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Kingsway Tram Tunnel, London - January 2016 | Oblivion State Urban Exploration

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Kingsway Tram Tunnel, London - January 2016

The_Raw

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Been wanting to see this for ages but I'd forgotten about it until recently. A couple of drunken attempts at sneaking past a seemingly asleep Crossrail security guard a while back didn't go as planned. This time however we took a different approach (cheers adders) and spent a couple of hours poking around inside without any hassle. Such a cool bit of London history it's a must see if you get the chance to pop in. Visited with@extreme_ironing, @adders, an extremely drunkenmonkey and a friend of ours from Germany. 

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 History



The Kingsway Tram Tunnel is an abandoned tunnel, built to connect the "North Side" and "South Side" tramway systems in the Holborn area of London. The tunnel was constructed between 1902 and 1905 and it was in operation between 1906-1957. It ran from the junction of Theobalds Road and Southampton Row at its northern end, to the Embankment (in 1908) at its southern end, with underground tram stations at Holborn and Strand. Public service began on 24th February 1906. The first journey took 12 minutes northbound and 10 minutes to return, even allowing for the horse-drawn vehicles also using the roads on the overground part of the route.

In 1929 double-decker trams were introduced after works that raised the roof and deepened the tunnel. During the mid 30's all trams in London started being replaced by "more modern vehicles", mostly trolley-buses and conventional diesel buses. All London trams were finally abandoned on 5th July 1952. Over the next 60 years, the tunnel was been mostly left abandoned. A project for a new tram line making use of the tunnel was cancelled in 2008. During the same year the tunnel was used as a film set for 'The Escapist', evidence of the film set can still be seen today. The site has since been acquired by Crossrail who have been using it as a worksite for the construction of a new tunnel directly under the old one up until recently. 

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1. Part of the tunnel still being used for storing materials​

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2. Apparently these tags are significant, Cos and Fume from the DDS crew. Means zilch to me but there you go! ​

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3. Still some live switches and cables down here ​

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4. Here the ceiling of the tunnel slopes down as the Strand underpass now replaces the old Aldwych station end of the tunnel. ​

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5. Gets a bit stoopy down this end. Live cables run along the right hand side​

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6. & 7. Two small holes either side of the narrow end lead into these cavities alongside the underpass where you can still see the old poster boards on the walls​

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8. & 9. Unfortunately the ladder at the end takes you no further.​

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10. Back towards Holborn street signs lay scattered everywhere​

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11.​

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12. An old staircase leading to the surface​

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13. Film set posters​

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14. Platform down the middle where trams would have pulled in either side​

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15. This is how it looked back in the day ​

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16. Union Street poster and tube map also from 'The Escapist' film set​

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17.​

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18. This section retains all it's original tiling in great condition  ​

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19.​

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20. Still some bits leftover from the crossrail site​

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21. Original tracks running towards Holborn​

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Thanks for looking (y)  ​


 
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AndyK!

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Cracking job getting that done in the end, awesome stuff.

 

MrT

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Love them old street signs and movie posters, that's what its all about :-D

 

Lenston

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Really love the look of this place mate 

:comp

 
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The_Raw

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Cheers all, it's a nice little place :)  

 

-Raz-

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Really nice mate, I envy you living down there the best underground stuff up here is meanwood beck :eek:

 

Hydro

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That's awesome mate! Loving all the street signs!! Sounds like a fun little explore (y)

 

The_Raw

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Thanks fellas. Still can't believe that one of my friends thinks those graff tags are the best thing down there. What a load of fucking codswallop :lol:  

 

Indecisive M

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So many secrets under London! Nice work Damo. 

 

OverArch

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I had heard rumours that there was a nuclear bunker down there, but clearly not. Good to finally see what's down there. Great shots and a good report mate!

 

Maniac

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Nice one @The_Raw the original tiles are pretty cool, bit like the ones that line the Rotherhide tunnel. 

I remember our attempt at sneaking in here earlier last year, just wasn't to be that day. :D  

 
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