Why Is There An Old Blackfriars Railway Bridge?

[@margaretrobertson2848]

My son was project manager for the New Blackfriars station, so proud of his achievements. 👌💖

[@dylannnnnnnnn]

It fell down though

[@MTBTYLERINITTT]

Bro...

[@local59_Studios]

@@dylannnnnnnnn ummm is this a reference to watch dogs leigon

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Why do I feel like this is a pre-show for Secrets of Thameslink? Always been fascinated by Blackfriars because of the fact the station's a bridge and the platforms span the Thames. Interesting to learn more about it

[@SamSitar]

exactly, it should be.

[@TimEaston]

We all want this when the covid restrictions are lifted

[@ArthurTK26]

Yeseses

[@maxstarn3299]

I really want that. And secrets of the northern city line

[@partymarty1961]

The river Fleet flows underground all the way from Hapstead Heath and joins the Thames at Blackfriars bridge. You can hear it running through a drain just off Farringdon road too

[@Deng23G]

That was an incredible amount of information in such a short video. Really interesting!

[@jonathancook4022]

Much the opposite to some videos on KZbin that are long, boring, rambling and actually contain very little information once the original text is distilled, much like this very comment that I am writing now!

[@2H80vids]

@@jonathancook4022 😂 very true.

[@crunchdata]

The abuttments look both sturdy and aesthetically appealing. Were they left in place speculatively for future use, which, as you point out, has been achieved by one, to save the cost of demolition, some other reason, or a combination of these?

[@rogerperkins7198]

The bridge, having been widened, now bears longer 12-carriage platforms that straddle the river, giving fabulous views up and down the Thames. Fascinating video, Geoff. What a complex history!

[@brianfretwell3886]

Unfortunately in the process the station wnt down from five platforms to four. When Victoria is closed for work less trains can be diverted there and lwhen there is work on the core more trains are cancelled or terminated at London Bridge cutting connections

[@forthbrdge6162]

Another excellent video Geoff. As a railroad bridge engineer I appreciate the mention of the “feat of engineering” associated with the removal one viaduct and excavation of the new underground crossing in two weeks. Swapping out critical structures in relatively short periods of time is one of the most interesting challenges of the profession.

[@regenjo]

Post office was a good name for the underground station since there is only one in London.

[@lawrencesimmons5093]

He he - it was near St Martins le Grand former Post Office HQ and the famous 'Postmans' Park'

[@thelorddoctor1519]

Especially if you were a tourist and looking for Post office tower

[@davidjames579]

As with Borough

[@SmR8008]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@JasperJanssen]

It was *the* Post Office. The others were other post offices.

[@markbowerbank9175]

Great video as ever Geoff. The reason they left the old bridge supports in place was to protect the supports of the bridge upon which Blackfriars Thameslink Station now stands. If you look, you'll see that the upstream supports are squared-off, whilst the downstream ones are streamlined. The original builders made the downstream side streamlined to stop the supports from being worn away by the incoming tide and to "encourage" river traffic to bounce off if necessary. Because the old bridge had rounded supports, the normal river current is neatly diverted around both bridges (along with any poorly piloted river traffic). If they'd demolished the old bridge supports, that would have exposed the squared-off upstream supports for the newer bridge to the river current and to river traffic. I might be wrong, but I think at one point the proposals for extending and enlarging Blackfriars Station also included building the concourse out over the river using the old LC&DR bridge supports. Apart from it being cheaper to leave the old bridge supports in place, they also serve to protect the current bridge from being worn away.

[@2H80vids]

Interesting stuff, and all perfectly logical.👍

[@sparetomato]

Thanks for this! This was exactly the answer I was looking for in the video - Why they didn't knock down the old pillars along with the bridge. Makes perfect sense now!

[@asherwerner]

I have fond memories of standing on the bridge waiting for the train home to Brighton after a long day at work, looking eastward towards the London bridge and the tower. The view makes it (for me) the best station in London. It's also very easy to get from national rail platform to underground platform even during rush hour

[@TonyLightfoot]

Traveled from Blackfriers last year. Without a doubt one of the best views of London from any railway station.

