Bakerloo Line - Why so filthy?

[The Apprentice]

I'm pretty sure I could do a full nights work down in the tunnels of many other lines of the Underground and come out feeling less disgusting than I feel as a passenger on the Bakerloo line.

Why is it so filthy? I understand that it's old, but really? You can actually see the smoggy dirty filth in the air as you get on the platforms. Disgusting!

 

[edwin_m]

Bakerloo line rolling stock is all still tread braked I believe, along with the Piccadilly. The other Tube lines all have newer stock which mostly uses electric rather than friction braking, so generates much less brake dust.

 

[ess]

The Bakerloo is great. Like living in the past. Will be a great shame when it gets new stock

 

[Domh245]

The Bakerloo is great. Like living in the past. Will be a great shame when it gets new stock

Which won't be for at least 6 years or more!

 

[Dstock7080]

Bakerloo line rolling stock is all still tread braked I believe, along with the Piccadilly.

Both 1972 Stock (Bakerloo) and 1973 Stock (Piccadilly) have rheostatic brakes on motor cars, with all friction brake on the trailer cars.

 

[Nym]

More like 16 years till new Balerloo units...

 

[4-6-2 Coast]

More like 16 years till new Balerloo units...

Then I sincerely hope there's a refurb plan in place! Comparing the Piccadilly to the Bakerloo I can't believe they're virtually the same age. Would be a shame if they got rid of the transverse seating though.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

On the Bakerloo, I'd like to know why:

a) Waterloo always smells of stale cheese.

b) Piccadilly Circus always smells of gas ( though it obviously isn't gas - I hope! )

In both cases it only seems to be the Bakerloo platforms that have these smells, not the other bits of the stations - although on occasion the cheesy small at Waterloo can reach the escalators!

 

[user15681]

On the Bakerloo, I'd like to know why:

a) Waterloo always smells of stale cheese.

b) Piccadilly Circus always smells of gas ( though it obviously isn't gas - I hope! )

In both cases it only seems to be the Bakerloo platforms that have these smells, not the other bits of the stations - although on occasion the cheesy small at Waterloo can reach the escalators!

I don't think I can answer you, I'm afraid, but I have a similar query. If anyone knows why the Victoria line smells of garlic/fat/food southbound of Oxford Circus I'd be very grateful if you could tell me. Every day, smell only noticeable after roughly midday, gets right up ya nose. A Northern line driver I know suspects it may be coming from street vendors or restaurants above surface, either through waste or down the drains, but I don't know if that's the case. May also be the reason for the smells you've experience, Peter.

 

[transmanche]

On the Bakerloo, I'd like to know why:

a) Waterloo always smells of stale cheese.

b) Piccadilly Circus always smells of gas ( though it obviously isn't gas - I hope! )

Well, James Wannerton (who suffers from synaesthesia) reckons that Waterloo tastes of fizzy water, whilst Piccadilly Circus tastes of Picnic bar!

 

[Bald Rick]

On the Bakerloo, I'd like to know why:

a) Waterloo always smells of stale cheese.

b) Piccadilly Circus always smells of gas ( though it obviously isn't gas - I hope! )

In both cases it only seems to be the Bakerloo platforms that have these smells, not the other bits of the stations - although on occasion the cheesy small at Waterloo can reach the escalators!

My olfactory sensors think Waterloo is more like stale sick; and it is much more prevalent on the southbound platform. Certainly makes me hurry out.

 

[futureA]

The 'gas' smell at certain tube stations is due to the flange greasers on the track.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The 'gas' smell at certain tube stations is due to the flange greasers on the track.

That makes sense; Piccadilly Circus ( Bakerloo ) is on a fairly sharp curve isn't it?

 

[Dstock7080]

Then I sincerely hope there's a refurb plan in place! Comparing the Piccadilly to the Bakerloo I can't believe they're virtually the same age. Would be a shame if they got rid of the transverse seating though.

As if reading your mind, the first train for a 2nd refurb is currently being assessed, having a 'new' cab donated from a '72mkI.

 

[Nym]

As if reading your mind, the first train for a 2nd refurb is currently being assessed, having a 'new' cab donated from a '72mkI.

Yeah, one of the units is in need of a new cab.

The refurb programme last I checked also included plans for 1972MkIII TS.

That makes sense; Piccadilly Circus ( Bakerloo ) is on a fairly sharp curve isn't it?

Very sharp, one of the sharpest on the network, the sharpest is also on the Bakerloo Line, answers on a postcard (PM) for where it is....

 

[user15681]

Very sharp, one of the sharpest on the network, the sharpest is also on the Bakerloo Line, answers on a postcard (PM) for where it is....

I thought the sharpest curve was on the Central...

 

[Nym]

In passenger use perhaps, but it won't be the tightest curve...

