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The London Underground, 1968-1985
The London Underground, 1968-1985: The Greater London Council Years | Jim Blake
1 post | 1 read
LONDONS HISTORIC, iconic Underground railway system in the period from 1968 to 1985 was a very different place to what it is in the 2020s. Much of its rolling stock dated from before World War Two, and with the exception of the new Victoria Line and the isolated Woodford to Hainault shuttle, trains were all two-person operated as the 1970s dawned. Transport photographer Jim Blake recorded most of the system on film before it would change forever, concentrating on the older rolling stock as well as other items of interest due for replacement or modernisation, during this period when, regrettably, London Transport was often starved of much-needed funds by central government. The eminently sensible transfer of overall control of Londons buses and Underground system to the city-wide Greater London Council at the beginning of 1970 was snatched away by the Thatcher regime in 1984, after which things rapidly went downhill. This book covers the years of GLC control, including the months prior to their taking charge in order to set the scene. Many rare and unusual scenes are included in this volume, especially of the then still basically intact portion of the uncompleted Northern Line extension between Drayton Park and Highgate, which had been so close to completion when work was halted during the war, but then abandoned in the early 1950s, incurring much wasted work and expenditure. For anyone with a serious interest in Londons Underground, this book is essential reading, including as it does many pervious unpublished photographs.
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review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Mehso-so

Still not entirely sure what prompted me to request this from NetGalley but anyway....

A book documenting London Transport's rolling stock between 1968-1985 & areas which were supposed to have been developed for the Northern Line extension which was cancelled in the 1950s. I thought that the information given for the photographs was informative & I enjoy seeing snapshots of everyday life of transport in the recent past. (contd)

OutsmartYourShelf I especially liked the photographs from the stations which were no longer used - I could read a whole book about deserted/unused stations. I think it could have used a little more historic detail in places, but overall it was an interesting read. 3⭐

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pen & Sword Transport, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5876806390
#NonfictionNovember Read 28-29 Nov 2023
5mo
23 likes1 comment