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Tube Anorak: Greenford Station

Sorry to hear the last wooden escalator on the network at Greenford Station is being removed. http://londonist.com/2013/09/londons-undergrounds-last-wooden-escalator-to-be-removed.php

Mike Paterson ● 4577d10 Comments

Go Ben!

Bernadette Clover ● 4559d

Ben mentions his addiction to all things Epping and Ongarand I must admit it is an interesting and odd spot at that north east London outpost.  Indeed the old Central Line Railway there has a Preservation society.Ben would have raised his eyebrows at the Brentford Festival in Blondin Park in early September when this road/rail vehicle turned up!

Jim Lawes ● 4560d

The incline lift will be so slow that it will be quicker climbing the stairs using crampons and ropes. On the plus side it will carry wheelchairs etc.It's just that like so many of the lifts now built that are really slow.

Oliver Gregan ● 4572d

The plan is to install a new escalator, instead of one of the staircases, then install a new "incline lift" in place of the old escalator, which will leave room for a wider staircase between them.See http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/28498.aspx

Richard Jennings ● 4573d

I am fairly sure there were two escalators at Greenford, with stairs in the middle, but one failed so they replaced it with more stairs but of a different design.

Chris Bell ● 4574d

Anyone remember an escalator at Alperton on the Piccadilly line? That disappeared around 25 years ago, (some say it is simply bricked off from public access).The reproduction "Historical Edition" of the 1938 A-Z also shows on the Greenford via Park Royal route GWR stations at Old Oak Lane, North Acton, Park Royal, Park Royal West and Brentham. Of those North Acton and Park Royal were full size brick built Great Western Railway stations, the others were wooden halt type structures.

Leslie Bailey ● 4575d

Ah ha I love the history of the underground and the trivia that goes with it. Greenford was built in 1947 by The Great Western Railway. The station was unique when built in being the only Underground station with an escalator going UP to the platforms. Did you know that the Central Line also has the distinction of being the longest line without needing a change? It says snore here! If you haven't fallen asleep you might be fascinated to know that it's approximately 33 miles from West Ruislip to Epping. And don't get me started on my favourite station Ongar! What a great name! The furthest outpost ever: it's even beyond the M25! Also famous for being the only station that never had more than one platform!Of course I was on the last train to Ongar and on the last train to Aldwych!!!!

Ben Owen ● 4575d

With luck they may install an all metal one in place of one of the staircases, then replace the wooden escalator.

Chris Bell ● 4576d

I'm not planning to find out!

Mike Paterson ● 4576d

How many escalators will replace it?

Chris Bell ● 4576d