Aldwych Station London 1907 - 1994 RIP

[@tropicalpalmtree]

The bit at the start where you're alone on the station is amazing, how eerie. Crazy to think it's been like that now for 27 years, just silence.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Yes it was eerily quiet, but I was probably not alone - isn't this station haunted?? !! btw, Essex Road station on the Great Northern Moorgate - Drayton Park section is often also very quiet like Aldwych was.

[@londonbusfanrex]

@@CitytransportInfoplushow was it haunted

[@sim2lew]

It's a pity that Aldwych was closed. I think that, if it is ever re-opened, instead of completely gutting the shafts and starting again, they could keep the cars the same (i.e. same look and feel, mabey new fully electronic cars though, depending on health and safety) but add new lift gear. To be honest, the lifts were probably one of Aldwych's most historic features, being 101 years old! Great Video! Thanks so much!

[@davidfarrow44]

Superb video of a once glamorous station. Glad someone at the time was there to film Aldwych before she finally closed her doors. Nice to see her when open instead as a museum. Thank you for taking your time for posting this to KZbin

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

I recall knowing in advance that the station was going to close and feeling that this was a shame* ... so I went to 'get some memories'. In those days the Internet barely existed and KZbin would have been seen as futuristic science fiction! I was (still am) especially pleased to film that lift in action, this footage in itself acts as fantastic historic resource. *I still feel that way, and would wish to see it reopened, complete with the planned Piccadilly line extension to Waterloo and DLR extension to the now disused platforms at Charing Cross via this station built.

[@JL-us7wb]

Finally got to see this station in 2019, after years of waiting and now finally of many years of waiting I am going to see the Aldwych platforms at Holborn! I was only 4 when it shut, but I do remember when I was younger, being able to see the Holborn Aldwych platform through a grill gate, long since gone.

[@stephthestar90]

Fascinating video. I was only 4 when Aldwych closed so I never got to see it as a working station. It looked like a disused station even when it was open. I guess they didn't want to invest in it as there was no demand for it. If the line had been extended down to Waterloo it would probably still be open.

[@Cowman9791]

Indeed, had it not been for the high cost of replacing those lifts, or had they built the Waterloo extension or the jubilee line extension (the one planned in the 1970s, not the one built in the 1990s), it probably would still be open. It really was it's awkward service that was within easy walking distance

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

This film was made a few weeks before the station closed.

[@RetroSmooveHouse]

My god, this is amazing footage. I love those old lifts now, although thinking back as a little boy I found the experience pantwettingly frightening. Looking at the eery cast-iron casing and the rattling and wobbling of those lifts was awful. They felt like the most insecure lifts in the world, hanging by a cotton thread. This was at the deep shaft Russel Square, an even longer ride! But that's what made LU. Awesome. Brilliant posting.

[@cley123]

Wonderful record of the past. Thank God this film was taken and posted. The Aldwych/Strand spur was really the terminus of The Great Northern and Strand railway, Joing this railway onto the Piccadilly around 1901 side lined the section,

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Alas no. I was only able to visit areas which were open to the public as part of the (then) normal operation of the station. Simon

[@MrSashaT]

I love how the station is still used occasionally for filming purposes. As well as the Tomb Raider level the 2 most well known other filming s to be done at this station is the video of the group The Prodigy and there hit Firestarter (filmed in one of the tunnels) and also the movie The Da Vinci Code (scenes were filmed here too)

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Normally only to railway staff - but it is also used for filming, and special events where the public may be able to access it. Simon

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

@niallzi Aah, I take it replacing them would have been too expensive? Are there many lift only underground stations still in operation?

[@isweariwillmurderevilowlso8985]

Yes there are

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

The station is still there - its used for filming and special events. simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

the thing outside the lift (which goes up and down at the same time as the lift) does indeed show where it is - and which way its moving. The previous comments were about the cubicle inside the lift.

[@kzbxvz]

The seemingly pointless Aldwych branch of the Picadilly line finally closed in 1994. But maybe Aldwych will reopen in the next decade, not as a tube station but as a DLR one. The London Underground is by far the oldest subway system (1863) in the world and the most charming and soulful too. Mind the gap!!!

