From East to West - The Central Line of London (Central Line)

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	Central Line
Date:	14/03/01 (137 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good way to get around

Disadvantages: needs improvement

One of the busiest transport networks in the entire world is based right here in London.
Its common name is "the Underground" a name adopted in the 1930's along with its famous Red circle and Blue stripe through logo.
Yet the tube network was started much earlier in the late 1800's.
The underground was a complex maze of tunnels constructed deep underground to solve the transport problems that were beginning to affect London.
Lack of space was an issue above ground so the answer was found below.

One of the lines that runs deep underground is called the Central Line. It is the most heavily used by commuters and tourists alike. It appears on the map as a Red line running through London from side to side.
Im going to explain all of the stations in this opinion and will take you on a journey along the line from East to West.
Firstly, I will outline some of its history.

History.
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The Central Line was originally designed in the 1880's but did not open until 1900.
The ceremony was performed by the then Prince of Wales and an inaugural service began between Bank in the East and Shepherds Bush in the West.
In 1907, the Shepherds Bush became the penultimate stop on the West End of the line as Wood Lane Station became the new terminus.
This was built for the 1908 exhibition.
1912 saw the first extension Eastbound with the line being continued out to Liverpool St.
This gave connections to the entire East Anglia.
During the 1920's, the line continued to grow Westbound too. It was during this time that it reached its terminus at the Actons.

The 1930's saw closure of a couple of Central Line stations.
Due to the amalgamation of several companies to form London Transport, many stations owned by rival companies on the line faced closure due to their close proximity.

The 1940's saw the completion of the track lay out that we know today.
The fi
nal Eastbound sections were put in place and ran from Ongar through to Liverpool St.

All of these new stations were strategically placed.
The fashion was changing. People were no longer living in Central London. They were moving to the suburbs due to the ease of commuting. London was becoming a place to work. Many of the stations on this line became commuter towns or villages.
Stations were built in a small community as houses were built on the land surrounding. This had been acquired during the purchase of access to the land. Housing estates were created to generate 2 revenues.
Firstly, the Housing itself would be sold to commuters, generating revenue for London transport in a one-off sale. Then, continuous revenue was earned as these people travelled to work everyday by tube.
Very clever planning.

Closed Stations.
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The Central line has at least 2 underground stations that I know of that are now closed as well as the Ongar Branch line. These are described below.

British Museum
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This stop was abandoned during amalgamation.
In 1933, it was decided to close the station due to its close proximity to Holborn.
It is located between Holborn and Tottenham Court Road and can be seen through the window as a "ghost station" when travelling between stations.

Wood Lane
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Once it was the end of the Line for the Westbound trains, but the station was only built as a temporary measure for the London Exhibition of 1908. It continued to be used until the White City station was built. Wood lane was closed in 1947 due to lack of use.

Ongar Branch
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This included 2 other stations other than Ongar. Blake Hall was first to close in 1981 due to lack of use. The main cause for this line's closure was the increased use of the more reliable overhead railway.
Less and less tube traffic fed the line until it was eventually clos
ed in 1994 with the loss of Ongar and North Weald stations.
This is now operated by enthusiasts.


A trip along the line
---------------------

East to West.
Im going to start my journey for you at the current Eastbound Terminus.

Epping
------
Famous for its forest, Epping is a very suburban location for the Tube, even verging on the countryside. This Essex station is where you start your journeys on the Central line in the East. Not many people will be on the train here.

Debden, Theydon Bois Loughton, Buckhurst Hill
---------------------------------------------
These 3 stations are very countryside based and reside in lush surroundings with large houses and big properties. Not a lot of passengers get on or off here.


Woodford,Hainault,Barkingside
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These stations were built for the "urban sprawl" housing estates I have mentioned.
They are on the Central "loop" and take the passenger back to Leytonstone on the main line.
Communities sprung up around the stations.
This is now starting to become East London and the housing is quite built up.
A few more people get on board but not many.


Leytonstone
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Home of the end of the loop! It is also the first major station on the line where people get on.

Stratford
---------
Liverpool street - Ipswich line users will know Stratford intimately.
It is the disembarkation stop when there is work on the line between Stratford and Liverpool Street. Its a simple hop on the tube to get you to Liverpool street although takes considerably longer.
You can also catch the Jubilee Line to Docklands from here or even use the Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
This is where the Underground really does become "the Underground as you disappear from sunlight and into the tunnels of London.
Statford is indeed a busy station but the wo
rst is yet to come.

