Behold, a terrifically upbeat internal London Underground email to staff:
If you can spare two hours this Thursday 12 July, please come along to Loughton station to take part in an important Central line test. We need around 200 people to simulate the unloading of a crush Central line car to gain invaluable information prior to the start of the Games. All you need to do to is turn up at Loughton station at 1300, if you have your manager's permission to do so. The test will finish no later than 1500. This is a great opportunity to be involved in a vital Games-related exercise for the Underground. See you there!
How much fun does that sound like to you? Perhaps slightly less than being a Central Line passenger during the morning rush, though I suppose much depends on how deadly dull your regular day as an LU employee is. Any volunteer surviving the Loughton lunchtime "great opportunity" is welcome to get in touch.
Of course, crush scenario rehearsals have already taken place elsewhere on the rail network as the authorities engage with the unenviable task of anticipating the impacts of a Games Time surge in demand. Annie Mole has reported on Olympic "queuing rehearsals," and generated a lively comment thread. Diamond Geezer participated in Network Rail's practice run at the potentially chaotic London Bridge station. Nothing like as ghastly as you may have heard, he says. Good omen?
