Increasingly sad state of London Underground trains - graffiti and disrepair

[Thirteen]

Seems rather too coincidental that it's mainly affecting the Bakerloo, Central and Piccadilly lines - which just happen to be the fleets with trains out of use for modifications/refurb/heavy maintenance - certainly with the latter two attracting threads on here regarding the reduced levels of service due to trains being out of use. I expect keeping mechanically sound trains in service is taking priority over cosmetic issues. No, it doesn't look good, but it's hard to argue that even fewer trains in service is the better option.

Also the trains with no CCTV coverage.

 

[stuu]

TfL bet the house on the unwanted Silvertown Tunnel which will now cost £4 to use each way...

The Silvertown Tunnel has cost TfL ~£200m over 6 years or so, which in the context of £10bn budget every year is nothing - how is that betting the house?

 

[Wolfie]

Seems rather too coincidental that it's mainly affecting the Bakerloo, Central and Piccadilly lines - which just happen to be the fleets with trains out of use for modifications/refurb/heavy maintenance - certainly with the latter two attracting threads on here regarding the reduced levels of service due to trains being out of use. I expect keeping mechanically sound trains in service is taking priority over cosmetic issues. No, it doesn't look good, but it's hard to argue that even fewer trains in service is the better option.

This sounds highly likely. A graffitied train is far from ideal better than no train. Watch the moans really start if graffitied trains were withdrawn from service in those circumstances.

Sometimes the graffiti on a Bakerloo line though is a vibe and interesting to look at

It really is not.

Can’t agree. I suspect the majority of people take the view that it gives the impression that London is a lawless dump of a city.

TFL need to get on top of this scourge.

Absolutely.

 

[Mikey C]

If the Evening Standard still existed as a daily paper, I imagine they'd be hammering TfL and the Mayor over this.

 

[Taunton]

The Silvertown Tunnel has cost TfL ~£200m over 6 years or so, which in the context of £10bn budget every year is nothing - how is that betting the house?

The Silvertown Tunnel is a freelance concession, given by TfL to a commercial joint venture, in exchange for building the tunnel they get to keep the tolls. Same arrangement as how the Dartford Bridge got built.

 

[Gostav]

Sometimes the graffiti on a Bakerloo line though is a vibe and interesting to look at

Until someone draws a Nazi symbol or genitals, things aren't that interesting anymore. These groups are too uncontrollable, and some use spray has caustic or highly harmful ingredients - some famous graffiti artists have died young as a result of this - and can also pose a health hazard to passengers.

 

[Recessio]

Until someone draws a Nazi symbol or genitals, things aren't that interesting anymore. These groups are too uncontrollable, and some use spray has caustic or highly harmful ingredients - some famous graffiti artists have died young as a result of this - and can also pose a health hazard to passengers.

I have noticed some of the graffiti appears to be acid etched onto windows, or scratched into surfaces. Presumably this is much harder to repair than "just" cleaning or repainting a surface.

 

[Russel]

Getting to the point that I can't remember the last Central Line train I got that wasn't covered in graffiti.

Pleasantly surprised to see the Norther Line stock seems to be looking cleaner, externally, recently though. Internally, they aren't too bad either, despite the disgusting moquette.

 

[Mawkie]

I have noticed some of the graffiti appears to be acid etched onto windows, or scratched into surfaces. Presumably this is much harder to repair than "just" cleaning or repainting a surface.

I took some snaps today to illustrate the acid graffiti. Very difficult to make this look good at a reasonable cost.

(Photo shows peeling and bubbling paint from acid damage on a 73 Stock)

(Photo shows acid damage running down the side of a 73 Stock)

 

[Russel]

I took some snaps today to illustrate the acid graffiti. Very difficult to make this look good at a reasonable cost.
View attachment 178606
(Photo shows peeling and bubbling paint from acid damage on a 73 Stock)
View attachment 178607
(Photo shows acid damage running down the side of a 73 Stock)

I understand that acid damage is difficult to rectify, but the internal spray paint/pen graffiti that the 72 and 92 stock are covered in can't be anywhere near as difficult to remove...

