What is actually down the Aldwych branch line?

[Comstock]

Do they store trains down there?

I've got visions of it being used rather like an attic in the house, a place to put stuff you don't need, but aren't *quite* sure you'll never need again. Stuff you can't quite decide what to do with......"ah stick it down the Aldwych branch out the way!" kind of thing?

 

[John Webb]

Try this site http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/a/aldwych-holborn-branch_line/index.shtml for a good deal of information on this branch line.

 

[Lampshade]

The old platforms at Holborn have been used for storage/offices in the past.

A 1972 stock train is permanently stabled somewhere down there.

 

[bramling]

Do they store trains down there?

I've got visions of it being used rather like an attic in the house, a place to put stuff you don't need, but aren't *quite* sure you'll never need again. Stuff you can't quite decide what to do with......"ah stick it down the Aldwych branch out the way!" kind of thing?

The route is roughly in as-closed condition and is primarily used for filming and the occasional training exercise. An ex Northern Line 72 stock unit resides on the branch for filming use, although it goes to Northfields very occasionally for maintenance.

A proposed capacity scheme for Holborn station uses the platform area as a walking route, so this will probably see the end of rail access to Aldwych unless something changes.

 

[Busaholic]

The route is roughly in as-closed condition and is primarily used for filming and the occasional training exercise. An ex Northern Line 72 stock unit resides on the branch for filming use, although it goes to Northfields very occasionally for maintenance.

A proposed capacity scheme for Holborn station uses the platform area as a walking route, so this will probably see the end of rail access to Aldwych unless something changes.

As an aside, if the rail connection is removed we have the coincidence (?) of an extant, but abandoned, tube line within a stone's throw of an extant, but abandoned, tram subway.

 

[Bald Rick]

As an aside, if the rail connection is removed we have the coincidence (?) of an extant, but abandoned, tube line within a stone's throw of an extant, but abandoned, tram subway.

And an extant, but rarely used, long overrun tunnel (from Charing Cross).

 

[Busaholic]

And an extant, but rarely used, long overrun tunnel (from Charing Cross).

Presumably from the Jubilee Line, bearing in mind that when that line opened Charing Cross was the southern terminus and any plans to extend the line, planned as the Fleet Line of course, were in a directly east direction broadly parallel to the District/Circle for the first few miles.

 

[edwin_m]

Presumably from the Jubilee Line, bearing in mind that when that line opened Charing Cross was the southern terminus and any plans to extend the line, planned as the Fleet Line of course, were in a directly east direction broadly parallel to the District/Circle for the first few miles.

Yes, the overrun tunnels extend almost to Aldwych and there is an urban explorer site somewhere describing how they got in via an emergency exit.

Perhaps not the Jubilee overrun, but both the tram tunnel and the Aldwych branch have interesting historic infrastructure and are within a throw of the same stone from the London Transport Museum. I'm surprised they haven't managed to do organised tours more often than very sporadically.

 

[LiftFan]

Well, it's a lot safer to store a train down there as it won't be completely ruined by vandals as the 1983 Stock was in Kilburn sidings (I believe?)

 

[gsnedders]

A proposed capacity scheme for Holborn station uses the platform area as a walking route, so this will probably see the end of rail access to Aldwych unless something changes.

Why would it see the end of rail access? Surely you can just brick the line off?

 

[bramling]

Why would it see the end of rail access? Surely you can just brick the line off?

The plans I have seen involve using the whole platform space plus track in one form or another. Naturally things may have changed or may change, but one has to consider the value of a closed branch line against the cost of a more complex and costly scheme. Time will tell...

 

[bramling]

Well, it's a lot safer to store a train down there as it won't be completely ruined by vandals as the 1983 Stock was in Kilburn sidings (I believe?)

South Harrow, among other places.

The train isn't stored as such, filming and training is its use, and if not being used for that it would probably have gone the same way as most of its brothers. Having said that, the train is in good unspoiled condition apart from the horrid red ends, so hopefully it might just get preserved when it finally leaves Aldwych.

 

[Mikey C]

Aren't the Charing Cross Jubilee Line platforms also used for filming purposes, though without trains?

