Electrifying the Underground

London led the world in the development of its subterranean railway system. The first sub-surface lines, constructed by the cut-and-cover method, were operated using steam locomotives. In theory the tunnels and stations were ventilated into the outside air, but in practice they became dingy, miserable, smoke-filled spaces. As one early traveller recorded in his journal, 'I had my first taste of Hades today ' the atmosphere was a mixture of sulphur, coal dust and foul fumes'. It was only with the arrival of exhaust-free electric traction, combined with improvements to the tunnelling shield, pioneered by Sir Marc Brunel, that the engineers were able to tunnel far deeper to create London's 'Tube' system. It was a public transport revolution. Graeme Gleaves traces the development of the Underground from the early years up to the present time.