London Underground, Old and New-ish, June 1998

[@jennytaylor3324]

You never forget the sounds. Even as a visitor from the other end of the country, I can still remember the symphony of The Underground.; the winds and that unique, almost eerie atmosphere late at night.

[@LaWendeltreppe]

And the smell!

[@leonard2005ify]

Me too since I was baby in the 80’s

[@transportenthusiast11]

I never thought there would actually be footage onboard 1996 stock when they were this new. I'm amazed. Thank you so much for this.

[@hjeltestugan]

THANK YOU for this "time capsule"!!! You really managed to capture the atmosphere in the Underground. So good that you not o n l y filmed the stations, but also included the surroundings. The ride on the escalator, outside the station, etc. Even though the '59-stock was shabby and worne out, I do really miss out on the "cosyness" they brought and, not to forget, the SOUND, when accelarating!!! From my first trip to London in 1968 (at 12 years of age), I've followed the change and development of the tube through many trips. (In 1968, there were still the old lamps with sades hanging from the ceilings - no flourescent lights!) The London Underground, even though it has undergone major modernisations, is still the "champion" of all the underground or metro systems in the world! /Christer Lindstrom in Sweden

[@simonadams5934]

Wow... all the sights and sounds bring back so many childhood memories for me... I can almost smell the underground through my screen... wonderful video full of nostalgia!

[@srinathk177]

It was like adding Music in a movie. It also helped Commuters about an approaching train.

[@raazelb]

Agreed. Still remember getting on the old pic line trains when I was about 8 or 9 years old coming back from Heathrow wow

[@raazelb]

Good to see the bakerloo line trains in the underground colour. Much better for tfl at the time with all the graffiti marks left behind on the original silver grey colour

[@raazelb]

Oh and also seeing the vending machines on the platforms heheh I used to love going to those and getting chocolates from them

[@Anticommunism99]

Jubilee train sounds the same in 2023

[@davidbull7210]

The last of the 1959 stock with their manual operators was withdrawn in January 2000 so this is within the last 2 years of operation. Funny seeing the old paper tickets and people not staring at smartphones.

[@PaniniMattGFC1893]

@Micah Lall-Trail the old grey slugs

[@Sawrattan]

I didn't know they go back to 1959, they must have looked shockingly modern at the time. I suppose the same time all those brutalist tower blocks were being built, similar aesthetic, whereas today we seem to prefer retro.

[@paulspeight8398]

@@Sawrattan Some in the video were ex Central line 1962 units on the Northern

[@keepgoing1973]

Manual operators? Do you mean that they are driverless now?

[@KinsonStudio]

So in 4:05, the 1996 tube stock trains on the Jubilee Line were brand new and they just came into service at the time of filming, even before the line's extension commenced!

[@peridotfacet2r7p-5xr2]

Wow, i thought they went into service in the 2000s

[@BroadCastPlanet]

I love how all of the trains from 1998 still looks the same today! It’s so cool

[@PeteS_1994]

Yeah they last about 40 years. This time the 1972 stock, Bakerloo Line trains are almost the same age as the 1996 stock, Jubilee Line trains are now.

[@jonmilligan8069]

This is awesome! The Underground is such a fascinating thing - so much history and quirks to see and understand.

[@JayJay-nc7pr]

Can't believe this was twenty years ago! London has changed so much in that time, in 1998 we were all anticipating the Jubilee line extension with Crossrail being a a way off! Since 1998 we have had The JLE, DLR extensions to Greenwich, Lewisham and Woolwich, the rise of the Overground line, the Croydon tramlink, bendy buses coming and going within a few years and now the new route master bus

[@yoya4766]

Someone knew there'd be a population explosion.

[@ajs41]

London has changed a lot. The bus shelters in my local town in the Midlands look exactly the same as they did in 1998. Not a penny spent on them since then.

[@robinhood7874]

AMAZING FOOTAGE THANKS LAD. I WAS 19 IN 1998

[@clairebalding4792]

Me too!

