On Jan 15, 4:37*pm, Paul Corfield wrote:
On Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:33:47 -0800 (PST), Mwmbwls









wrote:
On Dec 27 2011, 11:58*pm, SB wrote:
Just seen a short clip on BBC 4 in the Dark series of archival clips
on Tuesday evening (23.55). A from Earlre 'fluffers' still employed to clean the
London Underground tracks? SB

As I understand it the term "Fluffer" for a tunnel cleaner was largely
applied to female track workers recruited by London Underground and
possibly its predecessors to clean tunnels during the War(s?) when
conscription had cut down the number of men available for the job. My
Great Aunt was a Fluffer between 1940-5 working from Earl's Court. As
with many women during the war she left the job after peace was
declared as men came back from the services. Somewhere in the family
photo collection we have a picture taken of her and the rest of the
team dressed in bib and brace overalls and wearing headscarfs tied
like a turban.She said that she would come home covered with dust and
rust - I presume that cast iron brake pads were in use.

You may have missed this article in the Standard last week which
previews the arrival of the new Tunnel Cleaning Train for LU. It makes
reference to the current need to use staff to clean the tunnels.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...rticle-2402767...

--
Paul C

Thank you I did see that report - no doubt this will presage the
arrival of a new Underground Ernie character - Fluffy the Cleaner
tidying up after the rest of them.