[@Looiiss37]

kzbxvz if you add, “mind the gap” at the end, you are American

[@matsui90]

Thanks for a lenghty and detailed video Simon! I have always had an interest in railways, especially for the history of them. And I like my video games, Tomb Raider 3 just happens to have a level in the abandoned Aldwych station. To see what it is really like is great :) Cheers.

[@QuarioQuario54321]

The day this comment was posted marks 25 years since this station closed.

[@colinvespa4709]

I think went to this station in 1992, its been a while and I didnt know that they closed it until a few years after, I was also lucky to ride the Waterloo and City line as British Rail before it got transfered to London Underground, if I recall it wasn't heavily used when it was Briitish rail, after the transfer it got really busy.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Actually it was very heavily used in BR days, but primarily in the rush hours.

[@colinvespa4709]

@@CitytransportInfoplus Ah ok I was young at that time, as a tourist I don't usually take part in rush hours. I went last year to Waterloo and City line for nostalgic reasons, I found it to be busy all the time regardless of rush hour or not. London has changed a lot in character since I last went, English is heard less and foriegn language is spoken more. London of 1990 is a different place from London in 2017.

[@colinvespa4709]

Just come back from London last week and took the opportunity to visit the station as part of a tour, its pretty much as I remembered it, I'm amazed at how little it has changed, from other KZbin vdeos Holborn platform 5 has changed a lot and some of the iconic tiles is covered over with breeze block buildings.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@kzbxvz yes I've heard this too, with the DLR also using the former Jubilee Line platforms at Charing Cross - although the tunnels might need enlarging to be suitable for the DLR's much larger trains. At one time LT had the required legal powers to extend this line down to Waterloo; had they done this it would have made the line more useful. Whether such a short shuttle would have been commercially viable would have been a different thing? Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@PostTower sorry no. Otis built some of the lifts on what is now the Northern Line, but I do not have any information about this station. Simon

[@fixedtech]

fantastic video of days gone by. I just want to go down there now and take a look around..infact any of the abandoned stations would be a real treat to gain access to.

[@HighPriestess10]

The station has been immortalised in the game Tomb Raider III - The Adventures of Lara Croft. There is an entire eerie level devoted to the station. If you look for "TR3 Aldwych Walkthrough" you should find it!

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@LordHeath1972 Thanks. The station is open between now and 9th July 2010 in connection with an exhibition about the future of the Underground and its stations. Included is a mock-up of how some station platforms will look after refurbishment. I've only heard of it and plan to go during the coming week. Simon

[@TheVoyagers.]

Wow truly incredible

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

my film is like a window on the past - a form of time travel. The station still exists and sometimes can even be visited, but the lifts no longer work, which is a shame as they really are something special.

[@potheadpixi]

Excellent video. How many other London Underground stations still have lifts ? (if any)

[@michaelchambers1286]

I Was 1 Year Old When Aldwych Closed Permanently

[@tcraigh]

Good video, I used it just before it closed, it had lots of character but hardley anyone used it. Glad someone caught it on film.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

btw, The videotape was called 'City Transport - The Way Forward', and nowadays there is a website looking at the same issues, albeit in greater detail. The website looks at over 15 different transport solutions / possible solutions for urban and inter-urban travel. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

yes, there was was a ticket booth in the lift! what do you mean about the ticket gates just being for decoration? they were reading people's tickets as they entered / left the station.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Hello, Thanks for your interest - your English is much better than my German! There used to be a station named 'Strand' - this might be it, I am not sure. Simon

[@markylon]

They used to have these type of lifts at Kennington and I remember the smell and the sounds of the pneumatic gates as if it was yesterday. I can remember riding the lift and thinking the lift was standing still and it was the wall moving outside an optical illusion. I was lucky enough to be allowed to drive this lift and you DID drive it as you had to stop the lift exactly level with the floor. It took me a few goes to line the lift up with the floor.

[@007bondspy]

@citytransportinfo Have you opened your back side up recently to let Simon up it ?