[@sid8483]

I wasn’t even born lol

[@rajankerai8245]

the one thing I liked about older trains were how the doors opened without any beeping sound and people rushing out

[@jannaj9598]

I was born and bred in London. I live near the city of London. It makes me feel so happy to see videos like this. The underground was one thing I’ve always used

[@sanchoodell6789]

Its nice seeing the clanky old 'Turbies' plying the lines. You did a great service sir in documenting these classic antiquated Tube trains. The Northern line still had these Turbies running when they were introducing the much higher tech mid 90s stocks with those swish sounding Star Trek style doors. Modern warning tones, audible station announcements, LED visual info. fold in seats by the doors to allow wheel chair accessibility and gave the carriages a more roomier feel. Totally out of this world compared to the old Turby trains.

[@blissy1]

Was born in London, the Underground is part of my life even though I left the years ago, the sound of a train coming, the sound of the brake compressors, the sound of the trains arrive and leaving stations but love the Bakerloo Line most of all xx

[@Discount-Stonks]

Thanks for this video, this is excellent footage. Seeing the 1959 stock unlocked a core memory of being on a school trip in 1998 that I almost forgot about.

[@Acrolvm]

8:28 Is that announcer VERA? I have been struggling to find any clips of the old PA used before Emma Clarke so this is neat to hear. I find it strange that it says "Calling all stations" because it's not like the Bakerloo has express services...

[@freedomafterspeech]

I'm more wowed at how like 2023 the tube looks and sounds in 1998, especially the jubilee line.

[@kinkisharyocoasters]

4:55 So now I understand more about why all of the more modern stock have the "beep-boop" sound when the doors open; back in that time when passengers would press the buttons it indicated that the doors were unlocked. Is the reason they still have it today to alert blind people? And why on S Stock does it sound twice?

[@GenericLifts]

It's hard to believe that the 1996 stock operated at the same time as the 1959 stock

[@aviewfromtheinterior]

I was living in London at this point in time only 19 years old. I so clearly remember the 1959 stock on the Northern. I lived in Holloway where we had the red, white & blue 1973 stock on the Piccadilly, so the Northern felt ancient even then.

[@no-damn-alias]

Being born in 1979 you probably even remember the 1938 stock

[@moaningpheromones]

piccally-diccally line * Angel ticket booth man

[@iknowcomedy]

Wow, never knew how much the 1996 stock announcement have changed! They only said the destinations in their first few months of service, now they say the name of the station, interchanges and landmarks around the area!

[@ajs41]

Do you know when announcements started on the trains? I know there didn't used to be any.

[@railotaku]

1993ish with the Central Line being first - @@ajs41

[@clarky2356]

Gotta love the motor sound on the old stock trains

[@PeteS_1994]

In around 10 years time that DC motor sound would be a thing of the past on the London Underground.

[@cobragaming7068]

Yep , the DC motors and generators were awesome. I think they were built by Brush and GE general Electric.

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

The old train motors are horrible

[@jerzyk3520]

No lol the old trains has a great motor sound

[@jerzyk3520]

You are GWR fan thats why u hate old trains. GWR has only new trains. Oh and i love class 387 LOL

[@PeteS_1994]

The loud sound 1959 stock sometimes makes when it stops, which reminds me of a war siren a bit, is actually relaxing. I remember the A stock made the same sound.

[@chrisb4504]

Visited London many times in mid to late 80s one thing I always remember was the office workers city types on the tube wearing full suits overcoats briefcase bowler hats and often an umbrella, being a young lad from the north east of England it was quite an eye opener. Happy days

[@roadhog6]

Very nice vidéo even if it takes us a long time ago. Time passes and videos remains long time after we've been there; for the history. Thank you !!

[@LeonVerhulst]

I went to live in London at this time. Amazing footage. Thank you!

[@robinpayne125]

At 6:35 a clear shot of a LU guard on a tube train. Northern Line 59 tube stock was the last to have 2 person operation, so end of an era. Also amused to see the shot of WAGN advertising. Something very much of the era

[@West.Ham1964]

At first I thought that was a massive rat at 1:40 but I think it was a squirrel way out of its comfort zone. Not sure how it ended up down there.

[@TrainsAndBusesAroundNELondon25]

It's a box

[@LaZoucheCustomshop]

I remember these older trains because of the noises like at 3.45, that thrumming noise, never could work out what that was but loved it.

[@ctra1ns]

4:54 Notice how the door opening is so delayed?

[@MaxrnX]

They were operated by buttons back then.

