Antony Badsey-Ellis
@badseyellis.bsky.social
Author and historian. Fascinated by infrastructure, especially underground stuff. Wrote "Building London's Underground" and "The London that Never Happened".
Stunning view last night from Greenwich Park. Canary Wharf looks like a sci-fi city appearing out of the mist above the more human-scale streets of Greenwich. #canarywharf #Greenwich #Docklands #London
November 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Stunning view last night from Greenwich Park. Canary Wharf looks like a sci-fi city appearing out of the mist above the more human-scale streets of Greenwich. #canarywharf #Greenwich #Docklands #London
The Treffry viaduct opened in 1842 to carry a mineral tramway and a water channel (running in a conduit beneath the tramway) across the Luxulyan valley in Cornwall. It’s still the only such viaduct in the UK. The position of the rails can be seen from the stone blocks that form what is now a path.
November 12, 2025 at 6:42 AM
The Treffry viaduct opened in 1842 to carry a mineral tramway and a water channel (running in a conduit beneath the tramway) across the Luxulyan valley in Cornwall. It’s still the only such viaduct in the UK. The position of the rails can be seen from the stone blocks that form what is now a path.
Looking through some old holiday photos from 2008, I came across this unusual French railway viaduct near St-Chamas, near Marseille, comprising a series of overlapping brick and stone arches. I’ve never seen one like it since. It’s still in use today.
September 26, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Looking through some old holiday photos from 2008, I came across this unusual French railway viaduct near St-Chamas, near Marseille, comprising a series of overlapping brick and stone arches. I’ve never seen one like it since. It’s still in use today.
The first copy of my new book has arrived! It should be available next month.
August 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The first copy of my new book has arrived! It should be available next month.
An Olympic Games 2012 sign is still in place in the ticket hall at King’s Cross station. Impressive that it’s lasted almost 13 years!
June 10, 2025 at 10:14 AM
An Olympic Games 2012 sign is still in place in the ticket hall at King’s Cross station. Impressive that it’s lasted almost 13 years!
I found these lovely illustrations in a book published by London Transport in 1950 that presents a survey of their passengers from an advertising perspective. I love the pictures of passengers literally catching buses and trams! #LondonTransport #advertising
June 6, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I found these lovely illustrations in a book published by London Transport in 1950 that presents a survey of their passengers from an advertising perspective. I love the pictures of passengers literally catching buses and trams! #LondonTransport #advertising
Temple Station has some lovely heritage features before you even go inside. There’s the sign on the corner of the building, plus the c.1933 enamel map by the entrance (Down St has gone; Brompton Rd still open; Cockfosters extension). #tubemap #londonunderground
June 4, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Temple Station has some lovely heritage features before you even go inside. There’s the sign on the corner of the building, plus the c.1933 enamel map by the entrance (Down St has gone; Brompton Rd still open; Cockfosters extension). #tubemap #londonunderground
Charing Cross Station has the big colour display screens for its departure boards. I love the fact that the clock in the corner includes the old Network SouthEast stripes! #charingcross #networksoutheast
June 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Charing Cross Station has the big colour display screens for its departure boards. I love the fact that the clock in the corner includes the old Network SouthEast stripes! #charingcross #networksoutheast
The vent shaft at St Paul’s station has a rather unusual clock on the side. #secretsofthelondonunderground #clock
June 3, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The vent shaft at St Paul’s station has a rather unusual clock on the side. #secretsofthelondonunderground #clock
Looking down on the bale of hay suspended from the Golden Jubilee footbridge currently. It’s there to warm river traffic that the adjacent span of the Charing Cross railway bridge has reduced headroom whilst being refurbished. An old tradition enforced by a Thames bylaw!
May 29, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Looking down on the bale of hay suspended from the Golden Jubilee footbridge currently. It’s there to warm river traffic that the adjacent span of the Charing Cross railway bridge has reduced headroom whilst being refurbished. An old tradition enforced by a Thames bylaw!
As I crouched down to photograph some ducklings in St James’s Park this morning, I was mobbed by goslings hoping that I’d take their pictures too. Or that my phone was food. Yep, probably that.
May 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
As I crouched down to photograph some ducklings in St James’s Park this morning, I was mobbed by goslings hoping that I’d take their pictures too. Or that my phone was food. Yep, probably that.
The towpath of the Regent’s Canal around north London was dug up in the late 1970s to accommodate high voltage (400kV) power cables. The towpath surface was replaced by concrete slabs, and there are regular slabs marking the presence of the cables. #ukcanals #regentscanal
May 28, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The towpath of the Regent’s Canal around north London was dug up in the late 1970s to accommodate high voltage (400kV) power cables. The towpath surface was replaced by concrete slabs, and there are regular slabs marking the presence of the cables. #ukcanals #regentscanal
I think that the bollard needs a blue cycle lane sign (like that further back), rather than a “no cycling” sign. Sussex Gardens, London.
