To the Trains

This wonderful instruction with the helpful tiled hand can be found at the top of the stairs at Stepney Green underground station. It has probably survived from the early 20th century. I wonder if the railway builders of the time had a kind of ‘letraset tile system’ comprising of hundreds of tiles which could be compiled to instruct commuters and speed them on their way?

Tiled sign, Stepney Green Station 2004

For the past thirty years I have photographed my journeys on the London Underground. As a London based photographer I could have up to 6 assignments a day. The usual would probably be half that.

Looking through my negatives it would not be uncommon to find shots of a politician followed by a dozen or so shots taken on a carriage on the underground. In retrospect it is the shots on the underground that have currency for me now as I always found ordinary Londoners more interesting than self consumed politicians.

Underground couple on the District Line, 1998

Tired passenger on the District Line, 2007

Moving train on the underground, 1992

Moving train on the underground, 2004