Abandoned Tube Stations (Pt.1)

Geoff takes us on a street walking tour of some of London's abandoned tube stations, in this two-part series. Subscribe to the channel to be first to see Part 2 next week.
This video was originally available on the 'Secrets of the Underground' DVD two years ago, but that's no longer for sale, so we thought it was time to upload it to KZbin.
If you want to see inside some abandoned stations, goto the the Hidden London section on the Transport Museum website to buy tickets for abandoned stations tours, including Down Street, Euston, Hampstead, Charing Cross and Aldwych: www.ltmuseum.co...
The Yoga studio at South Kentish town has since gone, and has now turned into an 'Escape Room' game - so if you want to go inside South Kentish Town tube, click here! www.missionbrea...
To see a map of all disused and abanonded tube stations in London, it's here: assets.londonis...

[@ssbohio]

Signs: "Risk of death." "All staff and contractors are to avoid making unnecessary noise." Meaning: "If you must die, please do so quietly."

[@victoriaf8571]

Truly the height of British culture

[@jimtaylor294]

If you must kick the bucket; do so British'ly.

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

Lmao

[@myoldreteacher]

This makes me very homesick... I love the Tube. When you live elsewhere in the world you soon realise just how fortunate we are to have such an expansive and accessible transit system, in order to get around the city of London.

[@paulwilliams6159]

Ride the New York City Subway (Underground) & in the sweltering heat of a New York summer & despite the fact the cars (carriages) are air-conditioned the stench of urine will overwhelm you at no extra charge. Lovely.

[@pedropandemolde2928]

Those 1930s esque tube trains are still used on the Isle of Wight, because there's a 395 yard tunnel, which is too small to handle modern trains, if we raised it it would cause the homes above to collapse -_-

[@highpath4776]

Not Quite, the Tube Stock on IoW is 1938 Stock, this here is the Cravens Stock- pretty rare even when built.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

I grew up on those 1938 trains great to see them at IoW

[@AzureOtsu]

Class 313s would run on that line just fine due to the lower heights

[@carolewilson1311]

Also one of the Channel Islands

[@cat1554]

Then lower it

[@lostinmuzak]

A long time ago I worked at the Holborn underground station for students summer job. It was fun. I used to shout mind the gap, clean the station, and sometime man the checkout booth. Often used to wonder how they built this place! Amazing engineering that we take for granted. I still visit the Holborn station when I get a chance to visit UK. Thank you for putting London Underground on you tube. It is like the artery of London.

[@livvyboo1573]

Northfield closed in 1517 and opened in 1971 Younge on the Old Victoria line

[@livvyboo1573]

Opened in 1167

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

Had a holiday in London many years ago and remember the surprise I felt the first time I went through an abandoned station on the tube. Fascinating and creepy in equal measure.

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

Ongar Station was always a place I wanted to go as a wee-lad looking at the Underground map. It seemed at the end of the world!

[@tonyforward634]

It is rhe end of the world!

[@SarahJB288]

it definitely is because theres nothing here in ongar! but its heritage now with steam trains

[@alexleo172]

No wonder it got closed

[@rjjcms1]

I used to think that when looking at the map on Tube journeys in the 80s. Never went there but did go to Upminster at the end of the District Line,having to take a taxi ride to and from there when spending several days at a rather odd hotel out in the wilds somewhere in a place called Bulphan.

[@nothing-gz4gw]

*wees*

[@Heimbasteln]

Why do I even watch this? I have never even been to London. Probably because it is entertaining

[@Blandtoast-ru3yy]

Ive been to London but I also love the tube

[@sdaiwepm]

It gives us a reason to visit!

[@AndiROH]

That's weird?

[@AndiROH]

@@Blandtoast-ru3yysame

[@OgTubie]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@lordofcinder9931]

London holds so many secrets underground. Its amazing!

[@ActuallyYes]

Huh? London Hold?

[@willpembroke5732]

I have never ridden on the Tube as I am not from London, but I know more about it than a lot of people thanks to these videos

[@airplaneplustrainguy8143]

Me too I am from Manila, Philippines but I share my knowledge about London Underground because of this video and fellow Londonist Jay Foreman

[@spicychickenwings-lc4rf]

Been on it a few times know probably more than a person from London

[@marcussheen]

Jay Foreman is hilarious, I wish he did more London videos

[@ovaltineforlife4778]

I'll happily send you some tube maps for free.

