Thursday 8 October 2015

8/9 October 1940: The London Underground on this day 75 years ago

Thirty-second day/night of the London Blitz.

At 09:35 on Tuesday 8 October 1940, a High Explosive (HE) bomb outside Chancery Lane Central line station damaged windows and woodwork, and water was reported, "percolating through to escalator chamber."[1] The station was closed until 12:00.[2]

At 11:33 District line services between St James's Park and Mansion house were suspended due to the earlier bombing of Charing Cross (now Embankment) station (see yesterday's report here). Bakerloo and Northern line trains were also non-stopping at Charing Cross from the same time.[2]

Ladbroke Grove Hammersmith & City line station was slightly damaged at 20:55, but services were unaffected.[3]

At 20:25 an HE at Bromley-by-Bow station temporarily blocked the District line, with current off between Campbell Road and Plaistow station. Eastbound Trains terminated at Bow Road until services resumed at 20:52.[4]

On the Northern line at 20:37, Colindale station was hit by an HE for the third time in a fortnight. Services suspended between Colindale and Edgware, with bus service in operation.[4]

The Metropolitan/then-Bakerloo line between Willesden Green and Dollis Hill was hit by an HE at 21:08, badly damaging the track. Trains were reversed at Willesden Green and Wembley Park.[4]

A Delayed Action (DA) bomb was reported in the vicinity of Putney Bridge at 21:12; trains reversed at Parson's Green and East Putney until through services resumed at 23:37 under a 10 mph speed restriction.[4]

At 21:35 Incendiary Bombs at Earl's Court station at 21:55 stopped traffic for 20 minutes.[4]

A DA in the road over the tunnel at Euston Square at 22:05 caused the evacuation of the station, and closure of the line between Baker Street and Farringdon Street.[4]

Hammersmith & City line services suspended between Shepherd's Bush and Goldhawk Road at 22:30 due to a fire.[4]

At 08:00 on the 9th, the following working conditions were reported:
Northern line
Restricted service north of Golders Green.

Bakerloo line
Suspended Willesden Green to Wembley Park.

District line
Suspended Putney Bridge to Wimbledon - damage at Putney Bridge.

Metropolitan line
No services Farringdon Street to Moorgate.
Suspended Willesden Green to Wembley Park, anticipated fast lines will be cleared later today.

East London line
Closed to passenger traffic.[5]

Unexploded bombs
1. Wood Lane 05/10 - interference with stabling trains, working of Central line, and operation of sub-station.[6]
[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 08/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 08/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 08/10/40 to 06:00 09/10/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[4] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 08/10/40 to 06:00 09/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[5] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 09/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 09/10/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]


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