How fast do the London Tube Trains travel??

Question

Went on the Tube for the first time yesterday on a visit to London. Was amazed at how fast they go! Anyone have a speed for this trains??

Answer 1

Not as fast as they seem. The Jubilee Line has a line speed of 55mph which is one of the fastest. The Metropolitan Line, even though it has the oldest trains, is the quickest because the stations are some distance apart.
It's all to do with the signalling system. Each signal is placed so a train is at least a braking distance from the train ahead. Take the Northern Line, for instance. The 1995 stock trains are actually capable of speeds in excess of 70mph but they have been governed to stop them reaching these speeds. The speed limit on much of the line is only 35mph (see below for a full breakdown) because of the ancient signalling system. When the line goes automatic in 2011, this will enable the trains to travel much faster and closer together, like the Central and Victoria Lines.
It always feels quicker in deep level tunnel sections because there is no point of reference and you are so close to the tunnel walls. Similarly, if you are on a mainline train speeding through acres of countryside at 125mph, it doesn't feel as fast because of the vast expanse of space surrounding you.

Northern Line speed limits are:

Morden to Golders Green/Archway via Bank: 35mph
Charing Cross Branch: 30mph
Golders Green to Edgware: 40mph.
Archway to East Finchley: 40mph (although northbound trains cannot actually exceed 28mph due to the uphill incline)
East Finchley to High Barnet/Mill Hill East: 45mph.

These limits are generic; some parts of the line, eg sharp curves have restrictions on them.
Again, maximum speeds cannot always be reached due to hills, distance between stations and other factors.

Answer 2

I go with Matthew. The deep tunnel trains seem fast as you have no reference points. The surface trains, particularly on the Metropolitan and District lines, have a fair turn of speed as they do have quite a distance to travel. It's a long time since I lived and worked in London, but remember (going back 40 or more years) traveling quite regularly on the Piccadilly line out to Hounslow etc. The 1931 'standard' stock then in use was pretty uncomfortable rattling along at speed on the non-stop 'express' section between Hammersmith and Acton Town!

Answer 3

The Top Speed of an Underground Train is 60mph, but that is where the lines run on the surface. Once a train enters the tunnels they travel between 20 & 35mph. depending on the tunnel & track conditions they are allowed to go up to 40mph.

Answer 4

London is an excellent place to spend the holyday in household, specially with young ones since in London are plenty of kid-friendly places to see and that Hotelbye is the spot to begin knowing. In London you will get in close proximity and particular with underwater animals at SEALIFE London Aquarium or discover the Science Museum, London's fun hub of research and engineering and both are perfect for fun household holyday in London. London also offers for visiting the Tate Modern, Britain's national memorial of contemporary and contemporary art. And, perhaps not forget the SEALIFE London Aquarium; the home of 500 species of marine living, from sharks and piranhas to Nemo-style clownfish. London is certainly a distinctive city.

Answer 5

A lot of it is not speed but accelleration - Fastest accellerating trains are the 1992 stock on the Central, with 32 motors per 8 coach train (ie every axle)

Answer 6

The Jubilee line has no line speed limit, from Canning town to North Greenwich west bound you can reach 60mph, Baker street to Bond street south bound you only get 50/55mph but as it is older track the train rocks and rolls so much it feels much faster.

Answer 7

"In town" tube sections - 30 mph, just beyond the very central area (i.e Paddington to Queens Park, Bakerloo) 35 mph, open sections usually up to 60 mph so long as the train is capable, and of course, ALL these are subject to temporary and permanent speed restriction due to the state of the track (curvature for instance) or its foundations or repairs under way.

Answer 8

Maximum speed c60mph on outer parts of the Tube network. Elsewhere no more than 50mph.

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

90 mph.