Monday 11 October 2010

11/12 October 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Thirty-fifth day/night of the London Blitz.

At 11:35 on Friday 11 October 1940, an Unexploded Bomb (UXB) was reported 30 yards (27 metres) from the Metropolitan/Bakerloo line tracks at Wembley. Bakerloo line services suspended between Stanmore and Wembley Park, and Metropolitan line services between Wembley Park and Harrow.[1]

On the District line, a UXB was reported at East Putney at 16:45.[2]

At 18:25 there was a points run through at West Kensington. Services suspended between Earls Court and West Kensington, with westbound services to Parson's Green continuing to run.[3] Services between Earls Court and West Kensington resumed at 14:00 on the 12th.[4]

Services between Northfields and Hounslow suspended from 19:55 to 20:37 due to a suspected DA at Boston Manor.[3]

Services between Enfield West (now Oakwood) and Arnos Grove suspended at 20:50 due to a suspected DA on the track at the east end of Southgate station.[3] ServiceS resumed at 07:40 on the 12th.[4]

At 21:20 a High Explosive (HE) bomb exploded near the Piccadilly line tracks between Park Royal and Alperton stations; traffic suspended.[2] At 22:15 it was reported that the eastbound negative current rail was displaced. Westbound services were reversed at South Harrow,[3] and resumed at 10:40 on the 12th.[4]

An HE hit the east end of Blackfriars station at 22:59, bringing down a retaining wall, blocking both tracks, and bursting a water main.[5]

A bomb in the vicinity of the Wood Lane sub-station knocked out the high tension feeders from Chelsea Power Station at 01:25 on the 12th.[5] Services suspended Wood Lane to Marble Arch.[3] Services resumed at 21:00.[6]

At 04:15 an HE at Farringdon carriage sidings damaged track, as well as two wagons of a ballast train.[7]

At 08:00 on the 12th, the following working conditions were reported:
Northern line
Suspended Strand (now Charing Cross) to Kennington - UXB in Thames river, until 14/10.

Central line
Single line working Wood Lane to Ealing - damage between Wood Land and Acton.
Suspended Wood Lane to Marble Arch - cable damage 11/10.

Piccadilly line
Suspended Acton Town to Hammersmith - UXB Ravenscourt Park.
Green Park station closed, trains passing - UXB.

District line
Suspended West Kensington to Stamford Brook - UXB Ravenscourt Park.
Single line working Stamford Brook to Acton Town.
Shuttle service between Richmond and Gunnersby.
Suspended Charing Cross (now Embankment) to Mansion House - damage Blackfriars 11/10.

Bakerloo line
Suspended between Stanmore and Wembley Park - damage at Forty Lane bridge.

Metropolitan line
Suspended Farrington to Moorgate.
Single line working between Wembley Park and Harrow.

East London line
Freight traffic only.[8]

Unexploded bombs
1. Ravenscourt Park 08/10 - disrupting services between Acton Town and Hammersmith.
2. Green Park station, 50 yards (46 metres) from station 10/10 - station closed.
3. Between Strand (Northern line, now Charing Cross) and Kennington - services suspended.
4. Canons Park 09/10 - services suspened between Stanmore and Wembley Park.
5. Cockfosters 11/10 - services suspened between Enfield West and Cockfosters.[9]
[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 11-12/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
[2] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 11-12/10/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 11/10/40 to 06:00 12/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 12/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 11/10/40 to 06:00 12/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[6] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 12/10/40 to 06:00 13/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[7] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 12/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[8] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 12/10/40, pages 1-2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
[9] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 12/10/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]


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