A pointless quiz

[Starkey7]

Full marks will be given as indicated for correct answers to all questions.

1: How long does it take the Circle line to perform one complete circuit, clockwise from Sloane Square, according to Journey Planner? [2]
2: How long do you reckon that it would take in reality, given that there are severe delays on all the surface lines? Show your working. [4]
3: Would you ever dare to use the Circle line for a non-challenge purpose? Give reasons, but be concise. [6]
4: You're at Earls Court station. How would you react if a lost-looking American family (along with several massive cases) asked the way to Bayswater? [7]
5: Do you think that, even in 2007, they should still have antiquated indicators at Earls Court station? Give justification for your views. [7]
6: When travelling to Grange Hill from Central London, would you go via Hainault or via Woodford? Why? [4]
7: If you were allowed the use of a bus, how would that affect your answer to question 6? [3]
8: If you were told that there was actually a good service on the Central line, how would that affect your answer to question 6? [3]
9: Have you ever been to Grange Hill? Would you ever want to? [3]
10: Why oh why isn't there a proper foot connection between Aldgate and Aldgate East? [4]
11: Why is Mill Hill East station still open? Do you think it should be? You may want to cite any of Aldwych, Ongar, Down Street or Chesham in your answer. [5]
12: What's the quickest route from Euston to Kenton? You are allowed to use National Rail. [3]
13: Why are fares so high now? You may like to discuss the exceptional quality of London's transport system as a whole to back your answer up. [8]

Total: [59]

[tubeguru]

Full marks will be given as indicated for correct answers to all questions.

1: How long does it take the Circle line to perform one complete circuit, clockwise from Sloane Square, according to Journey Planner? [2]

About an hour.

2: How long do you reckon that it would take in reality, given that there are severe delays on all the surface lines? Show your working. [4]

About a day. Proof: the trains break down regularly and are reliant on other services not breaking down.

3: Would you ever dare to use the Circle line for a non-challenge purpose? Give reasons, but be concise. [6]

Yes. Because I'm hard.

4: You're at Earls Court station. How would you react if a lost-looking American family (along with several massive cases) asked the way to Bayswater? [7]

Pity the fools for getting themselves into a position which involves using the west side of the Circle/District line.

5: Do you think that, even in 2007, they should still have antiquated indicators at Earls Court station? Give justification for your views. [7]

They're listed structures - we're stuck with them, and I say they stay so back off buddy.

6: When travelling to Grange Hill from Central London, would you go via Hainault or via Woodford? Why? [4]

Depends on the time of day. Rush hour - Hainault. Otherwise, Woodford.

7: If you were allowed the use of a bus, how would that affect your answer to question 6? [3]

Depends if I can be arsed.

8: If you were told that there was actually a good service on the Central line, how would that affect your answer to question 6? [3]

These questions are stupid.

9: Have you ever been to Grange Hill? Would you ever want to? [3]

Yes and no, probably.

10: Why oh why isn't there a proper foot connection between Aldgate and Aldgate East? [4]

There is - it's called Aldgate High Street. Don't be such a moaning tube challenger.

11: Why is Mill Hill East station still open? Do you think it should be? You may want to cite any of Aldwych, Ongar, Down Street or Chesham in your answer. [5]

Because people live there and use it. Another pointless moany tube challenger question.

12: What's the quickest route from Euston to Kenton? You are allowed to use National Rail. [3]

Who cares?

13: Why are fares so high now? You may like to discuss the exceptional quality of London's transport system as a whole to back your answer up. [8]

Compared to what? When you were a kid two years ago? Do you remember when bus fares were 20p? Of course not.

Total: [59]

[43019]

Not answering all of the quiz because I don't know the answers, but I can say I would dare to use the Circle line outside of a challenge! Why? Moves from Paddington to Kings Cross or Liverpool Street usually! Of course that depends on what shows up first! If a Edgware Road set comes in, I'd get that to Edgware Road and get whatever came in next!

