 15/07/2023 23:38

PurpleChrayne · 15/07/2023 22:42

I was on Concord once and the pilot invited me to fly it. I ended up out on the wing doing gymnastics as we crossed the sound barrier.

🤔😁😁

clpsmum · 15/07/2023 23:40

BarbaraofSeville · 15/07/2023 21:41

That sounds like the sort of thing that might have happened decades ago, but wouldn't now for many reasons.

It did though why would she lie? Mumsnetters can be so odd

waterst · 15/07/2023 23:43

A lovely chap once asked me if I wanted to get in his rocket and we went up to the international space station. Think his name was Tim something. It was really cool

truelips · 15/07/2023 23:48

TF I've never heard of this being done/allowed. But it takes all sorts these days!

nasanas · 15/07/2023 23:53

It did though why would she lie? Mumsnetters can be so odd

Several of the things OP has said are not true.

You are indeed correct about mumsnetters being odd...