25/26 October 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago
Forty-ninth day of the London Blitz.
At 13:25 on Friday 25 October 1940, a High Explosive (HE) bomb hit the Central line where it passes through Acton Cemetery just west of North Acton station. Both tracks were damaged, and traffic suspended.[1]
Also at 13:25, debris falling from the Western Avenue bridge at Park Royal Piccadilly line station damaging and blocking both tracks, and slightly damaging the station.[1][2] Services suspended at 13:30, single line working between Alperton and South Harrow from 14:58, and westbound trains reversing at North Ealing from 15:32.[3]
A bomb on the track at North Acton suspended Central line services between Ealing Common and South Harrow. Single line working from 16:00.[3]
An HE blocked Station Approach, adjacent to Harrow-on-the-Hill station.[1]
Northern line services were suspended between Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon between 20:00 and 22:10 due to a slight leakage of water into the tunnel.[4]
Leicester Square station was closed between 20:30 and 21:00 due to a suspected Delayed Action bomb in the vicinity.[4]
Eastbound District line services were reversed at Barking from 20:35 due to a bomb on the track at Upney.[4]
From 21:32 trains were run at slow speed between Stockwell and Oval due to a HE on property over the tunnel, pending inspection.[4]
At 08:00 on the 26th, the following working conditions were reported:
[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 25-26/10/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 25/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 25/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 25/10/40 to 06:00 26/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[5] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 26/10/40, pages 1-2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 26/10/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
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At 13:25 on Friday 25 October 1940, a High Explosive (HE) bomb hit the Central line where it passes through Acton Cemetery just west of North Acton station. Both tracks were damaged, and traffic suspended.[1]
Also at 13:25, debris falling from the Western Avenue bridge at Park Royal Piccadilly line station damaging and blocking both tracks, and slightly damaging the station.[1][2] Services suspended at 13:30, single line working between Alperton and South Harrow from 14:58, and westbound trains reversing at North Ealing from 15:32.[3]
A bomb on the track at North Acton suspended Central line services between Ealing Common and South Harrow. Single line working from 16:00.[3]
An HE blocked Station Approach, adjacent to Harrow-on-the-Hill station.[1]
Northern line services were suspended between Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon between 20:00 and 22:10 due to a slight leakage of water into the tunnel.[4]
Leicester Square station was closed between 20:30 and 21:00 due to a suspected Delayed Action bomb in the vicinity.[4]
Eastbound District line services were reversed at Barking from 20:35 due to a bomb on the track at Upney.[4]
From 21:32 trains were run at slow speed between Stockwell and Oval due to a HE on property over the tunnel, pending inspection.[4]
At 08:00 on the 26th, the following working conditions were reported:
Bakerloo line
Trafalgar Square station closed.
Restricted Queens Park to Willesden & Watford - damage to Kensal Green Tunnel 11/10.
Elsewhere normal.
Piccadilly line
Suspended North Ealing to Acton.
Single line Alperton to South Harrow - HE 25/10 near Alperton.
Suspended Wood Green to Arnos Grove.
Suspended King's Cross to Finsbury Park.
Northern line
Suspended Golders Green to Hendon.
Suspended Goodge Street to Camden Town.
Suspended Clapham Common to Tooting Broadway.
Angel station closed, and Camden Town station open day only.
Northern City line
Normal.
Central line
Suspended East Acton to Ealing Broadway.
Single line Wood Lane to East Acton - damage North Acton 25/10.
District line
Normal.
Metropolitan line
Suspended King's Cross to Farringdon.
Suspended Hammersmith to Ladbroke Grove.
East London line
Freight only.[5]
Unexploded Bombs
Category A
1. Hendon 17/10 - all lines blocked, London to Golders Green.
Category B
1. Latimer Road, Arch 39 20/10.
2. Angel 15/10.
3. Warren Street, junction of Eden Street and Hampstead Road 23/10. Station closed.[6]
[1] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 25-26/10/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 25/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 25/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 25/10/40 to 06:00 26/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[5] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 26/10/40, pages 1-2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 26/10/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
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Labels: Blitz 70, London Underground, The London Underground at War
posted by Nick Cooper at
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