Route 79

At least those seats look clean . The last time I rode on a train up in New York USA, the last thing I wanted to do was sit down , the trains there are filthy.

Yeah, but they run every couple of minutes, unlike the Tube.

Why hate the metro?

Fritz: yes - having travelled many different subways around the world - I'm actually quite surprised that London Underground use "fabric" upholstery - most seats in other subway systems are plastic. I remember New York subway being quite dirty - but that was in the late 1980s. I'm hoping they are a lot cleaner now ...?

JC: the "Metro" newspaper is just plain crap journalism. I know I'm speaking like a middle-class Guardian-reading-class bigot - but I always find that the best way to consume the Metro is by examining the headlines of the person who as the paper sitting opposite me. I would rather concentrate on the music of my MP3 player in my ears than concentrate on reading the petty, sensational journalism of the Metro - which is a bad version of the previous-day's Evening Standard!

Looking at these photos, what strikes me is the constancy of the London Underground design over the decades, in particular the check patterns used on the seats that are similar but vary across the different train stocks. Also the rigid, shiny armrests. What's missing are the ridged floors. They even used to be made of wood. I'm glad that these things stay in a kind of tradition. Elements like this contribute to each city's identity.

Hi David - you're absolutely right - the traditional design quirks of each of the different lines and train stocks appear to have been upheld over the years. I remember the wooden ridges floors - they were only replaced within the last 10 years - instead they are now ruggedised plastic covered - some ridges there too - but probably more easier to maintain than the wooden ones. And I agree with you completely - it's little things like these that contribute to the the identity and "iconic" nature of the city.