Thames Tunnel Walk

I'll be the first to say thank you for the event today, although we barely made it. There was some confusion over whether the tour started from the museum or the station but a person from the museum helped to direct us in the right direction. The person who took our tour wasn't very loud so not everyone could hear him to begin with but he was patient and answered everyone's questions. In fact all the staff were helpful and the woman selling the gifts afterwards was lovely. Thanks again.

Am going tomorrow.  Is it cold down there? They recommend strong walking boots but there's no mention of temperature.  I guess a tote bag with a pullover in it just in case would be the thing.  Any tips about this or any other aspect welcome. 

I led 5 tours round yesterday. I wore a fleece for the first one and then ditched it and just wore my shirt. It isn't hot down there but you have got about a 1km walk so you will warm up. Assuming it goes as well as yesterday no need to turn up too early - 15 mins is fine. The queue starts from the alleyway next to the station entrance. Good shoes or trainers is sensible - no need for walking boots as you will be on the concrete track bed for 99% of the time.

After the tours I was able to take a walk round and get some photos which I have posted on Picasa - hopefully the link below works. Let me know if it doesn't.

Thames Tunnel

RATS!

I'm sure I saw somebody wearing shorts yesterday. Personally I would not wear shorts in a tunnel environment for the reasons outlined above. If you slip and graze a knee or something you could pick up an infection - is it worth the risk ?

To prevent Weil's disease potentially spread by the rats that frequent the tunnel when they want to travel south of the river to go clubbing.

I always thought the paper trousers carried by train crews were more to do with reducing the risk of bare skin coming in to direct contact with live rails, but I could be wrong on that. There remain occasions when a driver may be required to access the track with the traction current live. One of the common reasons until recently was to use a signal post telephone, but in most cases these are now decommissioned.

Regarding Weil's Disease, my understanding is the biggest risk is touching contaminated something contaminated, then the bacteria entering the body either through cuts or scratches elsewhere, or via the mouth, eyes or nose. Rubber gloves might protect against the former, but doesn't stop one touching something and then putting hand on face or mouth! I think the risk of taking on the disease is very low if these basic precautions are followed (look at how many contractors work in LU tunnels overnight), and if one does get it it's only a relatively small percentage of people who go on to get the most severe consequences, however it can be fatal especially if not diagnosed promptly. A friend of mine fell ill directly after a track walk, and was *very* promptly seen in A&E, though fortunately in this case it was nothing to do with the track walk!

Walk successfully accomplished yesterday. Thanks to 'melikepie', 'tridentalx' and others for visitor tips. I agree with the general comments about helpful stewards (not to mention the charming sales lady) making it a very pleasant and interesting exercise.  
A technical question: throughout the Tunnel there are white plastic distance markers at (I think) ten meter intervals.  The one I photographed says 'East London Railway 6.330km'.  The only logical start point of the E London I can think of is the long disappeared former junction with the GER at Bishopsgate, just West of the old Shoreditch station.  So what is the official start point now?