Earls Court early 20th century

[spsmiler]

I have no idea where the images originated, what their copyright status is, etc, however these fascinating vintage photos may be of interest.

Simon

[Chris M]

Could that second image be starting the construction of the stairs down to the Piccadilly line escalators?

[Dstock7080]

the thread title suggests pre-electrification, there is evidence of current rails in both excellent images.

Certainly the second image includes works on platforms, concrete replacing wood for the forthcoming Piccadilly escalators is a possibility.

[superteacher]

Nov 5, 2017 8:25:28 GMT Dstock7080 said:

the thread title suggests pre-electrification, there is evidence of current rails in both excellent images.

Thread title amended accordingly,

[howda62]

Both images are on the LTM Photo Collection site with some associated descriptions (image dates given as around 1905/1906): link

For me at least the site currently seems to be a bit broken as the server times out when viewing beyond the search result page.

[whistlekiller2000]

Nov 5, 2017 10:30:42 GMT howda62 said:

Both images are on the LTM Photo Collection site with some associated descriptions (image dates given as around 1905/1906): link

For me at least the site currently seems to be a bit broken as the server times out when viewing beyond the search result page.

It is a bit knackered isn't it? When I looked just now I was able to view all the thumbnails but when I clicked on one, nothing happened at all.

[christopher125]

Any idea what the nearest vehicle in the second photo is? Looks like a locomotive.

[norbitonflyer]

Nov 19, 2017 2:33:51 GMT christopher125 said:

Any idea what the nearest vehicle in the second photo is? Looks like a locomotive.

The caption to the photo says the work in progress is to replace the wooden platforms with concrete and that the flatbed wagons are being drawn by a diesel locomotive. However, this caption must surely be incorrect. Practical diesel locomotives were not developed until after WW1.

It looks to me like a maintenance vehicle, with separate compartments for tools (the bit nearest the camera, with the hatches on the top), crew (in the middle) and an open section (at the far end)

EDIT The open section may be a separate wagon - the man standing by the cab obscures whether there is a gap or not. I now understand the hatches probably cover a battery compartment.

[Dstock7080]

When the same subject was discussed on another social media site, our esteemed reganorak gave the following info:

District Railway electric locos L8 & L9 built 1909 by Renshaws, rebuilt from District Railway battery locos.

[metman]

Believe it is an early battery loco later converted to electric traction. L8 and L9 ring a bell. They carried wheels in later life I believe.

[christopher125]

Fascinating, do other photos of them exist in this form? Can't remember seeing any.

[norbitonflyer]

Look what I've found
www.districtdavesforum.co.uk/thread/27394/l8-press-cutting-july-1958

Built 1909 (so the date in the LTM caption is wrong) Originally numbered 19A, 20A.
Lost their batteries during WW1 to become straight electrics.
Renumbered L8, L9 in 1929.
Rebuilt in 1958 with Q stock traction equipment.
Withdrawn in 1969.

[Deleted]

Nov 19, 2017 18:00:00 GMT norbitonflyer said:

Look what I've found
www.districtdavesforum.co.uk/thread/27394/l8-press-cutting-july-1958

Built 1909 (so the date in the LTM caption is wrong) Originally numbered 19A, 20A.
Lost their batteries during WW1 to become straight electrics.
Renumbered L8, L9 in 1929.
Rebuilt in 1958 with Q stock traction equipment.
Withdrawn in 1969.

A lot of the captions in the LT Museum's photos are wrong. I've corrected many of them already.

[christopher125]

Nov 19, 2017 18:00:00 GMT norbitonflyer said:

Look what I've found
www.districtdavesforum.co.uk/thread/27394/l8-press-cutting-july-1958

That's brilliant, thanks - for such long lives there seem surprisingly few photos.

[holborncentral]

Nov 5, 2017 10:39:40 GMT whistlekiller2000 said:

Nov 5, 2017 10:30:42 GMT howda62 said:

Both images are on the LTM Photo Collection site with some associated descriptions (image dates given as around 1905/1906): link

For me at least the site currently seems to be a bit broken as the server times out when viewing beyond the search result page.

It is a bit knackered isn't it? When I looked just now I was able to view all the thumbnails but when I clicked on one, nothing happened at all.

It's been like that for months now. I went on there sometime in the summer and I couldn't view actual photos at all. It would just hang for a bit and then time out whenever I clicked or tapped on one. Was the same on both desktop and mobile. There is a workaround but it's kinda cumbersome and I can't remember what it is at the moment.