Whereas most tube lines are content to inflict delays, cancellations, signal failures and derailments in haphazard succession, the Northern "misery" line appears to bunch its catastrophes together for the greatest possible effect. Over the years, only the Central line has ever really given the Northern a run for its money. And, as if to prove the continuation of the duo's supremacy, both these lines have recently suffered weeks of suspension after derailments.
The London Underground is the Venus flytrap of jobs. There you are, buzzing about, poor but happy, when you catch the smell of regular wages, cups of tea and early starts. Working-class culture, without much working. Over you trot, to have a look and… there you are, stuck. Everyone I ever met on the underground will tell you that they only joined for six months and here they are 25 years later, fat and dull and living in Borehamwood.
When the end comes, they say, it comes with a whimper not a bang. Well it didn’t quite happen like that. It was a long time coming, but there was bang after bang after bang.