Walking the old Kings Cross York Road to Moorgate & the Thameslink Core tunnels

[@malcolmsmith6615]

The ‘split’ is the ‘third’ tunnel, Maiden Lane curve. It runs under Kings Cross forecourt and enters the main Thameslink tunnel at the same location as where the western tunnel (Hotel Curve) leaves the Thameslink tunnel, except Maiden Lane tunnel is now blocked off at that location apart from an access door. It was built to take trains from York Way and point them westwards onto the Thameslink and Metropolitan lines, although it is believed that no track was ever laid in it. An early engraving of the junction does show track, but it is thought just to be artistic licence. It should also be noted that the three single track tunnels were originally slightly longer than they are now, as they linked into the Metropolitan tunnel. They were shortened when the widened lines (Thameslink) were built (the new tunnel cut through the last few yards of the single track ones). The big “tube” that runs over the mouth of York Way tunnel, just where it comes into the Thameslink tunnel, is the River Fleet. This tube appears in early engravings of Kings Cross Metropolitan station, up in the tunnel roof. It still carries the fleet sewer to this day.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you for that info, that is incredible info

[@David-sv7by]

Thank you for this video, extremely rare access and very interesting. The Kings Cross/St.Pancras area has a fascinating railway history so it is great that you have recorded these images. Much railway history and heritage has been needlessly swept away in London including at St.Pancras itself so these images have historical value. Thank you

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you mate that is much appreciated :)

[@jdavis460]

Been through those tunnels in the early seventies when I started on the footplate. The tunnel to Moorgate is on the East side of Kings cross (where you filmed) and the down tunnel is on the West side Hotel curve. A Brush 2 (class 31) was a tight fit and going down road (uphill) you had to use a fair bit of power as you didn't want to stall/slip on the hill. Great fun for a twenty something lad with all the power and noise in the confined space. I was only a second man then but drivers when they got to know you would let you drive plus it was the way you learnt the job in those days. Just about all the drivers at Kings cross were really great guys and great characters who had lots of stories about steam, fun days. A lot of what I learnt there stood me in good stead for a 45 year career on the footplate incident free.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

That's incredible. Thank you for the comment

[@Steven_Rowe]

I loved the widened lines, guess we are about the same age. My brother was an electrical fitter at 34G I used to love catching the train from Moorgate, I still remember and loved the quadart sets and the magic of having a class 24 at the head. Sadly the quads went in 66 and also the 24s too. I imagine there were two seperate tunnels on the right if you were coming from Moorgate. The first would be the upline from York way and the second the hotel curve. The main line continued on to the Midland towards Kentish town. Note the tunnels splits just down from York way, i have feeling the line headed west and joined the LT lines heading towards Baker Street. You may be able to shed light on that.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@Steven_Rowe hi mate, I'm not fully certain who you are replying to exactly but I can confirm that I wasn't even born when these lines were closed. I do know however that the curve that splits off to the right was never finished and stops I believe not far from where it splits. I hope this helps :)

[@terencemurphy8493]

Brian E. I was also on the footplate at 34G kings cross in the late 65 early 70s, so we might have met sometime, used to like the jobs to Moorgate from Hertford with the Brush locos, I managed to get up as far as number 3 link with before I left I enjoyed every bit of it, nice to watch all the youtube videos on the Deltic never was a steam fanatic.

[@jdavis460]

@@terencemurphy8493 Yes I got into No 3 Doncaster link before I put in for driving and left KX. (Started 70 left 73/4)

[@florence1864]

I once worked with a driver who had to park his Deltic loco in York Road station. As the brakes were applied, the loco slid through the platform and down the slope and into the tunnel before coming to a stop. The clearances were almost non existent necessitating a walk through the engine room to access the rear cab. Not a pleasant experience on one of those locos! The copious amount of fumes added to the 'experience'! They eventually managed to coax the Deltic out on the slippery grade. Thanks for a really interesting video. It must have been a sheer joy in steam days! Glenn

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thsnks for the comment and kind words Glenn, that really is astounding! I bet it must have been quite stechy and worrying that the Deltic and walls would make contact. I can't imagine seeing a Deltic in such a tight space.

