New four-part podcast series 'Mind the Gap - Tube 160' tells remarkable stories of what makes the world's oldest Underground network so iconic - by people who love it
"We've had a fantastic year paying tribute and celebrating 160 years of the London Underground"
Andy Lord
London's Transport Commissioner
  • Presented by railway historian, broadcaster and lifelong Underground enthusiast Tim Dunn, the podcast guides listeners on a journey through many of the ways in which people enjoy the Tube network from its extensive architectural heritage to enabling London's rich night-time culture
  • The 'Mind the Gap' podcasts feature interviews with people who have helped shape the Tube, such as Wayne Hemingway who designed the London Underground uniform and London's Night Czar Amy Lamé, as well as with a famous customer who loves the Tube, TV and radio personality Rylan
  • The series is part of a series of activities this year celebrating 160 years of the London Underground  

Transport for London (TfL) has launched its first podcast series to celebrate the 160th anniversary of London Underground. Hosted by railway historian and broadcaster, Tim Dunn, the four 30-minute podcasts shine a light on the iconic transport network, looking at the architecture and history of stations, innovation in transport and how public transport connects people and places.

In the first three episodes of the 'Mind the Gap - Tube 160' podcast series released today, Tim Dunn, who presents 'Secrets of the London Underground' on UKTV's Yesterday channel and UKTV Play, interviews a broad range of people - united by their love of the Tube. Special guests include Wayne Hemingway, world-renowned designer and co-founder of HemingwayDesign, who designed the uniforms for London Underground frontline staff; the 'Tube Mapper' photographer Luke Agbaimoni; Amy Lamé, the co-founder of Duckie and London's Night Czar; and Geoff Marshall, a popular online video producer who runs a transport-themed YouTube channel and website, as well as many other experts and TfL staff.

The fourth episode, to be released later in December, is a special festive episode in which Tim meets - and journeys with - one of his broadcasting heroes, TV and radio presenter (and fellow self-professed Tube fan) Rylan - from central London towards Rylan's home town in Essex.

The 'Mind the Gap - Tube 160' podcast series covers four themes:

Episode One - Architecture

In the first episode, Tim speaks with Luke Agbaimoni, the photographer behind the 'Tube Mapper' project, who is in the process of capturing moments at every station on the Tube map. He speaks with passion about how his photographs of the architecture resonate with anyone who uses the Underground, and how the Tube is the heartbeat of London. Luke and Tim then head down to the platforms and tunnels at Bank station, which is Luke's favourite station to photograph to find a hidden historical feature.

Tim then travels to Shepherd's Bush Tube station to meet his next guest, Wayne Hemingway. As Tim puts it, "a man who needs no introduction." The world-famous designer and co-founder of HemingwayDesign who designed the London Underground uniform for frontline staff, speaks about the honour and challenges of designing the uniform for such a large and diverse workforce - and how TfL staff were the inspiration for the design.

The episode concludes at Piccadilly Circus station with Ann Gavaghan, People and Places Manager at TfL, who passionately talks about the architectural heritage of the 272 stations across the London Underground, and what features customers might look out for on their next journey too.

Episode Two - Innovation

In episode two, Tim gets exclusive access to Hainault depot to meet Paul Marchant, Product and Industrial Design Manager at TfL, who explains some of the design work that has taken place as part of the Central line improvement project. They have an early look at - and then take a ride on the first upgraded Central line train to run from Hainault depot. Paul explains how the design work, that started seven years ago, is now coming to fruition as the trains prepare to enter service, and the story behind the design of the newest seat moquette on the Underground.

Tim then heads west to Acton Works depot to speak with Aaron Lock, Operations Manager, at the Railway Engineering Workshop, and some of the engineers on site. Acton Works has been producing innovations to improve customer journeys for over 100 years, and today this extraordinary hidden facility still keeps London moving on a daily basis. Its skilled team of hundreds is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and servicing of Tube trains across the network. Aaron and his team also explain how they have innovated within their processes and facilities as well, keeping up with engineering trends.