[@ctra1ns]

@@MaxrnX oh yeah sorry, bloody hell i forget things nowadays

[@DanBmthUK]

4:53 Green Park to Stanmore - 1998 new tube trains were on the Jubilee Line. I lived in Brondesbury Park Road 1996-1999 and caught the Jubilee line from Willesden Green everyday - as at the time I was working all over london for M&S - and these trains were initially running empty amid the older trains in 1997 and by 1998 the newer ones were in service - although I am not sure if it was a gradual introduction. I just remember the newer trains stopping at Finchley Road (where I often changed for the Met) but being advised that these new ones were not yet in service.

[@alondon3879]

Fantastic Video. Brings Me right back.

[@LondonTransport466]

Great video! Nice to see a clip of a 1996 stock train at Charing Cross.

[@pikakai]

01:40 someone slidez a box onto the tracks?

[@RichardWexler]

+Kai Attree I think it was blown onto the tracks by a gust of wind.

[@pikakai]

Richard Wexler Oh I see, it looked like someone just chucked it onto the tracks haha

[@jgroenveld1268]

+Kai Attree I believe when a train enter an enclosed station like this, it causes a vacuum effect.

[@telemachus53]

Looked like a rat

[@Sawrattan]

@@telemachus53 that would have given me a heart attack if I'd been on the platform. Only the way it flew off the platform made me realise it's not a rat.

[@Sawrattan]

I remember getting quite cross with a friend visiting from Singapore, who laughed at how 'old' our stations look. But seeing in this video how little has changed since the 90s (and probably decades more) I can see what he meant!

[@Quincy82AAC]

I was 16 years old back in June 1998 and I am a born and raised in London. I love the London Underground. 😊

[@joerawlings2464]

Why did they get rid of the chocolate machines on the tube? I remember going into town when I was a kid and they were there

[@b_altmann]

Amazing, as late as 1998 one could have used really old trains! The new train is clearly on the Jubilee Line. The typical 90s patterned upholstery was sadly replaced later by some inferior design. Also note the distinctive sound only the Jubilee Line makes.

[@tantaf123]

4:50 - 4:05 I wish I could have seen the 1996 stock when it was brand new Also 2 things.. 1. That was a hell of a hard break even for manual driving 2. I just saw the doors open with the door open button, now I know what they did originally, you could open the door with the button when it was unlocked, the lights were red

[@PeteS_1994]

I remember when they were brand new, I was only 3 or 4 the first time I went on them the interior colours, train sound and buttons were interesting and I remember it having a new train smell.

[@Mike-77-YT]

Unfortunately, they later bypassed that function to automatically open the doors, as it wasn't efficient for rush hour. In fact, most of them had the buttons replaced with door indicators.

[@whynotagain3639]

This reminds me of my raving days, Bagley's or Labyrinth every Friday night from 1997-2002.

[@tommycarr8111]

Strange to think the ancient looking 1959 stock are younger here than what's being used on the Piccaddilly and Bakerloo lines today...

[@PeteS_1994]

They are based on a 1938 design, maybe that's why they looked ancient. Also the unpainted bodies and they weren't refurbished to look more modern. The 72 and 73 stock look more like modern stock with the lack of openable windows. But the bodyshell, pocket doors and how the windows were stuck to the body give off their age.

[@billyh88uk]

Brilliant upload - used to ride those Northern Line trains a lot back in '98, as a kid the noise heard at 3:47 would terrify me! As mentioned below they were all gone by 2000 so great to see them again. The Jubilee trains at 4:05 were brand new, probably only a couple months old at the time - the Door Open buttons don't actually work anymore and they all open automatically, so interesting to see people using them at 4:54.

[@RichardWexler]

Thank you. That same noise could be heard on New York City subway trains when I was growing up in the 1960s.

[@NinjaJump177]

So

[@NC-002]

Did they keep the Jubilee Line doors manual until the JLE opened? Because at that time the 1983 Stock would've been withdrawn and 4:08 was at the old Charing X platform with no Platform Edge Doors. Because, with the PED's there would be no way to open the doors.

[@class317]

i think so

[@cianog]

I remember the smell and noise from the 80s pre 92 stock.

[@capitalb5889]

Whenever i go on the Bakerloo line, it still feels like I've stepped back in time.

[@grahampearson5670]

The 1959 tube stock lasted until 2000 when the majority of this type was sold for scrap.

