Help! London Tube Closing Times in 1968

[Aloysius]

Hello everyone. I'm writing a novel wherein significant things occur at Waterloo and Cockfoster stations on the evening of April 3 (Wednesday) 1968. The question is what time were both of these stations open until on that night?

I would be most appreciative of any answers to these questions. Don't want to make a damn fool of myself by having events occur when the station is closed.

Thank you.

 

[Busaholic]

Hello everyone. I'm writing a novel wherein significant things occur at Waterloo and Cockfoster stations on the evening of April 3 (Wednesday) 1968. The question is what time were both of these stations open until on that night?

I would be most appreciative of any answers to these questions. Don't want to make a damn fool of myself by having events occur when the station is closed.

Thank you.

In the case of Waterloo main line, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been closed at all. Newspaper and milk trains combined with late night services to Guildford and beyond would have meant there was only an hour or two with nothing either leaving the station or loading on platforms occurring.
I can't be sure about Cockfosters in 1968, but on my brief spell working on Piccadilly Line in early 1970s I'd have thought the last train in would have been close to midnight.

 

[steamybrian]

In the case of Waterloo main line, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been closed at all. Newspaper and milk trains combined with late night services to Guildford and beyond would have meant there was only an hour or two with nothing either leaving the station or loading on platforms occurring.
I can't be sure about Cockfosters in 1968, but on my brief spell working on Piccadilly Line in early 1970s I'd have thought the last train in would have been close to midnight.

I agree Waterloo Main Line remained open all night with newspaper trains (including a passenger coach or two) and the occasional suburban passenger service. Waterloo and Cockfosters tube stations I think would closed just after midnight until the first train around 0500hrs.

 

[AM9]

Hello everyone. I'm writing a novel wherein significant things occur at Waterloo and Cockfoster stations on the evening of April 3 (Wednesday) 1968. The question is what time were both of these stations open until on that night?

I would be most appreciative of any answers to these questions. Don't want to make a damn fool of myself by having events occur when the station is closed.

Thank you.

Assuming that the main tube lines had similar last train times, I remember that (except on Sundays) the last trains left central London between 00:00 and 00:30, meaning that their arrivals at the end of the lines where they were usually stabled was around 00:45-01:15. That was certainly trues for the Central line for I once missed the last train from TCR and had to walk to Liverpool St to catch the 03:45 Southend Victoria paper train.

 

[CatfordCat]

I have a 1961 underground timetable to hand - things would probably not have been much different by 1968

weekdays - last departure from Cockfosters was 2358 to Hounslow West, last arrival at 0053 - there would probably have been a staff train or two later.

Waterloo - agree with the above if you mean main line station - there was a limited all night service on the Waterloo - Wimbledon - Twickenham - Richmond - Waterloo service as well as main line trains.

If you mean Waterloo underground, last Northern line trains 0028 to Morden, 0041 to Edgware; last Bakerloo trains 0038 to Elephant and Castle, 0026 to Queens Park.

Likewise there may have been a staff train or two after that.

The Waterloo and City line was at that time part of BR - last train to Bank at 2154, last arrival at Waterloo 2205

 

[Aloysius]

You folks are incredible! Now I've got all the information I need to keep a vital scene in the book. Thanks to you (at least in that part of the book) I won't be making a fool of myself. Keep an eye out for Aloysius the Great in 2-3 years. You've contributed to it!

The very best to all of you for being so knowledgeable and considerate.

 

[DasLunatic]

Anytime. Just send me a copy when it's done and I'll get it on the shelves. I'm magic, you see...

 

[Busaholic]

You folks are incredible! Now I've got all the information I need to keep a vital scene in the book. Thanks to you (at least in that part of the book) I won't be making a fool of myself. Keep an eye out for Aloysius the Great in 2-3 years. You've contributed to it!

The very best to all of you for being so knowledgeable and considerate.

Mention it again when the book is about to be published, and if I'm still selling books (I'll be 70 by then) I'll get one in.

 

[Aloysius]

Mention it again when the book is about to be published, and if I'm still selling books (I'll be 70 by then) I'll get one in.

Something I am certain to do for a young man of your ilk.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Anytime. Just send me a copy when it's done and I'll get it on the shelves. I'm magic, you see...

I'll pm you when its publication is imminent.