[Going Underground]

Full marks will be given as indicated for correct answers to all questions.

1: How long does it take the Circle line to perform one complete circuit, clockwise from Sloane Square, according to Journey Planner? [2]

About 18 hours allowing for getting off and having a beer at the nearest pub to each station

2: How long do you reckon that it would take in reality, given that there are severe delays on all the surface lines? Show your working. [4]

A week I can't drink that much beer in one session

3: Would you ever dare to use the Circle line for a non-challenge purpose? Give reasons, but be concise. [6]

Yes for a Circle Line party

4: You're at Earls Court station. How would you react if a lost-looking American family (along with several massive cases) asked the way to Bayswater? [7]

I would hand them my "I'm up for a chat on the tube badge"

5: Do you think that, even in 2007, they should still have antiquated indicators at Earls Court station? Give justification for your views. [7]

I sort of like them it does the station a kind of "eloquence" also very attractive station to look at externally. And they have been there since I was a kid

6: When travelling to Grange Hill from Central London, would you go via Hainault or via Woodford? Why? [4]

Woodford probably as every train on that bloody loop seems to terminate at Hainhault (sic)

7: If you were allowed the use of a bus, how would that affect your answer to question 6? [3]

Only if I could get a nice seat on the top deck at the front

8: If you were told that there was actually a good service on the Central line, how would that affect your answer to question 6? [3]

I wouldn't believe the TFL information

9: Have you ever been to Grange Hill? Would you ever want to? [3]

Only the tube station, yeah why not some of that area is quite scenic

10: Why oh why isn't there a proper foot connection between Aldgate and Aldgate East? [4]

There is but it's quicker NOT to use the subway

11: Why is Mill Hill East station still open? Do you think it should be? You may want to cite any of Aldwych, Ongar, Down Street or Chesham in your answer. [5]

To wind our team up during a 275 when we arrive there and have to wait 15 mins for a train everytime

Re-open all the closed stations I say

12: What's the quickest route from Euston to Kenton? You are allowed to use National Rail. [3]

National Rail

13: Why are fares so high now? You may like to discuss the exceptional quality of London's transport system as a whole to back your answer up. [8]

A very sore point indeed, considering the income from the congestion zones, come on Red Ken sort it out £4.00 for a single Total: [59]

By the way nice quiz Starkey

[43019]

Full marks will be given as indicated for correct answers to all questions.

1: How long does it take the Circle line to perform one complete circuit, clockwise from Sloane Square, according to Journey Planner? [2]

No idea

2: How long do you reckon that it would take in reality, given that there are severe delays on all the surface lines? Show your working. [4]

Much longer! Experience during the Z1 challenge of 15th September 2006 proves this!

3: Would you ever dare to use the Circle line for a non-challenge purpose? Give reasons, but be concise. [6]

Yes, for moves off Paddington to Kings Cross, Liverpool Street or Victoria usually.

4: You're at Earls Court station. How would you react if a lost-looking American family (along with several massive cases) asked the way to Bayswater? [7]

To NOT help would be a crime in my book. I always strive to help people where and when I can and if they need help. To answer the question, I'd check the platform boards and such and tell them to go to platform X via the footbridge or whatever. I might even be tempted to offer some help with luggage movements if they were needing it and I felt able to!

5: Do you think that, even in 2007, they should still have antiquated indicators at Earls Court station? Give justification for your views. [7]

I like the indicators at Earls Court, they appear to be more reliable than the more modern ones!

6: When travelling to Grange Hill from Central London, would you go via Hainault or via Woodford? Why? [4]

Probably via Woodford, depending on what train was in the platform at the time of journey commencement.

7: If you were allowed the use of a bus, how would that affect your answer to question 6? [3]

If the Central were seriously screwed up, I'd probably grab the bus. Otherwise, as a rail basher I'd avoid the bus.

