London Underground survival chances

[Pootle]

If I fell off the platform in between the train tracks of the London Underground, is there enough of a gap for an oncoming train to pass over me or would I be dragged to me death? Also, which of the rails is electrified?

[stu_barlow]

I dont know if the the there is a large enough gap for a train to pass over you without being injured (it would probably depend on how large you are).  The electrified rail is the one that is furthest away from the platform on a single line and its the central pair on twin lines.  They run very close to the outside rails.  You can see which one it is by looking where the sections of rail are jointed together, they will have a small but thick length of cable attached on each end of a section of rail to ensure electrical continuity. 

[Grunty]

When I was a child, a friend's grandfather worked on the Underground.  He had been told that if he was caught in a tunnel with a train coming, he should lie down with his head towards the train because it would then be quick.  (Hope nobody was eating when they read this).

[Cathyhuns]

There are two electrified lines on the Tube - the one in the middle of the running lines and the one furthest away from the platform.  They can be identified as they sit on white ceramic supports, whereas the running rails are fixed like normal train rails.  Depending upon where trains are on the line, both electrified lines can be live.

If you look at the rails in a station, there is a hollow between the running rails and this was put in specially for people to roll/fall into so as to reduce the likelihood of people being killed if they fell off the platform.

I've no idea how effective this is so keep away from the platform edge as I've heard that being hit by a Tube train is not a nice experience.

[MargeB]

Mind the gap. Please mind the gap between the train and the platform. Thank you.

[CiderMonkey]

I heard that it's actually nicknamed the 'suicide pit' and that it is there so there is less chance of someone getting killed if they fall/are pushed off the platforma nd fall into it.