[@harryfoley2294]

OvaltineForLife the comment is 3 years old bud

[@k.jamescarters9557]

Love those red station buildings. I can see something like York road reopening if that area gets a mega development. Down street needs to be a museum based on the history

[@brianartillery]

A subject that has fascinated me for many, many years. Nice one.

[@theminer3746]

Ahh my favorite tube series are back!!! This is the best christmas ever!!!

[@jondonnelly3]

Do a congar line on the ongar line

[@sputumtube]

Wow!! That was really interesting. Such beautiful architecture. Thanks for posting.

[@dozenazer1811]

5:20 you brought memories when I had to use this toilet in emergency

[@GenoppteFliese]

When visiting the Brick Lane area in 1996 there was still much more evidence of the Bishopsgate station and all the tracks running to it. I remember lots of small stalls for the weekend market being located inside the railway arches below the tracks. Some years later, when I wanted to do photographs of this unique area, most of it was gone ;( Watching your video I had lots of memories of my latest tour in the area, but that memory is a lie as my latest tour was a virtual one done with "street view". I also have memories of the area around the "Cheers" pub in Boston or Fisherman's Wharf in SF, although I'm really sure I've never been to the US ;)

[@teacherrea5319]

I have memories, very vivid, of Scotland in the Middle Ages and Israel, around 60 yrs after the crucifixion. No I'm not religious but I am sure some of us reincarnate and we remember. I met people who were in Scotland with me and remember and in Israel who remember too. I knew who they were the moment I met them. No I don't think everyone reincarnates. I have pondered it for decades and no...many here are empty vessels, Nothing to reincarnate. No offense but they are fleshbots.. AI meat droids soon to be replaced far as I can tell. No, I'm not kidding nor am I crazy and IDGAF any more what anyone thinks about it to be quite honest. I'm done putting other ppls ideas before what I know is true.

[@dukenukem5768]

Ongar was the favoured starting point of tours of the entire system, hopefully to set a new time record. It was customary to stay in a hotel or B&B in Ongar and get the first morning train. John Betjeman is said to have done the tour and he probably still holds the record for the longest time (whatever it was), as he is said to have got out to look around every station.

[@joannegray5138]

Does anyone else feel like a game of Mornington Crescent? Lol!

[@helenstone9711]

How have I never seen this!!!!!

[@nathanwilson3737]

I was inside south Kentish tube station last night doing an escape room and it was good seeing part of the inside. Also done a tour of down street which was interesting to see what it was like inside during the second world war.

[@rightcoast7049]

"Tubestock" sounds like a hipster music festival with people only wearing tube socks.

[@Krakabraka]

yes

[@DJ_K666]

I actually did use the Jubilee platforms at Charing Cross, On 1983 stock as well. It was on quite a long run between there and Green Park so the train got a good bit of speed up.

[@andrewholloway231]

Looking forward to Part 2 of this series. Superb video as always.

[@oc2phish07]

Other folk on here may have already mentioned this but there is an excellent book by J.E. Connor called London's Disused Underground Stations that makes for a very interesting read and contains many great photos. I really enjoyed this video too, well done and thanks for posting.

[@Leonaristo]

Wow! Wonderful video! Looking forward to watch the following parts. Great job Geoff!

[@RedHillian]

Thanks for releasing this; I had "Secrets of the Underground" on my Christmas list, but then I found it wasn't on sale anymore.

[@bobblue_west]

You'd think some enterprise chap would convert the old stations into coffee shops or restaurants. The architecture is fab and sooooo London

[@russrh]

Love this series! so much information, it's like being there

[@kugul1683]

The guy should be called 'Lesley Maroon', not 'Lesley Green '

[@JackBremer]

or Terry Cotter

[@tyrozone5]

Geoff is meditating

[@yegventures]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Geoff can start a yoga class on the tube. It might become a thing around the world.

[@jojoray]

Lincoln Ho | YEGventures.ca with all the screeching haha

[@jaymir4776]

Cool

[@Triadii]

“I am thinking of taking up yoga, so I can have a look around inside.” 😂😂

[@rjjcms1]

And get over that high fence.

