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TRANSPORT
The London Underground On its 150th birthday, How It Works takes a closer look at one of the most advanced and complex subterranean rail networks on the planet The London Underground – more commonly known as the Tube – is a sprawling subterranean rail network that comprehensively connects the London metropolitan area. Extending from the reaches of Greater London and beyond into the centre of the bustling metropolis, the Underground is a crucial part of the region’s transportation network, carrying over a billion people every year in, out and around Britain’s capital. The Tube consists of a total 270 rail stations over a network that stretches just over 400 kilometres (250 miles) in length. Of that, 45 per cent consists of underground tunnels, which run beneath the many roads, buildings and rivers above, up to a depth of 58 metres (190 feet) below the surface.
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This main network is split into 11 interconnecting lines: the Bakerloo, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, District, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and the Waterloo & City. These lines each serve a distinct area of the city and surrounding regions – although they do cross over at particularly high-traffic stops – playing host to a fleet of over 4,000 electric multiple unit (EMU) trains. Tube trains consist of six to eight electrically powered carriages, each linked in sequence. Individual carriages are referred to as EMUs as no separate locomotive is required to pull them – as typically used on overground rail networks – with electric traction motors installed on the majority of units. Electricity for the traction motors comes courtesy of a WWW.HOWITWORKSDAILY.COM
