30 September/1 October 1940: The London Underground on this day 75 years ago

Twenty-fourth day/night of the London Blitz.

At 21:18 on the Monday 30 September 1940, a derailed train at North Acton caused power problems at the Old Oak Common sub-station; Wood Lane to Ealing suspended.^[1]

At 21:51, a 500kg bomb exploded in the front gardens of two houses at the corner of Lessar Avenue and Clapham Common South Side, 150 yards (137 metres) north of Clapham South station, blowing in the buildings' foundations and causing their complete collapse. Sixty feet (18 metres) below, two top segments of the southbound Northern line tunnel were broken, while the northbound tunnel was undamaged, but showed evidence of having been shaken.^[2] When the damage was discovered at 23:15, a 5 mph (8 kph) speed restriction was imposed southbound, and a 20 mph (32 kph) limit northbound. At the Ministry of Transport, Colonel AHL Mount (see here) noted:

"The damage appears not inconsitent with that at Mornington Crescent and Chalk Farm, having regard to the weight of the bomb."^[3]

Normal working resumed 08:40 on the 1st.^[4]

At 04:00 on the 1st, ten bombs were dropped in the vicinity of Ruislip Metropilitan/Piccadilly line station. Services suspended from Ruislip to Uxbridge.^[1] Normal working resumed 07:55.^[5]

At 05:31, the westbound running rail was found to be cracked between Gloucester Road and South Kensington on the Piccadilly line, and 5 mph (8 kph) speed restriction was imposed.^[1]

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

Northern line
Single line working Hampstead to Camden Town - damage to Chalk Farm tunnel 27/09, expected to re-open 05/10.
Woodside Park to High Barnet suspended - Unexploded Bomb (UXB 21/09).

Central line
Wood Lane to Ealing Broadway suspended - damage to Hanger Lane Bridge.
North Acton station closed.

Piccadilly line
Ruislip to Uxbridge suspended - bomb damage 30/09.

Bakerloo line
Stanmore trains reversing at Hampstead - damage to Kilburn Bridge 16/09.

District line
Ealing Common station re-opened 30/09.
Ealing Common to Ealing Broadway suspended - damage to Hanger Lane Bridge 28/09.

Metropolitan line
Kings Cross and Moorgate suspended - damage 19/09 and 24/09, expected to re-open 10/10.
Addison Road to Latimer Road suspended (25/09), expected to re-open 01/10.
Ruislip to Uxbridge suspended - bomb damage 30/09.^[6]

Unexploded Bombs

1. Woodside Park 21/09 - Services suspended Woodside Park to High Barnet.
2. Farringdon, Cow Cross Street 24/09 - Delay in clearance of line.
3. Neasden Depot, 18 Road 21/09 - Preventing use of south end of yard.
4. Surrey Docks 24/09 - Delay to repairs to previous damage
5. Morden Depot 27/09 - No interference.^[7]

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 30/09/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
^[2] Ministry of Transport and successors, Railway Divisions: Correspondence and Papers, Air Raid Damage - Underground Railways, 1940-1941 [Kew: National Archives, reference MT 6/2759]
^[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 30/09/40 to 06:00 01/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
^[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 01/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 01/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 01/10/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 01/10/40, page 4 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]

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