[@melathena828]

I passed the hotel at 2:42 a week ago and only knew it had to be an old Tube station building because I watched some of your videos featuring the Leslie Green stations prior to my London trip. =-)

[@darrenhudson5503]

There is a staircase from the old pizza restaurant down to the platforms..I used to work.there in the ticket office and used to do security checks..down the spiral stairs..the old lift shafts and knot the platforms at hyde park corner

[@Laurenteamec]

South Kentish Town is also an escape room now. Pretty interesting interior.

[@Londonistvids]

yes , read " show more "

[@Laurenteamec]

Londonist Ltd my bad, sorry.

[@Londonistvids]

Laurenteamec always read the description! 😃

[@PopeLando]

Used to go down there often, before the yoga studio days. It was a.. uh, "recreational spa"!

[@OnkelJajusBahn]

Very interesting, for a guy like me, who loves undergrounds and history, London is a paradise.

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

As a kid living in London WI (Baker Street - Chiltern Court) The Ongar Tube station on the Map seemed like it was at the end of the world.

[@businessbuilding1]

Loved this! In Toronto we only have two abandoned stations that are little more than 50 years old.

[@tonyjones9442]

And now due to covid 19 nearly all of them are about to be abandoned - who would have thought that 3 years ago.

[@busandtrainuser619]

Great video Geoff, thanks. Looking forward to Part 2.

[@LorenzoFreireStella]

Finally !! Thanks Geoff , good job !

[@IxiaClover]

omg..... ive passed the york road one so many times from egg nightclub to kings cross station but never noticed.... its been right in front of me but ive never seen it, thats mad

[@tundetheepic8631]

Hi Geoff!!!

[@GreatBritishGamers]

Been waiting for a video like this for so long, great video! Big fan of your London train videos!

[@FateBoost]

GreatBritishGamers There was a DVD from 2014, that is no longer for sale.

[@charleshutchison771]

There was Eglinton st sta just afore Central......

[@wulla2]

Geoff, this is wonderful - a fine piece of research beautifully presented. Well done

[@64bakes]

I used to work on Down Street only a few years ago, in the office next door, to the left of the old station. I never realised what it was and it only just clicked with the mention of it now being a newsagents. I used to go in there almost every day!

[@LoganForsyth21]

I got the DVD for Christmas and it has changed my life for good

[@ilikebananassometimes3608]

Lucky sod. Goes for about £60 these days.

[@LoganForsyth21]

I know , right?

[@davekirwin]

Another nice little video by Geoff/Londonist - thanks guys!

[@uncorked_5600]

2:20 handy incase your feeling peckish *intense snicker wrapper noise*

[@ysaviationtrains2313]

*M...MMMM*

[@MercenaryPen]

But do we get any reference to British Museum tube station?

[@ovaltineforlife4778]

That's what I was thinking!

[@joeyknight8272]

?

[@Dranok1]

😲 How do I know this station but not know it was closed?! I had to go look it up: closed 1933, demolished 1986!! It has such an important-sounding name that it sticks in the memory. I guess I heard it on a b&w film...

[@Trainlover4472]

Great video! Can't wait for part two!

[@MrHovis44]

Geoff. I will be honest I have no interest in The London Underground and can't even think how I got to your videos but I am finding them absolutely fascinating. Many thanks.

[@johnpeddubriwny6403]

Excellent video with good presentation skills and production values. TYVM.

[@airplaneplustrainguy8143]

Every time that Geoff will look in a footbridge there is always!!!!

[@joshgreaves9934]

How have I only Just found your channel! I love it!!!

[@TilmanBaumann]

Tube line level crossing. I would love to see some technical details about that.

[@lightplane]

Same as Network rail third-rail line level crossings. Interlocked crossing gate with signalling, and third and fourth power rails stopped short on both sides. Train is long enough to continue picking up power through the dead section at the crossing.

[@TilmanBaumann]

Ah, right. Of course! That is it. I have seen them plenty on the South West Trains network. Sometimes you don't see the obvious solutions. Thanks. 😉

[@adambaker3085]

the Central line runs next to tfl and grater anglia when it goes to Ellingto

[@Dranok1]

@TheSurreyRailway _ROBLOX As do several depots, but I know of no other public road x-ings, so if you see any please add them...