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Thanks. I am pleased you found this video to be of interest. If you follow the 'underground history' link in the main text for this video you will find more information about Tomb Raider and this station. sorry cant post link here as youtube do not allow links in their comments. Simon

[@Amandamoo73]

i have never seen inside a tube station so this was fascinating for me.it looked very old,no escalators,and those cage lifts frighten the life out of me!i can see this station been used in films if it hasn't already

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Cheers! Simon

[@raakone]

What I mean is, check around 4:14, there it seems on the right of the barrieers (the elevated section) people could just "walk around". Maybe there's a third barrier that I didn't notice. Only curious. And was the lift ticket booth still in use by the time of this video? And I get the idea only one lift was in use. ~Ra'akone

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

where did you hear that? Its not impossible, but would be a very big surprise! Simon

[@EssexResident2000]

@Reddog785 The platform that was shut in 1917 was used to store treasures from the British Museum. The platform that was used to the end was used as an air raid shelter. The bit about "cold due to spirits" is

[@LordHeath1972]

Wanting to take a look around Aldwych station is a golddust ticket nowadays and is very difficult to get the opportunity. However, I was soooooo lucky...last June I just happen to be walking past it and saw the gate slightly open and a woman 'guard' sitting outside and I just started chatting to her about how desperate people were to see inside. She went and asked the supervisor and he just took me in! Showed me all downstairs, the platforms and all. Maybe you should try that!!

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

you are welcome. Simon

[@Techno-Universal]

I remember seeing clips from this video used in many mini documentaries that were made about Aldwytch station! :)

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

At least one person did ask first (and I said OK) but I suspect that many people have used my footage without even asking.

[@Techno-Universal]

@@CitytransportInfoplus Probably quite a few KZbinrs who have done videos about the station have not asked for permission in that case as I’ve also seen footage from this video in quite a few videos about abandoned Underground stations in London! :)

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@LordHeath1972 Hi there, I went to the exhibition on Friday - alas it was only in the booking hall area and we were not able to visit the platforms. The stairway was by the Surrey Street entrance. I asked someone... Simon

[@livestocknetwork320]

I was fortunate enough to have visited Aldwych in 1985 when it was still open. Note the absence of the blue station canopy outside now. The lifts here were also still around in Caledonian Road at that time. Aldwych has always been my favourite station, and not just because George Formby played there. But what is that clacking sound from the tunnel?

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Why? Even now some outer suburban parts of the London Underground are very quiet, at times. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

but on an east-west alignment, whilst this line is north-south. At one time parliamentary approval was given to extend this line to Waterloo. I now doubt that such will ever happen. btw, I have seen suggeston that the DLR could be extended from Bank to Charing Cross. As the station platfiorms are already there and stations are the most expensive parts of underground railways to build so the costs would be relatively modest. Simon

[@LordHeath1972]

What a great video. You must be one of the very few people who had the foresight to record something like this in action before it became a lost memory for all those who used it. Ironic now though isn't it that people would pay good money to revisit those platforms and take some pictures - money that could be invested back into the station to make it operational once more. And contrary to belief, the station was closed because it didn't meet the new health & safety rules that were introduced.

[@kdrcampbell]

i like how the `to the trains' pointy hand has been given the heavy metal devil horns sign

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

you are not the only one who would 'lose it' in the darkness. The train is there for use when filming, I understand. Simon

[@RafaelNogueiraMC]

Thanks for that!

[@LordHeath1972]

@citytransportinfo Hi Simon, I have heard that there is about as much chance of being let down to the platform area at Aldwych as finding a kangeroo in your garden. No chance. I was fortunate enough to be passing by last year and saw the entrance slightly open and after a bit of begging a supervisor showed me around downstairs but under strict condition that I left my camera upstairs. Your video brings it all back and thanks to you I can sort of re-live that unique experience.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

despite being closed British Museum still sees a regular train service - albeit nowadays running through without stopping! Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

yes you are correct - although I suppose in theory they were supposed to be buying a ticket from the ticket office. I do not remember if the lift operator (yes, it was driven by the member of staff) also checked my ticket. But at one time that cubicle was for checking tickets. hey, what a job, up and down all day in a lift, like a yo-yo! Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Ha! I'll let you in on something which is not seen here - whilst filming this a future sister-in-law came through one of the passageways, on her way home. She asked what I was doing, why, etc. Until then she had not known about my interest in transport, nor the videotape which I was making, and was later released in conjunction with Online Video. Anyway, sorry but that bit of videotape was wiped / re-used. Simon

[@metadyneman]

My dubious claim to fame on this branch is the last train of 1962 stock (and only for the Piccadilly Line as the rest was 1956/59 stock) ran on this line on my Birthday.. the 5th October 1975!

