For those new to CabbieBlog or readers who are slightly forgetful, on Saturdays I’m republishing posts, many going back over a decade. Some will still be very relevant while others have become dated over time. Just think of this post as your weekend paper supplement.
Running out of puff (05.10.12)
It wasn’t until the mid-nineteenth century that underground rail travel was envisaged, deemed to be quieter and less disruptive than overground, not to say obviating the need to demolish properties in more salubrious areas. Underground rail travel posed a problem for the engineers as passengers rather inconsiderately needed to breathe, and existing coal-fired trains emitted a toxic mixture of steam and sulphurous smoke which had a tendency to suffocate both crew and their passengers.
The world’s first underground railway opened on 9th January 1863. The line, which still runs alongside Farringdon Road, was built as cheaply as possible so rather than design new locomotives, the company simply adapted existing ones – steam trains.
Trials were undertaken burning coke instead of coal but because of poisonous gases it was thought preferable that tunnels were filled with coal smoke instead, prompting The Times to comment ‘A journey . . . is a form of torture which no person would undergo if he could conveniently help it’. Train drivers were not convinced by the company’s assertion that asthmatics found the smoky atmosphere helped to breathe and grew thick beards to try and filter the black soot; they even named their locomotives after tyrants – Mogul, Czar and Kaiser.
Fowler’s Ghost Enter Sir John Fowler, Bt. who designed the world’s first experimental fireless locomotive nicknamed “Fowlers Ghost”. Propulsion was achieved by using heated bricks placed in a conventional coal-fired engine to produce steam. It was deemed a failure after only one test run presumably the locomotive’s footplate was just a little too hot for comfort for the engine drivers trying to manhandle red-hot bricks. Fowler would later redeem himself as the genius who designed the Forth Rail Bridge.
It was back to the drawing board this time to design condensing engines which emitted less steam and smoke, the engine’s emissions were routed into large tanks behind the locomotive, which were then vented off as the train emerged from the tunnel. Because the tunnels were under roads, the venting would spook any horses that happened to be overhead, so doubt prompted the cabbies driving Hansom cabs to complain. This method meant that frequent breaks in the tunnel were needed to let off steam and evidence of which we can still see today.
On 12 October 1974 the UK’s first branch of McDonalds opened in Woolwich, it was McDonalds’ 3,000th restaurant. A burger then cost 18p and a ‘Big Mac’ was then called a ‘Big Boy’.
In 1894 Martial Bourdin accidently blew himself up – his funeral sparked riots by 15,000 near the Autonomie Anarchist Club, 6 Windmill Street
The Tower of London once contained a royal residence, barracks, armoury, prison, mint, a menagerie and an observatory
It took Dr John Snow years to persuade the establishment that cholera is the water-borne disease that he proved it to be in Soho in 1854
During the Cold War the statue of St Francis of Asissi at Brompton Oratory was used as a ‘dead letter’ drop for Russian KGB agents
Fassett Square in Dalston was the model for Eastenders’ Albert Square but no pub and the garden is for residents only
Tooting Bec Lido holds 1 million gallons, taking a week to fill, at 300ft x 100ft a maximum of 1,400 swimmers can enter the water at a time
Edgar Kail scored over 400 goals for Dulwich Hamlet FC won 3 England caps and refused to turn professional, Hamlet fans still chant his name
The first deep-level tube trains had no windows, guards called out the station names to advise your location
In the early days of the London and Birmingham Railway conductors travelled outside the train, leaning in through the open windows to check tickets
It would take 7,408 Hula Hoops to reach the height of Big Ben, it’s a claim made by the manufacturers of – well Hula Hoops
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