I didn’t get electrocuted on the Central Line but did step on the rail to see if I would be. I’ve spoiled it so you don’t have to read anymore.

The Central Line in an underground train line that runs through central London. I think the station would have either been Tottenham Court Road or Oxford Circus but might have been Bond Street. I worked in several places on Oxford Street and drank in several more so it could have been any of them but I really think it was Oxford Circus. It would have been around 1985.

Anyway, what happened is that I had stayed behind and had a few drinks and whilst it was not very late at night there was a delay between trains. I can’t remember why but I was bored and although I wasn’t drunk, I’d had just enough to be stupid.

So, whilst waiting for the train and watching the minutes count down, I wandered off the end of the platform (the platforms slope down and there’s nothing but a small barrier with a sign on it saying not to go any further). To someone who had a few drinks and was bored, that felt like a dare and I went for it. One minute I was staying by the sign, the next I was the other side of it and looking out to see if anyone noticed or any alarms had been triggered.

I think wandered down to track level and put my leather soled shoe onto the nearest line. I was pretty confident that I wouldn’t get electrocuted because of the way the rails were spread on the track. The nearest was shiny and the other three rails were towards the far side. With two dull rails either side of a shiny one. I figured the shiny ones had to be for the train wheels and teh other two were the more likely to carry electric current.

In my head, I made up a character that was suicidal and wanted to leave it to fate whether he lived or died. If the rail was electrified, he would end his life here and now. If it wasn’t, he’d get on with things and stand up to his problems. I probably made-up lots of problems too but I can’t remember if I had time to.

No sooner had I tested the nearest rail and survived than I started to hear the familiar sound of the train approaching. I quickly made it up the ramp and snuck back onto the platform.

That is not quite the tale that I told a few people over the years. I can’t remember why but it was probably to get sympathy or gain some interest from a young woman at the time. On the retelling, I became that character who put his life in fates hands that day. I then had to tell the same story to other people and I think it even got back to a family member.

Some people had told me that the other lines were only electrified when the train was coming in and until shortly after it departs but I don’t know if that is true, I never went back to find out but I have seen pigeons on those rails.

Anyway, it’s a pretty boring story as nothing really happened but I do remember it and the suicide story fairly well.