Episode Three - Connecting People and Places

The third episode starts with a conversation with Amy Lamé, the co-founder of Duckie and London's Night Czar, at Tottenham Court Road station - which she refers to as her favourite station. She discusses how in her role as Night Czar she helps London to thrive at night. With 1.3 million people working at night in the capital, a dependable transport service is incredibly important for the night-time economy. Tim and Amy speak about the huge importance of Night Tube and how it changed her previous business for the better, and more widely on how it creates a safer travel environment, as well as a sustainable, affordable travel option for so many people.

The Tube connects friends and families through travel, but in the second part of the episode Tim meets an old friend - Geoff Marshall - to shows how it also connects people through their shared fascination, passion and enthusiasm. Geoff, a video producer who runs a transport-themed YouTube channel, is one of the best-known Tube enthusiasts and he talks about how his love of the Tube started via a London Atlas that was collected by his grandfather, and how his affection for the Tube network grew as a result. The two of them discuss the joys, delights and friendships that the London Underground can bring - a very suitable way to end a year celebrating 160 years of the Tube.

Episode Four - Christmas special with Rylan

Released a few days later, and concluding the series is a special Christmas episode featuring Tim's journey with Rylan presenter of many TV and radio shows and currently one of the hosts of ITV's This Morning. Rylan, a self-confessed Tube enthusiast who is even constructing a replica Tube station in his back garden, chats with Tim in the cab of a Central line train as they head towards his home in Essex about his love of the Tube and London during the festive season.

It's not the end of the line at Epping, however: for the final part of the evening's journey the pair of them board a heritage Routemaster bus and then a steam locomotive on the Epping Ongar Railway. As they journey on the festively-decorated Lights Express through the darkness, listeners will hear the sounds similar to that experienced by the very first London Underground passengers, 160 years ago.

Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, said: "We've had a fantastic year paying tribute and celebrating 160 years of the London Underground. This podcast series brings those celebrations to a close with a bang, uncovering the secrets behind its success, from the beautiful architecture of stations to the future of innovative technology and new trains. 'Mind the Gap' is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the London Underground's journey. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project and would encourage everyone to give the podcast a listen."

Tim Dunn, Railway Historian and Broadcaster, said: "As a huge Tube enthusiast for all of my life, it's a privilege to take the audience on a journey through fascinating and unusual aspects of the Tube network - to celebrate the 160 year anniversary of London Underground. Each episode is an open love letter to the Tube; sharing the enthusiasm and dedication of fellow transport lovers, customers and TfL staff."

London's Night Czar, Amy Lamé, said: "The Tube is London - so to be able to share my own personal experiences of what it means to me as it celebrates its 160th anniversary was a real honour. The Tube brings people together, enables businesses to thrive and the helps the safety of those travelling at night. It has changed and adapted over the years to meet demand across the capital and I'm so delighted that we've been able to add Night Tube services to help those out and about - and working - at night. The Mayor and I are incredibly proud of the Night Tube's success and the contribution it has made to building a better London for everyone."

TV and radio personality, Rylan, said: "I'm obsessed with the London Underground to the point where I've even built my own station at home. So naturally I'm very excited to be on the Mind the Gap podcast and take a trip on the Central line while chatting to Tim."

London Underground's history dates back to 1863 when the world's first Underground railway, the Metropolitan Railway, opened between Paddington and Farringdon, serving six intermediate stations. Since then, the Underground network, affectionately nicknamed the Tube by generations of Londoners, has grown to 272 stations and 11 lines stretching deep into the capital's suburbs and beyond. In 2003, London Underground became a wholly owned subsidiary of TfL. TfL's ongoing commitment to continually improving the Tube network includes refurbishing hundreds of stations, upgrading lines to provide faster, more frequent and more reliable services, installing step-free access at many locations, and entirely rebuilding some central London stations that have become too small to deal with the number of people passing through every day.

A programme of activities throughout 2023 has celebrated the rich 160-year history of London Underground's role as the lifeblood of the city, including a self-guided treasure hunt across all of the original Metropolitan Railway stations in January, a new Love the Tube 160-year anniversary plague which was unveiled at Baker Street station, and heritage train rides on the Piccadilly line over the summer.

The 'Mind the Gap' podcast series was produced by 18Sixty and is released today on all major podcast platforms.  

Notes to Editor

  • The full list of key dates in London Underground's history are available here  
  • Tim Dunn the presenter and all the contributors who featured in the podcast volunteered and were not paid a fee for their involvement