8: If you were told that there was actually a good service on the Central line, how would that affect your answer to question 6? [3]

It would enlighten me considerably, but I'd probably still go via whichever way the next train was going.

9: Have you ever been to Grange Hill? Would you ever want to? [3]

Nope and yes. Why? Because I need to tick it off!

10: Why oh why isn't there a proper foot connection between Aldgate and Aldgate East? [4]

It would be sooooooo nice to have a decent, safe movement between the two, but it would be impossible to justify.

11: Why is Mill Hill East station still open? Do you think it should be? You may want to cite any of Aldwych, Ongar, Down Street or Chesham in your answer. [5]

Never been to it, don't know the area, but if it generates enough custom per annum I say leave it be.

12: What's the quickest route from Euston to Kenton? You are allowed to use National Rail. [3]

It would seem logical to simply jump on the first Silverlink Metro service to Kenton from Euston.

13: Why are fares so high now? You may like to discuss the exceptional quality of London's transport system as a whole to back your answer up. [8]

Cash single and return fares on the Tube are ridiculous. £4 single in Zone 1?! That must be enough to put off most tourists from using it! Makes me glad I have an Oyster card!

Total: [59]

[zeibura]

Moves from Paddington to Kings Cross or Liverpool Street usually!

i've heard it's actually quicker to get the bakerloo line and change at oxford circus for both of these

[jonny]

Copied from the PM I sent -- I misunderstood how we were supposed to answer!

1) 47 minutes? Probably depends on the time.
2)
5 minutes between stations, except between Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations as covered below.
8 minutes between Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations due to the train ahead being given the wrong route at Aldgate Junction.
2 minute wait at stations, except Edgware Road and Westminster which are covered below.
4 (extra) minute wait at each of Cromwell Curve North, Cromwell Curve East, Minories, Baker Street and Praed Street Junctions.
13 minute wait at Edgware Road while you wait for a driver.
17 minute wait at Westminster for a person taken ill on the train.

Code: Select all

 5*(27-1)  (Exception of 1 for wait in tunnel between Aldgate and Liverpool Street)
=5*26
=130

+

8  (Wait in tunnel between Aldgate and Liverpool Street)

+

 2*(27-3)  (Exceptions: Edgware Road, Westminster, Sloane Square)
=2*(24)
=48

+

 4*5 (Junctions)
=20

+

13  (Edgware Road Driver)

+

17  (Westminster Person taken ill)

=

 130+8+48+20+13+17
=236 minutes
=3 hours 56 minutes

3) No, because it would be quicker to go Sloane Square - Earl's Court - Edgware Road - Aldgate East - Sloane Square using other lines.
4) Tell them the way to Heathrow Airport.
5) No, they can only display the next train, instead of the next 3 trains.
6) Woodford, I can't stand Hainault.
7) Not at all.
Cool Not at all. I wouldn't believe the person that told me.
9) Yes. No.
10) It is not necessary. For passengers trying to get from Aldgate East to Aldgate only, a foot connection would not help -- they shouldn't use the Underground. For passengers trying to get from Aldgate East to stations on the north of the Circle line there is the H&C (however unfrequent) and for passengers trying to get to stations on the south, there is the District. This of course does not apply to tube challengers.
11) MHE is still open because it would be difficult to justify its closure. LU would have to think of a decent reason to close it, for which there is none. For other stations, there were reasons that it was worth reciting to the DfT, and other related companies.
12) Euston to Harrow & Wealdstone (Silverlink County Stopper), Harrow & Wealdstone to Kenton (Silverlink Metro or LU Bakerloo line).
13) Every year, the economy for Underground Britain (which is, although not well known, actually a seperate entity from the United Kingdom itself) experiences inflation similar to 360%, everyone knows that!

[zeibura]

also copied from my PM:

1: 1 hour exactly

2: 1 year exactly

(sloane square.yuppies + severe delays + london underground)/ 1 hour = trains/trains + 1 year.