[@professorjamesmoriarty5191]

That was a very interesting video. The part of the tunnel where it splits into two, is the start of Maiden lane curve. This tunnel used to cross hotel curve on a flat junction, then join up with the westbound circle line track. It was abandoned when the present thameslink tunnel was built to shadow the original. I suspect (but cant be sure) there is an access door at the end of maiden lane curve, that would get you into the remaining section of hotel curve. The south end of Hotel curve tunnel is now used for electrical cables and phone lines, the rest of it was lost when the new underground ticket hall was built. The reason these tunnels can no longer be used for trains, is lack of clearance. The length limit for stock in these tunnels due to the sharp curves is 57ft, which is alot shorter than most modern trains. To get around this problem new tunnels were built that connect st Pancras international station with the ECML at Belle isle, these are known as the (Canal tunnels).

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you for the comment and the very good knowledge!

[@Steven_Rowe]

Proff you know a lot, where did you find this info out. Re the split in the up line that headed west, did it actually cross the hotel curve line after it left the widened lines,? What was it used for? As it appears there was no connection from Eastbound circle line to the hotel curve. I know the old Northern City tube stock was hauled by battery locos from Drayton Park to Finsbury park then down to the widened lines. Presumably the tube could head West but comimgths other way the train would have gone to Farringdon then reversed up to KX via platform 16. This is most interesting.

[@southerntransport466]

That makes a lot of sense to me

[@professorjamesmoriarty5191]

@@Steven_Rowe The maiden lane curve did indeed cross hotel curve in a tunnel shortly before reaching the circle line tunnel, it was done with a diamond crossing. It was bi-directional and was intended for freight traffic, however it was rarely used and taken out of use after a few years. The x tunnel where the crossing was located is now the site of the widened lines tunnel in the video, which were built to relieve the met tunnels hence the name. Another little know fact is there was actually a signal box inside the tunnel at hotel curve junction, it was called tunnel box and had only 6 levers. There are also some other disused tunnels in that area, that route had connections all over the place!

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@professorjamesmoriarty5191 most interesting indeed. A diamond crossing a tunnel sounds interesting indeed. Waqas as always. It was interesting to know how both the hotel curve and form way lines spirit from the lines that headed into the midland. Would be great to be able to explore the tunnels

[@thatguyshawzy]

I remember back when i lived here as a kid i would always convince my mum to use the small red entrance a few minutes from st pancras JUST to look into these platforms at kings cross and i always wondered what they were, thanks for unlocking a childhood query & memory man, lots of love

[@PoxyMoxon97]

That's amazing, I'm happy to have been able to have helped with that :) thank you for the comment and kind words

[@alistairkidd7204]

I had no idea about sny of this. Thank you so much for taking the time to make and share. Just love the enthusiasm in the commentary.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you very much for the kind words mate :) I love to share this stuff if I can

[@jontownsend8090]

Fascinating trip through part of the Thameslink core and the disused Moorgate tunnels, it would be great to see some track and ocs put back through those tunnels. They would act as a valuable diversionary route if the canal tunnel was closed due to maintenance work.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you, that is much appreciated. I am certain it would difficult to reinstate it nfortunately especially as this is the only accessible tunnel as well (given Hotel Curve is fully covered up and not looking to ever resurface).

[@srfurley]

The Hotel Curve Tunnel was used for some large gas pipes. The old tunnels cannot be used for modern stock, that’s why the new one had to be built for the Thameslink services via the ECML. The old Mk 1 suburban stock which used to be used had much shorter vehicles, which could be used it the tightly curved old tunnels.

[@jontownsend8090]

@@srfurley Good point, never gave at aspect much thought to be honest.

[@mrerichoodc6835]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve always been interested in Britain’s railways and it’s abandoned tracks and stations so this is such a huge treat to see.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

You're very welcome, I was very happy to be able to experience this and be able to record it. If you are interested I was able to go down here again but through the Canal tunnels and the video is also up on my channel :)

[@neilstrains]

absolutely brilliant video thanks - always wondered what they looked like. Grew up nearby and Dad was a taxi driver, and think the slope above it used to be the entrance for cabs with the exit at the very end of York Road. Anyway really appreciate this video!

