From Friday 11th July to Sunday 13th July 2025, I went on a series of rides on the London Underground organised by the London Transport Museum on its preserved 1938 Stock heritage Tube train [1]. On Friday, we travelled on the train from Northfields to Heathrow and back. On Saturday, we travelled on the train from Acton Town to Uxbridge and back. On Sunday, we travelled on the train from Ealing Broadway to Cockfosters and back, which involved travelling along the District line for a short section of track.
Other than the charm of riding on a beautifully preserved old Tube train, it was also fun watching people on the platforms the train passes through and waving at them as they marvelled at the sight of the old train. Onboard, friendly volunteers were more than happy to share with us the history of the train and the London Underground.
I created videos of the return journey from Northfields to Heathrow on Friday [2], the journey from Acton Town and Uxbridge [3] and from Uxbridge to Acton Town [4] on Saturday, and the journey from Ealing Broadway to Cockfosters [5] and from Cockfosters to Ealing Broadway [6] on Sunday.
Amazing that there were a few of these still on the London Underground until the late 1980s, and on the Isle of Wight until around 4-5 years ago! I think I went on this same restored train in 2004 as part of Uxbridge station’s 100 year anniversary, it was surreal riding around the Metropolitan Line on these where these trains never ran originally.
I wonder how crammed these would’ve been in rush hour compared to what it’s like now.
Needs more graffiti
There were some of these still running in 1978 when I moved to London. I love the Art Deco notes in the design. Were quieter and rode far better than the ghastly Central Line stock.
5 comments
From Friday 11th July to Sunday 13th July 2025, I went on a series of rides on the London Underground organised by the London Transport Museum on its preserved 1938 Stock heritage Tube train [1]. On Friday, we travelled on the train from Northfields to Heathrow and back. On Saturday, we travelled on the train from Acton Town to Uxbridge and back. On Sunday, we travelled on the train from Ealing Broadway to Cockfosters and back, which involved travelling along the District line for a short section of track.
Other than the charm of riding on a beautifully preserved old Tube train, it was also fun watching people on the platforms the train passes through and waving at them as they marvelled at the sight of the old train. Onboard, friendly volunteers were more than happy to share with us the history of the train and the London Underground.
I created videos of the return journey from Northfields to Heathrow on Friday [2], the journey from Acton Town and Uxbridge [3] and from Uxbridge to Acton Town [4] on Saturday, and the journey from Ealing Broadway to Cockfosters [5] and from Cockfosters to Ealing Broadway [6] on Sunday.
[1] https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tickets-alert-heritage-train-returns-to-the-london-underground-81596/
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBmuWV_foQ8
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZFjGhjNrs
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLy_uI4-Qa4
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ranaUC9hxyo
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL22lsQIjq4
Amazing that there were a few of these still on the London Underground until the late 1980s, and on the Isle of Wight until around 4-5 years ago! I think I went on this same restored train in 2004 as part of Uxbridge station’s 100 year anniversary, it was surreal riding around the Metropolitan Line on these where these trains never ran originally.
I wonder how crammed these would’ve been in rush hour compared to what it’s like now.
Needs more graffiti
There were some of these still running in 1978 when I moved to London. I love the Art Deco notes in the design. Were quieter and rode far better than the ghastly Central Line stock.
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