Now everyone can take in the sights and smells of a London tram station shut for 70 years
- Reference: 1625492703
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/07/05/kingsway_tram_tunnel/
- Source link:
London Transport Museum is running hour-long tours of the Kingsway Tram Subway near Holborn as part of its Hidden London series of historical tours.
According to transport buffs, the Kingsway Tram Subway was "probably the most important stretch of tram track in London, linking together the extensive tram networks of north and south London."
[1]
It was built by the London County Council as part of an ambitious renewal programme for the Holborn and Aldwych areas.
[2]
Opened in 1906, it closed in 1952 and has been boarded up ever since. Its closure – along with the decommission of miles of track across London – coincided with the widespread introduction of buses to replace trams.
[3]The Eigiau Dam Disaster: Deluges and deceit at the dawn of hydroelectric power
[4]We're going deeper Underground: Vulture clicks claws over London's hidden tracks
[5]The Wight stuff: Marconi and the island, when working remotely on wireless comms meant something very different
[6]Come kneel with us at UK's Cathedral, er, Oil Rig of the Canal: Engineering masterpiece Anderton Boat Lift
[7]German scientists, Black Knights and the birthplace of British rocketry
Since its closure, most of the Kingsway Tram Subway has been kept in the dark.
But [8]according to The Guardian , it managed to spend a brief period in the limelight when it was used as a backdrop to part of the set for the 1998 Avengers movie starring Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes.
For those interested in a peek at a subterranean part of London's past, the station and network of tunnels is open from 12 August to 26 September. Tickets go on sale this week from [9]London Transport Museum . ®
Get our [10]Tech Resources
[1] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YOMsnPrmrhSxafmXzoFsHAAAAJI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YOMsnPrmrhSxafmXzoFsHAAAAJI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/11/the_eigiau_dam_disaster/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2019/10/17/reg_vulture_mail_rail_tunnels/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/05/geeks_guide_to_marconi_on_isle_of_wight/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2020/03/04/anderton_boat_lift/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2020/01/27/birthplace_of_british_rocketry/
[8] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jul/04/hidden-london-tram-station-opens-to-public-for-first-time-in-70-years-kingsway
[9] https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/hidden-london/kingsway-tram-tunnel-linking-london
[10] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Oh dear...
According to my Mother, the closing of the tram lines in 1952 was a PITA for her as she was pregnant with me at the time. The replacement busses were not as convenient when she was working in Holborn.
Apparently, I've been through the tunnels even though I didn't know it... As much as I like exploring old railway lines, stations etc, £45 quid is a bit steep. I guess it will all go towards bailing out TfL. (sic)
Also in the Goon Show
As well as the Avengers movie, the Kingsway Tram Subway also appeared in an episode of the Goon Show, although it was in the dark (and on the radio).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW8NNSqBjFU
There's a lot going on under Kingsway...
Not just the tram tunnel, also the now-disused Aldwych branch of the Piccadilly Line and the not-terribly-secret [1]Trunks Kingsway - as well as the usual gas mains and power cables. No wonder is has been known to [2]belch forth flames .
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_citadels_under_London
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2015/04/01/holborn_fire_takes_out_chuncks_of_power_and_internet_across_london/
Hidden London
I've been on a couple of the Hidden London tours - Clapham and Down Street. They are interesting, but expensive. Apparently run by volunteers, so no idea where all the money goes
£45 for an hour? Are they hoping to raise enough capital to reopen the tramlines or something?