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you very much for the kind comment! I'm glad I was able to provide that insight for you and many others :)

[@viking1236]

If you get a chance head past Farringdon and into the tunnels towards Blackfriars, all sorts of old structures and an access from the underground car park, old platforms etc.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

I would love to but Luton only cover up to Farringdon and not beyond so it wouldn't be possible for me to do that.

[@viking1236]

@@PoxyMoxon97 shame you can't get access, I was on Thameslink so had free rein and regularly walked from Snow Hill old station to Kentish town checking on the Contractors, our site office was in the underground car park that opens onto the Smithfield sidings ( or did).

[@miked351947]

Until the railway took over the Northern City line in 1975/6 (?), the suburban trains from the Hertford North and Welwyn Garden City lines would go to Moorgate via Kings Cross York Road into the tunnel in your video. As mentioned, the return journey was via platform 16. I remember the diesel engines pulling the old carriages dating back to steam days.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

I would have loved to have seen it first hand

[@moraynichol]

I used the old lines many times. The approach up the hotel curve was very steep and steam engines often struggled, particularly in wet weather, to make it into platform 16. Also the space between carriage and tunnel wall was so tight in places that they had to be careful to direct the correct stock down the widened lines otherwise carriage door handles might be damaged and torn off. Happy Days.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Good lord, what an experience that must have been. I can't imagine how tight those clearances were.

[@robertpeach4050]

Really intersting video. Thanks for posting.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you for the comment, no worries at all

[@chris8405]

Thank you so much for making this video, I always wondered how much was left of the York Road tunnel. Unfortunately the tracks were recently lifted by the time I first visited Kings Cross in July 1977 - the station throat had been remodelled the previous year. I do remember seeing class 31s in the late 1970s with parcels vans stabled at the old platform 13 and having to thrash very hard to overcome gravity. I also recall seeing some of the old 57ft blue suburban stock in a siding, no doubt just before they were going to the scrapyard.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you for the kind words and it's my pleasure. That is very impressive memories, I've always wondered what it would have been like to see trains in action down there :)

[@sandycheeks7865]

When I was about 10 (about 1989) my dad and I would go into London on a Sunday morning and wander around some of the stations. KK and SP were quite deserted on those days and I remember walking to the end of that end platform, around the bend and peering down the tunnel portal (I think it had a huge gate on it) towards Thameslink. I think it still had rails back then. I remember thinking 'am I going to get into trouble wandering down here' but it was clearly abandoned with rubbish everywhere and no CCTV back then. Then of course we would go to Collector's Corner behind Euston.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Blimey that is fantastic!

[@capcompass9298]

I used to watch the drunks shelter and fight in there when I worked at what is now Coal Depot. I knew where the tunnel went; I could see it from the Tube but so many lines have changed around King's Cross, i only had a vague idea of where you were. Cheers.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Oh nice! Thanks for the comment

[@davewright4380]

Fascinating, thanks for sharing😊

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@davewright4380 thank you for the comment, alwsys happy to provide enjoyable content :)

[@gaming_allowed]

Awesome, there is so many history hidden under London I love it

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Cheers, there really is, this doesn't even scratch the surface

[@Steven_Rowe]

Really good Back in the 60s I used to like catching the train from Moorgate to Finsbury Park. I have never done the trip the other way via the York way station where you entered the tunnel. The line came up on the other side of the station i to platform 16 a very spooky place. I wonder how far you can walk up that tum el from Thames link before its blocked off. I curious as to why the line splits. I have feeling that when you left York Road there was a line that headed West onto the circle line. I can clearly remember standing on the circle line platform at KX with trains heading towards Paddington when an class 08 shunter with a good train came past, this was during the middle of the day. It took me by surprise.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you mate. I love hearing stories about this line. There's something about it that you just don't get with other lines. I found out that the split was a proposed west curve onto the Circle line tracks but it was never fully built I understand. And an 08 on the underground working a goods train just sounds mad. Imagine that on the Bakerloo / Watford DC Overground lines today!! Thank you for the comment, much appreciated

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@PoxyMoxon97 you may have seen this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6falYysaq6hqpo It shows the widened lines at Barbican and Farringdon You will also see a steam hauled goods at Farringdon . The train would have come off the Midland just North of St Pancras. Previous to Thameslink the line went over a bridge at ludgate circus and over the Thames. Also at Smithfield there was subterranean railway sidings for the meat markets. This whole widened line service from Moorgate to KX and also just North of St Pancras fascinates me no end

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@Steven_Rowe Hi mate, no I have not seen that at all but it was very fascinating to see. I am also very interested in these lines myself and other potentially useful railways that have been lost over time.

