Heritage Trains on the London Underground

The London Underground is home to the world's first Underground railway network, which was built to main line gauge using steam traction. London Transport and its successor London Underground Ltd have been aware of the significance of this and have strived to preserve and present their heritage. Over the decades, open days and special trains have been operated to allow the public to ride on steam-, diesel- and electric-hauled trains. This book looks back at the principal events since 1963.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The bustling London Underground may seem an unlikely setting for heritage train operations, particularly those involving steam. However, this was the world's first Underground railway network, and the original sections were constructed to main line gauge using steam traction. London Transport and its successor, London Underground Ltd, have been acutely aware of the significance of this and have worked tirelessly to preserve and present their heritage. Over the years, open days and special trains have been operated over parts of the system. These included the running of steam-, diesel- and electric-hauled trains for the public to ride on, while simultaneously maintaining the normal level of Underground train service on these lines. These special trains ran not only in the open-air outer sections of the network but also on occasion through the cut-and-cover tunnel sections of central London. New signalling systems have made this unlikely to happen again, but the London Transport Museum continues to offer a program of exhibitions, guided history tours, and open days at the Acton museum depot. This book takes a look back at the principal events since 1963.

Weight: 298g
Dimension: 165 x 234 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398115293