History of Wood Lane

Earlier years: 1900-1908

In 1900, the Central London Railway (nowadays called Central Line) opened between Shepherd’s Bush and Bank. That same year, King William Street on the City and South London Railway (nowadays called Northern line) closed and the City and South London Railway was extended.

Eight years later, in 1908, the Central London Railway was extended and Wood Lane station opened. It formed a curve, which directly led back to Shepherd’s Bush. It was similar to the famous Northern line Kennington Loop and the old disused Embankment Loop.

1946-1949

I won’t make you bored though, so I will give you bonus facts.

The Second World War caused delays to proposed extensions but extension did start on the Central London Railway in 1946. The next year, 1947, White City station opened, with new tracks spurring off the curve and Wood Lane station (Central London Railway) closed. By 1948, the entire Hainault loop opened and in 1949, the line opened up to Epping and reached Ongar.

1994 - Closures on Central and Piccadilly lines

On 30 September 1994, after 45 years in service, the Epping to Ongar branch (not Epping) closed. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3hLhW05gJU. It says there that is was opened in 1865. It is false, and the Epping to Ongar branch actually opened in 1949. That same day, 30 September 1994, the Aldwych branch on the Piccadilly line closed, as well as Holborn platforms leading to Aldwych closed and the Holborn platforms are nowadays behind a metal grill. Did you know that the roundels at the old disused Holborn platforms actually said “Holborn (Kingsway)”?

2008 and 2009: Hammersmith & City and Circle line extensions

In 2008, the Hammersmith & City was extended to Wood Lane, and by then the Central line station was demolished. The following year, 2009, saw the Circle line extension to Hammersmith and Wood Lane (sub-surface) was part of the new extension.