Part 2. Iconic Moquette, TFL Tube Network
WELCOME TO PART 2, CELEBRATING THE ICONIC MOQUETTE (FRENCH FOR CARPET) SEAT DESIGNS ON LONDON TFL UNDERGROUND....
Firstly, Misha Black. Born in Azerbaijan, he arrived in the UK when he was two years old. After being educated in Herefordshire, he took up a career as an architect and designer, as well as creating the Victora Line stock.
His most iconic design created has to be the district line geometric style used from 1978 - as seen here. This was used on the D78 stock, as well as buses in the MetroBus fleet.
Marianne Straub also created some iconic designs. The standard 1970 moquette was applied to any new Tube Stock and Buses between 1969 and 1978. This design is seen below...... (issues with the database so unable to enlarge this photo).
Then in 1967, there was the Victoria Line moquette (above) to launch the new stock; this was the style used in the new trains to displace the older stock.
Next, the Central "Check" Design. This was designed by Jonathan Sothcott for the 1992 Central Line stock. The moquette shows a grid pattern, with squares lines and triangles in red and grey.
Meanwhile, the Surface Stock units were adorned with a light green Chevron design, with red lines. This style was around from the 1930s until 1990s. Red leather arm-rests were also added to the Central and Piccadilly line carriages.
The Diamond Moquette is also popular, the style used throughout the life of the 'A' stock trains when they were in service between 1961 and 2012 - but was adapted in 1990 when the trains went through their mid-life overhaul.
London Transport Museum added: 'The A stock trains themselves were considered the flagship of London Underground’s fleet, having ample high back comfortable seating, luggage racks and a higher top speed than any other Underground train. The A stock trains served the distant Chiltern towns of Amersham and Chesham, so their comfortable seats and elegant moquette was appreciated by countless thousands of travellers during their 41 years of service.
Finally, as seen below, the Piccadilly Line moquette from 1973 until 1997. But when supplies ran low creating this design, they also used a plain-blue pice of fabric.
If you missed Part 1 it's here, and Part 3 is here. That's our short 'Moquette' series over. If you have any suggestions of our next special series, please don't hesitate to contact us! I'm back on the 14th! ^Harry.
