It’s hard to imagine London without our beloved Tube. It’s been an iconic part of the city since 1863 when the world’s first underground railway opened in London.
To commemorate the Tube’s 160th birthday this year, TFL are running return journeys from Acton Town to Heathrow Terminal 4, and journeys from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Northfields. The gorgeous train is in a restored Art Deco style 1938 Stock train and is one of London’s longest serving Tube trains.
The heritage train will transport you back to the past as you get a feel for what journeys were like for Londoners from 1938-88 when the trains were in service. The 1938 Stock ran across multiple lines; Bakerloo, Northern, Piccadilly, East London, and Central Lines.
There will be live music playing and costumed actors to chat to and learn more about London’s Underground history, making it a really immersive experience. Adults and children can also get crafty and make their own Oyster card holder, check out transport collectibles and ephemera at London Transport Museum’s Friends stall at Acton Town Station before the train departs.
It was the first kind of tube train to have all of its electrical equipment hidden beneath its floorboards, making it slightly more akin to our modern day tubes yet with its vintage look. The experience is an amazing way to see how the Tube has evolved over the years and how much of it has stayed the same.
The beautifully restored train is made up of four carriages complete with green and red moquette seating, grab handles and distinctive Art Deco light fittings.
There are two dates in June that this train will be running for on June 10 and 11 making four journeys a day, so make sure to grab those tickets before they’re all gone! Although there is no reserved seating on the journeys, you are able to pick which carriage you would like to be in as you travel through London.
If you would like to book tickets or find out more information, click here for TFL’s website.