Copyright: London Transport Museum
Admittedly it’s not particularly rare for you to find me banging on about how great the London Underground is. I just love it, you know? Our pioneering public transport network has been ferrying folk across the capital city for over 160 years. So there’s a lot to wax lyrical about. But my Tube-related ramblings don’t quite so often come in the form of this rail-y great news…
This summer, some very lucky Londoners will have the chance to hop aboard a beautifully-restored vintage Tube train and journey back in time. Back to a time with no smartphones, no Oyster cards, and most certainly no Citymapper – can you even imagine? That’s right, folks, London Transport Museum are back with their heritage train journeys; and this time they’re heading to the Piccadilly Line.
Copyright: London Transport Museum The trains
The iconic 1938 Stock of Tube trains represented the ultimate melding of cutting-edge technology (well, for its time) and gorgeous 1930s aesthetics. Each train was made up of four cars, and boasted a dreamy Art Deco design. A true trailblazer in the transport world, they were the first Tube trains to have all the electrical equipment underneath the floor. And they ran along several deep-level Tube lines for around half a century.
Now, over 85 years later, mere mortals like you and I are being given the chance to experience these very same trains in all their vintage glory. The trains have been lovingly-restored, complete with classic moquette seating and Art Deco light fittings. And they are very almost ready to depart.
Copyright London Transport Museum The ‘Piccadilly Medley’ heritage journeys
There will be three different ‘Piccadilly Medley’ heritage journeys running along the Piccadilly Line across the weekend of July 11 – July 13. The first of the trio of trips will leave from Northfields at various times on July 11. It will whizz around The Heathrow Loop (via Terminal 4) and back again, taking 45-50 minutes in total.
The second heritage journey will be chugging along between Acton Town and Uxbridge on July 12. It will pass through traditional Charles Holden stations to celebrate 150 years of his design work and take around 90 minutes in total.
And the final heritage journey will see some fortunate folk ferried between Ealing Broadway and Cockfosters. Passengers will have the very rare opportunity to travel on a heritage train through the tunnels of the London Underground. This journey can be booked as a single or return journey, with each stretch lasting around 70 minutes.
Find out more about these heritage train journeys and book your ticket here.