London Reconnections

LR Magazine Issue Four: Feeding the Monster

On 14 July 2016 By John Bull In LR Magazine

With print copies now being prepped for dispatch to subscribers at LR Towers, London Reconnections Magazine Issue 4: Feeding the Monster is now available to purchase in our online store. This brings to an end …

Diving Into The Fleet: Jubilee Line Derailed, 1974-1979

On 13 July 2016 By Jonathan Roberts In History, Jubilee line, London Underground, Politics

The waters of the Fleet (Line) became considerably murkier in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. To recap, Fleet Line Stage 1 costs to Charing Cross had risen from an estimate of £35m in 1971 …

Meltdown Monday: How Southern’s Problems Run Deeper Than Disputes

On 10 July 2016 By Pedantic of Purley In Railways, Southern

For those living and working in London and the South East it has become almost impossible to be unaffected, either directly or indirectly, by the trouble-hit GTR franchise. Understandably there is anger and frustration at …

On Our Line #2: The Challenges of Mapping Metros

On 1 July 2016 By John Bull In Podcast

In episode two of our podcast, Nicole talks to Dr Max Roberts, lecturer in Psychology at the University of Essex, and transport author and informational design expert Peter Lloyd. Dr Max Roberts is an expert …

A Study In Sussex part 13: Norwood Junction

On 21 June 2016 By Pedantic of Purley In London Overground, National Rail, Network Rail, Southern

Seemingly illogically, now is the time to look at Norwood Junction and its future importance in enabling an upgrade to the Brighton Main Line. Initially this station was not intended to form part of this …

A New Typeface for the Underground: Johnston 100

On 14 June 2016 By John Bull In Fonts, London Underground, TfL

London Underground’s hundred-year-old typeface is iconic. Designed by Edward Johnston in 1915, it almost singlehandedly revived the sans-serif. Yet after a century of evolution some of the things that originally made it special have gradually disappeared. We look at the typeface’s history and at TfL’s ambitious attempt to rediscover its soul.

London’s First Highway: The East London River Crossings

On 8 June 2016 By Chris Marshall In Crossrail 2, River crossings

There are only so many ways of crossing the River Thames east of Tower Bridge. East of Greenwich the communities on the north and south banks are little more than distant relatives. Continuing our look …

On Our Line: The London Reconnections Podcast

On 3 June 2016 By John Bull In Podcast

The residents of LR Towers are happy to announce the launch of our new monthly podcast, “On Our Line.” As anyone who reads this site or has attended our meetups knows, transport is a fascinating …

The Last Stand of the Old Guard?

On 31 May 2016 By Pedantic of Purley In DfT, Railways, Southern

The role of the railway guard has been in the news recently due to various industrial disputes in London and beyond. With debate set to continue over the role in the coming months, this seems …

High Speed Buffers (Part 3): Are There Limits to Commuting?

On 24 May 2016 By Jonathan Roberts In Construction projects, HS2

Our series on HS2 aims to look at how it affects London. Finding a suitable terminus will be a big part of that, something that is dependent on a number of factors. A critical one …

In Pictures: “An Album of Railway Engines”

On 19 May 2016 By John Bull In History, In Pictures, Rolling stock

Between our more detailed pieces it is nice, occasionally, to draw breath. Beginning in 1875 cigarette cards became a popular collectable in both the UK and abroad. They often featured illustrations of various modes of …

A Glimpse At The Transport Path Ahead

On 16 May 2016 By Nicole Badstuber In Mayor's Office, Mayor's Transport Strategy, TfL

A TfL presentation delivered to Sadiq Khan, the newly elected Mayor of London, has surfaced online. It offers an insight into the transport announcements we can expect in the near future. It also indicates a …

Elizabethan Style: A Look At Crossrail’s Core Stations

On 11 May 2016 By John Bull In Crossrail

To coincide with a new exhibition on Crossrail station design at the Royal Institute of British Architects, the organisation have released a series of images showing the proposed internal designs of a number of the …

The Politics of Emptiness

On 4 May 2016 By John Bull In Mayoral Elections, Politics

On 5 May, Londoners will choose their new mayor. In doing so, they will grant a single individual the third biggest direct personal mandate of any politician in the whole of Europe (only France and …

London’s First Highway: The Fall and Rise of River Buses

On 1 May 2016 By Long Branch Mike In River, TfL, Waterways

Over two millenia ago, at the furthest downstream location that a bridge could be built across the River Thames, London was born. In many ways the river is the very reason for London’s existence. The …