Tube Train Evolution

Tube train design - we’ve come a long way, baby.

[RogersRamblings]

A point of correction to my Hon Friend. The 1973 stock as built did indeed have transverse seating in the middle of the car. When I was crew on the Piccadilly Line working a night turn we had a few hours in the depot between arriving with one of the last trains and departing with one of the first the following morning. Four of the transverse seat cushions laid in the doorway made a tolerably comfortable bed, err allegedly.

[fenlinescouser]

High time the Metropolitan Pullman cars made a comeback. I object to being longitudinally seated with hordes of chimney sweeps.

[pacificostudios]

Until you explained it, I never suspected that arch-topped doors served any purpose than to indulge then-contemporary fashion. That's fascinating!

[PokhrajRoy.]

I’m a casual viewer who likes learning about the Tube’s interiors. Also, Geoff did a video on the Tube Interiors as well. The more discourse, the merrier.

[GojiMet]

It's wild to think that bench seating along the walls and class distinction elimination took many decades to come to fruition. These are such small but simple changes. It doesn't take much to move the seats just 90 degrees.

[Richardincancale]

‘Transverse’ seating is the word you’re searching for!

[Richardincancale]

Hi Jago - I’d like to see a review of the lighting technology used over time on the underground - or is that too deep a rabbit-hole? I recall trains with real round light bulbs, but 110 volt I think to make them less attractive to being stolen? Of course fluorescent lights, but sometimes fed with from high frequency inverters / motor generators and making a jolly whining noise. They also used to make swirling patterns when they aged that varied with motor loading. And latterly I guess LED lights, including odd colours by the doors etc. There - I’ve almost written the script for you!

[drevo]

I still find the S stock wonderful. The step change from the previous Circle & District sets was immense.

[FadeToBlack]

"The Metropolitan saw itself as a mainline railway with an underground section"... bit like the Elizabeth Line then

[anniesoernym]

Well, this was interesting! Very much looking forward to part two in 2183, Jago!

[tonylancaster]

I wonder where they buried the bodies of the staff that were disposed off ?. Great video as always Jago keep digging away for more tube information.

[batman]

Travelling sideways over any distance today is no more fun than it was in Victorian times.

[chazzyb]

Jago, my man, how about a vid on platform vending machines and why it was always pot luck whether you got your chocolate coated rasins, or not?

[Robslondon]

Nice video Jago... My personal favourite interior design on the Underground was the old Metropolitan A-Stock; the pre-refurbishment style with early 1960s high-backed seats (black/grey/red moquette)- and of course luggage racks! Miss those old, cosy styles....

[ClaudiaOfTheWorld]

As a londoner i’ve always wondered why some trains have seats along the wall and why some have them facing each other. This has been a fascinating insight into how we’ve got where we are. Now when I’m on my hour long Overground trip from one end of the line to the other I’ll be thinking about the “intended user” making a short journey as I’m jostled from side to side.

[gavsath]

Jago Hazzard is the funniest person on YouTube. He is the cackle to my belly laugh.

[peabody]

I know why you were hired to chase that man: he stole your mentions of the A, C, and D stock from the subsurface lines! :) (I kid. I love seeing this kind of thorough but quick evolution of how the Tube stock came to be.) Thanks again, Jago!

[stevenfarrall]

I grew up in North London and had occasion to make frequent trips to Barts Hospital in my early years from about 1956 onwards. Trolley bus (later superseded by Routemasters) to Wood Green and then the Piccadilly Line to Holborn -often fitting in a visit to Bassett Lowke's-shop on the way to the hospital. The tube trains must have been 1920's or 1930's stock. They were wonderful with lots of wood. I remember being fascinated by how the doors slid into the carriage structure as they opened.

[dpsdps]

"In 1920, the next big thing arrived on the piccadilly line", I half expected you to follow with "these are the trains that operate to this day on the Bakerloo line with only minor changes"

[Ghoulizzie]

honestly, the earlier trains thqt looked like coaches look really comftable!