Hidden London: Charing Cross

If you've read any of my blog posts it may have come apparent that I have a bit of a 'thing' for the London Underground. I can't tell you how many bogies are on an S Stock train or the unladen weight of a Bakerloo line train so I've not reached full anorak status yet, but I do go on the Hidden London tours whenever I can.

About a month ago my wife and I attended the Hidden London: Highgate Wilderness Tour which was a little disappointing, but this time round the Charing Cross really delivered. It didn't quite top Aldwych Station, but was certainly better than Highgate and Euston. If I had to recommend two tours out of those that I've attended so far, I'd say Aldwych and Charing Cross are the ones to go for.

The Jubilee line used to terminate at Charing Cross prior to the extension to Stratford, so the tour gives you the opportunity to see the disused Jubilee platforms and some of the other areas of the station that are usually closed to the public.

If you intend on going on the tour and want to keep it a surprise, I suggest you stop reading here. If you won't be going on the tour or want to see if its worth £35 English Pounds, read on...

More Engineering Trains at Moorgate Station AKA More Crap Photos

More engineering trains at Moorgate

I regularly pass through Moorgate Tube Station on the way to and from work, and one of the disused platforms is often used for storing engineer trains and equipment.

Recently there was a collection of diggers and a bull dozer, all with tracks and wheels for using the rails-

Bailey's Comet at Moorgate

A London Underground Engineering train has been parked up at Moorgate station recently. As I'm a self-confessed train nerd I got off to take some photos - alas I'm not much of a photographer. 

The Roundels on the side says "Bailey's Comet" And I'm reliably informed it's a rail grinding train for smoothing out irregularities in the tracks. 

This engineer train is powered by electricity from the rails like a standard tube train, however some exist that are battery powered for when the current is off for maintenance.