Britain gave railways to the world. It led the way in design and practice. It exported locomotives, rolling stock, ticket machines, systems, ideas... it exported the whole concept. And now, in 2013... we import all of that back again. Seems silly, absurd and a little foolish.
What this highlights is the sad fact that the trains we use today in the UK are, increasingly, made in Germany, Japan, Spain and the US. The trains are operated by companies based in Holland (Greater Anglia) and Germany (DB Schenker freight). Yet, here we were, 150 years ago, building the the first ever underground railway and all the locomotives, all the coaches, ticket machines, escalators... you name it. It was probably Made in England, if not Great Britain.
Still, sit back and enjoy the pictures and marvel at the craftsmanship displayed in those lovingly restored coaches... and, maybe, visit a heritage railway near you and see something similar at first-hand. We still have the skills in this country to be able to design and build these things, but, for some reason, our Government (Labour, Tory or Coalition) feels the need to go cheapest rather than keep it here... also the need to spread things around Europe. Why? Europe doesn't spread it around here
Its more than a shame. Its annoying and its disasterous. So many could be employed furnishing and servicing an industry that provides a vital service and one that is, by all accounts, increasing in passenger numbers (note I said passenger and not customer).
Here are some links for enjoying this Underground celebration:
BBC News Report of Celebration Run...
BBC Slideshow of Celebrations...
And why not visit the home of the old Metropolitan loco...
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