20/270 - Mill Hill East

Consisting of just one platform, Mill Hill East is the least used station on the Northern line, however, it was never supposed to be like this. Opening in 1867 on the Edgware, Highgate and London Railway (EH&LR), World War Two had an influential impact on railways in this part of north London. The approach to the station, on the Dollis Brook Viaduct, is the highest point above ground on the London Underground.

The EH&LR built a branch line between Finsbury Park and Edgware in the 1860s, however, the line was purchased by the Great Northern Railway who operated services from King’s Cross through Finsbury Park and on to Potters Bar. Mill Hill East was originally called Mill Hill. This section of railway was intended to be double track, but only a single track was laid as the Great Northern Railway prioritised building a double track formation on the more popular Finsbury Park to High Barnet line in 1872. The formation of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in the 1920s, which took over Great Northern Railway services, saw Mill Hill change its name to Mill Hill East in 1928.

The London Passenger Transport Board announced a plan to take over some LNER lines in 1935, which became known as the North Heights project. As works began between Finchley Central and Edgware in 1938, the outbreak of World War Two considerably slowed progress, and only the single track between Finchley Central and Mill Hill East was electrified. This work was mainly completed to provide a service to the nearby Inglis Barracks. The electrification of the single branch line was completed by 1941 when the station re-opened as part of the Northern Line. 

After World War Two, a review of the North Heights project was conducted, but the majority of funds was spent on London Underground maintenance. As a result, works were never re-started, although the line between Finchley Central and Edgware appeared on London Underground maps as under construction until the 1950s. 

The building at Mill Hill East is the original EH&LR station building, and as a result is one of the oldest parts of the London Underground system. 2007 saw refurbishment of the station, with new CCTV cameras, help points and re-decoration of walls and floors. 

Mill Hill East receives a service every 11 to 15 minutes, with shuttle services off-peak to Finchley Central. During peak hours, Northern Line trains do extend to Morden. Mill Hill East is well worth a visit. The station building is impressive and historic, and it is interesting to think railways in this area could have been very different. 

19/270 - Southgate

Southgate Station's impressive exterior

Unless you have been living under a rock, the big news is London is still celebrating England reaching the semi-final of the world cup, the first time in 28 years. With this in mind, there really was only one station to visit today, Southgate. Opening in 1933, Southgate station is another example of the brilliance of Charles Holden. Holden made huge influences on the London Underground, but the Piccadilly line features some of his finest work, and Southgate is often regarded as one of his best.

The Piccadilly line extended from Arnos Grove to Enfield West (now Oakwood) in March 1933, with Southgate being the only stop in between. The Piccadilly line finally reached Cockfosters in July 1933, despite a severe recession that threatened the expansion project. During the same period, the Piccadilly line expanded west to Hounslow. Before opening, the station had alternative names proposed such as Southgate Central and Chase Side, but Southgate is the only name the station has ever had. When the station opened on 13 March 1933, local residents were given a free return journey to Piccadilly Circus. 

Original uplighting at Southgate station

The station is famous for its Art Deco and Streamline Moderne design, influenced by Charles Holden. By using a perfect blend of reinforced concrete and glass, Holden designed 47 stations in London, and 26 are on the Piccadilly line. The impressive circular flat-roof is supported by a central column in the ticket hall. The top of the building features an illuminated Tesla coil, which is worth seeing at night time. The station is circular to allow for an outer-ring of shops, offices, toilets and staff rooms. The escalators at Southgate feature original up-lighting. 

The Westbound platform at Southgate station

The station is not without change, however. In 2008, the station received new tiling at the platform level, a new ticket hall floor and modern signage throughout the station. Southgate station won the National Railway Heritage Award in 2008 for the modernisation of a heritage station. Furthermore, between all the underground stations between Finsbury Park and Cockfosters on the Piccadilly line feature their own unique colour scheme, albeit subtle, this was to help illiterate passengers, similar to the more famous unique tiling patterns of Piccadilly line stations in central London.  The subtle colour at Southgate station is yellow.

Southgate station is the northernmost station on the London Underground network to have underground platforms, this is due to the hill the station building is located on. Interestingly, the platforms at Southgate station are labelled 'Westbound' and 'Eastbound', however, the 'Westbound' platforms run south-east and the 'Eastbound' platforms run north-west. 

As the nation sings 'Southgate you're the one' as Gareth Southgate and the England team are making history, now is a perfect time to visit one of London's most treasured stations. Try and visit at night time, you will not be disappointed. 

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