[@peterchesher5215]

There used to be a signal box within the tunnel on hotel curve and there was a door with a spiral staircase upto st pancras station for the signaller to get to and from the box. The box was removed many years before and the staircase dissapeard when the new st pancras station box was built. Ive been trying to find pictures of the signal box or staircase entrance for years. Only had tales from old colleagues to tell me about the place

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Oh wow, I had no idea about that at all. I do wonder what remains in the Hotel curve tunnel, I'm sad I didn't try to get a look in

[@barcooter8248]

See my vid of the conductor beam being installed that we got a company to come in and do when i was project manager. We used this access point extensively at the time not least as it was very handy for the cafes and food outlets on york road. the lowest wire height (in the country) of 3925 is at the first registration (mid-span of) to the right of the disused tunnel entrance as you emerge from it, if you were on the platform when a train passes you would not see a pantograph as it is so low in the well on the top of the train. wire is so low to avoid a mains pipe passing laterally across the tunnel. The beam was specially made low profile (85mm) for the job in BBRE Munich.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Bloody hell I had no idea, that is a fantastic bit of information, thank you so much I really appreciate that! I'll need to check out that video!

[@barcooter8248]

@@PoxyMoxon97 I'm crouching down on the platform taking pictures as the test train enters STP low level

[@barcooter8248]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKmXi3Sthql8l9E

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@barcooter8248 that's fantastic!

[@TrainSpotwithJ]

Mate this is awesome looks quite spooky tbh really cool

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you mate :) it certainly was birlliant

[@trainrover]

So!! grimy down there that your filming's come out in good ol' black & white

[@PoxyMoxon97]

I feel that wholeheartedly haha

[@DB_137]

Woah! I didn't even know KX Thameslink existed until I did some research! Imagine if they could get that up and running again... That was so cool to see the old stations and everything! Thank you so much mate XD

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Yeah, they were active over 10 years ago but got superseded by the new Kings Cross / St Pancras station build, hence why this is another entrance to that station. I did another video down here exploring the station a little bit and this can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oorQgYJ8aLGVis0 You're very welcome bud, thank you for viewing and for the comment

[@ace-paidinfull5240]

Haha you must be young sonn.. I have a few memories travelling on the class 319 through that old station, even started a few journeys there - good old days

[@shootfirstsolo2940]

I believe the tunnel for the hotel curve was called Snow hill tunnel. I once had a photo (don't know where it is now) of the exit into the suburban platforms which emerged between I believe platforms 12 & 13. It had a wooden gate across the front it at the time. If You stand at the west end of Kings Cross & St Pancras station on the Metropolitan line I believe it is there seems to be an abandond tunnel entrance curving off right I don't know but I've always thought that this was the entrance to Snow hill Tunnel.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you for the info :)

[@SouthPaw1805]

Snow Hill tunnel is the one between Farringdon and what is now City Thameslink, which runs under Smithfield Market. The three tunnels at Kings Cross have - to my knowledge - always been referred to as the York Road Curve (the one walked in the video, used by trains heading TO Moorgate), Maiden Lane Curve (the connection facing Baker Street, which had its track removed in the late 1860s) and Hotel Curve (which, not surprisingly, runs beneath the Great Northern Hotel and was used by trains heading FROM Moorgate towards the Great Northern). The abandoned section at King's Cross St. Pancras (Met) was originally a bay platform for terminating trains, but could only accommodate six car trains so was rarely used as most services were formed of eight cars. It was filled in to provide additional circulating space, which itself has been partially filled in to provide access to the Western Ticket Hall.

