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Dec 31, 2009, 3:10am

District Dave's London Underground Site :: London Underground Lines :: Waterloo & City Line :: Why the drain?

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Topic: Why the drain? (Read 644 times)

somersetchris
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Why the drain?
« Thread Started on Sept 30, 2009, 11:25pm »

Quite a simple question. Anyone know how or why the nickname "the drain" came to be?

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astock5000
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Re: Why the drain?
« Reply #1 on Sept 30, 2009, 11:42pm »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo_%26_City_line

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The origins of this name are somewhat obscure today. One theory is that this arose when the line was operated by train crew in a link that otherwise operated normal surface suburban routes. In comparison with working surface railways, the Waterloo & City consists of underground tube tunnels. Messroom conversation would include discussion of what turn a driver would be working tomorrow, and if it was a Waterloo & City turn of duty, it was an obvious metaphor to say that the driver was working "down the drain". Another theory is that it was given this name by the maintenance staff, because the tunnels, being under the river Thames, leak considerably allowing much water to enter. This water has to be continually pumped out. This water gives rise to a musty smell which provides a third theory for the name.

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mrfs42
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Re: Why the drain?
« Reply #2 on Oct 1, 2009, 12:24am »

Pfft! The smell!

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railtechnician
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Re: Why the drain?
« Reply #3 on Oct 1, 2009, 1:42pm »

Actually having walked both tunnels just before the W&C was taken over by LUL I didn't find it as wet down there as some parts of the Northern and other lines, in fact compared to places like Belsize Park it was positively dry. Of course there is a pumphouse about halfway between the two terminal stations and it was a lot dryer than Parkway pumphouse between Hounslow West and Hatton Cross and some that I visited elsewhere.

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Sean B
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Re: Why the drain?
« Reply #4 on Oct 1, 2009, 5:46pm »

Maybe it's due to the number of rats that live down there?

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roythebus
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Re: Why the drain?
« Reply #5 on Oct 2, 2009, 12:15pm »

When I worked at Waterloo the drivers called it "the rat 'ole". Passengers (sorry, customers) knew it affectionately at the drain.

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railtechnician
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Re: Why the drain?
« Reply #6 on Oct 2, 2009, 5:24pm »

Oct 1, 2009, 5:46pm, Sean B wrote:

Maybe it's due to the number of rats that live down there?

I wouldn't think so, remember there is at least one rat for every person in London and probably double that, I would think the W&C has a small share but no more than any other line per square foot!

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