[@BalthazarDesign]

didnt you also have a series about the lost london railways? I remembr watching it but cant find it anymore

[@leebottomley5177]

At 1:11 you mention the unique level crossing used by the farmer.... Isn’t there one at the west end of the met line towards Amersham and Chesham that’s still open?

[@LiftEnthusiast2020OFFTOPIC]

Beautiful old place

[@oliverwaldron3057]

There are two other level crossings on the network, one is at Neasden depot. The second one, while not used by underground trains is a level crossing north of Amersham which is a foot crossing is the cut off point for the signaller/line controller meaning everything north to Aylesbury is National Rail and everything south is London underground. 1. www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6764921,-0.6178322,319a,57y,5.2t/data=!3m1!1e3 2. www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Neasden+Rail+Depot/@51.5553465,-0.2545079,173m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x48761175444e271d:0x810e30c3de3e7773!8m2!3d51.5576964!4d-0.2602871

[@JakeWolf00]

Actually, Brompton Road closed in 1934, when either South Kensington or Knightsbridge had a new entrance open on the same side as Brompton Road, therefore forcing it to close.

[@thekevin26167]

I bought the dvd specifically for this video but it's nice to release it. :)

[@servertoaster]

5:30 - Looks more like a cash converters than a tube station!

[@ianmcclavin]

On the Epping Ongar line, did they put the roundel signs back up specially for that day? I take it the Cravens unit must have been loco-hauled or pushed as there's no electrification there now.

[@balham456]

I used to work at the old IH building on Piccadilly. In the basement you could feel the vibration of trains passing on the Piccadilly line.

[@TheDanielCoyle]

You can also see the tiling of South Kentish Town station when you go through it on the train from one side, and a big gap where the platforms used to be on the other side.

[@SomeOne-lx6ms]

TheDanielCoyle I always pass it

[@aidasahutoglu3774]

AMAZING

[@Bow-k2o]

The tube station Park Royal & Twyford abbey and Northfields & Little ealing are two other abandoned stations both on the Piccadilly line

[@jameshaury2716]

taking up yoga just to see an old station.You are dedicated.

[@PapercutzUksocial]

Great video Geoff

[@kdean9537]

Great video Geoff!

[@ghanimkanugrahan7948]

I'm not even from Europe and probably will never visit London. But this kind of video is fascinating

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

Love this series!

[@jacksugden8190]

I had been down that secret staircase at the old Hyde Park Corner tube station, it’s on the left, Leeds down a passageway, spiral stir case from the top/bottom are empty lift shafts that reach a reception area which collect to stairs leading down to the platforms via a brown wooden door between the platforms.

[@briannamacciarain2169]

Fabulous video, huge thanks 💙

[@wilhelmsenholderlin8025]

0 thumb down is extremely rare for such a frequently played video on youtube. Very nice video.

[@Londonistvids]

Wilhelmsen Hölderlin ah, we wish! But our usual two people have thumbed it down - great for us because they still haven't realised that thumbing down is better than not thumbing at all! KZbin promote those more who get more engagement whether it's good or bad, so we love it! 😇

[@IanPhillipsWildlife]

Thumbs up from me, a good watch.

[@kennethboyd3788]

I worked in York Way station when it was offices. An amazing place.

[@julianaylor4351]

Down Street was used in an old black and white British thriller film. The Old Bull and Bush is the name of the pub in the famous music hall song.

[@MisterBlue55]

It seems that most of these abandoned stations have a lot of unused space in the centre of London. Why can't these be refurbished, then rented out by retailers or something to bring in revenue, which could pay for a lot of the renovations to the Tube system and not keep charging customers more?

