Trolleybus
2021-08-13 17:47:44 UTC
Following earlier discussion here about the value for money or otherwise of this
tour I thought I'd write a trip report.
Today was the last of the first batch of tours offered. Apparently they sold out
in 48 hours. As the first run there was still a bit of a celebration atmosphere
about their new tour.
There were only 15 of us. I believe this limit is one chosen by the museum for
Covid rather than crowd management reasons so will probably change.
On arrival we were ticked off the list, had our photo IDs checked and our bags
searched and handed a torch. We were then given an introduction by a lead guide
who reminded of the usual rules (no smoking, no commercial photography, no
drones) and introduced us to the two guides who would actually be showing us
round.
One of the guides was an experienced Hidden London and Blue Badge guide; the
other a former black cabby who, we learned at the end, was running his very
first tour.
The tour went the usual Hidden London way, with short walks separated by pauses
at boards containing maps, photo and so on explaining a bit about the history of
what you're looking at and the wider context, such as the rebuilding of Kingsway
and trams in London. At each board one of the guides would talk about the
information on the displays and the place you're standing in.
The tunnel is undoubtedly fascinating, and the one station we got to visit
(Holborn) much larger than I'd imagined. It really must have seemed impressive
when it reopened after the tunnel enlargement in the 30s.
Both guides were excellent: knowledgeable and I believe genuinely interested in
their work, stopping to point out witness marks, maker's marks and other things
that in some cases they'd only recently discovered for themselves. The lead
guide who introduced the tour delivered no further material herself but mingled,
again pointing out things of interest.
One thing I love about these tours is that there's always an odd fact that seems
unbelievable. An old photo of Kingsway showed a hansom cab working amidst the
motor traffic. The last one worked in London as recently as 1947.
Was it good value? There were two security guards and three guides plus two
other helpers who had to act as fire marshals under the terms agreed with the
owners, London Borough of Camden. So there were at least seven members of staff
for 15 people on the tour, although it's possible that the guides are
volunteers. On top of that there's the booking system, publicity and so on. I
didn't consider it poor value.
In all, I think there were 15 happy people, including my wife and Geoff
Marshall, who kept himself very much to himself. But I saw my back in one of the
pictures he tweeted.
Reposted after screwing up the groups.tour I thought I'd write a trip report.
Today was the last of the first batch of tours offered. Apparently they sold out
in 48 hours. As the first run there was still a bit of a celebration atmosphere
about their new tour.
There were only 15 of us. I believe this limit is one chosen by the museum for
Covid rather than crowd management reasons so will probably change.
On arrival we were ticked off the list, had our photo IDs checked and our bags
searched and handed a torch. We were then given an introduction by a lead guide
who reminded of the usual rules (no smoking, no commercial photography, no
drones) and introduced us to the two guides who would actually be showing us
round.
One of the guides was an experienced Hidden London and Blue Badge guide; the
other a former black cabby who, we learned at the end, was running his very
first tour.
The tour went the usual Hidden London way, with short walks separated by pauses
at boards containing maps, photo and so on explaining a bit about the history of
what you're looking at and the wider context, such as the rebuilding of Kingsway
and trams in London. At each board one of the guides would talk about the
information on the displays and the place you're standing in.
The tunnel is undoubtedly fascinating, and the one station we got to visit
(Holborn) much larger than I'd imagined. It really must have seemed impressive
when it reopened after the tunnel enlargement in the 30s.
Both guides were excellent: knowledgeable and I believe genuinely interested in
their work, stopping to point out witness marks, maker's marks and other things
that in some cases they'd only recently discovered for themselves. The lead
guide who introduced the tour delivered no further material herself but mingled,
again pointing out things of interest.
One thing I love about these tours is that there's always an odd fact that seems
unbelievable. An old photo of Kingsway showed a hansom cab working amidst the
motor traffic. The last one worked in London as recently as 1947.
Was it good value? There were two security guards and three guides plus two
other helpers who had to act as fire marshals under the terms agreed with the
owners, London Borough of Camden. So there were at least seven members of staff
for 15 people on the tour, although it's possible that the guides are
volunteers. On top of that there's the booking system, publicity and so on. I
didn't consider it poor value.
In all, I think there were 15 happy people, including my wife and Geoff
Marshall, who kept himself very much to himself. But I saw my back in one of the
pictures he tweeted.
Recliner: there were lights for the first 100m or so of the tunnel, attached to
the walls. Beyond that there were just small LED lamps placed by the tour.
Also, Holborn Station still has Union Street roundels.