[@alanallison3200]

Long time ago so may not get a reply. Quite right about Snow Hill, of course, but it is possible a slight misunderstanding about the Kings Cross Metropolitan station. Yes the bay platform was filled in, not sure of the date, but I believe the question relates to a tunnel branching off to the right (northwards) at the extreme western end of the eastbound platform. The curve would suggest it was for trains joining from somewhere to the north. Can´t find any maps to suggest where this came from except I know there was an extension to the City Widened Lines westwards towards Euston which was never completed and I don´t know how far it got or what it´s present condition is. It should have carried on as the main tunnel swung to the right towards St. Pancras. Possibly, like the Maiden Lane Curve it is all but sealed off. Just guessing, but wouldn´t mind any information that is available. Thanks to everyone with information and memories of this particular area. I believe a black&white video does exist taken from a train starting at Moorgate, along the City Widened Lines, and emerging on the west side of Kings Cross, looks a tight fit. @@SouthPaw1805

[@grimpeursdusud1533]

Great video thanks for sharing never knew about the split tunnel going West. As you say they could relay track through the tunnel but there is now a much better service to the same line at St Pancras, plus they have closed one of the KX main line tunnels

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you for the commrnt. Track could be rslaid but I fear the tolerances wouldn't warrent it visble give the size of the modern day stock. The canal tunnels are doing a more than sufficient job :)

[@shauncunningham4605]

walked this tunnel today, but wasn't too sure about the history, great video

[@PoxyMoxon97]

That's excellent, what work was going on down there? Thanks for the comment

[@shauncunningham4605]

Working on the kingsX remodelling, was up near the access gate on York way. Didn’t go in as far as this vid does, unfortunately

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Oh I see fair play. You haven't gone to the other tunnel on the other side of the station at all at any point by chance?

[@shauncunningham4605]

No, our work doesn’t involve accessing the tunnel so don’t have reason to be in there, getting in the way lol just for a look.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@shauncunningham4605 Fair play haha

[@nicowilson]

Fascinating. Thank you

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you boss. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@mickontherock1]

Really interesting and educational video thank you.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you kindly, I appreciate that.

[@jameslegg9944]

The tunnel you were looking at is the entrance to what is known as the hotel curve 12:28

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@jameslegg9944 Thank you, I appreciate that :)

[@23BOT]

1976 - Last GN Loco-Hauled Suburban railtour - Part 1 maybe you,ve seen this clip already ..but shows the train emerging out of the hotel curve tunnel etc

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Yes mate. Thank you.

[@barry5111]

A bloke I used to work with told me he walked it at night tapping the rails and every time at one spot his hair would stand on end. Could be rubbish, but.......

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Interesting

[@fleacaesar7144]

Thanks so much for this. I have been waiting decades hoping someone would walk down the York road tunnel and document it properly never thinking it would actually happen. You have fulfilled one of my dreams. Just a few questions. Did you notice if the Maiden Lane curve was backfilled with spoil as it looked like it wasn't? Does the Maiden Lane Curve emerge next to the Hotel Curve portal? I could not make it out but I think its there also is it plugged or open? Great shots of the Fleet sewer running above the tunnels in tube. I think the new concrete on the roof of the Thameslink tunnel is part of the Rebuilt section of the Fleet sewer. Great stuff indeed. I am in your debt.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you for your comment, I never thought I'd get to walk these tunnels but I am privelaged that I has the oportunity and I'm glad that I have done what I set out to do and share my experience with my viewers. I do have say that last statement was a bit over dramatic but still very much appreciated haha ;) The curve that went off to the right was never finished in the end and I believe it finishes not far from the split. Also looking up at the fleet was a pure accident as I was only trying to keep other workers out of shot but thank you for the info on that however! :)

[@viking1236]

It finishes at a bricked up section, for a long time it needed to be pumped to keep the tunnel dry with automatic pumps which eventually stopped and the tunnel flooded to about a metre deep. When I worked on the Thameslink Project we pumped it out and used it for storage. There is a sign saying ‘bad air’ but it was ok when I went down it. There apparently was a Dr Who episode filmed there at one point.

[@David1988Mufc]

@@viking1236 That Episode was called the Web Of Fear where yetis was In the underground. Great uses of the tunnels on video

[@23BOT]

kings cross circa1968/9.......this clip also shows very short bit with a train waiting at the old York Road station to go into the tunnel you walked

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you.

