London Underground, better known as the Tube, has 11 lines covering 402km and serving 272 stations. The Tube handles up to five million passenger journeys a day. At peak times, there are more than 543 trains whizzing around the Capital.
What was the London Underground used for?
The world’s first underground railway opened in London in 1863, as a way of reducing street congestion. It was soon followed by a related railway company, in 1868, but their owners fell out and the railways became rivals rather than partners, delaying progress.
What do Tube drivers actually do?
Alternative titles for this job include Engine driver, London Underground driver, Eurostar driver, tube driver. Train drivers operate trains on the rail network, carrying passengers and freight around the country.
How do London Underground trains work?
All London Underground Lines (including the W & C) operate at 630 volts DC using third (positive) and fourth (negative) current rails. The current rails are positioned so that the contact surface is higher than the running rails.
Is the London Underground effective?
The London Underground has become one of the world’s most reliable and innovative metro systems, while in New York a state of emergency was declared in 2017 as the subway system achieved the dubious distinction of the worst on-time performance rates of any major metropolis in the world.
How deep is the deepest Tube station?
The deepest station is Hampstead on the Northern line, which runs down to 58.5 metres. 15. In Central London the deepest station below street level is also the Northern line. It is the DLR concourse at Bank, which is 41.4 metres below.
How fast does the Tube go?
Popular facts and figures
| Date opened | 1863 |
|---|---|
| Annual train km travelled | 83.6 million km |
| Average train speed | 33kph |
| Proportion of network in tunnels | 45% |
| Longest continuous tunnel | East Finchley to Morden (via Bank) – 27.8km |
Do Tube drivers have a toilet?
He also said the underground has secret toilets on the platform for staff, and that there were a myriad of benefits to his job – including how drivers can earn up to £39,000 a year after tax.
How much is a London Tube driver paid?
The typical London Underground Train Driver salary is £62,714 per year. Train Driver salaries at London Underground can range from £59,000 – £64,561 per year. This estimate is based upon 15 London Underground Train Driver salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods.
Is it hard to be a Tube driver?
As expected, the process is very long winded and the selection process to become a Tube driver is hard and long too. The perfect candidate has to have good eyesight and fitness standards and tests that measure your written and spoken communication are also part of the process. Then there is the face-to-face interview.
Who goes free on the Tube?
Children under 11 travel free on the London Underground and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) at all times. Child fares are available for those under 16 and it is possible to get discounted fares if you are under 18 or studying in London with an ID card.
What to do if you fall on the Underground tracks?
Try to climb out with the help of someone who can help hoist you. Lie down between the tracks, depending on the depth of the tracks. Get to the side of the track. Step between the girders that separate tracks (but this involves stepping over the third rail, which carries more than 600 volts of electricity).
Is the Tube faster than the train?
The average speed on the Underground is 20.5 miles per hour, including station stops. On the Metropolitan line, trains can reach over 60 mph.
Does the London Tube go underwater?
The District, Victoria, Northern, Bakerloo, and East London lines all run under the Thames, and the Underground sees approximately 4.8 million passenger journeys a day.
Do they clean the London Underground?
In addition to the enhanced cleaning regime outlined above, our existing cleaning schedule for Tube trains consists of three different levels of cleaning: pre-service cleans (daily), intermediate cleans (every 3-4 days) and deep cleans (every 21-28 days).
Why is the London Underground so loud?
The vibration caused when metal train wheels roll over metal tracks is carried through the tunnel and the ground around it to nearby buildings. The walls and floors of these buildings can amplify the noise. We monitor reported noise levels across the Tube network.
What is the hottest tube line in London?
Why is the Central line so hot? The Central Line is one of the hottest tube lines because of its age and depth beneath the ground. It is one of the oldest lines in London and was opened as The Central Railway in 1900 with early extensions carried out in 1920 and in the 1940s.
What is the loudest London Underground line?
London Underground: New data reveals the noisiest sections of the Tube. The Victoria Line on the Tube network is a hotspot for noise complaints, according to new City Hall data.
Which tube line is the fastest?
The Victoria line runs faster trains than other Underground lines because it has fewer stops, ATO running and modern design. Train speeds can reach up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).
Why are there no Tube stations in south London?
‘The Underground chose to run extensions into the open semi-rural districts to the north instead, where they’d have less competition and sell more tickets,’ says Murphy. So the lack of south London tube stations came about because, once upon a time, that side of the river was actually better connected.
Do the tubes run overnight?
Night Tube is running on Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. Check before you travel.