Northern Line


KING WILLIAM STREET - Pt.4

(1890-1900)

King William Street was the northbound terminus of the City & South London railway -
the world's first electric underground railway. Originally designed to be cable hauled, the
line proved popular and the original terminii (Stockwell at its southern end) were too small
to cope with the resultant passenger numbers.



 

 

 

 

The upper level.

The curve of the original station ceiling is clear here.

 

 

 

Upper level with more of the war time posters visible on the wall.

 

 

 

Closer view of the World War II posters.

 

 

 

The upper level. The tiles on the ceiling are original station ones.

 

 

 

The upper level.

 

 

 

The upper level.

 

 

 

WWII instructions still in evidence. It reads:

Special notice to late arrivals and early risers.
Please spare a thought for your fellow shelterers and refrain from making any unnecessary noise.
Please remember others may be asleep although you are not.

 

 

 

Approaching the head of the station. There are three passageways on the right hand side (now sealed) that led to the lift shaft.
Note the water ingress on the floor.

 

 

 

The central of the three original passageways that led to the lifts. There is also a connection between this one and the one to the left (the eastern one).

 

 

 

The eastern passageway of the three that led to the lifts. The doorway just about visible on the right hand side of this photo is the same one on the left of the photo above it.

 

 

 

Looking at the eastern passageway of the three that led to the lifts. The other two are located through the doorway on the right.

The wall on the left hand side is the head of the station; there is nothing further to the left, with the exception of the emergency stairs located behind the photographer's position. The station tunnel thus stretches off to the right.

The floor level was higher in operational days. It used to reach the band of the two layers of maroon tiles, as seen in this photograph of the adjoining two passageways.

 

 

Continues on next page...


 

Reference: The Railway to Kings William Street and Southwark Deep Tunnel Air-Raid Shelter by Peter Bancroft. LURS 1981.

 


 

King William Street - Pt.5

 

 

Photos taken between 1977 and 1981, except where stated.