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

thats because it was refurbished and is now used as a film set! Simon

[@QuarioQuario54321]

How did the elevators remain completely unchanged the whole time until they became the reason to close the station? What other stations still had manual elevators still up until relatively recently?

[@swededude1992]

Aldwych didn't have enough passengers to carry it's own costs. Never had. In early 90:s the elevators where deemed no longer compliant with the safteyregulations back then. L:U decided to run the elevators 'till they broke down and then shut down the station. In the summer of 1994 the lifts broke down, a few years after the safteyinspection, and in late september 1994 Aldwych shut down.

[@PostTower]

these old lifts are just wonderful. Do you know which company built them?

[@QuarioQuario54321]

Otis

[@isweariwillmurderevilowlso8985]

That be replaced with stupid generic accord lifts if it didn't shut

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

one of many where people sheltered during the Blitz. I think it was also used to store important treasures from one or more of the museums. Simon

[@seleneoh10]

when was it closed? I remember getting off here when I worked near Fleet street in the 80s.

[@sammyb1929]

i remeber using this station on a regualr basis in the early 1930s i used to as my connection to get to station masters office at kings cross

[@tomv3361]

2:32 No way...haven't seen such an interesting lift in my life.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

well yes, I suppose because of its quiet branch line status this station does not have the same hustle and bustle as some very busy locations. At least part of the station is supposed to be haunted, apparently; albeit perhaps at a different part of the station. Even in 1994 there were many disused (even 'never used') passageways plus a second platform too. Simon

[@StefanPriceUK]

Since the 80's I have had an obsession with the film "An American Werewolf in London" fimed in 1981. I eventually found out that Adwych station was used with false Tottenham court road signs. But when I tried to go there I was too late because it had closed. Ironically all the years I spent visiting other stations trying to find the one used it was open, when I found out, it was closed.

[@kzbxvz]

Is there any plans to reopen this station in the near future?

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

Why was Aldwych closed?

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@LordHeath1972 hmm, I hope its the lifts, or a door opening - but it could be ghostly! LOL The hard surfaces within the station make it very echo-ee. I suspect that at quiet times other stations are like that too! Sorry, I do not recall where the stairway began. Simon ------------------------- I hope you saw both my messages of a short while ago regarding the special event exhibition at the station - only 6 days left!

[@kzbxvz]

I really love abandoned ghost stations, and you people in the UK have A Lot of them, in Sweden we have only the newer fully completed Kymlinge underground station (in the 70's) station in the north of Stockholm.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Depends on where they are going - they may walk or take a bus to Holborn, or use Temple. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

one of many such stations - except that here the railway service was suspended for the war. Some people also moved to the Chislehurst caves. simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

(...continued) The exhibition will be open to the public until next Friday (July 9) from 10am to 7pm on weekdays, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. ntrance to the station is on Surrey Street, WC2R 2NE, off The Strand and Temple place. Temple Tube is the nearest station. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/16011.aspx

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

many other people's comments suggest that it is... imagine being alone here with most or all of the lights off. I think it could make a person go mad, ghosts, pitch black, etc. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@richbdd01 as far as I am aware all the stations with lifts had emergency stairs too, but probably there were too many to expect passengers to use them - otherwise the lifts would not have been needed! Simon

[@WardyLion]

Im not sure if there is a train sat there as I am fairly sure that trains still use the line and if you look out the window you see the station as you pass through. I might be getting my lines crossed (pun not intended) and thinking if a different station...im no expert. Wardy

[@sanders2378]

The lift gear was made by Otis, it says this on the underground history website.