May 27, 2025 at 6:26 AM
I think that the bollard needs a blue cycle lane sign (like that further back), rather than a “no cycling” sign. Sussex Gardens, London.
The West Hill Lift at Hastings is one of the few tunnel funicular railways in the world. Lovely views from the top, and an interesting and unusual ride to get there!
May 22, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The West Hill Lift at Hastings is one of the few tunnel funicular railways in the world. Lovely views from the top, and an interesting and unusual ride to get there!
Apologies to anyone who signed up with www.underground-info.org.uk in the last three weeks. A problem with our mail server meant that some of the verification emails weren’t being sent out. All fixed now, and everyone should have received their emails.
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May 22, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Apologies to anyone who signed up with www.underground-info.org.uk in the last three weeks. A problem with our mail server meant that some of the verification emails weren’t being sent out. All fixed now, and everyone should have received their emails.
The Castlefield district of Manchester has an incredible confluence of transport infrastructure. Three different viaducts here, one disused, one carrying trams, and one for rail, and made of brick and iron. A canal footbridge. And even a bit of road. #industrialheritage #manchester #ukcanals
May 13, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The Castlefield district of Manchester has an incredible confluence of transport infrastructure. Three different viaducts here, one disused, one carrying trams, and one for rail, and made of brick and iron. A canal footbridge. And even a bit of road. #industrialheritage #manchester #ukcanals
These flower-like traffic wands are being installed on Sussex Gardens near Paddington. They make a change from the black cylinders - I just hope that they are sufficiently robust. #cyclelanes #londonstreets
May 13, 2025 at 6:29 AM
These flower-like traffic wands are being installed on Sussex Gardens near Paddington. They make a change from the black cylinders - I just hope that they are sufficiently robust. #cyclelanes #londonstreets
I always love seeing the beautiful map inside Manchester Victoria Station. Together with the wood panelling and mosaic signs there, it’s a lovely bit of history.
May 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I always love seeing the beautiful map inside Manchester Victoria Station. Together with the wood panelling and mosaic signs there, it’s a lovely bit of history.
I’ve just run past the Barton swing aqueduct. It lets the Bridgewater canal cross the Manchester Ship Canal, rotating 800 tonnes of water as it does so. It’s the only one of its kind in the world, it’s still in use, and another amazing example of Victorian engineering! #ukcanals
May 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I’ve just run past the Barton swing aqueduct. It lets the Bridgewater canal cross the Manchester Ship Canal, rotating 800 tonnes of water as it does so. It’s the only one of its kind in the world, it’s still in use, and another amazing example of Victorian engineering! #ukcanals
It would be perfect if cow.roast.lock was the #what3words for this location. But sadly, it’s not.
April 27, 2025 at 9:54 PM
It would be perfect if cow.roast.lock was the #what3words for this location. But sadly, it’s not.
I’m not sure that this would deter the type of person who thinks that it’s a good idea to ride on the outside of a train… but I suppose that they can’t say they weren’t warned.
April 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
I’m not sure that this would deter the type of person who thinks that it’s a good idea to ride on the outside of a train… but I suppose that they can’t say they weren’t warned.
You can now explore how London’s fare zones have changed since their introduction in 1981 on www.underground-info.org.uk . Look under Index > Fare zones on the main menu.
April 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
You can now explore how London’s fare zones have changed since their introduction in 1981 on www.underground-info.org.uk . Look under Index > Fare zones on the main menu.
So amazing to see a spoonbill at the @rspb.bsky.social Pagham Harbour site today. It was wading through the water, swishing its bill around to feed. Just lovely! #birdwatching #spoonbill
April 1, 2025 at 4:34 PM
So amazing to see a spoonbill at the @rspb.bsky.social Pagham Harbour site today. It was wading through the water, swishing its bill around to feed. Just lovely! #birdwatching #spoonbill
Very few — if any — pneumatic tube detectors for traffic signals remain on Britain’s roads. This one in Battersea Park isn’t in use any more, but clearly shows the form of the detector. A rare survivor, and with the adjacent manhole cover.
March 25, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Very few — if any — pneumatic tube detectors for traffic signals remain on Britain’s roads. This one in Battersea Park isn’t in use any more, but clearly shows the form of the detector. A rare survivor, and with the adjacent manhole cover.
The “Footway closed ahead” sign seems rather pointless given how easily the closure can be seen (and the fact that it can be easily walked around in safely). Is there a requirement for the advance warning? @showmeasign.online
March 24, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The “Footway closed ahead” sign seems rather pointless given how easily the closure can be seen (and the fact that it can be easily walked around in safely). Is there a requirement for the advance warning? @showmeasign.online