Tube Railways
The City & South London Railway tube opened in 1890 with electric locomotives hauling carriages. Initially the locomotive could haul three carriages at an average 131⁄2 miles per hour (22 km/h); the trains were air braked, the reservoirs on the locomotives topped up at Stockwell. Thirty 26 feet (7.9 m) carriages seated 32 passengers on longitudinal benches, although it was reported that 80 passengers could be carried. Soon named "padded cells", the carriages were provided with electric lighting. Sliding doors at each end that led to a manned platform with folding gates giving access to the platform. Originally with small windows, later carriages had larger windows and the earlier carriages were modified. In 1923 the railway was closed for reconstruction and tunnel enlargement, and the line reopened using newly built Standard Stock electrical multiple units.
When the Central London Railway opened in 1900, carriages were hauled by electric locomotives. Initially there were 168 vehicles, 45 feet 6 inches (13.87 m) long, with access via sliding doors leading to a gated platform as on the City & South London. Mostly longitudinal seating was provided for 48, together with straps for those standing. In 1902–03 the carriages were reformed into multiple units using a control system developed by Frank Sprague in Chicago.
Read more about this topic: London Underground Main Line Stock
Famous quotes containing the words tube and/or railways:
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—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)
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