[@georgezee5173]

Last time I went back to Spain to visit my family (in February, before the Covid) I had the chance to take pictures of London's sunrise from my train at Blackfriars, in the middle of the Thames, before heading to Gatwick airport. What a view!

[@100SteveB]

This video really highlights just how long it's been since i have been to London, Holborn Viaduct station and the old bridge were still in use the last time i was there! Being from south London i used to spend a lot of time in and around London back in the 70's and 80's, but i doubt i would recognise i lot of it today.

[@johnknott6539]

I left London for California in 1981. I had a very thorough knowledge of the roads and one way systems at the time. When I go back now I can hardly get around and wonder where landmarks I used to know have gone. This fantastic and dense video explains it to me. Great effort!

[@progwolf12]

I worked in the old post office tower block for Sainsburys behind Doggett's Coat And Badge in the 1990s and I don't recognise half of the buildings there anymore.

[@lewisner]

I used to live in Victoria and I visited it ten years ago. It was unrecognisable and most of the shops I used regularly were either changed or gone completely.

[@LukeHarpercouk]

Blackfriars is one of my favourite stations just for that astonishing view especially during sunset

[@googlesucks7840]

And then there's Waterloo Sunset.

[@Cadwaladr]

Interesting stuff. Near where I live in Minneapolis there's some former bridge remains too. It took me a while to figure it out, but there's one pier still in the river and one on the east bank. I found out that it was called the lower bridge, connecting 6th Ave SE to 10th Ave S, built in 1874, it was a lightweight iron deck truss bridge, and it proved not to be strong enough for motor vehicle and rail traffic and was closed in 1937, and then demolished for scrap during WWII.

[@cholmondley1152]

Recently Ive been trying to find out what happened to Holborn Viaduct station and got some conflicting information but your video cleared it all up and was fantastic and full of useful history. Thanks Geoff

[@2H80vids]

There's a wealth of information out there. The history of London's railways(above *and* below ground) fascinates me and I've read a good bit about the subject. If I may make a suggestion: use *books* rather than the internet, at least to start with. Once you get a basic understanding of the bits that interest you, then use the internet to try and fill in the gaps. There is some absolute rubbish on the internet but some pure gold too, including the superb "Disused Stations" website ( www.disused-stations.org.uk ) and, maybe best of all - maps.nls.uk The NLS site is waist-deep in old maps of various ages, scales, types which give *so much* information about old railways, stations, bridges etc. It takes a wee while to figure out all the features on the site, such as overlays and side-by-side maps but it's a fantastic resource. Hope something here is of some help in your research.😁

[@chriskeene]

I think I heard once that they didn't want to remove the old pillars as doing so might disrupt the foundations of the bridges in use

[@OuijTube]

Would be interesting if they reused the pillars for a footbridge. The loading would be a fraction of what it used to be, but it would add another river crossing for cyclists and pedestrians

[@mitchblank]

Luigi de Guzman But the existing Blackfriars road bridge has plenty of space for pedestrians already, and is just next to it. Would a dedicated foot bridge be nicer? Sure, but that’s a lot of money to spend for a small improvement in utility/safety - hard to imagine that it would be the most cost-effective project. I could only see it happening if they wanted to give the road bridge over to cars entirely, but I suspect the surface streets feeding the bridge don’t have enough spare capacity to take good advantage of that.

[@mittfh]

@A.L Luigi de Guzman Garden Bridge v2? :D

[@velvetvioletta]

@A.L I was just thinking that they were begging to be turned into plinths as well, they just look like they should have *something* on top of them.

[@davidjames579]

@A.L They don't look unsightly. They're interesting, intriguing, and a talking point for visitors. People like having little mysteries in life. I love seeing holdovers of previous things. Clues of a once was.

[@stephencryan291]

This is a good report as your´s usually are. If fact I would say this is probably one of the better ones. However, there is a persistance to talk non-stop, when some of us would like the occasional pause so that we can catch up with you. Keep up the good work.