[@rugosetexture2716]

Good times. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@ajs41]

It was probably a lot more relaxing without all those announcements on board the trains!

[@machiavelli6996]

To think you’ve probably captured a video of someone’s loved ones that have passed

[@hakc97again]

The newest trains in this are from the Jubilee Line and those last bits at the end are the Victoria Line and Bakerloo Line. Just nitpicking

[@hakc97again]

TheRenaissanceman65 So what’s 7:16? :)

[@nickyjay25]

Coldclough that’s the Northern Line. The Victoria line terminates at either Brixton or Walthamstow Central.

[@thevinylhunters]

Bakerloo :)

[@tommerton1511]

@@hakc97again It says very clearly on the departures board: Harrow & Wealdstone

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

The third newest in the 1990s were the 1992 stock.

[@svartmetall48]

I miss the 1950s stock. It's straight out of my childhood. I used to travel to London quite a lot during this time. I hate all the stupid beeps and announcements on the newer trains on the underground. Super annoying to take these days.

[@rickyzuc]

I’m currently watching this travelling on the Met line 😄

[@davidmoore570]

I didn't see any mobile phones that people were holding !!

[@Mark50x]

Nice, I was -2 in 1998

[@Enviri]

i was -8

[@NicholasAfari-Mintah]

@@Enviri i was -10

[@olympian3]

i was +2

[@milkandduckrailway323]

4:47 that was rather a fast stop

[@QuarioQuario54321]

I think@1 point in 95 there were 6 different rolling stocks.56,59,60,62,72,&1995.67 was only on the Vic,83&86 were on the Jubilee.73's still on the Picc,92's on the central&W&C.

[@PeteS_1994]

1995 stock actually came out in 98, I think. It actually uses more modern traction system than the 1996 stock which first came out in 1997.

[@trainrover]

I'd forgot about those claustrophobia-inducing single escalators at transfer stops there

[@redphone1438]

What was those handing balls at 3:00 thanks for posting.

[@thisisstuart7951]

It was for people to hang on when they are standing

[@Sawrattan]

Nobody will know the disappointment of being a 90s child who desperately wanted to hold those balls, but never got the chance as they were replaced by bars.

[@paulec2634]

And wow some of these trains seem so ancient but some are just like the ones we have today!

[@SouthLondonForever]

I was a kid in those days and was terrified of going on the tube, I remember those grey liveried trains

[@chrisrowe7503]

I still remember the brand new smell of the 1996 stock when it first came into service. Soon it will be the second oldest rolling stock on the network once they have put NTFL into service on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo line. Here is a scarier thought. Once they take the 1992 stock out of service then the 1996 stock will be the oldest on the network.

[@donttrytokillme1231]

Hope they keep the 1996 stock I love the sound they make

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

1996 stock is the Jubilee line. The identical looking 1995 stock is on the Northern line.

[@Sawrattan]

I wasn't aware they're changing the Bakerloo stock. I know it looks the weariest but it has a nice design.

[@tonydeeks5756]

@@Sawrattan yeah they'll be replaced by 2024 so you've got a couple of years to go ride some 50 year old stock

[@jonah6404]

@@tonydeeks5756 You mean 2030

[@paulec2634]

Knew it was Hampstead straight away I saw that grill on the upper walkway that you can see the trains through! Can tell I've spent too much time on the Tube.

[@d947]

Not that much changed in 25 years, cool to see

[@None-zc5vg]

I understand that the '59 Stock was just a revamping of the '38 Stock with striplights replacing the cosier bulbs.

[@iknowcomedy]

When the 1996 stock was released only a few months ago

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

The 1972mk1 had been withdrawn by this time with some cars refurbished, converted and going to the Bakerloo and Victoria and the rest scrapped and their components removed as spare parts for the remaining 1972 stock on the Bakerloo line

[@IseyWasTaken]

6:25 This is probably some of the last footage of a guard on the underground actually hanging out of a train

[@tropicalpalmtree]

BRING BACK THE UNPAINTED TUBE STOCK!

[@FART-REPELLENT]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@misterced4629]

wait did the 1996 stocks end up temrinating at charing x

[@squarewheelsorguk]

Yes, prior to the opening of the Jubilee Line extension in late 1999.

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

While seeing the 59 stock on the Northern Line brings back pangs of nostalgia, as a passenger I much prefer their replacements, the 95 stock!

