Is it Possible for London Underground Tracks That Are Going in Opposite Directions to Cross So That If You Are on a Westbound Train at One Station the Eastbound Line Is on Your Right and at Another Station It Is on Your Left?

Yes, it is possible for tracks on the London Underground that are going in opposite directions to cross, resulting in an eastbound line appearing on your right at one station and your left at another. While this may seem unusual, it is not an uncommon occurrence on certain routes, particularly the Central Line and the Northern Line. In this article, we explore such crossings in detail.

Central Line Crossings

The Central Line provides a classic example of such a track crossing. Just west of Shepherds Bush, the westbound line takes a very sharp bend to the right underground, crossing over the eastbound line. This results in the westbound line being to the north of the eastbound line at White City station, where the tracks are above ground. Later, at East Acton, the situation is corrected with a flyover, where the eastbound line passes over the westbound line again.

Historical Background

Initially, the western terminus of the Central Line was at Shepherds Bush, where one line led to the above-ground White City depot, and the other was a stabling siding. When the line was extended to Wood Lane (now demolished) via a loop, the same tracks were used for the new running lines. This temporary station was built without any planning to adjust the tracks, hence the sharp curve. The reasons behind the initial lack of correction include cost considerations and practicality. It is believed that it was cheaper to build a new flyover rather than acquire and demolish the properties directly, but this assumption lacks concrete confirmation.

Current Layout

The current layout can be seen in a map, where the sharp bend and the flyover are more accurately depicted. Disused Stations on London's Underground by Hywel Williams provides additional information and more detailed analysis of historical changes.

Northern Line Crossings

Another example of track crossings can be found on the Northern Line, particularly at Euston station. The Victoria Line, when constructed, was designed to facilitate more frequent interchanges between the Northern Line and Victoria Line trains. Unlike typical eastbound-westbound track layouts, the North-South crossing at Euston achieves this by creating magnificent spirals. The spirals allow the southbound line to be next to the Northern Line City Branch northbound platform, enabling adjacent-platform step-free interchanges.

Specifically, the northbound tunnel of the Northern Line had to be moved to achieve this complex arrangement. This unique setup was necessary to accommodate high demand for interchanges and provides a smooth passenger experience without the need for extensive detours.

Conclusion

While track crossings on the London Underground may seem unusual, they are actually quite common and serve specific operational and historical purposes. The Central Line and the Northern Line provide excellent examples of such arrangements, showcasing the flexibility and creativity of London's underground network in accommodating its unique demands.

Further Reading

To learn more about the detailed history and layout of London's Underground, refer to resources such as Hywel Williams' Disused Stations on London's Underground and the detailed diagrams available on Wikipedia.