[@TomDeartle]

Top Video as always Geoff. I was just wondering about 1 thing about Down Street Station. I have been using the Piccadilly Line a fair amount recently and took an essential Journey from Acton Town to Kings Cross. I knew about Down Street (from watching this video so many times because it's so good and informative) and thought If it was like York Road where you can see the remains of it. On a Northbound train from Hyde Park Corner about 1-1.5 minutes in there was a large open space big enough to fit a platform and I think I saw cream coloured Tiles in the tunnel through the window. Could this be the Northbound Platform of Down Street? Just wanted to know whether it is possible to see it from a train or not

[@matthewb6916]

I was on the tube all day yesterday, on all 11 lines. Wish I'd done so after seeing this video! Amazing video though, gotta love a tube series with Geoff ;) Cheers, Matt

[@ianmcclavin]

Also at Caledonian Road there's an old "Bullseye" type sign at the end of the York Road/Kings Cross end westbound platform. They were still fairly common on the Piccadilly Line even in the 70's, at places like Holloway Road, Arsenal (still with the "Highbury Hill" suffix), and Finsbury Park (virtually the whole northbound platform still had them until refurbishment). The only other examples of them I know still on the system now are at Covent Garden (again at the western end of the westbound platform) and on the District Line terminal platforms at Ealing Broadway.

[@daveherbert6215]

Really good video Geoff. I used to live in this area and when I was a kid run across the railway lines avoiding the trains hurtling by Glad to see that this area is being upgraded. Ps how about a video the steam train crash that happened in this area

[@Offical_RemyKWNicholls]

The Northern train crash from '75? That was at Moorgate, the injury toll at 74 and the death toll at 43 including the driver. This would probbaly explain why I feel uneasy whenever i'm on the Northern Line platform at Moorgate despite me being born 30 years and 3 days shy of 4 months after the crash happend

[@peterkwakman7440]

Parkland Walk North London has an interesting history,the whole line was abandoned long ago,the line that was to never be. I lived off Bingfield street for the first few years of my life on Beaconsfield Buildings,oh well ,there goes my claim to fame lol !

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Ongar was once “zero” for the underground track distance measuring system.

[@1963TOMB]

I though that it still is!

[@Lisbonized]

@@1963TOMB it still is.

[@1963TOMB]

Most of these abandoned stations are now Emergency Intervention Points where the emergency services can access and passengers can egress from trains. As part of my role helping to upgrade the radio services on the underground we had to ensure that the LU and fire brigade radio services were present at these locations etc.

[@nicodo123]

How did they run old tube stock, when the line was de-electrified?

[@koeln-sued1948]

I though Christmas was tomorrow :D I love your videos :)

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

I once travelled to northweald with my parents in about 1969 on the old electric tube train.

[@Krzyszczynski]

As several reputable sources make clear, Brompton Road didn't finally close until 1934, when a new entrance to Knightsbridge station opened not far away, further reducing its already meagre traffic.

[@CloudmasterGaming]

Fun fact: South kentish Town has an escape room in the old station. Geoff should do it.

[@aziztukubaev1693]

You are my fave Geoff! keep it up!

[@Logicalx]

Love these videos!

[@yinan02]

Good to see this video uploaded, I could never find a link to buy the DVD as they were mostly invalid.

[@sdaiwepm]

Interesting! And ... I expected you to break into the hotel and find that Secret Stairwell.

[@rsmck]

you are awsome geoff i love you

[@aidanharrison3888]

As Paul Merton said " Don't look back in Ongar "

[@rjjcms1]

The Meaning of Liff.

[@PopeLando]

I've always been interested in the closed stations on the Underground, so I clicked... only to find Geoff paying a visit to one of my favourite places, the Epping Ongar Railway! Go there if you're a bus nut too! (Still on tenterhooks about if they've survived the pandemic.)

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

“Mill Hill Hale” NW7 tube platform built 1939 then abandoned without ever seeing tube trains. Still there but overgrown.

[@alexleo172]

Why is Euston replacing Mornington Cresent?

[@Dranok1]

It has regrettably become less visited after the rise in popularity of using Carski's Protocol with the Standard Metropolitan amendment. The rules of the game started becoming too convolute (some would say back in the early 1800's but I'm a bit more open-minded).

[@alexleo172]

@@Dranok1 No I mean the dash for Euston on the map on the vid

[@Dranok1]

@@alexleo172 I am referring to the game of Mornington Crescent in the hope that some fan will pick up on it and respond in kind... (It has a cult following because "our Humph" [Humphrey Lyttleton] was such a popular presenter;-)

[@davidjones9492]

What is the rest after before on the heading on the secrets of the underground playlist?