150 Years of the London Underground

[Garry Russell]

This came up somewhere else here recently

Steam trains underground

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20968919

[speedbird591]

There was an article in The Times yesterday about the opening of the Underground. The writer had tracked down the first letter of complaint just a few weeks later. The letter complained about overcrowding, misleading information and unhelpful staff! Not much change, then

Ian

[hurricanemk1c]

Yep. Very common in the early days. For deep tunnels, the smoke was passed from the funnel into a condenser tank, cooling it down and then re-using it. At least that's how I think the system worked. Electric trains came along quite quickly on the tunnel sections, but often hauled by electric locos, rather than the "traditional" unit sets. I believe at one point on the Metropolitan line that the electric loco could be changed for a 'kettle' (steam loco) in about 3 minutes. Then, as the electric third/fourth rail system moved on, steamers were gradually withdrawn, apart from the purchase of some Pannier tanks from the GWR for engineering work, but these were withdrawn from service in 1972, thus making them the last mainline operational steam locos.

Those tunnels aren't that tight really, compared to some kettles used

[airboatr]

The letter complained about overcrowding, misleading information and unhelpful staff! Not much change, then

Ian

yeah but the innner circle of train workers have special passes they hand out to their friends and fam so they always get the best service. right?

Brian, our trip over there riding the trains is going to be a breeeeeeeeeze.



Thanks in advance, Ian!

[FlyTexas]

Brian, our trip over there riding the trains is going to be a breeeeeeeeeze.

Now we just need to find a kind soul here at CBFS who will pick us up from the airport; let us stay in their home; buy us beer....etc.

Brian

[airboatr]

Yoohoo Brian,
Yeah!

Hey. I hear Dave B. is driving a bus these days.... and being a barkeeper in his former life, he knows where all the good spots are. then after we've had a few and a couple of , we'll gather the fellow spokeheads and go for a bike ride. I'd like to take a look at these bovine Ian's been up against. I'll be ready to take them on by then!

[FlyTexas]

Sounds like a plan Joe. I wish Southwest flew to London.

[airboatr]

Well if they ever do.....I've found our man.

Joe ...... if you don't mind getting covered in cats' hairs, you're very welcome to join me on the sofa. I'll stock the fridge with bottles of Butcombe IPA and Domino's is just down the road. We'll go through them all (films, beers and pizzas!)

Ian

He'll just be cuffed to bit's reading I've taken him up on the offer.



.........................................
through the miracle of the internet

[FlyTexas]

Woo hoo! We're all set then. I've always thought highly of Ian...and the cat hair confirms it. Had a great time last night with my oldest son's new kitten. Lots of Tuna fish and chin rubbings.

Brian

[Tomliner]

Lots of Tuna fish and chin rubbings.

What was the kitten doing at the time Brian? EricT