Tube Map Challenge

043/270: #ClaphamSouth – The Shelter

ImageAndy Carter 1 Comment

Though there are seven deep level shelters on the Northern Line, Clapham South is perhaps the most well known. This is not only due to its prominent location on the edge of Clapham Common, but also down to the London Transport Museum open it up for annual tours. In fact Calling All Stations will be visiting the shelter in just a couple of months time, so do look out for that on the blog.

The shelter was completed in 1942 against growing public concern over blitz bombing protection in the city. It wouldn’t be until 1944 that they actually saw public use as bombing intensified. Up until then they were used exclusively by the government, with the rest of the tube network used by the public.

After the war the shelter was used to temporarily house immigrants from the West Indies, as well as being used to store archives for many years.

Image copyright A Carter – CallingAllStations.co.uk

042/270: #Balham – The Gateway To The South

ImageAndy Carter 2 Comments

In 1949, a short sketch narrated by Peter Sellers was performed on the BBC radio comedy show Third Division. “Balham – Gateway To The South,” was a tongue-in-cheek travel advertisement, painting the austerity ridden post-war suburb in an almost exotic light.

An extended 1979 TV remake staring Robbie Coltrane continued to depict “Bal-ham” as a bleak and decrepit traffic-ridden slum.

Perhaps it put Balham on the map as fortunes changed. These days the gentrification makes for an attractive Zone 3 outpost, for those lucky enough to be able to afford it. Still, at least it remains a ‘gateway’ of sorts, the interchange between Northern Line and National Rail creates an important South London transport hub.

Image copyright A Carter – CallingAllStations.co.uk

041/270: #Victoria – The Chaos

ImageAndy Carter Leave a comment

I try to limit the number of actual humans in my photographs. I like to let the architecture do the story telling.

Thing is, you can’t really tell a story about Victoria without featuring people. Despite a new entrance opening last week, Victoria is still an overcrowded chaotic mess. I don’t think I’ve ever come through here without it looking like this.

Still, needs must…

Image copyright A Carter – CallingAllStations.co.uk

040/270: #WembleyCentral – The Wind Tunnel

ImageAndy Carter Leave a comment

We’re on the West Coast Mainline out of Euston as we join the Bakerloo Line to head back into town and on to home. This is another case where local, suburban and intercity services all multiplex along the same route.

When we arrived platforms 5 and 6 were locked behind an enormous metal gate. Peering through the railings to see a desolate platform without posters or light, I thought it was safe to assume that this area of the station was not in regular use. It turns out that the high-speed Pendolino trains running non stop on their way to Watford, rush through at such a speed, that it creates a near lethal wind tunnel effect through the station. The gated platforms are only opened 10 minutes prior to a departure and are promptly locked again when passengers have safely disembarked.

Normally I read up on stations before we visit them, but the awkward trip to IKEA at Neasden (039) meant we’d taken a bus to Wembley Central rather than walking back over the smog ridden North Circular. This unfortunately meant I hadn’t discovered this nugget of information until I got home. Had I known I would have taken a picture of the gates.

I’ll be back this way later in the year to complete the Bakerloo Line so I’ll have to retrofit a more suitable picture to this blog another time. Until then, enjoy this modern totem pole with 3D BR Arrows and LU roundel working in complete harmony.

Image copyright A Carter – CallingAllStations.co.uk