Platform between Farringdon and King's Cross on the Metropolitan line

[Jack D]

Hi all,

I don't have a photo or video of my own so please see the Youtube video below.

Does anyone know what purpose this platform serves at 09:50? It's between Farringdon and King's Cross but trains don't stop there. The only other things I can see of note are a Travelodge above the blue bridge and the ladder system on the left hand side near the end of the platform.

I'm just curious.

Kind regards,

Jack

 

[hexagon789]

Hi all,

I don't have a photo or video of my own so please see the Youtube video below.

Does anyone know what purpose this platform serves at 09:50? It's between Farringdon and King's Cross but trains don't stop there. The only other things I can see of note are a Travelodge above the blue bridge and the ladder system on the left hand side near the end of the platform.

I'm just curious.

Kind regards,

Jack

Is it not the original Met Line King's Cross platform? Before the Met platforms were resited in the ~1940s.

 

[swt_passenger]

Is it not the original Met Line King's Cross platform? Before the Met platforms were resited in the ~1940s.

It is, I’m sure there’s a website showing the original setup before the Met Station was moved west in 1941,
here we are:

Kings Cross

(Link to website “abandoned stations.org.uk” page on Kings Cross Metropolitan.)

 

[Jack D]

Ah I see. Very interesting.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Is it not the original Met Line King's Cross platform? Before the Met platforms were resited in the ~1940s.

It is - and on the other side of the wall is the former King's Cross Thameslink station isn't it?

 

[hexagon789]

It is, I’m sure there’s a website showing the original setup before the Met Station was moved west in 1941,
here we are:

Kings Cross

(Link to website “abandoned stations.org.uk” page on Kings Cross Metropolitan.)

Thanks for confirming.

It is - and on the other side of the wall is the former King's Cross Thameslink station isn't it?

I'd guess so, because it must be very nearby anyway so seems likely that's it.

 

[swt_passenger]

It is - and on the other side of the wall is the former King's Cross Thameslink station isn't it?

There’s a corresponding web page about the old widened lines station that eventually became Kings Cross Thameslink, showing a simple wire netting boundary fence in place on the island between the westbound, (GN towards the Hotel Curve), and the closed eastbound, (Circle/Met). There was a much clearer view across the island before the rebuild for the original Thameslink changes.

I think it has to be assumed when open (pre 1941), it was a simple shared island with shared access stairs. Please see the first few photos on this page:

Kings Cross Thameslink

 

[Tetchytyke]

There are plenty more photos of the station on the (excellent) Disused Stations website too:

Disused Stations: Kings Cross Thameslink Station

 

[etr221]

Up to 16 October 1940 - when it was closed due to bomb damage it was one station - the Metropolitan Railway's King's Cross station, which following the construction of the 'Widened Lines', had four platforms - two for the 'Widened Lines' (used by other companies), and two for the Met's own services. As part of the LPTB 1930s New Works program, the current Met/Circle part of King's Cross St Pancras, further West, was built to integrate the Underground's facilities, opening 14th March 1941, at which the Met Platforms at 'King's Cross Met.' changed from 'temporarily' to 'permanently' out of use. Through services over the widened lines had been withdrawn on the outbreak of war, and were not reinstated until 1945-46 (I forget the exact dates), when 'King's Cross Met' was reopened to serve them, with two in, and two out of, use platforms - as a London Transport station not served by LT trains (which just ran through without stopping - whether in emergency they could, or ever did, I've no idea) - eventually being closed c1979, for the Widened Lines to be transferred to BR, with 'their' station being partitioned off and rebuilt for the Midland Suburban electrification, later Thameslink, project, and the old Met Line platforms being left to decay, a puzzle for those unaware of their history.

 

[3141]

In the late 1940s there were still Station Closed signs on the old Metropolitan Line platforms. The trains on what was then known as the Inner Circle had hand-worked doors so these signs were necessary, because if such a train was held at a signal, a passenger might alight there. I remember opening the doors to get a better view as a train passed through.

In the late 1960s there were peak hours Eastern Region trains to and from Moorgate via the Widened Lines - from York Road towards Moorgate and via the Hotel Curve into Platform 16 at Kings Cross on the way back. There was also a much smaller number of Midland Region trains. My recollection is that only the MR trains called at the Widened Lines station in the evening peak (there being no St. Pancras International station at that time), so that anyone in the Kings Cross area who wanted a train onto the MR line could join it there.

