Mind the 70 year gap - 1938 tube classic is leaving from platform 1

12:45pm Thursday 24th April 2008

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Self confessed Art Deco nut' Colin Hines from East Twickenham linked up last Sunday with train buffs and news editor of the Hounslow and Brentford Times Chris Briddon and Nostalgia page editor Gail Hébert for a rare journey aboard a tube train of 1938 classic design.

It's hard to imagine that anything of the commuting grind could induce nostalgia. However, even battle worn Underground veterans turned glassy eyed at the design masterminded by London Transport's chief engineer WS Graff-Baker.

"It was such a joy to spend over an hour in a wonderfully restored Art Deco underground train, gliding though Deco stations from Ealing Common to Uxbridge", said a delighted Colin, who works as an environmental consultant.

This model ran until 1988 which seemed like yesterday to many of the passengers, several in dressed for the period, who settled into the compact four carriages with their varnished timber slatted floors, glossy green painted fittings and patterned horsehair sprung seats.

At the time the trains were considered to be the last word in modernity. Frank Pick, legendary managing director of London Underground, who became London Transport's first chief executive in 1933, insisted on the highest standards.

Windows were flush fitting and air operated sliding doors were controlled by the guard. They made the steam overland variety with their slam door coaches look positively passé.

The carriage had to fit into small diameter tunnels so space was at a premium. Electrical equipment was contained under the floor, explaining the strange clicks and noises which we all took for granted.

And before the Second World War, standing passengers didn't have to fight for an inch of warm pole. Dubbed straphangers', they hung onto individual black Bakelite handles More than 1,200 of the cars were built in Birmingham to be operated in seven car trains, mainly on the Northern, Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines. Three of them are still in use on the Isle of wight.

The train was in service for more than 50 years and covered more than one million miles. The Northern line map could be read above passengers' heads, along with adverts preserved from the 1980s.

The museum's Art Deco tube stock was fully restored with support from Heritage Lottery Fund and London Transport Museum Friends The journey, one of three on April 20, was arranged by the London Transport Museum.

Word spreads among afficianados and although arranged at short notice due to the complications of shared lines and tube timetable, a healthy number of fans forked out £26 for the 80 minute return trip.

Another, longer trip from Morden to High Barnet is planned for the last Sunday in June. "I can't wait", enthused Colin, "nor I imagine can the other deco train enthusiasts who were also clearly having such a great time."

Chris and Gail agreed. "It took me back to the days in the 1980s and before when I used to travel in those lovely old trains", said Chris.

The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, www.ltmuseum.co.uk Colin Hines is the author of Art Deco London', www.artdecolondon.com