Question about trains in the UK

[Quillwitch]

Here I am again, in research phase. So, trains. In one of my scenes, a character, who has certain special abilities is running from the bad guys and escapes by jumping onto a moving train. is this doable? I mean, would he be able to have access to a moving train in or around central London? Where and how? Maybe jump from a bridge? Is it illegal? Would there be a station near where he could get off like any normal human being and maybe get arrested.

Thanks y´all!!

 

[Jay Aitch]

You're best bet is have an answer from someone who actually lives in London, but as far as I know, from my limited time in the capital, central London trains are almost exclusively the Underground network. They "run" around in tubes, hence the nickname; the Tube. As a consequence there is little, to no, space between the walls of the tunnels and the trains. Access via platform is along one side of the train only, depending on direction. There are stretches of the network that run above ground ... but I know nothing about them. Sorry.

 

[Emurelda]

I live in London and whilst the Underground network is the oldest there is out there; not all stations are below ground. Some parts do go overground within Central London or at least they see 'sun light'. The route from Finchley Road Station to Baker Street sees plenty of sky light going under bridges and you can see buildings flanking both sides at times so I can imagine a parkour scene myself !

There are many outer London stations that are overground. Most of the Central London ones are below ground level but the open areas e.g. the one I mentioned above are many. South Kensington is considered central and has an outside station if you are on the Circle Line.

These lines have some 'exposed' routes WITHIN central London (most of them overlap their routes):

District Line (Green)
Hammersmith and City Line (Pink)
Circle Line (Yellow)
Metropolitan Line (Maroon)

 

[Emurelda]

Here I am again, in research phase. So, trains. In one of my scenes, a character, who has certain special abilities is running from the bad guys and escapes by jumping onto a moving train. is this doable? I mean, would he be able to have access to a moving train in or around central London? Where and how? Maybe jump from a bridge? Is it illegal? Would there be a station near where he could get off like any normal human being and maybe get arrested.

Thanks y´all!!

You could have the character get on the Metropolitan Line Train in Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes home ) and jump on top of the train as it moves towards Finchley Road. Then at the fork the train arrives at Finchley Road (although this becomes dark and is underground the actual tunnel is large enough to have someone on top) he/she could jump onto the next train which would be the Jubilee line and run through the carriages to the end until it too moves onwards to the next station. By then all the stations are overground and we're no longer in Central London but Greater London.

 

[Emurelda]

Have a look at the web of stations in this map: London Underground

Central London would be, imo, bound within the Circle line (yellow).

I could probably tell you which stations are 'outside' by going through the map. High Street Kensington is definitely one of them.

I've studied, worked and lived in and around Central London for over 35 years but never tested myself on this trivia so it's interesting to see how much of it I take for granted and what I remember.

 

[Quillwitch]

Thanks so much @Jimithyh and @Emurelda. Great answer by the way, Em. Thank. I will look into those links. So, in the UK what you call a train is the tube? When they say the train station at king´s cross, it´s really a subway? Or is a city train? Is there a difference in terms of trains that go from one city to another?

 

[Emurelda]

Underground service = tube ; London only

Connecting cities by this mode of transport is referred to as taking the train/ national rail is old name i think.

Train stations might be what you refer as subways, not sure. But we definitely refer to them as train station or 'catch the tube' (If in London). Outside of London they're trains.

 

[Quillwitch]

Thanks again!

 

[Quillwitch]

You could have the character get on the Metropolitan Line Train in Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes home ) and jump on top of the train as it moves towards Finchley Road. Then at the fork the train arrives at Finchley Road (although this becomes dark and is underground the actual tunnel is large enough to have someone on top) he/she could jump onto the next train which would be the Jubilee line and run through the carriages to the end until it too moves onwards to the next station. By then all the stations are overground and we're no longer in Central London but Greater London.

oh, i can already see it! Thank you!