Day 1049: Learning about London

[eve_prime]

This morning, a sneeze woke me up. Ha! Tree pollen, probably. Later I watched a public television show about London's recent construction of a massive new high-tech line for its subway system, the Elizabeth Line. They covered the drilling, the new tracks, three of the ten new stations, the new trains, and the new software. The track near the Farringdon station has to reduce vibrations as it passes just 50' beneath a concert hall. The Toppenham Court station had huge pipes holding the walls in place that were difficult to remove, and the Whitechapel Station was essentially suspended above the existing station.

It was interesting, but I kept getting distracted by thinking of the Rivers of London books, especially when it turned out the Farringdon Station is partly atop an ancient riverbed!

Comments

[heleninwales]

I've seen some programmes about the construction of the Elizabeth Line. They had laser measuring devices watching out for the tiniest movement in some of the very historic buildings they were tunnelling beneath.

[eve_prime]

Our show didn't include that - interesting!

[claidheamhmor]

Fleet Street used to be Fleet River!

[eve_prime]

I'm really impressed at how many rivers there are in London. Have you read the fantasy series?

[claidheamhmor]

No, sadly not.

[eve_prime]

Very fun! If you like reading about modern London from the perspective of a smart, mixed-race police officer who's just learned that magic is real and relevant to his job, you may enjoy them.

[claidheamhmor]

Thank you, I'll look for them.

[eve_prime]

The author is Ben Aaronovitch, who wrote for the original Doctor Who.