[@alanenglish9681]

I was only there yesterday! Was telling my partner about the old Holborn Viaduct station, as I had to sign it as a guard in the early 80's but never did work a service into there. Needless to say, she was not impressed or interested.......oh well .... I enjoyed the video!

[@RatelHBadger]

I am absolutely fascinated by the way rail is shaped in London. Lines open and close, tunnels are dug closed then reopened. It's just bizarre, to think someone who worked on the undergone as a driver 50 years ago would find so much familiar yet so much new in the same city. Can't say the same for Wellington though, one central city station, 3 main commuter lines going out. Always has been. The only real changes are the tunnels, but they have never been boarded up. Once the line is opened, it stays open it seems. Well, except for the Rimutaka Incline, that got replaced by the tunnel... but still.

[@noahbowie5985]

I love Blackfriars station. It's so impressive and has an incredible view that's better than any other station in London. My top 5 London Termini 1- St Pancras 2- Kings Cross 3- London Bridge 4- Blackfriars 5- Paddington

[@JeSuisRene]

Where would Liverpool Street - my personal favourite - fall on your list?

[@noahbowie5985]

@@JeSuisRene 6th place. I like it but I don't love it. It's just decent on all fronts without excelling anywhere. It's good but I can't put it any higher Euston is my least favourite

[@nanuJoe1967]

Just like to point out that blackfriars maybe one of the best looking stations to be at on your list, and i agree.. but during the winter months its one of the coldest... especially during cancellations!

[@flavoursofsound]

St Pancras would be number 1 if it weren’t for the lack of toilets. The fact that there’s always a queue for the gents says it all

[@OllieTattersall]

Marylebone is my favourite London terminus. It has so much charm and feels like stepping back in time. The mezzanine section of Liverpool Street is a great vantage point, especially during rush hour. Moorgate Station, on the Great Northern line, prior to being redecorated was like being in a modern history museum. The NSE-branded tiles were fantastic. I'd be a bit concerned if Euston was anywhere higher than the bottom two of anyone's list.

[@the_9ent]

I always wondered what they were and why they were just left in the middle of the Thames. Really appreciate all the time and work that goes into these videos.

[@andyK1878]

The views down the Thames from the new Blackfriars station platforms on the bridge are spectacular - its the best station that I’ve ever used.

[@AJsDominoes]

The high production value of all your videos is epic 👍🏻👍🏻🙂

[@joshtalks1611]

Geoff you're entertaining and informative. Please do keep these videos coming 😁

[@AllThingsRailways]

Yes Geoff!! I knew in one of your old videos you told us this would be a talking point for the future! It's going to sound cliched now as a few people have commented this, but I never knew! Thank you.

[@BarneyLeith]

I used to use the Thameslink line a lot. When I first started using it, I would arrive at King's Cross from out of town and then have to cross the road and walk a bit to get to King's Cross Thameslink. How wonderful then, when the Thameslink platforms in the basement of St Pancras were opened and it was no longer necessary to risk my life crossing Pentonville Road. Even better when I could get a train direct from Stevenage to St Pancras and onwards to Blackfriars. The extended Blackfriars station is a marvel - a great improvement on how it used to be. I have often looked at the redundant pillars and wondered what had happened to the London Chatham and Dover Railway bridge that they used to support. Now I know!

[@strathtummelthedwarf5928]

It's on my morning commute and I've ALWAYS wondered - thanks Geoff

[@rogerking7258]

OK, my head is still spinning from information overload, but THANK YOU SO MUCH for talking about railway stations and not train stations.

[@webrarian]

Thanks, Geoff. You've provided the clue to a mystery I've been trying to solve on and off for years. Back in the 1960s, my grandmother pointed out the brick wall of the old St Paul's Station to me. What I couldn't remember is why. But as she was working for Ward, Lock and Co. in Salisbury Square, the light has dawned the she must have commuted up from her home in Charlton, got out of the train at St Paul's and walked to Salisbury Square. This would have been in the early 1920s, so almost a century ago.

[@christopherjolly839]

Another great an informative video by Geoff. In the mid to late 1960's I traveled from Wimbledon to Holborn Viaduct every day. One day we were stuck on the south side of Blackfriars station. After about 20 minutes the train went over the bridge avoiding Blackfriars station and straight into Holborn Viaduct. A rare treat! A train had broken down in what was then Platform 5!

