From early 2020 for just over a year we ran "Still Standing!" on our News & Features page where we took a look at old tram structures still in place - albeit not for their originally intended purpose. One location featured in this series was the Kingsway Tram Subway in central London which has possibly become one of the most mysterious first generation tramway survivors with it not having been open to the public for many years and just being there behind closed gates. But earlier in 2021 all that changed with the London Transport Museum's popular Hidden London series (which allows the public to see behind the scenes at forgotten parts of London's transport network including various closed Tube stations) adding the Subway as one of their tours. With the first tours taking place in mid-August they soon sold out which saw further tours added which also quickly sold out! But before all tickets were gone Bob Hodges booked a place to see the part of London's once extensive tram network that time forgot and in this collection we see some images from underground.
The Kingsway Tram Subway was opened in 1906, originally to cater for single deckers but was then rebuilt in 1929/30 to allow double deckers to also travel under Kingsway and Aldwych. It connected the London County Council North London and South London tramway systems and would remain in use until 6th April 1952 when the final tram travelled along its tracks. The southern section of the subway was converted to become the Strand underpass for cars (opening 21st January 1964) but the northern section has remained unused since, save for the odd filming contract and it was once used for an art exhibition, so these tours really do allow you to see how it was nearly 60 years ago when the trams last ran.
* Although all tours are currently sold out, keep an eye out on the London Transport Museum website at https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/hidden-london/kingsway-tram-tunnel-linking-london for details of when more tours may be added.