 

[etr221]

In the late 1960s there were peak hours Eastern Region trains to and from Moorgate via the Widened Lines - from York Road towards Moorgate and via the Hotel Curve into Platform 16 at Kings Cross on the way back. There was also a much smaller number of Midland Region trains. My recollection is that only the MR trains called at the Widened Lines station in the evening peak (there being no St. Pancras International station at that time), so that anyone in the Kings Cross area who wanted a train onto the MR line could join it there.

Services from Moorgate via the Widened Lines on to the GN ended with the GN suburban electrification, c1976, which concentrated services on Moorgate via the GN&C line (inner suburban) and KX (outer) - instead of the three way split between Broad Street, Moorgate via WL and KX. Midland sevices continued a few more years, until the Widened LInes were transferred to BR for reconstruction/electrification

 

[edwin_m]

Services from Moorgate via the Widened Lines on to the GN ended with the GN suburban electrification, c1976, which concentrated services on Moorgate via the GN&C line (inner suburban) and KX (outer) - instead of the three way split between Broad Street, Moorgate via WL and KX. Midland sevices continued a few more years, until the Widened LInes were transferred to BR for reconstruction/electrification

Midland services to Moorgate continued until the route was cut by the extension of Farringdon in the 2010s.

 

[Magdalia]

Midland services to Moorgate continued until the route was cut by the extension of Farringdon in the 2010s.

Farringdon-Moorgate closed in March 2009, but Kings Cross Thameslink station closed in December 2007 when it was replaced by the new low level station at St Pancras.

 

[Belperpete]

I can remember the trek from the mainline stations, crossing a very busy road junction, often having to wait a significant time for the pedestrian phase at the lights, and then up Pentonville Road to the King's Cross Thameslink station. Not exactly convenient if carrying heavy luggage in the pouring rain. Presumably passengers for the Met and Circle also had to make the same trek pre 1941. I was going to say H&C as well, but that didn't exist then.

I seem to recall that there was a link to the deep level tubes to the old Thameslink station?

Was there a reason why the Met didn't build its stations at Euston and Kings Cross immediately adjacent to those stations? Did the mainline railways object to the Met building them under their forecourts? The Met station at Euston Square still involves a significant trek in the rain, although fortunately not over a major road junction.

 

[3141]

I seem to recall that there was a link to the deep level tubes to the old Thameslink station?

There certainly was during the years prior to its closure, and probably, though I don't specifically remember, during the period of Midland Electrics. But I wonder whether there had been such a link during the time of the old Kings Cross Metropolitan station (up to 1941). Perhaps someone here knows about that.

 

[edwin_m]

I can remember the trek from the mainline stations, crossing a very busy road junction, often having to wait a significant time for the pedestrian phase at the lights, and then up Pentonville Road to the King's Cross Thameslink station. Not exactly convenient if carrying heavy luggage in the pouring rain. Presumably passengers for the Met and Circle also had to make the same trek pre 1941. I was going to say H&C as well, but that didn't exist then.

MML passengers were encouraged to change at Luton for Thameslink instead. I think the connection and extra journey time from there on one of the Thameslink "fasts" (100mph maximum and two extra stops) was less than what needed to be allowed for the transfer to KX Thameslink.

I seem to recall reading there was once a subway from Kings Cross to the original Metropolitan station, separate from the one that linked it to the deep level Tubes.

 

[swt_passenger]

I seem to recall reading there was once a subway from Kings Cross to the original Metropolitan station, separate from the one that linked it to the deep level Tubes.

I think that’s the closed subway that’s fairly well covered in the link in my first reply, post #3?

@edwin_m I’ve edited this reply as follows:

I’ve since found it on the TfL/LU property map, and it shows a longish route that leaves the original Met station buildings in a southwesterly direction, then turns right and runs along under the south side pavement of Gray’s Inn Road, then crosses under the road junction and heads towards the SE corner of the Kings Cross mainline station, ie about where the south end of P0 is today. (So that explains why it’s so long and curvy in the photo sequence…)

But as you say this was a completely different route to the later one built to connect from the 1980s Thameslink station on Pentonville Rd, ie the route that stayed open as an LU entrance after 2007 and was only closed comparatively recently?

 

[Bradford PA]

MML passengers were encouraged to change at Luton for Thameslink instead. I think the connection and extra journey time from there on one of the Thameslink "fasts" (100mph maximum and two extra stops) was less than what needed to be allowed for the transfer to KX Thameslink.

I seem to recall reading there was once a subway from Kings Cross to the original Metropolitan station, separate from the one that linked it to the deep level Tubes.

The interchange from the mainline to the Victoria line was much more convenient via the Thameslink station than the present arrangements at St Pancras.