[@jamesbeesley2767]

Wow - that’s 7 stations in less than a mile’s stretch of railway.

[@Drengade]

shows how busy they were

[@thomasmcbane8758]

Hey Geoff Great video. Just thought I’d comment as I actually worked on the 2012 upgrade. I was part of the team that developed and carried out the method of deconstructing the existing red columns and extending the adjacent bridge to sit on top of it. Great project to be a part of. Some of the things we encountered during the works (old newspapers, spy glasses etc) made you really appreciate the history. Keep the videos coming.

[@Martin_Adams184]

Thank you, Geoff. A very good video story, and a good explanation of why the bridge piers are still there. Thank you. I hope you don't mind some comments from someone who is an historian, and believes that accuracy with detail matters. There are a couple of things in the commentary that are potentially misleading. At around 1.52 you say "After the Snow Hill station renaming the tunnels through to Farringdon were no longer used and closed up"; and the way this is presented makes it appear as if all that happened in or around 1929. The passenger service through Snow Hill tunnel to Farringdon and Moorgate ceased in 1916; but the tunnel remained in use for freight until the late 1960s. Indeed, I remember standing on the South Bank in 1966, while the Queen Elizabeth Hall was being built, and seeing a freight train cross Blackfriars Bridge to enter the Snow Hill tunnel. The tunnel was completely abandoned in the early 1970s and only then was it "closed up". The main station called Holborn Viaduct was always a terminal station. The through station called Holborn Viaduct was the low-level station, formerly called Snow Hill; and it was through that station that the through trains from the south to Moorgate, Farringdon and wherever north of there ran. The high and low level stations of Holborn Viaduct were connected by stairs. So when the through services ceased, Holborn Viaduct did not "become a terminus station" - the terminal station was the only part of the two-level station still open. I'm pretty confident that I have the above details correct. If I don't, I apologise. It's all very complicated; and I well remember when it was announced that Snow Hill Tunnel would be reopened and the line used for long-distance through services. At last, some 120 years after the tunnel line was built, it would see the use that the London, Chatham and Dover Railway had envisaged. I remember thinking "At last!". But it's easy to think like that - much harder to implement. I hope you think, as I do, that the Thameslink service is a great success. And thanks for a very engaging style of presentation.

[@ianmoseley9910]

Martin Adams I have read (how true it is I do not know) that a number of Luftwaffe raids were attempts to breach/damage/destroy this tunnel because it was considered strategically importanf

[@Martin_Adams184]

@@ianmoseley9910 I don't know if that is true. But I can well believe it. Although there were plenty of alternative routes from the north to the south of the Thames, this was the most central and direct one. So it would have showed up as such on maps, which I imagine the Germans would have had in abundance. Thank you. An interesting idea. Maybe someone here on KZbin, better at the history of the Blitz, would be able to confirm or deny the truth of the story?

[@geofftech2]

Martin, hello! i don't at all mind - thank you for a great comment and taking the time to expand on the info, most welcome! did they removed the tracks in the early 70's when the tunnel was closed i wonder, or did they literally just brick it up and abandon it? it is super complicated isn't it! and there's only so much info on the internet (e.g i couldn't find any pictures of the old Snow Hill at all), which was why i tried to make it uncomplicated, but it's hard to do! now to do Part 2, explain the CIty Widened lines, and the the Hotel and York Road Curve. which i think it even more complicated! aaaaaggh! thank you hugely for taking the time to leave a helpful and informative comment - not many people on KZbin bother to do that. Geoff.

