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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2015 23:53:19 GMT
I was in London the last few days for my birthday, and noticed that the platforms in Piccadilly Circus on the Piccadilly Line are staggered. Is there any reason for this? I have searched but can't find any info, only about the Bakerloo Line where you can see the opposite platforms.
Also there seems to be 2 tunnels that aren't in use and have gates covering them at the end of one platform and another right next to it.Are they old entrances from lift shafts or something?
Can someone explain?
I love facts and the history of stations and disused tunnels etc, thanks
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Post by MoreToJack on Jan 11, 2015 0:18:02 GMT
Also there seems to be 2 tunnels that aren't in use and have gates covering them at the end of one platform and another right next to it.Are they old entrances from lift shafts or something? Spot on; these are where the lifts were and if you look through them you can see the stairs leading down(!) to these - although don't get too close if you don't want to get muck on your face. Part of the former spiral staircase also remains providing a "shortcut" between the Bakerloo and the Piccadilly, although you can't go all the way up. |
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Post by piccboy on Jan 11, 2015 1:43:48 GMT
Also there seems to be 2 tunnels that aren't in use and have gates covering them at the end of one platform and another right next to it.Are they old entrances from lift shafts or something? Spot on; these are where the lifts were and if you look through them you can see the stairs leading down(!) to these - although don't get too close if you don't want to get muck on your face. Part of the former spiral staircase also remains providing a "shortcut" between the Bakerloo and the Piccadilly, although you can't go all the way up. The spiral staircase that is a shortcut between the Bakerloo and Piccadilly is actually the one installed when the "new" ticket hall was built in 1920's. The original spiral staircase is no longer there, but the shaft still exists. I was told the platforms were staggered and curve to conform with two running tunnels following the road and public space above. |
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Post by abe on Jan 16, 2015 20:35:38 GMT
The platforms were extended in the 1930s; originally they were only very slightly staggered. At the 'north' end of the station (actually west, but I'm basing this on the line being mainly north-south) there was a crossover tunnel, used for reversing trains. It was undesirable for the platforms to be extended into this area - probably in part because it would have meant making an extremely large tunnel for two tracks and two side platforms. The southbound platform was therefore extended at the 'southern' end, obliterating one of the original platform access tunnels.
The northbound platform was more problematic. Immediately south of the station the running tunnel passes close by the access subways to the old lifts and, perhaps more importantly, the Piccadilly line westbound platform tunnel. My belief (I can find nothing in writing to confirm this) is that it was decided that extending the northbound platform into the crossover tunnel was decided to be the 'least worst' option, and that it was just possible to squeeze it in by enlarging part of the crossover tunnel. The shield used to construct the crossover tunnel had been erected in a chamber immediately north of the platforms, and this larger section of tunnel still existed, and thus reduced the amount of enlargement required.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2015 0:31:03 GMT
Very interesting replies thanks all
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Post by Alight on Jan 20, 2015 21:15:40 GMT
You might find this iconic drawing interesting. Is the spiral staircase that features in this the original or the one installed during the 1920s? |
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Post by keerde on Jan 21, 2015 16:24:37 GMT
These are the spiral stairs of the upgrade of the 1920s, I'll see if I can upload the plans from 1907 that I have of the station which include the original passageways and lifts/spiral staircase later on today.
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