Why do they 'kangaroo start'?

Posted by whenthiswasfields about 1 year ago
Last active about 1 year ago 2 responses

Can any Tube drivers / electrical engineers out there tell me why underground trains often do a “kangaroo start” when they’re moving off – a lurch that is often accompanied by a loud popping sound. District/Circle line trains seem especially susceptible to this – and usually when they’re so crowded that standing passengers fall all over the place when it happens.

Llamapiss

tube underground kangaroo start lurch

2 responses

I’m pretty sure it happens when there’s something stuck in the doors or if it’s crowded and people are leaning on the doors.

Posted about 1 year ago by mollusk

premium

My understanding is that automatic braking systems kick in and the only way to get past them is to drive quite fast (I don’t know if they have some sort of override button in the driver’s cabin) to get over the block.

Posted about 1 year ago by pottytime