 

[Dstock7080]

Aren't the Charing Cross Jubilee Line platforms also used for filming purposes, though without trains?

They have also been used, with and without trains.

 

[Class172]

Aren't the Charing Cross Jubilee Line platforms also used for filming purposes, though without trains?

If I recall, I think they featured in the film Skyfall.

 

[Ianno87]

If I recall, I think they featured in the film Skyfall.

Yes, as "Embankment" with 96 stock working a District Line service, apparently.

 

[bluegoblin7]

If I recall, I think they featured in the film Skyfall.

Skyfall, Sherlock and Silent Witness are all recent (well, within the last 5 years) 'big name' productions to use the platforms at Charing Cross.

 

[yorksrob]

Not to mention 28 days later.

 

[LU_timetabler]

Aldwych branch platforms can only hold 4 car trains, if there's a 72 or 73 stock down there, it is only half a train, not full length one.

 

[kwrail]

If I recall, I think they featured in the film Skyfall.

There was a major continuity error in that they seemed to switch from District line stock to Piccadilly line stock - but still be on the same train! Was a good film all the same.

 

[bluegoblin7]

There was a major continuity error in that they seemed to switch from District line stock to Piccadilly line stock - but still be on the same train! Was a good film all the same.

Not in Skyfall.

As much as it pained many purists that a '96 stock was used as a substitute District line train, it was at least consistent in using a '96 stock throughout, even for the mocked up cars in the crash sequence.

Now Sherlock on the other hand...

 

[Tetchytyke]

There was a major continuity error in that they seemed to switch from District line stock to Piccadilly line stock - but still be on the same train! Was a good film all the same.

You're thinking of the bomb scene in Sherlock. Skyfall's continuity was spit on, even using a CGI 96 stock for the crash scene, if you could look past them pretending it was the District Line.

They do use trains on the Charing Cross branch for filming, a friend was down there last week filming an advert.

 

[urpert]

Pretty sure it’s Charing Cross that stands in for Waterloo in the (excellent) first scene of The Bourne Ultimatum.

(Vaguely related - ‘Jason Bourne’ also features Woolwich Arsenal DLR standing in for the Athens metro.)

 

[TFN]

Now Sherlock on the other hand...

No. Please. That episode gave me a headache. I felt triggered.

 

[Busaholic]

(Vaguely related - ‘Jason Bourne’ also features Woolwich Arsenal DLR standing in for the Athens metro.)

I always new my original stomping ground would become known as the Athens of the North one day,

 

[CarltonA]

Perhaps not the Jubilee overrun, but both the tram tunnel and the Aldwych branch have interesting historic infrastructure and are within a throw of the same stone from the London Transport Museum. I'm surprised they haven't managed to do organised tours more often than very sporadically.

Furthermore, not too far away is the disused Charing Cross Loop which was breached by a bomb in the 1940s. The break was plugged and the tunnel pumped out on either side. Occasionally maintenance staff pay a visit into the sealed off parts.

 

[Rup]

You're thinking of the bomb scene in Sherlock. Skyfall's continuity was spit on, even using a CGI 96 stock for the crash scene, if you could look past them pretending it was the District Line.

However the crashing train appears to be empty, apart from the driver.

 

[Deerfold]

Pretty sure it’s Charing Cross that stands in for Waterloo in the (excellent) first scene of The Bourne Ultimatum.

I don't think so.

https://filming.networkrail.co.uk/whatsfilmedwhere/bourneultimatum.aspx?pageid=56

The third part of the Bourne Trilogy, Bourne Ultimatum, was filmed at London Waterloo station.

 

[urpert]

I don't think so.

https://filming.networkrail.co.uk/whatsfilmedwhere/bourneultimatum.aspx?pageid=56

The amazing chase is definitely Waterloo, but I think it cuts to CX for the tube sequence at the end.

 

[Strathclyder]

Aren't the Charing Cross Jubilee Line platforms also used for filming purposes, though without trains?

The B-grade horror film Creep (2004) was one film that used the former Jubilee Line platforms at Charing Cross to some extent. The only reason I'm really mentioning it is due to that poster for it. 13 years later and it still gives me the shivers, regardless of the quality of the film it was promoting.