UK question: the smell of the Underground

Post Reply New Topic

The smell of it STINKS, how on earth can someone like it?

Yes, of vomit, plus one breeze from that and your hair goes from squeeky clean to really dirty.

That's the odd thing. I'm normally very bad with bustle and crowds of people but there's something about the tube which cancels this. Even with the crowds it just feels warm, friendly and welcoming. I do tend to keep close to the wall but once I've found a relatively uncrowded spot I like to stand right on the edge of the platform, looking at the tracks.

Hah. One good time I remember was at Highgate, late at night, and as there was absolutely no-one else on the platform I started playing with the acoustics by making loud "awuuuum" noises. Brilliant!

Too late! I'm wallowing in the nostalgic warmth of the old Central Line around Edgware Road, and loving it all over again.
Think I might actually go out this week with my camera - I've not been on the tube for a good 5 years...

Yeah I would if I was you. the nearest thing I have is Metrolink and that really isn't the same

I also think the tube has a distinct smell, and when I mention it to people they give me a really weird look, so I'm really glad this thread exists! I'm not from the UK, but I've been to London a few times, and one of the things I miss about it is the smell of the tube It's sort of rubbery I think, and I definitely agree with the poster who said it smells old and like WWI, that makes sense!

Anything can be found on The Internet! I was reading some articles on The Tube, and thought to myself, "Gee, I really liked the old smell and sounds in those stations, when I visited there years ago. Is it possible there's an actual article on it?" And here's a whole discussion concerning it!

As with another poster from earlier on, I'm from Boston, USA, and I also think our "T" stations have a distinctive (and pleasant, to some of us) smell, although I don't believe it's completely similar to that of The Tube. The London smell is (as I think someone else noted) "older", not quite as sharp.

And, yes, I fully understand those who dislike the smell. I have certain smells I hate, while others seem to find them pleasurable - cooked cheese, for instance. Ugh!

I love the smells and sounds on the underground. If I could ride around on it all day without anyone else on it, I would be SO happy! I do really struggle with the crowds, but the noise of the train soothes me a lot. When I was a kid I used to sit on the floor making all the noises of the tube! I could do a pretty good 'mind the gap' impression. Some jerk ruined it by adding 'please' to the end of it recently though

I like the smell as well. I hate everything else about the underground though - crowds, escalators, the bright white walls, being close to the electric rails. But I do like the way my hair smells afterwards.

It is not a nice smell

Oh, I know exactly what you mean and love it too!I enjoy the station architecture as well, especially where vintage features have been retained or restored.

Can't say that I care much for the smell, but I do love trains, both overground and underground. Of all the ones I've been on I still like the London Underground best though I use that less than I used to since I no longer do the daily commute.

I didn't notice the smell why I was there.

I wouldn't say I love the smell but I don't dislike it. But everything else about the London Underground is pretty awful so on the whole I avoid London.

The Glasgow subway smell I like, it's a bit less strong.

I love the London Underground and the way it smells. Though I hate the Northern Line (mainly the overground bits at the northern end of it - my other half has dragged me around there a lot). I like the Jubilee line and I like the DLR because 'tis a rollercoaster. I feel much more anxious and overcrowded in Manchester than I ever do in London, even on the Tube. Tbh, I never panic on the Tube, but the Metrolink frequently makes me want to scream. I always want to ride the Tube when I'm in London. My bf is like, 'you'll see more of the city from the bus' - but I like feeling like a mole. I like subterranean things. I love the architecture, I love the map, I love 'Mind the Gap'.

I hate the Manchester Metrolink Bury line more than any other public transport. Last time I got on it, I nearly had a meltdown.