Huge clue there for ya...

 

[jopsuk]

If it isn't passenger use, then presumably at London Road depot

 

[Electrostar]

I think the Bakerloo line stock feels older because the hand rails are (Bakerloo) brown. It instantly makes me think of antiques. The brown pads between the seats don't help either. Why doesn't the Bakerloo have armrests like many other lines? It's a bit like the Victoria where the pale blue seats felt faded from day one. The turquoise seats on Ariva London's bendy buses felt the same, especially when compared to the dark grey moquette of say London General.

Talking of smells, Waterloo on the W&C smells like cat's wee.

 

[bronzeonion]

Maybe it is because the Bakerloo is single ended so there is no draft going through? Also explains why it's hotter than others (apart from Vic line) during hot days.

 

[Darren R]

My olfactory sensors think Waterloo is more like stale sick; and it is much more prevalent on the southbound platform.

Agreed - on both counts. In fact I would say the smell of vomit is only on the southbound platform and disappears as soon as you leave the platform. For years I wondered why on a regular basis, especially since the area was always clean and it so obviuosly wasn't vomit!

 

[Nym]

And even though the Victoria Line is effectively single ended (Northumberland Park Snowchute only) it has significantly better ventilation assets compared with the Bakerloo, the latter's have not been upgraded yet. The VLU replaced all ventilation assets on the vic.

Also, yes, it is London Road Depot.

 

[londiscape]

I don't think I can answer you, I'm afraid, but I have a similar query. If anyone knows why the Victoria line smells of garlic/fat/food southbound of Oxford Circus I'd be very grateful if you could tell me. Every day, smell only noticeable after roughly midday, gets right up ya nose. A Northern line driver I know suspects it may be coming from street vendors or restaurants above surface, either through waste or down the drains, but I don't know if that's the case. May also be the reason for the smells you've experience, Peter.

I've noticed the same thing, it seems to me to be a strong smell of Oriental food between Oxford Circus and Green Park. I had always put it down to nearby drains receiving waste from restaurants at or near surface. Google Maps does show a few restaurants of that nature near what I assume to be the route of the Vic line, but not knowing the exact route of the tunnelling, I can't substantiate that.

 

[edwin_m]

Could be there is a ventilation shaft near the kitchens of a restaurant?

 

[Nym]

All of the Victoria Line shafts exhaust last time I checked...

 

[tom1649]

I think the Bakerloo line stock feels older because the hand rails are (Bakerloo) brown. It instantly makes me think of antiques. The brown pads between the seats don't help either. Why doesn't the Bakerloo have armrests like many other lines? It's a bit like the Victoria where the pale blue seats felt faded from day one. The turquoise seats on Ariva London's bendy buses felt the same, especially when compared to the dark grey moquette of say London General.

Talking of smells, Waterloo on the W&C smells like cat's wee.

The Bakerloo line stock did have armrests before and after refurbishment, however they were removed after a spate of vandalism. The Central line stock also had them removed when they were still quite new, yet those 92 stock on the W&C have kept them.

I love the sights, sounds and smells of the Bakerloo line. The lovely tick tick ticking of the camshaft equipment, the occasional jolt during acceleration, comfortable deep sprung seats and the clattering of the doors closing all add to the 'old world' experience. I hope they don't take the old DC motors out of the '72 stock when they have their lives extended, as it would remove a lot of the character.

 

[Dstock7080]

I hope they don't take the old DC motors out of the '72 stock when they have their lives extended, as it would remove a lot of the character.

No worries there! They are not going that far with the refurb!

 

[fgwrich]

And even though the Victoria Line is effectively single ended (Northumberland Park Snowchute only) it has significantly better ventilation assets compared with the Bakerloo, the latter's have not been upgraded yet. The VLU replaced all ventilation assets on the vic.

Also, yes, it is London Road Depot.

Which I believe also has one of the sharpest gradients on the Bakerloo line too, as you feel like your falling down towards the Northbound Running line and Junction at Lambeth North. Going up can require a good bit of power to get you up there too.

Speaking of London Road, is the old '72 Mk1 Stock still stabled up there, still in unrefurb condition?

 

[tom1649]

No worries there! They are not going that far with the refurb!

Great news to me! Thanks.

Anyone else noticed how some of the remaining '72 Mk1 stock on the Bakerloo retains remnants of the Northern Line refurbishment, with the occasional black ventilator handle and different patterns on interior panelling?

 

[Nym]

Which I believe also has one of the sharpest gradients on the Bakerloo line too, as you feel like your falling down towards the Northbound Running line and Junction at Lambeth North. Going up can require a good bit of power to get you up there too.

Speaking of London Road, is the old '72 Mk1 Stock still stabled up there, still in unrefurb condition?

No, that was taken away by road a while back, it's now a unit of 1967TS.