We sooooo, need one of these for the Tube. Thanks to Mike, I learnt that the guys from Gawker.com had put together a Google Map where people can report on the smells of a New York subway station:
"Created from reports sent in by Gawker readers, the map displays particular smells -- horrific and sublime -- encountered throughout New York's subway stations. Mouse over any station to see the station name, subway lines, and types of smells to be found there. Click on any station for a popup with actual reader smell reports."
The key is particularly expressive and American spelling aside, covers a lot of the smells you'll find on the Tube. Everytime I go onto the East London Line I think it smells like a toilet. I check the seats and it's not because some undesireable has been using it for that very purpose. Maybe it's something to do with the age of the line or the remnants of the Thames Tunnel, but I can't wait to get off it.
It's interesting that the New York Subway has "perfume" as one of the smells as you may know that the Tube trialled exposing commuters to a perfume called "Madeleine" at St James's Park, Euston and Piccadilly Circus stations (presumably they needed it).
The fragrance was "a fresh, watery floral bouquet of rose and jasmine combined with citrus top notes. Tiny touches of fruit and herbs give way to strong woody accents and a hint of sweetness in the base." and was said to counteract the "interesting collection of odours in stations, reflecting all aspects of London life, some nice, some not so nice."
It was withdrawn after a day as it made passengers feel sick. So perhaps we prefer the smells of London life, old sweaty socks and all.
Do you have any contenders for smelly stations? And if so, what do they smell like?
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