[@anticarrrot]

I recognize a lot of what you showed here, but it was hard to follow the orientations once you got underground. If you get a chance to do this again, a map might be very useful.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

I don't follow about the orientations. I started from Kings Cross and headed south towards Farringdon/Moorgate/Blackfriars as you can see me walking south through Kings Cross Thameslink. After this I jump back north to St Pancras meaning I've walked back north again through Kings Cross Thameslink and I've continued on the thameslink core and passed the old Kings Cross Moorgate entrance tunnel and the return tunnel. Once I cut the camera in St Pancras (having walked north to the new Canal Tunnels) I then cut back again to the south of St Pancras which I then walk south again towards Kings Cross Thameslink and therefore to the old Moorgate tunnels which I then used to exit the thameslink core lines. Not to sound rude at all, but you can see on google where Kings Cross is, where the shopping centre is with the cut hole that shows the old tunnel, where Kings Cross Thameslink is and where St Pancras is. You can then visualise the key view points I highlighted and see how I walked south and then north and then south and then north yet again. But also, if you use the travel feature on google, then you can see a rough outline of the route of the tunnels if you select how to get from Farringdon to St Pancras via train, and the route highlighted route should pass over the top of Kings Cross Thameslink as your first key view point. I really hope that helps boss :)

[@anticarrrot]

@@PoxyMoxon97 I've used every platform you show. I know where they are. (Though I didn't know that particular tunnel was there.) But when you turn the camera off, and then turn it back on somewhere else, or point it at featureless concrete or brick for minutes at a time, it's not clear where you are or where you're going. Not to sound rude at all, but you made the video to share this information. If you had filmed constantly from start to finish, we could see the turns and keep up with where you are and what direction you're going in. But you didn't, possibly for good reason, which made it hard to follow. I see no reason or purpose in making shared information hard to follow, and map would be a simple fix.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@anticarrrot I understand your point thank you for the feedback it is much appreciated. I genuinely thought I had covered that aspect by my commentary by saying where i was and giving a walk through with what you couldn't see. I will look into this in the future.

[@officialmcdeath]

Made the most of the opportunity, well done \m/

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you for that. It's much appreciated.

[@johnchurch4705]

What an amazing experience, I’ve got dvds 📀 and a book about the use of these tunnels. It makes you wonder if the northern heights extension did happen and the northern line still continued into Moorgate, would they have still used York road and the Hotel curve? I’ve also heard that both tunnels are very tight and new stock wouldn’t fit down there, thanks again for posting this footage.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Indeed the tunnels are very tight and with thr new Canal Tunnels (see my other video) these are now obsolete anyway. The Northern Heights did run for a brief time I am sure, but I have no idea where to and from :) Thanks for the comment, it's greatly appreciated)

[@johnchurch4705]

@@PoxyMoxon97 the northern heights took over routes that belonged to LNER, unfortunately WW2 got in the way and having no money, the route to Ally Pally, Mill Hill East to Edgware and to Elstree got shelved. After the Moorgate disaster BR took over the route to Drayton Park( with the 313s) that’s when York road and the Hotel Curve closed.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@johnchurch4705 oh right! There we are then :) Thanks for the comment

[@JohnLeeming23]

Northern Heights was largely abandoned, but the present arrangement of Great Northern from Moorgate via Finsbury Park is a similar concept. It's possible, I suppose, that Northern Heights might have eventually been integrated with the GN suburban electrification to Moorgate, but I can't imagine those old tunnels still being used, for the same reasons that they were discontinued in the present arrangement. If Northern Heights and current GN suburban had been integrated, we might now have a train every two minutes between Finsbury Park and Moorgate, with the line possibly having been extended beyond Moorgate!

[@colinbeaney7230]

Good vid brings back good times on the thameslink kings cross to luton airport thanks

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you, very much appreciated. Check out my most recent video of the Canal Tunnels and the Core Tunnels if you fancy more footage. I also mamaged to walk down the Kings Cross Thameslink platforms too

[@Steven_Rowe]

The were two tunnels at Kings Cross,,one a York Road or platform one, the other tunnel was on the West side of the station it was platform 16 At 1mins 31 you show where it branches off. What it a double track Tunnel or a single bore. If it was double then the line split and one line went to platform 16 the other line came down from York Road.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Yes that's right. You have York Road tunnel which I walked down, then you have Hotel Curve which I caught the entrance of later on in the video. The tunnels were single bore but the tunnel that split off at 1m 31s is west bound curve that was designed to connect to the underground I believe but was never finished. Many thanks for your comment.

