To celebrate the 160th anniversary of the London Underground, Transport for London (TfL) has launched a series of podcasts looking at the network's architecture, stations, innovation, and how public transport connects people and places.
The four 30-minute podcasts in the series, titled ‘Mind the Gap – Tube 160', are hosted by railway historian and broadcaster, Tim Dunn. They were produced by 18Sixty and are available on all major podcast platforms.
In the first three episodes, Tim Dunn interviews people who are united by their love of the Tube, including Wayne Hemingway, world-renowned designer and co-founder of HemingwayDesign, who designed the uniforms for London Underground frontline staff; the ‘Tube Mapper' photographer, Luke Agbaimoni; Amy Lamé, the co-founder of Duckie and London's Night Czar; and Geoff Marshall, who is a popular online video producer and runs a transport-themed YouTube channel and website.
The fourth episode will be released later this month has a special festive theme Tim meets – and travels with one of his broadcasting heroes, the TV and radio presenter and fellow self-professed Tube fan Rylan– from central London towards Rylan's home town in Essex.
Episode One – Architecture
Tim speaks with photographer Luke Agbaimoni, who aims to capture moments at every station on the Tube map for the ‘Tube Mapper' project. Luke speaks passionately about how his photographs of the Underground's architecture resonate with anyone who uses the Tube and how it is London's heartbeat.
At Shepherd's Bush Tube station, Tim meets his next guest, Wayne Hemingway, and talks with him about the honour and challenges of designing the uniform for such a large and diverse workforce. The episode concludes at Piccadilly Circus station with Ann Gavaghan, People and Places Manager at TfL, talking passionately about the architectural heritage of the Underground's 272 stations.
Episode Two – Innovation
Tim gets exclusive access to Hainault depot where he meets Paul Marchant, Product and Industrial Design Manager at TfL, who talks about the design work that has taken place as part of the Central line improvement project. They look at and ride on the first upgraded Central line train to run from Hainault depot, while Paul explains how seven years of design work is now coming to fruition and the story behind the design of the newest seat moquette on the Underground.
Next, Tim travels to Acton Works depot to talk with Aaron Lock, the workshop's Operations Manager, and some of the workshop's engineers where they explain how they have innovated their processes and facilities to keep up with engineering trends.
Episode Three – Connecting People and Places
This episode starts with Tim talking with Amy Lamé at Tottenham Court Road station, – which is her favourite station, about her role as Night Czar helping London to thrive at night. Tim and Amy speak about the Night Tube's importance, how it changed her previous business for the better, and how it creates a safer travel environment, as well as a sustainable and affordable travel option.
In the second part of the episode, Tim meets an old friend, Geoff Marshall, who shows how the Underground connects people through their shared fascination, passion and enthusiasm. Geoff is a video producer who runs a transport-themed YouTube channel, and talks about how his love of the Tube started through a London Atlas was collected by his grandfather. Tim and Geoff then discuss how the Underground brings joy, delight and friendships.
Episode Four – Christmas special with Rylan
This is a special Christmas episode with Tim travelling with Rylan, one of the hosts of ITV's This Morning. Rylan, a self-confessed Tube fan who is constructing a replica Tube station in his back garden, travels with Tim in the cab of a Central line train towards his home in Essex and talk about his love of the Tube and London during the festive season.
The final part of the episode sees them travel on a heritage Routemaster bus and then a steam locomotive on the Epping Ongar Railway while they journey on the railway's festively decorated Lights Express to bring to listeners the sounds that were familiar to the very first London Underground passengers, 160 years ago.
Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, said: “We've had a fantastic year paying tribute and celebrating 160 years of the London Underground. This podcast series brings those celebrations to a close with a bang, uncovering the secrets behind its success, from the beautiful architecture of stations to the future of innovative technology and new trains. ‘Mind the Gap' is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the London Underground's journey. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project and would encourage everyone to give the podcast a listen.”
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.”
London's Night Czar, Amy Lamé, said: “The Tube is London – so to be able to share my own personal experiences of what it means to me as it celebrates its 160th anniversary was a real honour. The Tube brings people together, enables businesses to thrive and helps the safety of those travelling at night. It has changed and adapted over the years to meet demand across the capital and I'm so delighted that we've been able to add Night Tube services to help those out and about – and working – at night. The Mayor and I are incredibly proud of the Night Tube's success and the contribution it has made to building a better London for everyone.”
TV and radio personality, Rylan, said: “I'm obsessed with the London Underground to the point where I've even built my own station at home. So naturally I'm very excited to be on the Mind the Gap podcast and take a trip on the Central line while chatting to Tim.”
