BusTalk

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For decades, thousands of "holiday makers" traveled by railway or coach (bus) from London to the seaside at Brighton.

Over a century ago, Brighton was also home to the unique "Daddy Longlegs"; a seagoing "trolley" (equipped with its own lifeboats, and a licensed sea captain at the helm!)

Only in England could such a highly-unorthodox "newfangled contraption" be found!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton_and_Rottingdean_Seashore_Electric_Railway

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See also:

www.urban75.org/railway/brighton-sea-railway.html

A number of rare and historic views are on this page.

Interesting, too, that this unique "oceanic tram" used GE components; many early London Underground trains also used GE components......

"And God Bless All Who Sail In Her"

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The picturesque Isle of Wight might seem an odd place to find operating retired London Tube stock.......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Wight_Railway

Here, for many years, trains of restored "Standard" Stock (pre-1938 "deep level Tube stock); these elderly trains, were, in later years, replaced with trains of 1938 Tube stock......

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Interesting photos on this page......

https://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/isle-of-wight-railways-and-tube-trains.357845/

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When the last of the ex-London tube stock were retired from service on the Isle of Wight, they were, at the time, the oldest rail equipment in regular passenger service in Great Britain......

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/isle-of-wight-trains

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The "electrics" now running on the Isle of Wight are ex-London "D78" sub-surface stock (District line), which were built in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

These cars are the third generation of ex-London Underground stock to operate on the Island (these units operate now in five two-car trains)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground_D78_Stock

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Here's another page (w/photos and information) on the old ex-LT 1938 Tube stock, which ran on the Isle of Wight......

https://www.squarewheels.org.uk/rly/stock/IsleOfWight

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Regarding the former LT tube stock that once operated on the Isle of Wight......

These two transfers of ex-LT tube stock was the first time that retired stock was ever sent to another rail line for further operation (non-tourist)

I've seen photos of historic tube stock on one of the "heritage" railways, being pushed/pulled by a locomotive(s), but nowhere have I seen photos of any ex-LT tube stock operating under their own power at, say, a tramway museum.

Both the "Standard" Stock and the 1938 Stock lasted remarkably long, especially given the fact that they were exposed to the ravages of salt air for many years.

These old workhorses served well, indeed......

"NYO"

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Historic photos of Brighton's buses, trolleybuses, and steam locos.....

https://dewi.ca/trains/brighton/bus_etc.html

https://dewi.ca/trains/brighton/works.html

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An often-forgotten, most interesting "tube" railway in London was the Post Office Railway, which operated from 1927 until it was closed in 2003.

This is an interesting little railway with a most interesting history (the line also called at several "stations" along the route)......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Post_Office_Railway

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Here's a fascinating look at the old Post Office Tube; you will find much information here, as well as a number of rare historic photos (engines, rolling stock, etc.)

Note, also, the complex interlocking shown in one of the photos (Mt. Pleasant); this old operation was once quite vital to the movement of mail within London, and its rich, historic legacy should not be overlooked.

Motive power was similar to the electric "mules" once commonplace in coal mines.......

https://www.railwaywondersoftheworld.com/post-office-railway.html

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Outstanding photo tour of the Post Office Railway........

https://alondoninheritance.com/under-london/the-post-office-railway/

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Victorian mail transport in Great Britain (excellent images).....

https://www.postalmuseum.org/blog/victorian-mail-transport

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In the earliest days of MU operation in the London tubes, there was also parcels (baggage) and mail service; parcels ceased to be carried prior to WW1, and mail service on the Tube ended when the Post Office Railway opened in the 1920's.

The H&M Tubes (today's PATH) also offered baggage service for a few years during its early days; there were several open "baggage cars" cars on the roster, with drop-down sides; baggage from Hudson Terminal (baggage was handled via elevator from the main concourse at Hudson Terminal to platform level) was transported to New Jersey railheads via the new "downtown" tubes, which opened in 1909.

The baggage was then transported to Exchange Place (PRR), ERIE (Pavonia Avenue) and Hoboken; at these stations, elevators carried the baggage up to train level.......

"NYO"

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Hauling luggage in British MU consists.......

https://www.kentrail.org.uk/Class_489_Gatwick_Luggage_Van.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_499

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_Gangwayed

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The now-retired "A60/A62" London Underground stock (Metropolitan line) had the distinction of being the only Underground stock to be equipped with overhead luggage racks and umbrella hooks.......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground_A60_and_A62_stock

Also of interest:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Overground

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverlink