24/25 October 1940: The London Underground on this day 75 years ago

Forty-eighth day of the London Blitz.

At 13:00 on Thursday 24 October 1940, the military carried out a controlled explosion of the Unexploded Bomb (UXB) outside Stockwell station, causing some damage to the building.[1] The station re-opened at 16:55.^[2]

Warren Street station was closed at 14:45 due to a UXB in the vicinity.^[2]

Services resumed between Kennington and Clapham Common at 13:25, and between Whitechapel and Bromley[-by-Bow] at 16:00.^[2]

At 08:00 on the 25th, the following working conditions were reported:

Bakerloo line
Restricted Queens Park to Willesden & Watford - damage to Kensal Green Tunnel 11/10.
Trafalgar Square station closed.
Baker Street to Stanmore now open.

Piccadilly line
Suspended Wood Green to Arnos Grove - single line working probably today.
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.
Suspended Strand [now Charing Cross] to Kennington.
Angel station closed.
Camden Town station open in daylight only.

Northern City line
Open.

Central line
Normal.

District line
Normal.

Metropolitan line
Suspended Farringdon to King's Cross.
Suspended Hammersmith to Ladbroke Grove.

East London line
Closed for passengers, open for freight.^[3]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

1. Hendon 16/10 - all lines blocked, Hendon to Golders Green.

Category B

1. Latimer Road, Arch 89 20/10.
2. Angel 15/10.
3. Warren Street, junction of Eden Street and Hampstead Road 23/10. Station closed.^[4]

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^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 24/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 24/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
^[3] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 25/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]
^[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - October 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 25/10/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/3]

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