[@Martin_Adams184]

@@geofftech2 Thank you, Geoff. I appreciate the way you look at the subject as bigger than we are. You are right about the history of the Widened Lines and the two curves you mention - even more complicated. All best wishes for your forthcoming efforts on that video. The tracks were removed through the Snow Hill Tunnel in the early 1970s, some three or four years after the line was closed. I remember seeing the old Blackfriars Railway Bridge (the upstream one, with the columns you are talking about in this video) with no tracks on it, and being able to see the northern exit/entrance to the Snow Hill from the Underground trains on the Circle and Metropolitan routes. As far as I can remember the northern entrance was not bricked up. I cannot remember if the southern entrance was bricked up. There are loads of photos of the line available on three sites that I am aware of. The largest quantity, with the most detailed information, is this one: www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/snow_hill/ Notice that there are many links on that page, especially towards the bottom, and that these lead to multiple photos of the lines across many years. Also this one, similar but with different emphases: www.abandonedstations.org.uk/Thameslink.html The other site, less specifically railway oriented but interesting for all kinds of reasons is this one: www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/snow-hill-station/ In all cases, there are many links to photos - lot of them! Best wishes!

[@LegoMiniMovies]

I’ve been there and have always wondered that. Thanks for doing this. :)

[@emkav551]

I won tickets in 1988 from the local radio station in Luton to travel on thameslink when it 1st opened right through to Brighton. It was an excellent day and had a posh lunch and trip around the pavilion. I have a photograph somewhere of St Pauls that I took as we crossed the Thames.

[@simonk3539]

I got a river bus past the old supports yesterday and wondered why they were there. Now I know! Thanks for an informative video.

[@hesterclapp9717]

Please do more of these railway history things

[@heldvomerdbeerfeld]

Hey Geoff, been there 8 times in the last few years and everytime I was wondering what these red pillars are about. Thank you for this wonderful short video. Really interesting und well done! Cheers from Vienna

[@chriswilkes236]

Please keep safe and healthy, Geoff. We cannot afford to lose you. Nice video which i enjoyed.

[@terrygibbs1147]

Excellent. Quite a lot of complex transport history covered and showing where the old stations were built is an eye opener.

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

Great video. The old viaduct to Holborn Viaduct was widely considered an eyesore as it blocked the view up the hill to St Paul's cathedral, so that second stage of the Thameslink programme where they demolished it and sent the line underground was very beneficial, creating a station on the through line to Farringdon (City Thameslink), removing an eyesore AND making BR lot of money from the land released!

[@maxstarn3299]

Please more history videos!! Maybe one on broad street to Watford?

[@barrygower6733]

When I began working in the City, mid-60s, one colleague commuted by steam-hauled train from Hemel Hempstead to Broad Street. It was inconvenient for him when the service was re-routed to Euston.

[@maxstarn3299]

Barry Gower yeah it must’ve been that’s so inconvenient

[@hockeymonk22]

Love the amount of history packed into this one stretch of railway!

[@EloiseStella]

Great video! Thanks for making videos for all these years. I find the tube fascinating

[@duckydashcam751]

Such a different image to even 40 years ago... Extremely interesting.

[@johnlaw3323]

Fascinating documentary you must have put a lot of research into it. Many thanks really enjoyed it.

[@tonygarrett7214]

Excellent video. You’re well-informed, articulate and interesting to listen to.

[@chrishutchins1086]

Brilliant video! I knew a little about the old bridge but now I’ve got all the info!

[@clairejones5214]

I love this channel because it gives so much information about Britain's railways

[@chrisd0407]

I moved to Kent in 1984 and vaguely remember the work being done when commuting but never knew the history. Well explained.

[@baruchpinnick811]

Thanks again Geoff for yet another well-made, informative video. Well done!

[@tjshill82]

Watched lots of your videos Geoff. Always so interesting. Thanks and keep it up

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

Really nice video - great work getting so much in under five minutes! I have quite the fascination with the old Holborn Viaduct station, ever since I first saw some old pictures and VHS footage of it from the late 80s. Oh, and thank you for the link to my video! ^_^

[@geofftech2]

AJ, hello mate! aah, you're welcome. you've got a whole bunch of good stuff on your channel, love what you do. happy to send some clicks your way!

