LONDON’S UNDERGROUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21410, 11 August 1931, Page 11

LONDON’S UNDERGROUND

LECTURE BY MR E. ASUN A very interesting apd instructive lec- . ture on the underground railway system of London, which was fully illustrated with lantern slides, was given before a large attendance of members of the Dunedin branch of the National Council of Women in the Y.M.C.A. last evening. Mrs Denton Leech, who occupied the chair, briefly introduced the speaker. ’ • V; . Mr Aslin commenced his lecture with a .general description of the underground railway system of London, which, he said, had carried 368,000,000 people during 1929. There were 2000 railway cars, 4300 buses, and 553 tramcars in the system, The system was first commenced in 1863, said the lecturer', who then went on to explain in detail the preliminary work. Slides depicting the early lines were shown, and these were contrasted with the present system as shown, on a map. Details concerning, the 'Stations and trains were explained, and the contrast between the old steam trains and the modern electric conveyances was made clear.' The., manner in which the heavy traffic at the rush hours is dealt -with was spoken of. by the lecturer, and there were some slides showing King Edward VII opening the City and South London Railway. Tube engineering was fully dealt with, Mr Aslin showing how the engineers overcame the many difficulties, which faced them in con- ] structing the long tunnels through which the underground trains run. He then went on' to speak of' the traffic control, the speeds of the trains, and many other / details such as the automatic ticket-sell-ing machines, safety devices, and signalling arrangements. There were some interesting pictures of the London crowds, the training schools fo employees of the company, and other items which go to make up the efficient service which is given. The lecturer concluded by referring to the means by which power is supplied for the running of the trains, and making some comments on the part the underground railways had played in the development of London. At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr Aslin was,thanked for his interesting address. . ■ i ■ 1