London from the air (part 2)

22/01/2014

RAIL 739 featured a series of exclusive pictures of central London railway locations from the air. In this issue we present a further selection of images, heading out towards the suburban areas

RAIL Photography: PHIL METCALFE

Amid the grid-like, boxy tower blocks of Pimlico, the South Eastern and Brighton Main Lines sweep past the Grosvenor Carriage Sheds on the approach into Victoria station (the terminus for many South Coast destinations). To the far left, next to the sidings where Southeastern EMUs await their next turn of work in between the peaks on September 4 2013, are the remnants of Grosvenor Road station, which operated as two parts under the London, Chatham and Dover Railway and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway between 1867 and 1907.

Amid the grid-like, boxy tower blocks of Pimlico, the South Eastern and Brighton Main Lines sweep past the Grosvenor Carriage Sheds on the approach into Victoria station (the terminus for many South Coast destinations). To the far left, next to the sidings where Southeastern EMUs await their next turn of work in between the peaks on September 4 2013, are the remnants of Grosvenor Road station, which operated as two parts under the London, Chatham and Dover Railway and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway between 1867 and 1907.

Westbourne Park is perhaps currently best known as a major Crossrail construction site - the first of two tunnel boring machines began work at the Royal Oak portal in March 2012. The area is also dominated by the A40 Westway flyover and the red brick bus depot. A GBRf Class 66 waits in the sidings with a Crossrail spoil train (the contents of which will end up on Wallasea Island in Essex), while First Great Western HSTs and DMUs pass on the Great Western Main Line.

Westbourne Park is perhaps currently best known as a major Crossrail construction site - the first of two tunnel boring machines began work at the Royal Oak portal in March 2012. The area is also dominated by the A40 Westway flyover and the red brick bus depot. A GBRf Class 66 waits in the sidings with a Crossrail spoil train (the contents of which will end up on Wallasea Island in Essex), while First Great Western HSTs and DMUs pass on the Great Western Main Line.

An East Midlands Trains HST speeds along the Midland Main Line through Mill Hill Broadway on September 4 2013, among the ubiquitous 1930s suburban development that typifies so much of North London.

An East Midlands Trains HST speeds along the Midland Main Line through Mill Hill Broadway on September 4 2013, among the ubiquitous 1930s suburban development that typifies so much of North London.

A Virgin Trains Class 390 11-car Pendolino, a London Overground Class 378 and a Southern Class 377 Electrostar are all visible in this view of Watford Junction on September 4 2013. Expansive sidings take up much of the railway land here. In just two years’ time, the station will be served by an extended Metropolitan Line, using the trackbed of the disused Watford and Rickmansworth Railway, as part of the Croxley Rail Link project for which final approval was given on July 24 2013.

A Virgin Trains Class 390 11-car Pendolino, a London Overground Class 378 and a Southern Class 377 Electrostar are all visible in this view of Watford Junction on September 4 2013. Expansive sidings take up much of the railway land here. In just two years’ time, the station will be served by an extended Metropolitan Line, using the trackbed of the disused Watford and Rickmansworth Railway, as part of the Croxley Rail Link project for which final approval was given on July 24 2013.

On September 4 2013, people enjoy a picnic in the field next to High Barnet station, where three trains of London Underground 1995 stock are present. The station is the terminus of the westerly of the two branches of the Northern Line.

On September 4 2013, people enjoy a picnic in the field next to High Barnet station, where three trains of London Underground 1995 stock are present. The station is the terminus of the westerly of the two branches of the Northern Line.

On September 4 2013, London Underground D-Stock (dating from 1980) and a single unit of recently introduced S-Stock sit in the sidings at Upminster depot, the eastern terminus of the District Line in Essex. Construction work for new sidings is evident here.

On September 4 2013, London Underground D-Stock (dating from 1980) and a single unit of recently introduced S-Stock sit in the sidings at Upminster depot, the eastern terminus of the District Line in Essex. Construction work for new sidings is evident here.