Joe Brown
@joebrownlondon.bsky.social
Cartographer, author, railway historian, former train driver, current transport manager, LGBTQ+ network leader 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Visit Crecy Publishing for my titles
#OnThisDay 31 years ago public Eurostar services between Waterloo and Paris / Brussels commenced. 13 years later, also on November 14th, High Speed 1 opened allowing services to switch to St Pancras. April 1995 image at Wandsworth Road: Chris Morrison buff.ly/LVzfJxM
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 31 years ago public Eurostar services between Waterloo and Paris / Brussels commenced. 13 years later, also on November 14th, High Speed 1 opened allowing services to switch to St Pancras. April 1995 image at Wandsworth Road: Chris Morrison buff.ly/LVzfJxM
#OnThisDay 92 years ago Northwood Hills opened on the Metropolitan Line, 5 years before the Green Belt halted Metroland's expansion and 4 months after the LPTB absorbed the Metropolitan Railway. Opening day image of the incomplete building LT Museum collection buff.ly/HfKwfJV
November 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 92 years ago Northwood Hills opened on the Metropolitan Line, 5 years before the Green Belt halted Metroland's expansion and 4 months after the LPTB absorbed the Metropolitan Railway. Opening day image of the incomplete building LT Museum collection buff.ly/HfKwfJV
#OnThisDay 190 years ago, the London & Greenwich Railway's pre-opening trial ceased, resulting in closure of temporary stations at Blue Anchor Lane and Grand Surrey Canal. Woodcut from 09/01/1835 'The Penny Magazine' showing the viaduct passing St. James Church, Bermondsey.
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 190 years ago, the London & Greenwich Railway's pre-opening trial ceased, resulting in closure of temporary stations at Blue Anchor Lane and Grand Surrey Canal. Woodcut from 09/01/1835 'The Penny Magazine' showing the viaduct passing St. James Church, Bermondsey.
#OnThisDay 33 years ago North Pole Eurostar depot was officially opened by Chair of British Rail Sir Bob Reid, 2 years before revenue services started. It closed just 13 years after that, but reopened in 2017 as a Hitachi Depot for GWR. Image: Colin Marsden buff.ly/8Sryq48
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 33 years ago North Pole Eurostar depot was officially opened by Chair of British Rail Sir Bob Reid, 2 years before revenue services started. It closed just 13 years after that, but reopened in 2017 as a Hitachi Depot for GWR. Image: Colin Marsden buff.ly/8Sryq48
28 years ago today this strange boy joined London Underground as a Guard on a 6 month contract… we were assured we were a stop-gap until the 1959 Stock were retired, but they limped into the 21st century and I got to drive them too… time flies when you’re having fun! 🙂🚇
November 10, 2025 at 4:57 PM
28 years ago today this strange boy joined London Underground as a Guard on a 6 month contract… we were assured we were a stop-gap until the 1959 Stock were retired, but they limped into the 21st century and I got to drive them too… time flies when you’re having fun! 🙂🚇
#OnThisDay 105 years ago at 20:32 a mail train carrying the remains of the Unknown Warrior arrived at Victoria platform 8. The roof of the carriage carrying the soldier's remains was painted white, so people en route could salute it. Image: MoorwaySouth buff.ly/a6rGQhb
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 105 years ago at 20:32 a mail train carrying the remains of the Unknown Warrior arrived at Victoria platform 8. The roof of the carriage carrying the soldier's remains was painted white, so people en route could salute it. Image: MoorwaySouth buff.ly/a6rGQhb
#OnThisDay 175 years ago, Dalston Kingsland station opened as 'Kingsland'. It closed after just 15 years due to all NLR services diverting to Broad Street, but reopened in 1983 for a North Woolwich to Camden Road diesel service. 1984 image: Kevin Lane buff.ly/6fSXLTG
November 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 175 years ago, Dalston Kingsland station opened as 'Kingsland'. It closed after just 15 years due to all NLR services diverting to Broad Street, but reopened in 1983 for a North Woolwich to Camden Road diesel service. 1984 image: Kevin Lane buff.ly/6fSXLTG
#OnThisDay 49 years ago York Road Curve connecting the East Coast Mainline and the 'City Widened Lines' towards Farringdon closed, when services were diverted over the Great Northern & City at Finsbury Park. Image from when Robin Morel (shadowy figure) very kindly gave me a tour.
November 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 49 years ago York Road Curve connecting the East Coast Mainline and the 'City Widened Lines' towards Farringdon closed, when services were diverted over the Great Northern & City at Finsbury Park. Image from when Robin Morel (shadowy figure) very kindly gave me a tour.
