[Faline]

Metropolitan Steam Locomotive Number 1, which dates from 1892, pulled a restored original Victorian first-class carriage from Earl’s Court to Moorgate.



All aboard on Platform Choo – for the steam Tube train to Vapour Street.

The first steam locomotive to run on the London Underground in more than 100 years pulls into Baker Street station.

It was part of a test run for a retro service marking the Tube’s 150th anniversary next year.

Metropolitan Steam Locomotive Number 1, which dates from 1892, pulled a restored original Victorian first-class carriage from Earl’s Court in West London to Moorgate in the City early on Sunday.

Peter Hendy, Commissioner of Transport for London, who helped bring back the steam Tube, joked: “This is the advantage of having your own railway – you don’t have to ask permission.”

The carriage – which had been used as a chicken coop in a farmyard before being renovated – has a luxurious teak frame, crimson upholstered seats, leather panels and gas light fittings.

It was restored thanks to tireless fund-raising campaigns and a Lottery grant.

Locomotive No 1 went overground in 1904 – a year before the last steam Tube ran – as the Underground moved over to electricity.

It was finally withdrawn from service in 1963.




The test run was slightly longer than the first ever Tube journey on January 9 1863, which ran just three-and-a-half miles on the Metropolitan Railway from Paddington to the City.

Thousands of 19th-century Londoners queued to enjoy the novelty when it first opened.

In the first six months 26,000 passengers used the railway as it became a worldwide sensation.

But there were complaints about the sulphurous atmosphere as steam and smoke fogged the platforms and tunnels.

Pictures from the time show Baker Street station has changed surprisingly little in the 150 years since, with the same vaulted ceilings and glass globe lamps.

Passengers using the special steam service next year will pay £150 for a second-class ticket – £180 for first class.

The carriages will be pulled by Locomotive No 1 along part of the original route in January, with further services planned throughout the year.

Celia Dunn, a former cleaner on the loco, has happy memories of cleaning its carriages at Neasden depot in North West London.

She said: “‘We’d have laughs and singalongs.”

[Viking64]

I love stuff like this.

[Hobbslefthand]

Nice idea. But £150 for a second class ticket to go under ten miles? I'll get the bus thanks

[Brometheus]

fail @ running it in the subway..

[kellyhound]

cool.
here's the steam loc