Dream of travelling to a bygone London? This summer you can do just that — thanks to a series of heritage rides on a 1938 tube train.
The burgundy-hued art deco style train — consisting of four carriages, and replete with wooden frames windows, sleek light fittings, and a sumptuous red and green cut and loop wool moquette — is running heritage trips on various lines this summer.
The inaugural trips — due to take place on Sunday 9 June — were sadly cancelled due to vandalism to the stock, but the next weekend of events on Saturday 20-Sunday 21 July 2024 will go ahead. Trains head from Uxbridge to Harrow-on-the Hill on the Metropolitan line, with a costumed actor playing station architect Charles Holden, plus music from a TfL busker.
Two other journeys take place later in the summer:
- The Heathrow Loop on the Piccadilly line, including a pre-ride drop-in craft activity for families, Saturday 10-Sunday 11 August 2024 (Tickets not yet on sale)
- Amersham to TBC on the Metropolitan line, Saturday 7-Sunday 8 September 2024 (Tickets not yet on sale)
All experiences also include a souvenir booklet.
In all, over 1,100 of these 1938 cars were built — with some still in use in London up until 1988. A handful of the trains were recycled on the Isle of Wight's Island Line, but in 2020 these were replaced with 'new' (aka 1980s) London Underground stock.
Nowadays, you can see these beauts in museums and depots, but rarely get a chance to ride on one.
Unfortunately these heritage rides are very much NOT at 1938 prices: it costs £28.50 for adults £20 concessions, and £15 for kids). You can buy tickets on the London Transport Museum website, although not all of the tickets have been released at time of writing.
If you're looking for a thriftier heritage tube experience, you can always hop on the Bakerloo line.
