31 October/1 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 70 years ago

Fifty-fifth day of the London Blitz.

At 19:40 on Thursday 31 October 1940, Piccadilly line services were reversed at North Ealing and Alperton due to track subsidence between Park Royal and North Ealing, where a bomb had fallen the previous week. Normal working resume at 23:09.^[1][2]

At 06:15 on the 1st, the Metropolitan line tracks between Pinner and North Harrow were damaged by High Explosive bombs.^[3] Services suspended until 09:30.^[1][4]

At 08:00 on the 1st, the following working conditions were reported:

Metropolitan line
Suspended Norwood to North Harrow.

Piccadilly line
Interruption at Park Royal 21:30, since restored.^[5]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Nil.

Category B

1. Latimer Road 21/10.
2. Angel station 15/10.
3. Southfields 30/10 - prevents service between Southfields and Wimbledon.^[6]

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^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 31/10/40 to 06:00 01/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[2] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Damage Appreciation 31/10-01/11/40, page 5 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
^[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 31/10/40 to 06:00 01/11/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 01/11/40, sheet 1 [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 01/11/40, pages 1 [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 01/11/40, page 4 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]

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