The underground attracts its share of odd characters. Many of London’s unfortunate homeless population spend their days dozing in one of the warm carriages of the Circle Line, as the train makes its endless way around central London. Most of London’s busiest stations have their resident “busker”, or street entertainer performing songs with a hat out for any spare change you care to throw their way. A sign at Bond Street station warns you not to give any money to the buskers dressed as cats, who at one time were a more or less permanent fixture at the station.
And if you venture down into the underground in the early hours of the morning – sometime after the last train of the night and before the first train of the morning – you will come across a small but dedicated group of workers. Every night, a group of Underground employees walks every inch of the tracks picking up trash, debris and anything else that shouldn’t be there. It’s a tough job – but someone has to do it.
If you just can’t get enough of the Underground, take a train to Covent Garden station and walk the short distance to the London Transport Museum. Here you will find the history of London’s Underground and buses displayed in a fascinating series of exhibits, interactive displays and maps. Costumed actors help to bring the history of London, its transport system and its people, to life. There are also several historic trains on display that have reached the end of their working life. And remember – mind the gap!