Northern Heights page 3

NORTHERN HEIGHTS Pt.3: Highgate station

[Northern Heights Part 1 , Part 2 ]

For a while Highgate station had two lines; the Northern Line extension from Archway
was built underneath the existing overground station, which was rebuilt to allow for
interchange between the two.

For a scan of a 1930s A-Z showing the route of this line, click here.

The 'Thin Air' episode of the BBC drama 'Waking The Dead', filmed circa 2003. The cast are emerging from the northbound tunnel at the southern end of the station.

Either side of the high level station were tunnels, although the station itself was on the surface, deep in a cutting by the side of Archway Road.

This is looking south at the tunnels on the Crouch End side, the photo preceding the one above by at least 12 years.

Showing the southbound platform, although the island arrangement can be (just) made out.
The station is normally thick with trees and shrubs.

Northwards view with the ventilation shaft from the deep level on the left.

View southwards from inside the waiting room through glass-less window frames.

The steps leading down to the booking office (visible at the bottom of the steps). Designed to serve two lines, it only handles the Northern Line passengers now. This access to the high-level station was removed from public view, when the sub-ground ticket office was rebuilt.

The same staircase but looking upwards. The fixing hooks for the handrails can be seen on either wall.

The northbound platform, looking south. Ventilation shaft from the deep level is on the right.

The southbound platform looking north. The imprint of one of London Transport's station name roundels is half visible on the far left.

The tunnels at the northern end of the station.

Evidence of the incomplete electrification of the line: the cable brackets on the tunnel wall.

'Alternative' view of one of the northern tunnel entrances.

View from northbound platform looking south.

View from southbound side looking north. Note the track area has been covered over with a protective 'roof' to stop water ingress into the booking office below.

Southbound side looking south. The station originally had the platforms on the outer side of the tracks (where the photographer is standing) with a reversing siding in the middle. The layout of the station was altered during the 1930s works to incorporate the line into the London Underground system.

Southbound platform looking north.

Southward view.

Alternative' view of one of the southern tunnel entrances.

Of the two original station buildings, the one on the eastern side survives to this day (it is a private residence now).

(2008)

Evidence still in existence of the conversion works from steam line to electrified London Underground line. A large proportion of the work was completed, adding to the 'but why?' aspect of the line's closure.

An idea of how this section of the line would have looked like today (had it indeed been incoporated into the London Underground system) is afforded by stations such as Totteridge & Whetstone. It was one of the stations on the Northern Heights line that actually did get taken over by the Northern Line.

(2008)

Southward view.

(2008)

For further info: www.disused-stations.org.uk

(Photos taken between 1977 and 1981, except where stated.)

Northern Heights page 4: Highgate - Alexandra Palace