spooky railway locations

[StevieG]

Sandwhich, there apparently was a chance that the Moorgate disaster's death toll could have been higher; thankfully not realised.

During the line's period of 1975-76 closure for modifications and conversion from LT to BR signalling, electrification and other standards, I was amongst a small group interested in local railway history, which was granted a tour of the Moorgate NCL platforms and LT signal box; guided by an LT station supervisor.

He told us that at the time of the crash, the notable space beyond the buffer stop in the other platform (No.10; with its Greathead boring shield still in place) was occupied by a temporary mess etc. hut for workmen creating, in an old lift shaft, a new DC substation (presumably the "Finsbury Circus" SS that BR commissioned), and in which hut they were breakfasting at the time.
So had the train been signalled into 10 and failed to stop in the same fashion, their lives might have swelled the casualty figures.

[Mickey]

Former KEW EAST JUNCTION box and the surrounding area is seen on a sunny day (see the link below) but there was a more eerier atmosphere that descended on this lonely outpost of a signal box after sunset and more so on misty or foggy evenings or early mornings. To reach the box you passed through a side gate that stood near to the foreboding main entrance to Gunnersbury cemetery just off the North Circular road then you had to walk along a long gravel path approximately 300 yards long that ran along one side of Gunnersbury cemetery to the box. It was usually the case during a shift at the box that you wouldn't see another living soul until your relief showed up either 8 or 12 hours later and even the few trains that ran passed the box were few and far between as the route was mainly used by freight trains running between the southern region and the London Midland region or vice versa which also compounded the feeling of loneliness at this out of the way location with long periods of nothing happening.

KEW EAST JUNCTION http://www.roscalen.com/signals/KewEastJct/index.htm

KEW EAST JUNCTION box in daylight although the aforementioned large Gunnersbury cemetery that was very close by is unseen in the photographs but was only situated a few yards from the back of the box and immediately ran along side the aforementioned gravel path that lead from the box to the access gate off the North Circular road. The box is pictured after a typical Network Rail 'refurbishment job' circa 2005/6. From memory the box eventually closed in late 2011 along with Bollo Lane level crossing (box) the next box along near to South Acton station with both areas now being controlled from Acton Wells box.

Mickey

[sandwhich]

Another place that must have had a strange feeling about it could well be St Johns Station in South East London, site of the Lewisham Train crash in 1957.

[Mickey]

Another place that could be slightly spooky at certain times of the day and during the night time was the old no.16 platform (later renumbered platform no.14 from memory?) the 'Hotel curve platform' on Kings Cross's west side. Most of the time that part of Kings Cross station was deserted during long periods of the day and during the night time hours although No.1 & No.2 Shunt locos mite be standing in the Milk Dock in platform no.17 the road next to platform no.16 on a higher level out of sight of everyone. During the hours of darkness after the evening peak had passed I believe the platform lights on platform no.16 were switched off which meant it was in total darkness from the top of the ramp on the extreme west side suburban station down onto platform no.16 and the staircase connecting with the Milk Dock platform (platform no.17). It was so dark on the 'Hotel curve platform' and the connecting staircase with platform no.17 in the Milk Dock that the blackness was beyond black!!. You wouldn't even see your own hand(s) in front of your eyeballs it was that dark!!.