guide for this programme, I am privileged to guide at both Down Street and Aldwych. Down Street was closed in 1932 and there is evidence that Winston Churchill used it as a secret bunker. Aldwych was used for housing precious art from the National Gallery and British Museum during the Blitz; and most re- cently for sets in different movies and even the Firestarter video byTe Prodigy. You don’t have to go underground to ex-


your hand. Many will recall in June 2008 when then mayor of London Boris Johnson banned drinking alcohol in the London Underground, the goal was to cre- ate a safer and more comfortable travel ex- perience for all. On the last night before the ban, Londoners far and wide got on the tube with a bottle in hand for a final “last call”. Ironically, some people were surprised by the ban, exclaiming, “I never even thought about drinking on the tube”.


Obsession


Have you been to every stop on the Underground? Ever wanted to try? Well, it’s officially called the ‘Tube Challenge’ and the objective is to reach all 270 sta- tions in as short of time as possible. Guinness Book of World Records recog- nised the first challenger in 1960, when Marc Gawley completed it in 16 hours, 44 minutes and 16 seconds. In 2013, YouTuber and Londonist video maker Geoff Marshall and his friend Anthony Smith completed the challenge in 16


hours, 20 minutes and 27 seconds. If you fancy the challenge, there’s a map online you can use to get you started. In 1942 a book was published with the


lists of trains, also known as rolling stock, and their carriage numbers. Tis provoked a hobby for young men around the coun- try to stand at the end of a platform to watch trains go by, once the train was spot- ted they would mark them off in their books. A popular hobby long before foot- ball cards, trainspotting aficionados would compare and discuss various trains and their make. Underground rolling stock op- erates on a different system to regular trains, as the rails are closer together. Tis gave spotters another type of train to visu- ally collect. London Transport Museum has a pro-


gramme called Hidden London, this is where they open six of the disused stations for tours. It is a fantastic way to see how these stations operated, see some original features and even learn how they were used in times of war as shelters, storage or even as railway headquarters. As a volunteer


perience the “tube”. In fact, there are many fans of walking the tube lines above ground. Tere are websites that are dedi- cated to the paths that are taken above ground to mimic the routes of the London Underground. In 2014, I was one of many guides leading charity walkers around the path of the Circle Line. It took a full eight hours and incorporated all four corners of the city. In January, when the weather is cold and


the sparkle of the holidays has faded, Londoners get bored and need something entertaining to do. No Trousers Day is one of those events. Not much to explain here, you ride the tube without trousers. It’s worth noting that Transport for London has admitted that while floors and poles are washed regularly, seats are shampooed and cleaned after two to three years.


Join the mania


Amber Raney-Kincade is the American Tour Guide in London, offering walking tours and private hire to those looking to explore on foot. Find out more at www.americantourguideinlondon.com or follow her on Twitter @AmericanLDN


22 FOCUS The Magazine July/August 2019


One of the best places to begin learning more about the London Underground is the London Transport Museum. While visiting here you could learn about the many opportunities to see “old rolling stock”, steam trains that make occasional appearances in and around the capital throughout the year. You could also to go to Embankment and listen to the voice of Oswald Laurence, who’s recording of “Mind the Gap” was preserved on request from his wife, who often visited stations to listen to her beloved’s voice long after he died. She was upset with the introduction of new announcements, and his voice was reintroduced. Finally, you might just want to download one of the many smart phone apps that help you navigate the tube quicker and faster. Anyway you size it, it’s hard to live in London and not be obsessed with the tube.


www.focus-info.org


Cahoots Bar, Soho – the Undergound bar Filming at disused Aldwych Station – Photo courtesy of TfL


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