Heathrow Express: Secret Tunnels And Unused Platforms

M@
By M@ Last edited 89 months ago
Heathrow Express: Secret Tunnels And Unused Platforms

As a geeky kind of spin-off from our Secrets of the Tube series, we took a ride in the cab of a Heathrow Express train, from Paddington to the airport.

As the video shows, the line turns out to be more interesting than you might imagine. We were shown unused platforms and cavernous spaces. And we also discovered that one of the capital's shortest rail links — the shuttle between Terminals 1,2,3 and Terminal 4 — has as many drivers as it has stations.

The video above is by Geoff Marshall, and the photos below are by Matt Brown. With thanks to the staff at Heathrow Express for taking the time to show us round.

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View from the cab, leaving Paddington.
View from the cab, leaving Paddington.
Approaching Heathrow Central.
Approaching Heathrow Central.
Planning ahead: unused infrastructure at Terminal 5, waiting for future expansion. This would be a lift frame.
Planning ahead: unused infrastructure at Terminal 5, waiting for future expansion. This would be a lift frame.
This huge atrium at Heathrow Central is much bigger than it needs to be. The volume was scooped out following the infamous tunnel collapse during in 1994. Rather than fill it all back in again, the architects chose to make use of it.
This huge atrium at Heathrow Central is much bigger than it needs to be. The volume was scooped out following the infamous tunnel collapse during in 1994. Rather than fill it all back in again, the architects chose to make use of it.
The delightful woodwork of Hanwell Station.
The delightful woodwork of Hanwell Station.
Approaching Trellick Tower.
Approaching Trellick Tower.

Last Updated 21 October 2016