The sparks on the tracks of the London Underground are primarily caused by the electrical current flowing through the third rail system. The London Underground uses a third rail electrification system, where a conductor rail running alongside the tracks provides power to the trains.
Why does the Underground spark?
Due to the high amount of electricty required to move those trains, and due to the nature of the installation by fourth rail, the sparks are ensured. Beware if you have epilepsy!
What causes a train to spark?
Under acceleration, the train is drawing significant amounts of current from the wire to power, so if for any reason contact between the two is lost (even briefly), you'll see significant amounts of arcing as the current attempts to maintain the circuit.
Why do London Underground trains spark?
Why do trains thump?
Surface roughness and local irregularities can yield strong oscillations at the wheel-rail interface, which is transmitted to both the wheelset and track structure. These also generate radiated air-noise and structural vibration noise from the car body and track sub-structure.
Why do subway trains screech?
Wheel squeal is caused by the steel wheel interacting with the top of steel rail and also by the interaction of the wheel's flange with the side of the running and restraining rails. Most commonly, this squeal/screech occurs on curved sections of subway track.
Does the Tube ever get cleaned?
Carriages are given a basic clean every night on the Tube network. Across the rest of the Underground network, floors are mopped at every two to three days.
Why does the London Tube scream?
The vibration caused when metal train wheels roll over metal tracks is carried through the tunnel and the ground around it to nearby buildings. To reduce the effects of noise and vibration we: Grind rails to remove corrugation – ridges or grooves on the rail surface can increase noise.