Mile End
--------
Not a huge station and not very well used, Mile end is a 1940's station and still feels it. Its look and decor is aged.
Change here for:
District Line
Hammersmith and City Line

Bethnal Green
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Home to the Blind Beggar pub, made famous by the Krays. Im sure a few gangsters have pounded he platforms over their time here.
Last stop before Liverpool St and also has main line connections.

Liverpool St
------------
It all goes on at Liverpool Street. Its the terminus for East Anglian Rail services so it’s brimming with Commuters in Rush hour.
If you did not have a seat before here, you definitely wont get one now until you are the other side of London.
It’s a main transfer station for other lines with Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith and City connections.

Bank
----
MIND THE GAP.
If you have ever been to Bank station, you will know the voice over the tannoy.
This is because of the curvature of Banks Platform. The tube leaves big gaps between the doors and the platform in places so the monotone droning voice warns you of this.
"Stand clear of the doors, please"
Change here for:
Waterloo and City
DLR
Northern(misery)line.

St Pauls
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Once this station was called Post Office. Now it is named after the famous monument above. It’s good naming the stations after tourist attractions because it helps them get off at the right stops.

Chancery Lane
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Mainly a businessman's stop, not much goes on here.

Holborn
-------
Redecorated and redesigned in 1933 to replace the Museum stop, Holborn is a good disembarkation place for a walk into Covent Garden.
Change here for Piccadilly line.

Keep a look out of the window for the old station.

Tottenham Court Road
--------------------
Bargain
s galore around here. You can get off and walk along Oxford Street from here. Trust me, its easier than getting off at Oxford Circus. The tube is probably at its busiest between these 2 stops so getting off is a great idea. The Centrepoint Building is outside the station. Denmark street is a 100 yard walk (home of Musical Instruments galore) away and Tottenham Court Road itself can be an Alladins cave of Electrical goods.
Change here for the Northern Line.

Oxford Circus
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Argh!
Mayhem city!
If you get on or off here, prepare to wait. It’s always busy, all day long. All of the tourists use it for access to Oxford St. Honestly, get out at Tottenham Court road and walk. Stop being lazy!
The thing is, it’s a very major changeover stop with both Bakerloo and Victoria coming into the station.

Bond Street
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This is the stop for expensive shops. Use it again for a pleasant walk towards Oxford Street while looking at the posh shops!
Change here for the Jubilee Line.
The tube is beginning to thin out now.

Marble Arch
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Another touristy type stop so that they can get out and look at the Palace and other royal treasures.
The train is starting to empty and seats are now available!

Lancaster Gate
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A very old looking station. Needs modernisation. Very dirty and very dark looking. I thought this was home of the FA but have since been told its not.
Very little on or off motion from passengers.

Queensway
---------
This was my destination for an entire week during a course I was on in London. I had to use it morning and evening.
There are no escalators. Just 2 large lifts. They still can’t get everyone in though so opt for the stairs. A spiral Staircase takes you to the surface. It nearly killed me.
There are over 100 steps. I counted them.
Again it needs modernising and redecorating.
They d
on’t seem to bother redecorating stations that won’t be seen by tourists though.
A lot of people get off here. I will be suprised if there are many left on board here.

Notting Hill Gate
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Home of the carnival festivities. A quiet station for 363 days a year and them BOOM! It’s very busy!
Circle and District Line connections here.

Holland Park
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Not a lot going on here.

Shepherds Bush
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Home of the BBC and television centre is only a short walk. As is the Hammersmith and City Station
This was once the end of the line for the Central line as the Trains terminated here for the first 7 years.

Between here and White City is the disused station of Wood Lane. The Building still exists on the surface.

White City
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Built in the 1940’s White city was so named due to the colour of many of the buildings around the area. It was to see the end of Wood Lane station. If there are many people left on the train now I will be surprised.

The Actons.
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This sees the end of the Central line. The only people that see it this far are normally residents to he local area due to its large suburban living areas.
Turn around and go back to where you came form time!

I hope my guide to the Central Line has been informative. I find it a very interesting subject stooped in history.

As I learn about other lines, I will write about them too.

Keep checking back for updates.

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