[@SaturnCanuck]

Brilliant. I love when you do histories like this. More of them please. Stay safe and healthy

[@andrewmarsden1970]

Thanks Geoff. I commute between Flitwick and City Thameslink and/or Blackfriars and this information was very interesting.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Geoff your a font of knowledge on our railways 👍🏻 Always enjoy your videos cheers Stevie 😎

[@myoldreteacher]

I love it when you make videos like this

[@darrylkennedy2125]

Thanks Geoff always look forward to your informative videos. Cheers. 👍👍

[@markc8956]

The view over the Thames from the platforms is just mindblowing :) I was going to Luton from Elephant and Castle back in February and changed at Blackfriars.

[@king-swizzled5026]

I was at Blackfriars station just 3 hours ago and wondered why there was massive red supports, get back to Brighton and Geoff answers my question 😂 thanking you

[@1258-Eckhart]

The Thameslink core section has a state of the art signalling system which puts trains on a virtual conveyor belt and shifts them en bloc through the section. After a station stop, the train automatically accelerates away (without having to wait for any lights to change).

[@craiglogistics2092]

Short and sweet and very informative as usual Geoff

[@ace-paidinfull5240]

Have tried to research this topic before, but this was a good watch

[@rosshammond3622]

Really enjoyed this, thanks Geoff. Would love more videos on closed or modified London railway stations.

[@alanrobertson9790]

Brilliant video packed with information.

[@TheOfficialJonBroFTW]

1:48 Anyone else sees the security camera dangling above the sign?

[@dshack4689]

I came here looking to see if anyone else had made this comment. Winning =)

[@jimhutcheson8545]

Thanks

[@geofftech2]

thank you Jim!

[@shelleywebb6450]

I travelled to City Thameslink for 8 years. Nice to see it again and have a bit of history behind it.

[@hojomo]

Superb insight, thanks Geoff!

[@MalteSpieltYT]

1:46 love the dangling security cam :D

[@lewisfilby2394]

I don't live in London and I don't particularly care much about trains ... but heck do I love watching your videos!

[@donsharpe5786]

Interesting. I was a Borough Polytechnic in 1969 (Became South Bank Polytechnic then University). At the time we were having lectures in buildings next to the line to Holborn Viaduct. The problem was the trains travelling to and from the station drowned out the lecturers.

[@dantran4947]

LOVE YOUR VIDS!!! makes me miss London so much.

[@colwichjunction3366]

Complex history is such a short video...👍 Great work as ever. Cheers John B

[@robertseaman9680]

Fascinating info! Tx for posting.

[@businessbuilding1]

I love your vids but these types of vids you produce are my favourite!

[@djgaryc]

Your knowledge is something else! 👏👏 Well done. I really enjoy your videos. 🍻

[@johnsimmons5951]

When the new Thames link tunnel was built the road surface of Ludgate Hill had to be raised, this in turn meant that the Traffic light controlled cross junction had to be raised, but the pavement and the shops on the junction remained at their original level. That is why there are steps up to the road level.

[@scotrail7284]

Brilliant Video Geoff

[@vincentknowd7657]

I love your videos Paul so interesting I was walking around that area yesterday I'm going to have to follow this video again and do the walk again myself

[@nicolasblume1046]

Please do Secrets of Thameslink!

[@Jimyjames73]

I know that I haven't been to London for over 10 yrs now!!! But when I did - I have actually have passed them old 'Red Pillar Butments' as you called them & I did used to wonder what they were there for or used for??? & now I know - thank you for that :) Also @ 3:04 I bet that no one today walking down that street today knew that if back in the 1980's that they would either be standing on a platform or in danger of being run down by a Loco depending where they stood!!!

[@grahamcurl5026]

Excellent and fascinating Video - Thanks

[@MIkeDye200202holla]

When I visited London in summer 2019 I noticed them and wondered what their purpose was. I took a few pictures, I figured they were provisions from back in the day if a second bridge was needed. It’s interesting to know that it actually was a bridge. Thanks for this bit of info Geoff

[@hyperdistortion2]

Didn’t realise the old bridge was removed so recently! Really interesting stuff, given how often I use or pass through Blackfriars.

[@musicforaarre]

Such an excellent explanation. Wonderful. Aarre Peltomaa

[@malcolmabram2957]

I think people who make such esoteric history interesting, to be quite incredible really.

