The London Underground is iconic, nobody can argue with that. With a rich history dating back to 1863 when the first Metropolitan Railway opened between Paddington and Farringdon, the Tube network is now a colourful web of 272 stations and 11 lines, stretching far and wide. So, naturally, a podcast series all about the Tube is very welcomed by the ears of train enthusiasts and London lovers alike.
Presented by railway historian and broadcaster, Tim Dunn, the four-part series promises to champion the world’s largest Underground network and its storied past. After all, the launch of this podcast celebrates its 160th birthday. Named ‘Mind the Gap – Tube 160’, it will cover the weird and wonderful history and architecture of its stations, the innovative ways in which it keeps London moving, and how the network connects people as well as places.
Guests include Wayne Hemingway, who designed the uniforms worn by London Underground staff; Amy Lamé, London’s Night Czar; and Rylan Clark, TV personality and self-professed enthusiast; as well as members of TfL staff. ‘Mind the Gap – Tube 160’ will be full of remarkable anecdotes, all told by the people who love it most, or have helped to shape it in some way or another.
Episode One is all about architecture and features the photographer behind the ‘Tube Mapper’ project, which aims to capture special moments at every station on the map; world-famous designer, Wayne Hemingway; and TfL’s People and Places Manager, Ann Gavaghan. The second episode’s theme is ‘innovation’, where Tim chats to TfL’s Product and Industrial Design Manager about the Central line improvement project, as well as the Operations Manager and engineers at the Railway Engineering Workshop, a massively underrated facility that basically keeps London moving each and every day.
Episode Three is all about connecting people and places, and kicks off with Amy Lamé’s story of helping London to thrive at night; and the challenges of keeping the Tube safe, dependable and affordable at all hours. Then Dunn catches up with old friend Geoff Marshall, a video producer who runs a transport-themed Youtube channel. They discuss the unexpected joy that the London Underground can bring, and the friendships it has allowed them both to find.
The first three episodes are available now, while the fourth and final one will be a special festive episode where Dunn hops on the Central line with Rylan Clark and chats all things London Underground. Did you know Rylan has a replica Tube station in his back garden? The Mind the Gap podcast’s Christmas special will be released later this month, and features a festive train ride towards the end, where listeners will hear sounds similar to those experienced by the very first London Underground passengers, 160 years ago.
Tim Dunn, Railway Historian and Broadcaster, said: “As a huge Tube enthusiast for all of my life, it’s a privilege to take the audience on a journey through fascinating and unusual aspects of the Tube network – to celebrate the 160 year anniversary of London Underground. Each episode is an open love letter to the Tube; sharing the enthusiasm and dedication of fellow transport lovers, customers and TfL staff.”
Find the ‘Mind the Gap’ podcast series on all major podcast platforms from today.
Also published on Medium.