It's as if TFL haven't heard of the broken window theory.

 

[Silent]

I took some snaps today to illustrate the acid graffiti. Very difficult to make this look good at a reasonable cost.
View attachment 178606
(Photo shows peeling and bubbling paint from acid damage on a 73 Stock)
View attachment 178607
(Photo shows acid damage running down the side of a 73 Stock)

Wow that’s bad

 

[Gostav]

If these people smear similar substances on the inside of the stock, it may pose a serious problem to passengers. For example, if someone curiously touches the graffiti with their fingers, the closed environment inside the stock also makes it difficult for the chemicals to evaporate completely.

 

[Mikey C]

The chemical nature of graffiti hasn't changed in the last 2 years, so there's no excuse for the deterioration of the appearance of certain classes of train.

 

[thomalex]

Watching the recent Geoff Marshall video on the new Tyne and Wear Metro trains this looks to be great initiative to add some personality to interiors but also avoid a large white space which attracts graffiti. They've commissioned a number of different wraps from local artists which reflect the region.

This is something TfL could very cheaply do, hey you could even have them sponsored, and removes your graffiti problem instantly. If someone is determined to tag it then you can whack another one on and not have to spend money and time cleaning. The only other problem spot then seems to be on the white space on the doors, and of course exteriors but really this is something that needs to be tackled with BTP, especially when it comes to tagging with acid.

Something like this would really help lift the interiors of the Bakerloo and Central lines particularly and present a much more welcoming environment.

Screenshot above is from the video here

which is worth a watch.

 

[Russel]

View attachment 178646

Watching the recent Geoff Marshall video on the new Tyne and Wear Metro trains this looks to be great initiative to add some personality to interiors but also avoid a large white space which attracts graffiti. They've commissioned a number of different wraps from local artists which reflect the region.

This is something TfL could very cheaply do, hey you could even have them sponsored, and removes your graffiti problem instantly. If someone is determined to tag it then you can whack another one on and not have to spend money and time cleaning. The only other problem spot then seems to be on the white space on the doors, and of course exteriors but really this is something that needs to be tackled with BTP, especially when it comes to tagging with acid.

Something like this would really help lift the interiors of the Bakerloo and Central lines particularly and present a much more welcoming environment.

Screenshot above is from the video here

which is worth a watch.

That's a nice idea actually, I like it.

Sort of like how TPE have fitted fake wood vinyl to the bulkheads on the 185 or how Northern have painted them blue, it really adds character.

 

[Silent]

Actually

View attachment 178646

Watching the recent Geoff Marshall video on the new Tyne and Wear Metro trains this looks to be great initiative to add some personality to interiors but also avoid a large white space which attracts graffiti. They've commissioned a number of different wraps from local artists which reflect the region.

This is something TfL could very cheaply do, hey you could even have them sponsored, and removes your graffiti problem instantly. If someone is determined to tag it then you can whack another one on and not have to spend money and time cleaning. The only other problem spot then seems to be on the white space on the doors, and of course exteriors but really this is something that needs to be tackled with BTP, especially when it comes to tagging with acid.

Something like this would really help lift the interiors of the Bakerloo and Central lines particularly and present a much more welcoming environment.

Screenshot above is from the video here

which is worth a watch.

reminds me of NSE interiors I remember as a kid on some trains but the art on this is better

 

[73Stock]

Similar to aircraft bulkheads.

 

[vuzzeho]

Sometimes the graffiti on a Bakerloo line though is a vibe and interesting to look at

Unpopular opinion but I don't hate graffiti. It can be nice - people love Banksy, and that's graffiti. (I actually hate his work but that's not because it's graffiti) However, the tagging on the Tubes aren't really a vibe or interesting to look at. It's just nasty, and isn't art. It doesn't add anything or even look nice.

 

[Silent]

I will disagree with some graffiti on trains but yeah it’s better when they don’t have graffiti.