In message , Nick Pedley
writes

The fake walls only seem to stretch back to the point where the ramp starts
(about 30m), I think the rest of the tunnel was fully used. Personally I'd
like to see inside the section under the bridge where the tram tunnel
originally came out, there's a massive doorway there these days (with a
doorbell!).

I have (although this was 10+ years ago) been inside that end but not
very far!

One day I was walking along the Embankment and spotted that the door was
open. Curiosity managed to get the better of me and I hesitantly
peered inside. Apart from a couple of council vehicles, there was
nothing (and appeared to be no-one) inside. The tracks had gone but
the conduit remained and stretched off into the gloom. I couldn't see
very far ahead and - realising that I really shouldn't have been there,
I quickly ducked back out again.

In the years since, I've seen the door open again a couple of times and
the conduit was still there. But had I not taken that closer look that
time I don't think I'd have realised what it was (or else I'd have
assumed that it was one of the running rails).

--
Ian Jelf, MITG, Birmingham, UK
Registered "Blue Badge" Tourist Guide for
London & the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk

Ian Jelf wrote in message ...
In message , Nick Pedley
writes

The fake walls only seem to stretch back to the point where the ramp starts
(about 30m), I think the rest of the tunnel was fully used. Personally I'd
like to see inside the section under the bridge where the tram tunnel
originally came out, there's a massive doorway there these days (with a
doorbell!).

I have (although this was 10+ years ago) been inside that end but not
very far!

One day I was walking along the Embankment and spotted that the door was
open. Curiosity managed to get the better of me and I hesitantly
peered inside. Apart from a couple of council vehicles, there was
nothing (and appeared to be no-one) inside. The tracks had gone but
the conduit remained and stretched off into the gloom. I couldn't see
very far ahead and - realising that I really shouldn't have been there,
I quickly ducked back out again.

In the years since, I've seen the door open again a couple of times and
the conduit was still there. But had I not taken that closer look that
time I don't think I'd have realised what it was (or else I'd have
assumed that it was one of the running rails).

I've seen inside as well once years ago when I passed by and the door
was open. I seem to remember there was a roadsweeping vehicle in
there. I presume that the ceiling comes down to meet the access ramp
of the underpass somewhere up ahead. I've seen a picture taken inside
since the tram line shut. It was on the web but I can't remember
where.

In message , Neill Wood
writes
I've seen inside as well once years ago when I passed by and the door
was open. I seem to remember there was a roadsweeping vehicle in
there.
Yes, I think that one of the vehicles I saw in there was a roadsweeper,
too.

I presume that the ceiling comes down to meet the access ramp
of the underpass somewhere up ahead
Y4es but that would be quite a long way ahead, around two "bends, more
or less on the site of the former Aldwych tram station.

(I've always assumed - albeit without any form evidence) that the Subway
followed the Aldwych then turned sharp(ish) left under Kingsway?)
--
Ian Jelf, MITG, Birmingham, UK
Registered "Blue Badge" Tourist Guide for
London & the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk

"Ian Jelf" wrote in message
...
In message , Neill Wood
writes
I've seen inside as well once years ago when I passed by and the door
was open. I seem to remember there was a roadsweeping vehicle in
there.
Yes, I think that one of the vehicles I saw in there was a roadsweeper,
too.

I presume that the ceiling comes down to meet the access ramp
of the underpass somewhere up ahead
Y4es but that would be quite a long way ahead, around two "bends, more
or less on the site of the former Aldwych tram station.

(I've always assumed - albeit without any form evidence) that the Subway
followed the Aldwych then turned sharp(ish) left under Kingsway?)
--
Yes it followed the roadway above it. Can just remember riding through it as
a boy. The trams were signalled off at intervals from the top of the ramp at
the northern end, and it was very exciting to be at the front of the top
deck as the tram swung round from Theobalds Road and plunged down into the
darkness! The conductors used whistles instead of the bell at the two
tunnel stations in Kingsway. It was very narrow and the trams passed each
other with little clearance as I recall.

"Ian Jelf" wrote:

Neill Wood writes
I presume that the ceiling comes down to meet the access ramp
of the underpass somewhere up ahead

Yes but that would be quite a long way ahead, around two "bends, more
or less on the site of the former Aldwych tram station.

No, it would be much closer than that. The road exit ramp is on the site of
Aldwych tram station. However, the road *entry* ramp must only be a couple
of hundred metres behind the Embankment entrance, as it comes down off of
Waterloo Bridge in Lancaster Place (just south of Strand).


(I've always assumed - albeit without any form evidence) that the Subway
followed the Aldwych then turned sharp(ish) left under Kingsway?)

Correct. It follows the line of the streets above, and indeed was built as
an integral part of them . (Aldwych and Kingsway were new roads, built as
part of a slum clearance scheme a century ago in which the old street
pattern disappeared.)



--
MetroGnome
~~~~~~~~~~

In message fBqmc.46$074.38@newsfe1-win, MetroGnome
writes
"Ian Jelf" wrote:

Neill Wood writes
I presume that the ceiling comes down to meet the access ramp
of the underpass somewhere up ahead

Yes but that would be quite a long way ahead, around two "bends, more
or less on the site of the former Aldwych tram station.

No, it would be much closer than that. The road exit ramp is on the site of
Aldwych tram station. However, the road *entry* ramp must only be a couple
of hundred metres behind the Embankment entrance, as it comes down off of
Waterloo Bridge in Lancaster Place (just south of Strand).
Of course it does! I don't know what on *Earth* made me write
otherwise. Maybe it was late or something! (I seem to be doing this a
lot on this group lately!)

(I've always assumed - albeit without any form evidence) that the Subway
followed the Aldwych then turned sharp(ish) left under Kingsway?)

Correct. It follows the line of the streets above, and indeed was built as
an integral part of them . (Aldwych and Kingsway were new roads, built as
part of a slum clearance scheme a century ago in which the old street
pattern disappeared.)
Indeed.
--
Ian Jelf, MITG, Birmingham, UK
Registered "Blue Badge" Tourist Guide for
London & the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk