Saturday 3 October 2015

3/4 October 1940: The London Underground on this day 75 years ago

Twenty-seventh day/night of the London Blitz.

Around 00:50 on the 4th, a High Explosive bomb, or a large Incendiary Bomb, or both, hit the Metropolitan line's North Harrow Yard, damaging buildings and signals, and displacing 120 feet (37 metres) of negative rail, and blocking the entrance to the yard. The down line was cleared at 03:30, and the up line an hour and a quarter later. The Metropolitan's freight service was suspended pending clearance of the yard access.[1][2]

At 08:00 on the 4th, the following working conditions were reported:
Northern line
Shuttle service Camden Town to Hamsptead - tunnel damage 28/09, repairs to be finished 11/10.

Bakerloo line
Suspended north of Queen's Park - damaged LMS bridge Harlseden 28/09. Expected to re-open in sex days.

Metropolitan line
Kings Cross to Moorgate suspended - damaged buildings alongside. Expected to re-open in seven days, but protection of line in meantime being considered.

East London line
Damage 07/09 - suspended until end of this week, when freight service can resume, passenger service later.[3]

Unexploded bombs
1. Neasden Depot 21/09 - still prevents use of end of yard.
2. Surrey Docks 24/09 - delay to repairs to previous damage.
3. Neasden Depot 01/10 - behind motormen's hut, no interference.
4. Kilburn, Alpha Place 02/10 - preventing use of adjacent sub-station.[4]
[1] Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form D2, 18:00 03/10/40 to 06:00 04/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[2]Railway Executive Committee: Files: Form RWD2, 18:00 03/10/40 to 06:00 04/10/40, sheet 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference AN 2/1105]
[3] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 03/10/40, page 1 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]
[4] Ministry of Home Security, Key Points Intelligence Directorate: Reports and Papers, Daily Reports - September 1940: Railway Situation Report at 08:00 03/10/40, page 3-4 [Kew: National Archives, reference HO 201/2]


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