3: i would only use the circle line if my actual intention was to undergo a journey possible on any of the other surface lines the circle line runs alongside. therefore, i would be content travelling from gloucester road to tower hill sub-surface, but no further. this is due to the fact that the circle line is precisely a load of whaleshit.

4: direct them onto the piccadilly and victoria to euston, changing at green park, and tell them the times of the next train to colwyn bay. there's water there. (but be careful not to fall asleep or you might end up in sheffield)

5: yes, because you can fit more pigeons on them.

6: via hainault, unless i'd just missed a woodford via hainault train. i wouldn't risk woodford because i might have to wait out in the cold for a train for as long as 20 minutes. also, that line passes through a station known as "snaresbrook", which is well known for trapping people.

7: no, because hanging around in gants hill waiting for a hail and ride bus sounds more suicide inspiring than waiting at woodford station for 20 minutes

8: i would be smiling the entire journey

9: no, no and no (well, there were 3 marks)

10: because it would never be used by anyone except tube challengers, and london underground generally don't even know we exist, let alone the london borough of tower hamlets.

11: mill hill east, like chesham, is still open for the sole purpose of pissing off tube challengers. this is the exception from the rule stated in question 10.

12: by hang glider.

13: because hang gliders have become rare in the 21st century.

[Richard]

13: Why are fares so high now? You may like to discuss the exceptional quality of London's transport system as a whole to back your answer up. [8]

Compared to what? When you were a kid two years ago? Do you remember when bus fares were 20p? Of course not.

Bus fares were 10p when I was a lad - as were cans of Coke.

[tubeguru]

Now that's a long time ago

[Going Underground]

Now that's a long time ago

Not as long ago as when I used to get a "threepenny half" from Hounslow Bus Garage to Shepherds Bush..... and that's old money kids.....

Pre-decimilisation.......

[Starkey7]

Good grief, that's before I was born! And friends at university say that I'm old. Now I suppose that I'd better mark the above candidates' answers and give some feedback.

Tubeguru's remark that the questions are stupid, though pithy, was also entirely accurate and that gets him a healthy 92%.
Going Underground's use of the spelling "Hainhault" [sic] lost him at least a few marks, and that puts him on 69%.
43019's answer of "Yes, No" to the Grange Hill question was a complete reversal of everyone else's answer and thus earns him a respectable 81%. However he lost a good 20% for failing to mention that the Silverlink County service (and then doubling back one station) is usually quicker than Silverlink Metro all the way.
Jonny's answers were almost entirely faultless, giving him 95%. He also gets an extra 15% as a bonus for agreeing with me on the matter of the Earls Court indicators. He did however lose about 5% for dodgy mathematics on question 13.
Zeibura used a Bad Word in his answer to question 3. And I personally like the Circle line, so I can't award him more than 80%. I did like his innovative idea of using a hang glider, so I hope that he'll settle for 77%.

[hwolge]

I remember back in -69 that my father gave me a two shilling coin (and a half-crown on another occasion) for emergency - so that I could make my way back to our hotel on my own, should I get lost anywhere in London (well, the tourist areas anyway). I was 10 at the time, but clearly my father thought the world of me already then when it came to tube travelling...

[Going Underground]

Going Underground's use of the spelling "Hainhault" [sic] lost him at least a few marks, and that puts him on 69%.
.

A bit harsh I feel young starkey. Surely the use of "sic" should not result in the deduction of points

[tubeguru]

Technically, you should not use "[sic]" when pointing out a typo or error if you specifically mention at the same time that it is an error.

Starkey has already alerted us to the fact it's an error by saying "Going Underground's use of the spelling". This alerts us to a mistake. Using [sic] thereafter is pointless.

[sic] should be used only when quoting an error with no explanation that it is an error. The mere use of [sic] tells us the author is stupid without further explanation.

I'd give him an extra 1% for that.