When The Trains In The Tube Were Pulled By Steam Locomotives How Did They Get Rid Of The Smoke?

[sandyRoe]

?

[jackthehat]

They employed hundreds of small orphans to breathe in the noxious fumes, thereby preserving the health of their betters.........

[bibblebub]

everybody smoked so didn't notice it http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a253/heavenboundpress/Pugs/4CIGARSMOKINGPugs-RESIZE.jpg

[emmie]

wiki
The early tunnels were dug mainly using the cut-and-cover method. This caused widespread disruption, and required the demolition of many properties on the surface. The first trains were steam-hauled, requiring effective ventilation to the surface. Ventilation shafts at various points on the route allowed the engines to expel steam and bring fresh air into the tunnels. One such vent is at Leinster Gardens, W2.[20] To preserve the visual characteristics in what is still an affluent street, a five-foot thick (1.5 m) concrete façade was constructed to resemble a genuine house frontage.

[emmie]

i remember reading some time ago that the first carriages built were windowless, you have to read down a bit

http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/first-day-london-tube

[Jonathan-Joe]

The term "tube" used to be used only for the lines at deep level where steam was never used (except a few main line goods services on the open sections.). Now, unfortunately, the whole London Underground system is called the tube.
Steam was used on the sub surface lines (Metrpolitan and District) and Thames Tunnel opf the former East London line. Here, tunnels were close to the surface with many ventilation shafts. There were some locomotives designed to consume their smoke and steam. But the answer to your question is that the operators could not get rid of much smoke so the tunnels were unpleasant, choking places.

[RATTER15]

The vast majority of what came out of the train would have been steam and I think when a fire is burning to such high temperatures there would have been very little smoke. A few fans on a ventilation system would have dealt with it I imagine, if it was indeed a problem.

[snags]

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0WDetbx0Rk

[sandyRoe]

If only our present day political masters could show the same Victorian talent for innovation. Using street arabs as filters to protect the health of their betters is brilliant in its simplicity.

[Jonathan-Joe]

em10 - the windowless carriages you mention were not hauled by steam locos.

[emmie]

JJ, what pulled the carriage? interested as had heard this some time ago.

Over the next two years the line was extended further east into the City to Moorgate and, in the other direction, to Hammersmith. Other lines were soon added to the growing network, deeper underground tunnelling was introduced and the steam trains were replaced by electric trains. The first underground electric railway, the City and South London, which ran from near the Bank of England under the Thames to the South Bank, opened in 1890. It was the first line to be called ‘the tube’ and the windowless carriages with their heavily upholstered interiors were popularly known as ‘padded cells’.

[Jonathan-Joe]

Picture of the "padded cell" and electric loco of the City and South London here http://www.theaylesburynews.com/images/City%20&%20South%20London%20Railway%20electric%20loc%20No13.jpg

[LazyGun]

Just seen this news article on the BBC that you might find interesting;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20968919#TWEET515706

[emmie]

it is, interesting to see the drawing of the trains because the carriages are enclosed, which is something i remember from Q1.