glasgow subway smell

[pingu]

riiiiiiiiiight i get u dex

rude kid i think it is only tubes who call it the tube

[zoidberg]

I thought the smell in the Underground was tar or something similar. Wasn't it supposed to be good for curing whooping cough?

[Delmont St Xavier]

The smell of today's Subway is not the same of the one from bygone era (well that's what my nostrils tell me). The smell at the original Hillhead Subway Station was quite something and from time to time there is a faint aroma of that 'original' smell.

Different opinions have popped up regarding the smell, mainly in forums such as these (recall only, can't link you to them) but I clearly remember the smell and for me it has never been replicated since the modernisation programme back in the 80's.

Kelvinbridge was different from Hillhead - two completely contrasting smells - and they were two completely different stations, but if you were to ask me to describe it...God that would be like asking me to explain toothache to someone who wears false teeth....

There used to be a shop in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street (sadly, I cannot remember which one but nearer to Charing Cross) and from time to time when I went into it, ther memories of the old Subway came flooding back because of the smell. It was distinctive, damp - possibly, oily - maybe, but unique it most certainly was!

[the researcher]

the story my grandad told me as he worked for the corporation at the larkfield bus garage was that it was the grease used to lube the steel cable used to haul the train through the tunnel before the subway was electrified and the grease impregnated itself into the sleepers and the walls of the tunnels due to the dampness.
the reason the smell disappeared for eternity was that they opened the tunnels to the air at st enoch and various other stations during the renovations
thats the only conclusion i can come to

[yoker brian]

The book "Circles under the Clyde." published to mark the centenary of the system mentions archangel tar as being the substance used to grease the cables, and thus responsible for the unique smell.

[the researcher]

The book "Circles under the Clyde." published to mark the centenary of the system mentions archangel tar as being the substance used to grease the cables, and thus responsible for the unique smell.

that could be right as cresote smell lingers for years so no doubt this archangel tar would have the same effect plus the tunnels were exposed to the fresh air so the smell stayed in the tunnels
must try the library here in cupar and see if i can get a copy of the book thats if they have a copy
could you pm me with the name of the author and the isbn number you will find this either inside the front of the book or on the back cover all books have an isbn number when published and you can trace the title of a book through the number

[yoker brian]

could you pm me with the name of the author and the isbn number you will find this either inside the front of the book or on the back cover all books have an isbn number when published and you can trace the title of a book through the number

the details of the book I mentioned can be found on amazon.

[tobester]

The book "Circles under the Clyde." published to mark the centenary of the system mentions archangel tar as being the substance used to grease the cables, and thus responsible for the unique smell.

that could be right as cresote smell lingers for years so no doubt this archangel tar would have the same effect plus the tunnels were exposed to the fresh air so the smell stayed in the tunnels
must try the library here in cupar and see if i can get a copy of the book thats if they have a copy
could you pm me with the name of the author and the isbn number you will find this either inside the front of the book or on the back cover all books have an isbn number when published and you can trace the title of a book through the number

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Circles-Under-C ... 149&sr=8-1


A fantastic book, some interesting stories in the chapters

[yoker brian]

Thanks for posting the link Tobester , tried to post it from the phone but my fingers are too big, kept missing the url button

[yoker brian]

Incidently I bought the book at the open day held at
Broomloan Depot in the centenary year, managed to get it signed by both authors on the day too

[the researcher]

i go to the scottish vintage bus museum at lathalmond near dunfermline every august when they hold their open weekend and one of the big sheds is full of traders selling bus stuff including books and one of the stalls might have a copy of this book will certainly look for it when i visit it this year as they also sell books about trams and trains etc

[tobester]

No probs YB, i got the book via a link on ebay from glasgowken