If London Had A Clockwork Tube Network It'd Look Like This

Will Noble
By Will Noble Last edited 48 months ago

Last Updated 05 November 2020

If London Had A Clockwork Tube Network It'd Look Like This
Mark Cowie strikes again with another irreverent map. © Mark Cowie. Click to enlarge

London once actually had a pneumatic railway — but a clockwork tube network? Sounds a bit far-fetched.

That's because this map of a 'Lost Clockwork Underground' is mined from the Heath Robinson-esque brain of Mark Cowie. There was no such thing as trains propelled forward after winding a huge key at the rear, but we can dream, can't we.

© Mark Cowie

Cowie's screwball illustration explains that the network 'opened' in 1760, offering a steam-free alternative to travel, plus such perks as dining facilities on all trains, and a change at Fulham for a gondola service to Brentford.

It wasn't all plain sailing for passengers, though: they were encouraged to box one another, especially on longer journeys.

© Mark Cowie

Nope — we don't know what's going on either. Still, this map makes a lot more sense than a lot of the things going down in real life right now.

You can buy A3 colour prints of this map and others — including Chesham's clockwork underground — for £20 plus delivery. Contact the artist on his Instagram @tonyhantz, or email [email protected]