#OnThisDay 76 years ago, Bow Road (GER) station closed, not to be confused with the Underground station of the same name or the adjacent Bow NLR station which it shared an interchange walkway with. Today the building is a William Hill. Images / more info: buff.ly/BoQWu1c
November 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 76 years ago, Bow Road (GER) station closed, not to be confused with the Underground station of the same name or the adjacent Bow NLR station which it shared an interchange walkway with. Today the building is a William Hill. Images / more info: buff.ly/BoQWu1c
#OnThisDay 143 years ago the Bury & Tottington District Railway opened from Bury to Holcombe Brook. In 1913 this branch saw experiemental overhead 3.5kV DC electrification by the LYR, this only lasted 5 years, replaced by 3rd rail 1918. Image / more info: buff.ly/1EUwgnw
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 143 years ago the Bury & Tottington District Railway opened from Bury to Holcombe Brook. In 1913 this branch saw experiemental overhead 3.5kV DC electrification by the LYR, this only lasted 5 years, replaced by 3rd rail 1918. Image / more info: buff.ly/1EUwgnw
#OnThisDay 102 years ago the GWR opened West and North Acton stations as they owned the line. West Acton was rebuilt after just 17 years, you'd be forgiven for thinking designed by Charles Holden, in fact it was the GWR's architect Brian Lewis. Sunil060902 buff.ly/F6rKOeY
November 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 102 years ago the GWR opened West and North Acton stations as they owned the line. West Acton was rebuilt after just 17 years, you'd be forgiven for thinking designed by Charles Holden, in fact it was the GWR's architect Brian Lewis. Sunil060902 buff.ly/F6rKOeY
#OnThisDay 158 years ago Aberdeen station opened as 'Aberdeen Joint', replacing two separate termini at Waterloo and Guild Street. The impressive concourse dates from a rebuild 1913-1916, pictured here by Waldemar Zboralski buff.ly/Uh7vPDr
November 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 158 years ago Aberdeen station opened as 'Aberdeen Joint', replacing two separate termini at Waterloo and Guild Street. The impressive concourse dates from a rebuild 1913-1916, pictured here by Waldemar Zboralski buff.ly/Uh7vPDr
#OnThisDay 67 years ago West Wycombe station closed, its impending doom immortalised on the cover of Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury's 2007 book 'Along lost lines'. With thanks to Gerald Rivett, who happens to be the young spotter on the cover buff.ly/qLbX2NX
November 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 67 years ago West Wycombe station closed, its impending doom immortalised on the cover of Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury's 2007 book 'Along lost lines'. With thanks to Gerald Rivett, who happens to be the young spotter on the cover buff.ly/qLbX2NX
#OnThisDay 100 years ago the Met Line's Watford branch opened. It was intended to end on the High Street, optimistically seen in this 1925 poster. The current Moon Under Water pub was purchased for the station but the extension stalled leaving today's remote terminus. Poster: LT Museum collection
November 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 100 years ago the Met Line's Watford branch opened. It was intended to end on the High Street, optimistically seen in this 1925 poster. The current Moon Under Water pub was purchased for the station but the extension stalled leaving today's remote terminus. Poster: LT Museum collection
#OnThisDay 160 years ago the North London Railway opened its terminus at Broad Street and the line between there and Dalston Junction (including that station, and Shoreditch). Looking very run-down here in 1981, 5 years before closure: geoff7918 buff.ly/rCu6sBh
November 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 160 years ago the North London Railway opened its terminus at Broad Street and the line between there and Dalston Junction (including that station, and Shoreditch). Looking very run-down here in 1981, 5 years before closure: geoff7918 buff.ly/rCu6sBh
#OnThisDay 44 years ago Blake Hall was served for the last time. In rural Essex, at the point of closure it only had 17 daily passengers. The station remains closed despite the Epping-Ongar Railway reopening the route, as it is a private residence. Image: ee20213 buff.ly/ERTbLpQ
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 44 years ago Blake Hall was served for the last time. In rural Essex, at the point of closure it only had 17 daily passengers. The station remains closed despite the Epping-Ongar Railway reopening the route, as it is a private residence. Image: ee20213 buff.ly/ERTbLpQ
#OnThisDay 87 years ago Aldgate East moved... east. Fascinatingly the operational railway was suspended from the ceiling while the new station was built below it, the track being dropped into place overnight before opening. Look up, the hooks are still there! Image: LT Museum collection
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 87 years ago Aldgate East moved... east. Fascinatingly the operational railway was suspended from the ceiling while the new station was built below it, the track being dropped into place overnight before opening. Look up, the hooks are still there! Image: LT Museum collection
#OnThisDay 30 years ago Canning Town station reopened on its current site following a 17 month closure of the line to North Woolwich due to Jubilee Line works. The DLR platforms were still over 2 years, and the Jubilee over 3 years, away from opening. Image: Roger Goodrum buff.ly/rDFJqDc
October 29, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 30 years ago Canning Town station reopened on its current site following a 17 month closure of the line to North Woolwich due to Jubilee Line works. The DLR platforms were still over 2 years, and the Jubilee over 3 years, away from opening. Image: Roger Goodrum buff.ly/rDFJqDc
Reposted by Joe Brown
The railway network across Britain and Ireland is constantly evolving, so it's no surprise then that the Railway Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland is now in its 16th edition.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/new...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/new...
