Forum Topic

Ealings 'Ghost' Underground Stations

I have always loved the mystery of the abandoned "ghost" stations of the London Underground so was pleased to see an article on the BBC News website the other day (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25576814).What was more interesting was to learn that we have a ghost station in Hanwell!!! See this link for the map (http://usvsth3m.com/post/52135944891/ghost-stations-of-the-london-underground-on-the-classic).Also, one in Castle Hill which I assume is Castlebar Hill ?So, for the older or wiser (or both) members of this forum, can you provide any insight into either of these ghost stations ?

Bud Richards ● 4495d10 Comments

Not really related to redundant stations (unless you count Wood Lane before its resurrection) but ever wondered why the lines at White City are the wrong way round ( running on the right rather than left)?http://www.tubeprune.com/Woodlane%20whitecity.html

Philip Coe ● 4495d

A lot of stuff on former stations here:http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/sites.shtmlincludes Brentford, Trumpers Crossing, Three Bridges and more. Also check the Subterranea Britannica site, lot of "underground" structures, caves,etc there.

Chris Edwards ● 4495d

John, I'm sure I saw a great one somewhere before. Am up to my eyes at work at the mo but have a look at this link as a starter. When I get home this evening I'll have a deeper dive:http://stations.aeracode.org/

Bud Richards ● 4495d

I have always wanted to see a 3d type map showing how the underground lines overlap and their depth. Never found one though.

John Bodman ● 4495d

Not Tube but just looking at the 1938 reproduction A-Z (http://www.az.co.uk/?nid=60&iid=3554&pts=1,2,3,4,5,6,&s=Historical&t=0&st=1), within our local area I found the following stations no longer with us; Old Oak Lane (GWR page 46 6L), North Acton (GWR page 45 5K), Park Royal (GWR page 45 4K), Park Royal West (GWR page 44 3K) Park Royal Goods station survived into the 1980s, Brentham (GWR page 44 2J)m Brentford (GWR page 56 1Q), Kew Bridge (LMS page 56 3P) These all closed 1940 - 1949). On this A-Z there is the footpath that Trumpers Crossing Halt (closed around 1926) stood by (from Warren Farm to the locks at Green Lane Hanwell (GWR page 94 1c Q). Others that could be found nearby were Perivale GWR, Northolt GWR, Ruislip Manor GWR (this one survived until 1958), Uxbridge Vine Street (GWR closed 1962 to Passengers and 1964 to goods), Uxbridge High Street (GWR Closed 1939 to passengers and 1964 to goods). Cowley (closed in 1962 on the Uxbridge Vine Street Branch).  Also the original locations of Park Royal and Twyford Abbey, Northfields and Little Ealing. At Ealing Broadway platforms 8 & 9 show how it was built to be a through station for the short lived Windsor services. Also nearby the West Drayton to Staines branch (GWR closed 1965) was till opening new halts in the 1960s. Brentford Town Goods station opened around 1940 and closed in 1970.

Leslie Bailey ● 4495d

Hanwell 'underground' station was on the Windsor extension of the District line and is the same station that exists today. The Windsor extension closed in the 1860's IIRC.Not a ghost station as such but (parts of) the elevated footway that linked Northfields and South Ealing stations is still visible.The nearest 'ghost' platforms are the remnants of Osterley and Spring Grove which you can still see on the Piccadilly Line. The 'old' station has long been a shop.

Nigel Brooks ● 4495d

Castle Hill Lodge on Castlebar Hill was the home of Queen Victoria’s father.

John Bodman ● 4495d

Apparently that District Line station was closed late 19C as it wasn't making enough money. As far as I can make out it was just an extension of the Disctrict line to run along the current national rail line, and use the current Hanwell national rail station. There's some old footage here: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/hanwell-railway-stationI think Castle Hill is just what West Ealing used to be called originally. I find this stuff fascinating too. One of my favourites is British Museum station - if you look out of the window between Tottenham Court Road and Holborn on the Central Line you'll notice the driver slows to pass through the old station. The platforms are no longer there, but the passageways that would have gone from eastbound to westbound platforms remain and the tiles still glint, despite being covered in dust.

John Slavin ● 4495d

West Ealing station was originally named Castle Hill & Ealing Dene station.  Anyone know whether there was a Castle in the area?

Philip Coe ● 4495d

I find the 'ghost stations' a fascinating subject (I lead a sad life!). Rather than post reasons for these stations (and making myself appear knowledgeable) I shall just recommend this site;http://www.abandonedstations.org.uk/And can I also recommend a book called The Subterranean Railway (Christian Wolmar), which is a fascinating (there's that word again) about the history of the Underground and impact it had on London.

John Bodman ● 4495d