Like many other people I am a bit obsessed with the Tube, so I enjoy reading facts about its history or looking at the distinctive oxblood tiles of the stations designed by Leslie Green.

London Underground is also deeply rooted in the British psyche - from Edwardian ghosts stories to Blitz catastrophes and terrorist attacks - as well as it is praised for its pioneering role, iconic map design and cultural importance.

Having said that I have to admit that I prefer the underground as a concept only, rather than as a mode of transport. Documentaries and books are all right but don't ask me to commute with it in rush hour.

If you share this opinion you will enjoy a new computer simulator brought by Excalibur Publishing. The game allows you to appreciate the Tube Line from the comfort of your own home without the sweat, cramped carriages and delays.

If you want to see the Tube from a train driver's point of view - and know exactly what they do - World of Subways 3: London Underground Simulator gives you a glimpse into this underworld, recreating one railway, the Circle Line stations, and the C Stock trains that operate in them.

The simulator is very realistic and as the driver, you are responsible for everything. The game starts with entering the cabin and setting up the whole train: from putting on the lights to setting the destination board, turning on the ventilation and running the DVA announcements. Once the train is running there are two controls for driving, the first of which selects the direction of travel and the second for accelerating and braking. Obviously you must respect speed limits and signals.

The aim of the game is to complete eight missions, but don't expect races or limit situations: they are the standard scenarios of a train driver. This goes from taking over someone else's schedule to limiting your speed throughout a whole line due to engineering works.

But the real joy comes when you enter the stations - they are completely recognisable and with a great deal of detail. A high level of precision that would make train fans not want to miss out on this game.

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