The Tube

The iconic roundel symbolizing the London Underground was designed by typographer Edward Johnston and has been in use since 1918. Above ground the words on the blue bar simply state UNDERGROUND. Once you are underground the names of the stations will be listed on the blue bar instead.

The second enduring design feature is the diagrammatic underground map, created by Harry Beck in 1931. "Basing his map on an electrical circuit, Beck represented each line in a different colour and interchange stations as diamonds. The crowded central area was enlarged for legibility and the course of each route was simplified into the form of a vertical, horizontal or diagonal. The diagrammatic map was produced on a trial basis in 1933 as a leaflet and Beck continued to refine it until 1959. His design has inspired the maps of underground networks from New York to Sydney, and a variation of his original design is still used by London Underground today." http://designmuseum.org/design/london-transport  Tube Map
Operating 11 lines covering 249 miles and carrying over 1 billion passengers each year has taken a toll on the aging 140 year old system. The network is currently undergoing a complete renovation, expected to take approximately ten years. Find out more under Transforming the Tube.

While the renovation is is progress, service updates are available at your station, online at Transport for London, and you can receive advance warnings of weekend closures by email.




There are signs throughout the stations that direct you to the correct line, or help you find your way out.

You will be cautioned to "MIND THE GAP" between the platform and the train. This will also be stated aloud as the tube pulls into a station.

Train Speeding out of the Station

Charing Cross Station on the Northern and Bakerloo Lines

Many of the stations have unique designs and artwork on the walls.

Closest Station to Florida State London Study Centre

Marble Arch Station on the Central Line

Classic Design on White Subway Tiles

The London underground is an historic engineering feat and it continues to evolve to meet the needs of today's passengers.

 Mosaics at the Tottenham Court Road Station


I would like to offer you my own "Ten Tips for Tourists Taking the Tube".
Music by The Down and Outs. Heard of Ellephants. Market Music. Released April 8, 2009.

www.creativecommons.org

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