Last rites for the Moorgate Branch in London

19th March 2009

The Moorgate branch was opened in 1868 and originally was served by steam hauled trains, then diesel hauled services to and from Cambridge via Kings Cross until the mid 1970's. In 1983 when the Thames Link line was opened via Snow Hill tunnel at Farringdon the branch was electrified at 25 kV overhead. Its only had a peak service since then to and from Bedford. Services only call at Barbican inbound, the outbound platform is disused. The line will close for good on Friday 22nd March 2009, after that the platforms at Farringdon will be extended to accomade 12 coach trains obliterating Farringdon Junction and severing the branch. All my photos were taken on the Wednesday before closure, with just 2 days of operation left.

Platforms 5 and 6 at Moorgate 2592x1944 2009-03-18 16:15:28	A moorgate bound service climbs up the steep gradient into Farringdon station. 2592x1944 2009-03-18 16:33:14	Barbican station, with an inbound service stopping. 2592x1944 2009-03-18 16:37:17	Barbican station, soon to be Underground only 2592x1944 2009-03-18 16:37:43
A moorgate bound service bursting out of the tunnel into Barbicac station, the old signal box is on the right. 2592x1944 2009-03-18 16:52:41	A Bedford bound service passes through the disused outbound platform at Barbican station. 2592x1944 2009-03-18 17:01:43