Aldgate East station was moved 170 yards eastwards to allow the enlargement of the triangle containing the Minories, North Curve, and Aldgate East junctions. This enlargement had several benefits:

proper signal overlaps could be introduced to reduce delays Aldgate station could have its outer Circle line platform enlarged to accommodate 8 car trains 8 car trains could also be used at the new Aldgate East station the busy Gardiner's Corner could be served by the new Aldgate East station (the old Aldgate East station was too close to Aldgate station). the additional ticket hall at the eastern end of the new Aldgate East station made the distance between Aldgate East and St.Mary's stations small enough to allow St.Mary's to be closed.

1930s map showing the location of Aldgate East station as it was then (#1). Arrow #2 shows the location of the western entrance to the replacement Aldgate East station, opened in 1938. The new station has two entrances, the eastern one is further east, just off the map (in fact, it is the next building eastwards to the Whitechapel Art Gallery, seen on the edge of the map). (photo: 2002)

The south curve (used by the District Line) was relocated outside of the original triangle. The old south curve was abandoned and its remains can still be seen from Aldgate station. This photo was taken from the southern end of the platforms at Aldgate station. A (moving) District Line train is visible on the right hand side on the new alignment. The old tunnel ran parallel to it, in between the train and the track next to the platform visible here - however, all attempts to take a photo that clearly showed it, failed miserably. The stairs visible in the middle-right of the photo, lead down to where the track used to be. (photo: 2002)

The old Aldgate East station was demolished and its platform space used for the new tracks. All that is except for the extra space set back for the staircase on the eastbound platform. This is the view from a passing train. (photo: 2002)

2006 view from track level. Photo: Simon Emmett. ©2006

The remains of the eastbound platform again. (photo: 2009)

2013 view from track level. The underside of the pedestrian walkways over the tracks are clearest in this photo. The design is the same at the nearby St.Mary's station, also disused. Photo: Evgeniy Bolbot. ©2013

The track level had to be lowered by 7 feet to allow the new Aldgate East station to have sub-surface ticket halls. The excavation for this was carried out while trains were still running; the existing line was suspended on wooden trestles during excavation. Heavy-duty eye-bolts in the ceiling were used with cables to lift and hold the track while the wooden trestles were installed and then subsequently dismantled when the track was ready to be lowered down. The eye-bolts are still in situ in the ceiling of Aldgate East station - some are visible at the top of this photo. (photo: 2002)

The site of the station building, awaiting redevelopment. (photo: 2009)

The site of the station building in Aug 2021.