What did the British do with the smoke in the subway from steam locomotives in the 19th century?
The first subway line was launched in London in 1863. There was no talk of any electrification then. How did the British manage to solve the smoke problem? The problem was acute and it concerned not only the smoke, but also the heat. After all, it is not so easy to remove heat from a working boiler underground.
The tunnels were built according to a simple principle. They dug a passage, and erected brick walls on the sides. Rails were laid at the bottom. Further, the structure was covered with brick arcades. In combination with a steam locomotive, they received smoke chambers with the risk of suffocation from smoke.
Railroad companies struggled with these problems constantly. First they tried to use coal from Wales - there was much less smoke left from it.
Engineer John Fowler designed a special steam locomotive that was supposed to condense exhaust gases. Its design included refractory bricks to keep warm. But in practice, this locomotive did not work - the design was recognized as complex and inexpedient. The failed project went down in history as Fowler's Ghost.
A giant fan was installed at Great Portland Street station to blow air into the tunnels. At other stations, entrances were opened to allow air to circulate. Ventilation shafts appeared - special air exits from the underground.
Pedestrians hated those ventilation shafts. Every time a train passed, clouds of steam and smoke spewed out onto the street, showering everyone in the vicinity with soot and ash.
Open sections were built on the line. Several large spans were made for ventilation, for example, as in this photo.
They tried not to throw coal into the furnace until the train entered the open area.
Passengers at the stations also suffered. Those who did not have time to jump on the train received a portion of black smoke. People ducked to the ground as the train entered the tunnel.
Machinists and stokers were in the worst situation. The drivers did not have a protective windshield - as steam condensed on it and blocked the view. Any small stone caused serious injury. Subway train crews were advised to grow thick beards to protect them from steam and smoke.
For 30 years, Londoners have ridden the Underground in such nightmarish conditions. It was only at the end of the 19th century that the transition to electric trains began.
By the way, even now the atmosphere in the London Underground is considered quite toxic - the concentration of particulate matter, in particular, asbestos, is off scale.
