17/18 November 1940: The London Underground on this day 75 years ago

Seventy-second day of the London Blitz.

At 13:25 on Sunday 17 November 1940, an eastbound District line train derailed at No. 3 points at Earl's Court. Services suspended between West Kensington and South Kensington, and between West Brompton and High Street Kensington at 14:30. High Street Kensington to South Kensington resumed at 17:55.^[1]

At 04:00 on the 18th, a High Explosive (HE) bomb smashed glass in the canopy of Morden Northern line station.^[2]

A small High Explosive (HE) bomb at Lots Road Power Station at 22:17 struck the main engine room stanchion above the crane rails, damaging the engine room and power house roofs, but did not interrupt current supply. A second HE in the creek adjacent to the south wall did no damage,^{[3] [4]} third as a UXB in the River Thames.^[5]

At 08:00 on the 18th, the following working conditions were reported:

New damage

None reported.

Changes

Northern line suspended Camden Town to Hampstead.

Metropolitan – Services resumed between Gloucester Road and High Street, Kensington, and between Wembley Park and Baker Street.^[6]

Unexploded Bombs

Category A

Three at Finchley Central:

1. 15/11. South of station opposite signal No. 62, 15 ft. from north bound track.
2. 15/11. Between 52 and 54 Station Road, opposite Bomb No. 1 behind retaining wall.
3. 15/11. In 83 Hervey Close, 20 ft. from bomb No. 1.

Category B

1. Chalk Farm 16/11. Land mine in Haverstock Hill near station. Line closed between Camden Town and Hampstead.

Category C

Nil.^[7]

---

^[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 17/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 17/11/40 to 06:00 18/11/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[3] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D1, 06:00-18:00 18/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1106]
^[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Damage Appreciation 17-18/11/40, page 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[5] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 20/11/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 18/11/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
^[7] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - November 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 18/11/40, page 3 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/4]
Share