[@Enzo7503]

Great video Geoff! Make more like this!

[@SCTransportProductions]

Great video Geoff! Loving the content. Keep it up!! :)

[@ufx808]

I always thought that Holborn was pronounced Hoburn with a silent 'l' and a 'u' for an 'o'. I might have been saying it wrong for many years. Don't even start on Southwark! Interesting video, so much info I had to watch it twice. Thanks Geoff.

[@thomasdalton1508]

I pronounce it with a silent l and a schwa.

[@meijiturtle3814]

As a veteran "sarf londoner" who worked in Holborn 1960-1963, I can confirm that the accepted pronunciation is Ho burn, the L being silent.

[@ufx808]

@@meijiturtle3814 You'll have no trouble with Southwark then.👍

[@radders261]

I have always wondered what the red pilliars were, thank you!

[@mintymoore6054]

Great Video. When you looked down the tracks towards Blackfriars, my office is to the left on the ground floor. I wonder how many other people can say they have trains running above their office?

[@Nooticus]

Excellent history video! Thanks!

[@rogerwhittle2078]

As always, Geoff, a fascinating vlog, but there was something you didn't mention that I thought was either part of the story or, at least, relevant. The old, so called; 'Metropolitan Widened Lines'. I worked with a history/railway buff (fifty years ago!) and I remember being on a glass walled staircase, in an office building on the north side of the river and slightly east of the old Blackfriars Bridge station. He pointed out the ramp that came up out of the ground (west side of the station?) and on to the bridge. He told me that came through 'The Metropolitan Widened Lines' that you could see from the car park under Smithfield Market. I remember being astonished when he told me it was actually possible - in the early seventies - to run trains from places like Bedford and Milton Keynes, to Brighton! Who would have thought?

[@geofftech2]

that's coming up in a separate (Part 2?) video, Roger! oh yes ...

[@joffdorling3562]

Great video mate I really like watching your videos there really cool😌👍👍

[@beeble2003]

So, in summary, they built a railway and a station. Then they built a bridge and another station just across the river from the first one. And then some more railway, and another station which, for some reason was on a short branch off the through lines and just 200m north of the last one. But then they built some platforms on the through lines and gave them a different name and then renamed them to have nearly the same name as the terminus. Still with me? Right, then they built another bridge and put another station on that, and closed the first station. So there are now _four_ stations within about 200m of each other, which is about the length of an eleven-coach train so maybe the train didn't need to move and you just walked along it and got off from a different carriage. Forty years later, they closed the through lines and their station, and the second station, and renamed the last station. But then after another fifty years, they re-opened the through station with a third new name, closed the branch station, renamed the through station _again_ and that's where we are today!

[@thbe51]

Nice stuff as always!!

[@OldLiverpoolRailwaysOfficial]

Geoff's knowledge of Londons railways is mind blowing! there is so much info and he knows it all! and i thought Livepool's railways with them being older would be more hard work.

[@juliandixon4189]

The Snow Hill tunnels continued to be in use after 1929, they were used until the 1960s for cross London freight only being lifted in 1971.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

The platforms at Blackfriars should be a huge tourist attraction really, pretty stunning views of London from on top of the Thames, I love waiting there for a train.

[@c.curmudgeon2834]

It's always nice to see old architecture repurposed, newer construction doesn't always have the same soul as old fashioned construction.

[@ericprice3225]

Thanks for posting. When I was younger I remember going into London with my father to Holburn Viaduct and when they realigned the tracks to use the old Snow Hill tunnel. I can't remember the old bridge though which is a shame as it must have been there at the time.

[@2H80vids]

You wouldn't *see* the old bridge if you were *on* it - same thing with the new one.😁

[@norbitonflyer5625]

@@2H80vids The old bridge had been out of use for many years before its demolition in 1985. But you would definitely have been able to see it if you were on it, as the trains ran between the girders.

[@2H80vids]

@@norbitonflyer5625 Fair point. It didn't occur to me that it lay out-of-use for years; I thought it was the huge, impending increase in traffic when Thameslink opened that prompted the building of a new bridge. When was the "current" bridge built?