The District Line: Olympia and West Kensington

Continuing our exploration of the westwards extensions of the Metropolitan District Railway in the 1870s, we start with the Earl's Court to Olympia branch which opened in 1872. We then move on to the first section of the extension to Hammersmith, which opened in 1874. This episode ends with the Piccadilly Line rising to the surface to join the District Line just west of West Kensington.

[@DarthCoco]

Thanks for the explanation of the depo too

[@sidslick1]

Great video.

[@deauvilledad07]

Impressive little film, very informative. Nothing less than what we've come to expect from Boogies trains🤓🤓

[@BoogiesTrains]

Thank you. There was a bit more of a story to tell in this episode. I'm running out of material but hopefully the weather will be a bit better for filming soon. Bright but cold is OK. Wet, windy and dull is no fun.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Interesting video, thanks. I used to work in offices next to the WLL and DL at Olympia in the 1980s and again in the mid 1990s (offices since demolished and replaced by apartments). At one point the DL Olympia-High Street Kensington service was made a regular service and far more customers used it. I can't help feeling that if more DL services served the station on weekdays they would attract a higher number of customers - it's a good interchange point with the WLL after all. It's also quite a high-density housing area. The general experience in London seems to be that if you improve rail services then they do seem to attract far more customers (e.g. the major improvements to the London Overground over the past 10 years or so).

[@BoogiesTrains]

I think the problem was that the Olympia paths reduced the number of paths available for the other arms of the District. West Brompton is seen as the main interchange between the District and the WLL. Also Shepherds Bush, Goldhawk Road, West Kensington and High Street Kensington are all relatively near. I noticed that the announcements at several stations in the area include advice to change for bus services to Olympia.

[@AndrewG1989]

How many times does District Line trains operate a shuttle service between Earls Court and Kensington Olympia (including coming from Edgware Road, High Street Kensington and Mansion House). Whilst passengers will have to change at Earls Court travelling from Upminster, Ealing Broadway, Richmond and Wimbledon to be able to make the connection to Kensington Olympia.

[@BoogiesTrains]

Not sure. I think it might be three an hour. Only runs regularly at the weekend.

[@pacificelectric1955]

Very impressive panorama at the beginning, were you perched at the top of a tree? Were you on Avonmore avenue? I have been searching Google Maps!

[@BoogiesTrains]

The junction between the Olympia branch and the main line is visible from the Cromwell Road West if you are tall enough to see over the parapet. The section north of Cromwell Road can be viewed from the Tesco multi story car park.

[@pacificelectric1955]

@@BoogiesTrains Ah Ok thanks, i will look on google maps!

[@lorrainepotasnick2973]

Nice can you do the Circle line the hole line + Hammersmith

[@BoogiesTrains]

Hi Lorraine. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The cut and cover sections in Central London are difficult because of the low light levels. I have a lot more material on the above ground sections just waiting to be processed into videos. I keep going out having fun instead. I'll try to get some finished. The next couple should get us as far as Ravenscourt Park. I will then do the Richmond branch as far as Gunnersbury. I already covered Gunnersbury to Richmond in my North London line series. After that it will be the Ealing Broadway branch.

[@lorrainepotasnick2973]

@@BoogiesTrains alright but I'm called Alfie Lorraines my mum

[@timdaugherty5921]

What would Londoners do without phones in thier hands?

[@breeze1472]

Its not just londoners,its everywhere which is why people social skills are so lacking these days just get a grunt if your lucky.