Ben also maps out a series of Tube journeys that show what can be seen through the darkness of the tunnels, and a series of London's train journeys for a look at trackside remains of many stations covered in the walks.
Ben said "It's been something of a labour of love for me, with months of research
and travels around the city! I've made it a point right from the start to try and make it a subject that appeals to everyone - from the hardcore train specialist, to the keen urban explorer, Tube fanatic, casual reader and everyone in between. It's being published by Capital, who have a long list of successful titles about London's transport history."
Most of the walks are illustrated with recently taken colour photographs. Highlights include a 2 hour walk starting at Green Park and finishing at West Brompton, taking in the remains of Down Street Tube station and bricked-up platforms on the Piccadilly Line that hid Cabinet War Rooms previously used by Churchill and covers Brompton Road Tube (pictured below).
Then there's the "not strictly abandoned but still a hidden gem" of 23/24 Leinster Gardens. A spot on the District & Circle line where in-between Bayswater & Paddington, there had been a cutting made underneath some houses. During construction, two houses had been taken down to allow the cut & cover tunnel to be built beneath, and a false house front had been put back in its place so as to disguise it.
Going to see the Leinster Gardens themselves may be a bit disappointing as it's just a fake house front. But if you go round a corner you can hear the distinctive rattle of a C-stock type train from somewhere down below. If you're tall enough you can peep over the wall and get a picture of the trains going past.
He also covers the Necropolis Railway Station (something I recently blogged about for Completely London in a post on London's Secret Memorials).
Brookwood cemetary is outside of London in Woking but is notable for having a private railway running through it. From 1854 - 1947 it would carry both coffins and mourners, by the London & South Western Railway, to a private Necropolis Terminus just outside of Waterloo Station between York Street and Westminster Bridge Road.
Do Not Alight Here is released on December 5th 2011 but can be pre-ordered on Amazon. Also , to mark the launch of his book, Ben will be holding a book signing at London Transport Museum on Saturday 3rd December 2011 from 2pm - 4pm. For more on Ben & his book, there's a Facebook page which covers his interest in London's Lost Tube & Railway stations.
You might also like
Walking the London Underground, Overground - Walk The Lines
Aldwych Underground Station Tours - November & December 2011
Aldwych Tube Station - Blitz Tour
Photos of Ghost Tube Station Brompton Road Tour
Old Tube stations could be Re-Opened
Houses near the London Underground - Leinster Gardens on TV
Alastair Campbell, Peter Mandelson & Down Street
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