Piccadilly Line

The (seemingly pointless) short branch line between Holborn and Aldwych was a curious by-product of the amalgamation of plans for two separate lines; the Brompton & Piccadilly Circus, and the Great Northern & Strand.

Originally a double tracked line, with two platforms at either end, it was reduced to single line running in 1917, due to the low volume of traffic, and closed completely in 1994.

The station location is arrowed. Also shown is the route of the line leading to it. Note the close proximity to Temple station, on the bottom right of the map.

The Piccadilly Line directions are officially classified as eastbound and westbound but for the sake of geographical correctness at this station, they are described as northbound and southbound respectively.

One of the anomolies of the branch, and one which surely contributed to its eventual demise, was the lack of through running to the main Piccadilly Line. There was one connection only, to the north of the Holborn platform that remained in use.
Trains could run through onto the northbound track, and thus up toward Kings Cross, but to get back onto the branch, northbound trains would have to stop north of the main Holborn northbound platform and then reverse onto the branch.

This view is of the branch platform that remained in use, looking northwards at the running tunnel that joins up with the main Piccadilly Line northbound track.

(photo: Mar 2008)

A photo taken in operating days: a northbound Piccadilly Line train is seen passing the point where the branch line joins the main line. The join can be seen on the right hand side of an northbound Piccadilly line train shortly after leaving Holborn station.

(photo:  c.1981)

Northwards view again but from further back on the platform.

(photo: Mar 2008)

A section of the Holborn platform converted for use a storeroom.

(photo: Mar 2008)

Taken in operating days, this view is from the southern end of the platform looking northwards.

(photo:  c.1981)

Photo taken from a similar position as that above. As with Aldwych station, this platform has been used to test out designs for other lines, in this case the Central Line, as seen on the right hand tunnel wall.

(photo:  Mar 2008)

A southward view taken in operating days. The connection to the main northbound track is behind the photographer.

(photo:  c.1981)

Southward view facing south toward Aldwych prior to the closure of the branch.

(photo:  c.1981)

Southward view.

(photo:  c.1981)

The southern end of the platform looking south at the running tunnel leading down to Aldwych

(photo: Nov 2009)

The main northbound Piccadilly Line platform at Holborn had a cross-platform connection with the Aldwych branch platform above. A subway and steps - seen here - also connected the branch platform with the westbound Piccadilly line platform (the staircase was necessary because the main Piccadilly line tunnels at Holborn were built one above the other, due to the width restriction of the road at surface level).

(photo: Mar 2008)

Pre-Heathrow extension map of the Piccadilly Line, still in situ in 2008.