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@PoxyMoxon97 I would have loved to have walked the line.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@Steven_Rowe I never thought that I would have but it was an incredible experience

[@TheMrduuk]

The rampto york road station from.northend of platform 1 at kx still exists

[@TheMrduuk]

Rememember your roadstation trains coming out number 14 at kingcross blockend coaches bowler hats etc great times

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Amazing :O

[@TheMrduuk]

Ima ex kx staff member from 70's

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@TheMrduuk that's awesome

[@kartyt2006]

GREAT VIDEO, I always like travelling thru the new station but sad to see the old KX station but i guess it will be used someday

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you bud, I am the same mate

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great video.☺️

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you very much :)

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

PoxyMoxon97 Ur welcome.☺️

[@vanillasplash6198]

fantastic

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you very much mate

[@batman51]

York road platform was a great train spotting location in the 60s. :)

[@PoxyMoxon97]

I can only imagine mate haha. It would have been great to see

[@barry5111]

I only stood on it once when I came home on the local train from Oakleigh Park after school football. I watched it disappear down the slope wishing I could have stayed on. I only lived a short walk away and my favourite trainspotting spot was platform 10 at the end. You could get up there with no restrictions. I even cadged a footplate ride on an A4.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@barry5111 wow! That's insane

[@robbojax2025]

@@barry5111 Great memories of platform 10 in the early 1960s.

[@K8thebest_Gaming]

Imma take it these are for the city widened lines

[@PoxyMoxon97]

These are the widened lines yup

[@BMF-NJ]

Are they reopening it for a railway

[@PoxyMoxon97]

I have no idea

[@girlsundpanzerundrailways2904]

I wish I was in London so I could goto the tunnels and sing the halo theme song lol

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Lol

[@ipokemom2968]

Could I get in there and explore myself?

[@PoxyMoxon97]

On your own - not legally no. I was doing this as part of my maintenance work placement, doing annual / monthpy inspections of assets down in the tunnels and was given permission to film.

[@paulcaswell2813]

Not railway-related as such: bat roosting at 3:14 on the right :-)

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Nice spot mate! But I believe that was just a bag I'm afraid mate, I didn't notice a bat unfortunately

[@ipokemom2968]

Is the access still open?

[@PoxyMoxon97]

The york road tunnel is used as an approved access point. I don't know if the new Kings Cross track adjustments are going to affect this in any way but I would assume not

[@ashleyjiscool]

Wowowowowowo wowowowow

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you haha

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Can anyone walk down here? I’d love to do this myself! Can anyone fix it for me to do this for my channel?

[@PoxyMoxon97]

This was purely work buisness and not a personal 'arranged trip', so I doubt you'll be granted permission solely for KZbin purposes I'm afraid. However, contact Network Rail about this to see if anything can be arrnaged, but I wouldn't expect much of a result.

[@nigelkthomas9501]

@@PoxyMoxon97 OK. Thanks for responding so promptly.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@nigelkthomas9501 You're very welcome, you're lucky I got a notification. My older stuff doesn't seem to notify me of new stuff lol

[@nigelkthomas9501]

@@PoxyMoxon97 I know what you mean there. It’s a bit hit and miss whether I get notifications sometimes.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

@@nigelkthomas9501 exactly that mate haha

[@Ed_Gilbert]

Did you pay for a guided tour for this?

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Haha goodness no, I was on a work placement at Luton Network Rail maintenance depot (I'm an NR apprentice) and I was offered an overtime shift (Sat night) doing switch inspections in the Thameslink core tunnels (otherwise known as the Moorgates) and we had to access them via the ex-Kings Cross York Road site. I was permitted to film the tunnels and I am so glad I did and lucky that I had the opportunity

[@MikeWillSee]

Oh hi Eddie, I see you everywhere!

[@AlanSnowdonArchive]

I first rode through these tunnels behind steam locos - LNER (the original LNER that is) Class N2 o-6-2 tank engines, fitted with condensing gear (seldom used ! ) which took me from Moorgate on the Saturday mornings I went train spotting, as a kid, to Finsbury Park. There I'd watch a grand succession of Gresley Pacifics and V2s working hard climbing north, on the Down Main line. Awe inspiring - unfortuanately your confused, and apparently un-edited video, with live commentry so difficult to follow just struck me as VERY confusing. To see some footage of steam I shot around Kings Cross and northwards, please go to kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIGsaXuqbK99j5Y .

