Several people have asked me if I have any other photographs that I've taken but not included on the web pages. In most cases I've used as much of the material I've got and you can see them on display. There are a few that I have taken that I've found difficult to find homes for in the main pages mainly due to space restriction... I present them here in the section that for now I'll call the Scrap Book. Some of these pictures may also appear in one form or another on the web page itself. At the moment I haven't used thumbnails but I may add smaller versions as thumbnails in the future if this page grows beyond all proportion!

Holborn Revealed

The first group of photos come from Holborn's disused platforms for the Aldwych branch.

Holborn, through the gate

This photograph was taken when this passageway was visible through a locked gate on Holborn's platform 4. Unfortunately this is no longer visible as a solid doorway now blocks the view. The passageway to the right leads off down to platform 3 on the Piccadilly line which is located at a lower level.

Holborn, down the stairs

We're now looking down that passageway. This was still in use during peak hours until Aldwych closed in 1994. The passage branches to the left at the bottom of the stairs and continues down to platform 3 on the Piccadilly line.

Holborn, ancient & modern

And for completeness, an image also found on the main site itself, the view looking back at the gate. I love this picture - I think it's the contrast between the old decaying poster right next to the bustling modern station that does it for me.

As mentioned above, it's no longer possible to take this picture - a doorway has now replaced the metal gate leading to platform 4.

Holborn, ancient & modern

And here's the same image again. This time I've done some more post-processing. Although you can see more detail in this version - does it capture the atmosphere as well? You be the judge.

Holborn Platform 5, looking north

On the Hidden Holborn page, there's a photograph of the platform looking south towards Aldwych. This photograph shows the converse view, looking north. Notice the experimental projection system and also the small structure towards the end of the platform, which is used by escalator engineers as a storage area.

Original lift shaft, converted to spiral staircase

Original lift shaft, converted to spiral staircase

Still at Holborn, what's visible in this photograph is the entrance to the original lift shaft at Holborn (remember, most Underground stations in the centre of London were originally serviced by lifts before the escalators came along). Here, after the escalators arrived, a spiral staircase was built in the lift shaft. Presumably originally intended as an emergency exit, they emerge on the surface in an area restricted to Underground staff - and the entrance to this area at platform level is so cleverly concealed by a locked panel that I'd have no idea it was there had it not been pointed out to me.

Holborn, original lift shaft

The lift entrance from a different angle. The original tile work, with Holborn's distinct colour pattern seen in other photographs above is clearly visible, though now that this section isn't open to the public its been allowed to deteriorate.

Between Holborn & Aldwych

Parked between Holborn & Aldwych is a train.

Train between Aldwych & Holborn

Now here's a sight you don't see every day. It sends a shiver up my spine just looking at it! This train is parked just south of Holborn on the Aldwych branch. Its left in this location because its business end lies in the open cross over area and therefore provides ease of access for maintenance. WHY leave a train there? - Well, that I'm not so sure. I'm told that it's occasionally taken for a spin up and down the line to charge its batteries and to make sure the lines are kept in good order. It's usually either here or at the platform at Aldwych.

Filming in Aldwych

With Aldwych still in mind, I've mentioned already on the Aldwych page that Aldwych is a prime filming location. In April 2001 I was given a great opportunity by director Jay Hunt to see his film being made at Aldwych - and also take part as an extra. I present here some of the pictures I took during that day.

Firstly, filming took place in the station's wonderfully restored Edwardian ticket hall.

Filming at Aldwych

Later on in the day, filming went downstairs. Remember... there are 119 steps on that spiral staircase - and everything had to go down by hand. If you've never been involved in a film production, the next two pictures give you an idea just how much equipment is needed even for a moderate location shoot! You can click on each image to see a picture taken approximately in the same location without the people or equipment!

The shot being set up here was a period piece, consisting of a tracking shot along the corridor where a group of people are sheltering during the Second World War. The first photograph shows this scene actually being filmed. The second shows some of the lighting that was used to give the corridor a more atmospheric look. Incidentally, the door to the left of the corridor is the main entrance to the platform that has been disused since 1917 and would normally have been locked while the station was in use until 1994.

Filming at Aldwych

The final photograph in this group shows something that I took purely by accident. As the lighting crew were getting ready to film on the platform, they were looking into how to turn the main platform lights off since fluorescent lighting causes a green tint if you don't use the right filters. Anyway, in this photograph I was taking along the platform all the lights bar one went out a fraction of a second before I took the photograph. I thought it was a spoiled photograph until people pointed out that the border between the floor and walls were dimly lit with a green luminescent glow. This can clearly be seen in this photograph, where I've artificially brightened the dark areas using gamma correction, making the eerie green glow clear to see. I'm guessing the glow was caused by luminous paint to help people get their bearings should the power suddenly fail.

Luminous platform lining at Aldwych

Evil, EVIL camera

What do you do when you get a chance in a lifetime to take photographs in a disused station with your high quality 35mm SLR camera... and the camera's back opens exposing the film two days later before the film is developed?

Spoilt film

You very clearly, and very loudly shout "Noooooooo!!!" This is the best photograph of the complete set - most were totally destroyed. Look... see? You can just make out part of the word "STRAND" from one of Aldwych's platforms....

Thank goodness that most of my photography these days is done using an Olympus 920 digital camera!

St Paul's

Here's a photograph that shows how parts of even active stations have been abandoned over the years.

Disused tunnel at St. Paul's

This photograph appears on the Hidden Bits page. I replicated it here so that you can have a better look at it. The photograph is taken through the grille that's visible at the bottom of the lower escalator. Notice the original white tile work on this now disused passageway, which leads off to the location of the erstwhile lift shaft. The brightness level in this photograph is deceptive - it's actually much darker than this however the digital camera I use is fantastic at getting high contrast images even at incredibly low light levels.

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Last Modified: August 9th 2002

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