Thursday 24 September 2015

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

Eighteenth day/night of the London Blitz.

On Tuesday 24 September 1940, District line services suspended since the previous day were resumed between Charing Cross (now Embankment) and Mansion House at 10:05, and between St James's Park and Charing Cross (now Embankment) at 18:15. Services between Earl's Court and Putney Bridge, suspended since 12 September, resumed at 19:50.[1]

Metropolitan line services through Swiss Cottage station - closed due to a Delayed Action (DA) bomb (see yesterday) - resumed at 15:42, but another DA was discovered at 16:58, and services between Baker Street and Wembley Park suspended until 18:45.[1]

Piccadilly line services between Wood Green and Cockfosters, suspended since 18 September, resumed at 17:30.[1]

Debris on the track between West Kingsington and Barons Court damaged two Piccadilly line trains (broken side springs).[2]

High Explosive (HE) bombs again hit Earl's Court District/Piccadilly line station at 21:30, with debris injuring three passengers and two staff.[2][3] The station was closed, although District line services between there and Parson's Green resumed at 07:00 on the 25th.[4] District line services between East Ham and Upminster were suspended at 21:30 due to an incident at Upminster.[5]

At 21:58 Incendiary Bombs fell on the track at South Kensington station; District line services suspended between South Kensington and Acton Town, and Piccadilly line services between Hyde Park Corner and Acton Town.[2]

Metropolitan line services were suspended due to an Unexploded Bomb at Finchley Road.[6]

At 22:00, a bomb hit a buiding on the corner of Hanway Street and Tottenham Court Road, north of the station of the same name and directly above the Northern line, but the tunnel was not damaged.[7]

At Morden, a faling anti-aircraft shell damaged electrical cables; current switched off between 01:11 and 01:22.[2]

An HE on the track at Northfields Depot at 01:12 on the 25th damaged three roads.[2]

At 03:30, Mile End station was also hit by HEs,[6] while one outside Blackfriars station damaged the roof, and left the ceiling in a dangerous condition.[2] Services through Blackfriars resumed at 08:40.[8]

At 08:00 on the 25th, the following working conditions were reported:
Northern line
Woodside Park to High Barnet closed.

District line
Ealing Broadway, Richmond, and Hounslow West to Charing Cross (now Embankment) reversing.
Dagenham (now Dagenham East) to Mansion House reversing.

Metropolitan line
No service between Baker Street and Moorgate.
Addison Road station closed.

Piccadilly, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & City lines normal.[9]
[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 24/09/40, sheet 4 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
[2] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 24/09/40 to 06:00 25/09/40, sheet 2 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
[3] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Damage Appreciation 24-25/09/40, page 4 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Damage Appreciation 24-25/09/40, page 5 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
[5] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 24/09/40 to 06:00 25/09/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
[6] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Damage Appreciation 24-25/09/40, page 11 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
[7] Ministry of Home Security, Research and Experiments Department: Registered Papers: Damage to underground railways, revised drawing 6 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 192/8]
[8]Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD1, 06:00-18:00 25/09/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1104]
[9] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 25/09/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]


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