[@ryancowell6738]

the claccic trains look more comfortable then the ones in Los Angeles California usa on metro rail. more comfortable seating.

[@meandwhoism]

correct the seats are very "old school" with padded moquette

[@ManiacalMichael504]

Awesome stuff, great memories!

[@DFandV]

Funny how the signs are exactly the same today.

[@philipmaguire9209]

Good old days friendly times civilised .. respectable

[@sundayakpan2663]

Even of this video of this gives us memories

[@Doughty321]

1:41 what was that?

[@RichardWexler]

A cardboard box being blown onto the tracks by a wind tunnel effect

[@bipbippadotta3680]

The old Northern Line trains 😱

[@sweetestperfection90]

Ah yes 1998 when a 5 bed in Belsize Park (to use one of your depicted examples) could be comfortably acquired for under half a million!

[@antonv.]

very cool video!

[@patricialockhart2135]

Apart from the fact you used to get thrown about on the old trains the seat were more comfortable.

[@EM-yk1dw]

Just listen to that compressor at 3.18

[@filthiestfish]

What did compressors do?

[@robtyman4281]

Before the Jubilee line extension.....when it still finished at Charing Cross

[@harryelliott4310]

London Underground 1998

[@johnrider5701]

I really miss the sounds of the old rolling stock made on the tube. .

[@charlesgund4812]

I think the bakerloo line is in dire need of an upgrade. Those trains are pretty grim now and half the lights are out sometimes 😬

[@riorange2083]

I believe they’re getting new rolling stock in 2025

[@Lukas-kz4xm]

I remember all late 97 to early 98 getting this branch and model of tube that smelt liked burning electric cables when the doors closed to High Barnet from Archway then finishing off with the bus 84 into Potters Bar to get to school, this instead of using the money given to me by my parents to get the BR from Finsbury Park to Potters Bar all so I could use the price difference to save up for my Sony Playstation which I got in March 98 and had confiscated by my dad April that same year😅.

[@ok7513]

The 1959 stock was withdrawn in 2000 sadly

[@thomasfluskey5922]

It's funny how the Northern Line Trains don't have the Jubilee whine when pulling away.

[@ChrisRichmond]

The Northern Line trains traction motor control system is actually more technologically advanced than the Jubilee Line trains, despite them being a year older. The Jubilee line trains use a GTO thyristor system (like the networker trains of the 90s) whereas the Northern Line trains use an IGBT system which gives that distinct single-pitch whine.

[@paulec2634]

Though, imagine if you had come here from India in 1998 you would have thought even those 1959 trains were a paradise.

[@CHEESYhairyGASH]

6:25 door open? Was this normal?

[@rich.e]

That was when there was a guard opening and closing the doors and signalling to the driver that it was safe to proceed. As the last carriage was about to leave the platform and enter the tunnel, he would close his door. I'd forgotten how that used to be until watching this just now.

[@paulec2634]

Another P.S.: Regarding the "Staff Shortages" on 25.6.98, that is very suspicious seeing as there was a World Cup on at this time in June 1998.

[@telemachus53]

Brilliant!!

[@Firewertyhn6817]

in 1990s was grey vagons?? I though always exist red tube-vagons

[@threea1061]

Bloody hell the size of the rat @1:41

[@RichardWexler]

It was a cardboard box. Had it been a rat, I doubt I would have been able to hold the camera steady :-)

[@jimmyedwards1639]

When did “This train terminates at Stanmore” become “This is a Jubilee Line service to Stanmore”?

[@jerzyk3520]

Idk

[@smrtc651productions]

Recorded in 1993?

[@RichardWexler]

1998.

[@smrtc651productions]

@@RichardWexler oh sorry i didn't read properly

[@basictransportenthusiast4386]

You should have planned a trip so you could catch the last 1983 stock service on the jubilee

[@vincentkohlumcfan22]

In your caption, you mean the Jubilee and Bakerloo lines, since you were filming them :p

[@PeteS_1994]

Northern and Victoria Lines as well.

[@alfiewhittaker3763]

freedom 1:41

[@michaelginger88]

😂😂😂

[@mattbeardsworth3201]

Was it a hotel/b&b you stayed in at Hampstead?

[@RichardWexler]

It was a B&B, but so long ago, I can't remember the name.