[@PoxyMoxon97]

That's amazing, thank you for the comment. I can confirm I was not confused and believed I made it clear with what I was doing for the viewers, but I sed that isn't the case. I did correct this in my second video.

[@andrewemery4272]

Turn off the audio for greater enjoyment

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Haha good one 😂

[@jacksugden8190]

Scarred of his own shadow

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Where at? :O

[@aliengrey6052]

Looking at the floor most of the time = waste of time.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Alright mate

[@jacksugden8190]

Obsessed with data protection and privacy, meant that you had missed some important pictures of your tour that I wanted to see, especially when your tour was authorised.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Simply it is not data protection. Not everyone one wants to be filmed - and also I don't fully know what is wrong to do and not so so if I captured someone not doing something right then there could be problems. I wasn't there on a tour, I'm an apprentice and I was rostered to work with the team I was based with down the tunnels on some annual switch inspections. I'm sorry I didn't capture everything you wanted, like wise I didn't capture everything I wanted either... I couldn't just stop my team to wait for people to get out the way or finish work as they we working or present everywhere we went and we all had stuff to do on certain timescales. I just didn't want to cut in and cut out of areas losing the reference of where I was. So I tried my best to keep it real time and the fact it is very unlikely I won't be able to work down there again, I feel that you are lucky you even got the footage you see here, as do I feel lucky myself. No means havong a go mate, but after another bloke's comment set I deleted because he didn't have anything constrictive or even positive to say about this content, I am just fed up with further unhappiness if it isn't constructive or have accustations that are misinformed! Please take note. Thank you for watching.

[@deltic5514]

May be you should have told him what you wanted to see prior to him going to work you twit

[@chris8405]

Stop your moaning Jack and just be grateful that PM97 took the time to record what he could in between doing his job - and then uploaded it for our benefit Get down there yourself if you aren't happy. The problem with so many people that are interested in trains is that they have zero social skills or graces.

[@phoenixbwp]

Yankee who loves trains here, I came across "CartoMetro dot com" who has track maps of Metro London, showing abandoned stations, dates opened, etc. I just looked at the City Widened Lines on the map after watching 2 other videos on the City Widened Lines... Coming from Moorgate, going west, I dislike Up & Down, 2 separate tunnels lead out to KX as many of you mentioned. The tunnel continues to Euston Station, but we know the tunnel is plugged at the moment... When I was researching BR in the 80s, I came across a video showing Holburn Viaduct station and Thameslink trains diving into the Snowhill tunnel. I was confused! If I did more research into Thameslink, I would have known about the plans for the Thameslink Core... Cross Rail news got in the way, LOL I am loving the history of your railways and so sad to have heard about Beeching! Just as bad as Eastern Seaboard Railways going away into Amtrak 🤮 or a huge fact, that both the US and Britain used to build our own Stock! But you have great viaducts still standing! America is lucky to have had a German designed bridge, the first span across the East River of NYC and survive 130 years; The Brooklyn Bridge!

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Wow! Thank you for the comment

[@capcompass9298]

CartoMap, a treasure trove.

[@peebee143]

Great!! Had a couple of opportunities to venture down there quite some years back but, stupidly, never took the chance. Thank you!

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Thank you. Sometimes we all let something slip by without really thinking about it. No worries at all, thank you for the comment :)

[@capcompass9298]

I missed a talk by a Titanic survivor, and a tour of the Northumberland Rd. nuclear shelter because of torrential rain. Chances gone forever. Missed an underground tour 1995,; went overseas, so grabbed the chance in 2000 and everything bar Aldgate station ticket booth was cancelled. Boring - I used Aldgate when it was open.

[@susansinclair4914]

I take it this was "mad" I mean, you only told us this 31 times.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

😂😂😂

[@peebee143]

I believe they used the old Hotel Curve tunnel for access during the St. Pancras transformation.

[@PoxyMoxon97]

Sounds brilliant haha. Cheers :)

[@srfurley]

I think it was the Hotel Curve tunnel which was used to carry some large gas pipes which had to be relocated.

[@peebee143]

@@srfurley Sounds plausible.