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Although the dull conditions are not helpfull, this is a very unusual Tube train...one of only two survivors we believe. This 'Cravens Unit' is used as a Track Recording Train and is seen passing through Buckhurst Hill on the Central Line on the 17th November 2004. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com British and Foreign Railway Pictures Jampics Fotopic.

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A Cravens Unit now forming a Track Recording Train is seen heading eastbound having just been through Buckhurst Hill station on the Central Line on the 18th November 2004. 12 Driving Cars were built in 1960 in an attempt to get the contract for new Tube stock that was to go to Metropolitan Camel with their 1962 silver trains. Trailer cars were converted from 1923 trains which is why the two surving Craven's units you could see today...the other one is red and occasionally in passenger use on charters... have we think 1938 stock in place of matching coaches as they were never built in the first place. However a number of Driving Cars were converted afterwards for testing Automatic Train Operation that was intended for the new Victoria Line which was to open in the late 1960s. This was done on the Woodford to Hainault Branch of the Central Line where they were to later operate passenger trains as well as on the Epping to Ongar section. The Cravens Units never went into full production and enjoyed only limited running on the Underground, but did have an operating history on the eastern branches of the Central Line. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com British and Foreign Railway Pictures Jampics Fotopic.