New Railway Atlas charts Oxford–Cambridge rebuild and Foynes Revival in 16th edition
The railway network across Britain and Ireland is constantly evolving, so it's no surprise then that the Railway Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland is now in its 16th edition.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The railway network across Britain and Ireland is constantly evolving, so it's no surprise then that the Railway Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland is now in its 16th edition.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/new...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/new...
#OnThisDay 62 years ago BR closed Horsted Keynes station which by then was the end of an electrified branch from Haywards Heath. This was not the end as the Bluebell Railway had already commenced services in 1962, one pictured here in 1964 (Ben Brooksbank buff.ly/xidodCx)
October 28, 2025 at 5:01 AM
#OnThisDay 62 years ago BR closed Horsted Keynes station which by then was the end of an electrified branch from Haywards Heath. This was not the end as the Bluebell Railway had already commenced services in 1962, one pictured here in 1964 (Ben Brooksbank buff.ly/xidodCx)
#OnThisDay 101 years ago, Burnt Oak station opened on the Northern Line two months after the rest of the Edgware extension. Before opening it was named 'Sheves Hill', and initially it carried the suffix (Watling). Another awesome @tubemapper.bsky.social image: buff.ly/AG1I51S
October 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay 101 years ago, Burnt Oak station opened on the Northern Line two months after the rest of the Edgware extension. Before opening it was named 'Sheves Hill', and initially it carried the suffix (Watling). Another awesome @tubemapper.bsky.social image: buff.ly/AG1I51S
#OnThisDay Beaulieu Park station opened: the first new station on the Great Eastern main line for over 100 years. I have updated the 'Baker' Rail Atlas of GB & Ireland, the reprint of the 16th edition is available for preorder: buff.ly/sUsLsR6 @crecyrail.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM
#OnThisDay Beaulieu Park station opened: the first new station on the Great Eastern main line for over 100 years. I have updated the 'Baker' Rail Atlas of GB & Ireland, the reprint of the 16th edition is available for preorder: buff.ly/sUsLsR6 @crecyrail.bsky.social
#OnThisDay 85 years ago the original 1898 Waterloo & City Line stock was withdrawn after 42 years service. 5 motor cars were double-ended, operating the off-peak service with a single car: one poses at Waterloo near to withdrawal (LT Museum collection) buff.ly/Q7dBx9n
October 25, 2025 at 4:00 AM
#OnThisDay 85 years ago the original 1898 Waterloo & City Line stock was withdrawn after 42 years service. 5 motor cars were double-ended, operating the off-peak service with a single car: one poses at Waterloo near to withdrawal (LT Museum collection) buff.ly/Q7dBx9n
#OnThisDay three years ago Bond Street Elizabeth Line station opened, five months after the rest of the line. Photo by Robert Camp buff.ly/sQHvcgM
October 24, 2025 at 4:01 AM
#OnThisDay three years ago Bond Street Elizabeth Line station opened, five months after the rest of the line. Photo by Robert Camp buff.ly/sQHvcgM
#OnThisDay 8 years ago the new Abbey Wood station was opened in prepartion for the Elizabeth Line's opening (which transpired to be another 5 years away!). A typically brilliant capture of the new building by the wonderfully talented @tubemapper.bsky.social buff.ly/bpKPEGm
October 23, 2025 at 4:00 AM
#OnThisDay 8 years ago the new Abbey Wood station was opened in prepartion for the Elizabeth Line's opening (which transpired to be another 5 years away!). A typically brilliant capture of the new building by the wonderfully talented @tubemapper.bsky.social buff.ly/bpKPEGm