[@LordHeath1972]

That sound you hear around the 0:23 mark is so haunting, do you know what I mean? I remember being down on that platform last year and talking and the one thing I noticed more than anything else was the echo of my voice. Eerie. I cannot remember where the stairwell begins from the ticket hall area - is it near the Strand entrance or it is nearer to the Surrey Street entrance? Unfortunately it is about the only part of the station not featured in your otherwise perfect video.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Yes, but my video player is knackered and replacement video heads are no longer available... which explains why the image quality goes a little funny at times. I cannot even buy a new S-VHS video player as these too are not available either (the Panasonic machines are 'quasi' VHS which is lower quality). Anyway, being unemployed right now means that I could not afford anything even if it was available to buy. All this also explains why I don't have more films up on youtube. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@Cazkumali 'never say never', but with the present financial situation its hard to see this happening. I've seen it said that maybe oneday the DLR might be extended from Bank to the disused Jubilee Line platforms at Charing Cross, and I suppose that it is possible that Aldwych could be used as an intyermediate station - especially the station building, as the platforms would be on a different alignment.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

No worries. I am just pleased to have people comment on my handiwork! BTW, I meant 'WHY' and not 'way' its moving! so I am human too! LOL Simon

[@Unbreakify]

Why was it closed? It looked very busy at times.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Only busy in rush hours and the lifts needed replacing - but the station's low patronage made this uneconomic

[@butiamthedoctor]

I really regret not making the effort to use that branch line at least once, especially now I've seen it had the old trapezoid lifts right to the end.

[@PostTower]

thank you.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

it was not really that different to many other stations built at the same time - except that most of the station was closed to passengers. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

*which* video???? there are several videos about Shoreditch. anyway, who said anything about making an award winning production? I'm certainly not here to win Oscars. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

So I've heard - it would be a good idea too as then when changing between the bakerloo & Northern I can use the escalators to shorten the walk (again) - but maybe it will have to wait until after the recession? Or could this become a job creation scheme to try to kick start the economy again? Simon

[@LordHeath1972]

Actually the reason Aldwych was closed in 94 was not to do with the low level of passengers, it was because nobody wanted to pick up the £5m bill to repair the lifts.

[@Hazmaz1]

this station's been used alot in tv and film...i know london's burning used it about many years ago when they did the man with his leg crushed underneath the train while picking up his paperwork he'd knocked onto the tracks...great station!!!

[@sim2lew]

As they are the same distance as the lights are apart, and they move in a nice arc, I would've thought it would be a reflection. I have a video of the tube which makes it look like there is a "ghost" train going in the opposite direction which is just a reflection.

[@CoolDudeClem]

It's been years since I've been on the London underground. Accoring to Tomb Raider 3, Aldwich station is now where the dammed live, a group of people who offered to take part in a science experiment which ultimatly ended up with them living down thare with no faces.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Thanks. Quite a few - I am not exactly sure. Simon

[@kzbxvz]

@citytransportinfo I was in London in 1992, and I'm still today haunted by the fact that I never visited the still operating Aldwych underground station :(

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

hmm, what is ' Patriot Games'? and what 'p cool' mean? Simon

[@yusufkhan-ig7dv]

When was this video taken? It's a cool time capsule!

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

a short while before the station closed - yes, it had become a time capsule, partly caused by low passenger numbers making it not financially viable to invest in newer technologies. In the end the need to update the life-expired lifts caused its closure.

[@Cazkumali]

@citytransportinfo I wonder what thing with windows is in the lift on 2:34

[@Cazkumali]

@citytransportinfo I wonder if Aldwych station will reopen in the future

[@seleneoh10]

when was it closed? I remember getting off here when I worked near Fleet street in the 80s. Doh! 1994 love this vid!!

[@VirreFriberg]

I went by that station like the 27 October 2015. They were Making a show, so I saw the entrance

[@VeryGoodFeeling]

Thats a great vid. great history of this branch - How many names Aldwich had?^ in the video is a name "...RAND" shown very interesting - thank you for the video- sorry about my english i´m german 5*

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

never say never, but no such plans are known, and anyway, rising sea levels may mean that more of the underground closes, not (re)opens. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@f1baker lucky you! It was sold out when I tried to buy a ticket for me. Simon

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Thanks, but I was there in the evening rush hour so was not alone for very long - every few minutes a lift full of people kept arriving! What as freaky however was that one of those passengers was a brother's girlfriend (now his wife) - she was shocked to see me there filming. But she now understands me. LOL simon