Where are the disused underground stations in London?

Question

Every time I go on the tube I try and look out of the window to see if I can spot them. I know there are at least a couple but where exactly are they on the Underground?

What line..
Between which stations...
What side do you need to look out of... (assume you're facing the front of the train)

Answer 1

In about 1980, I drove Tube trains on the Northern Line and the Central Line for 2 years. When you are inside the cab, it's dark and, once your eyes are used to the dark, you can see what's outside. Usually, the train is travelling too fast to see much, but I remember when I was training, we stopped in the middle of a series of junctions. The trainer pointed out a disused platform which had at least 6 or 8 inches of dust on it. He said the name of the station (I forget, sorry) and told me that it had closed in about 1908 or 1918. It was freaky! He also pointed out tunnels running off the main line which had no rails. They were also closed down decades previously.



When you are a passenger, the strong light and reflection inside the carriages seems to prevent you from seeing these things. I think that there are books on the subject of disused stations, etc on the Underground. Try Amazon or a library or, if there is one, the Tube Museum shop.

Answer 2

Don't worry Crafty1980...this is the other side to Yahoo Answers - it's a damned shame most are English! Could be you should have gone to some website related to disused tube stations- you would have succeeded without the pain.



Steve M's reply is somewhat mysterious (but a good one)...When you are a passenger, the strong light and reflection inside the carriages seems to prevent you from seeing these things. Hmm!

Answer 3

Spotting dark stations is difficult, generally the platform itself has been bricked up, and the only way you can tell, it that one of the tunnel walls is tiled.



I've been able to spot the one between Knightsbridge and South Kensington on the Picadilly line (Brompton Road). That station as also clearly visable above ground too, even though it's no longer a station, it has the distinctive red tiled appearance of the older underground stations.



The Wikipedia article of unused stsations lists a lot of them, it's the most comprehensive resource that I've found on the matter.

Answer 4

Down Street on the Piccadilly line between Green Park and Hyde Park Corner. The station building is on the west corner of Down St and Piccadilly. The British Museum on the Central between Holborn and Tottenham Court Rd but it's very difficult to spot. Aldwych is on a branch line of the Piccadilly from Holborn so you won't get a chance to go through it.



So Down St is the easiest to spot. It is on the right hand side as you travel from Green Park.



There's also a deep air raid shelter between Chalk Farm and Belsize Park on the Edgware branch of the Northern line.

Answer 5

If you travel on the Piccadilly line between Kings Cross and Caledonian Road, there are supposed to be 2 disused stations. I have only ever seen one out of the window, though.

Answer 6

I think there's one near Piccadilly. I remember being on the Piccadilly line and spotting and unused station. There's one at Aldwych too.

Answer 7

This is the best site for disused stations

http://underground-history.co.uk

http://www.subbrit.org.uk also has loads of stuff

Answer 8

Go to those websites listed by other people - they should provide the info you need. I agree with your comments - there are a lot of stupid irritating w*ankers out there!

Answer 9

There are loads of them, follow the link and you will see the lot. Hope it helps

Answer 10

An underground train spotter. Fascinating!

Answer 11

http://underground-history.co.uk/front.php



is a good starting point

Answer 12

alwich is an unused station

Answer 13

deep underground

Answer 14

WHY DON'T U VISIT THEM? YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO