Piccadilly Drivers Eye View

This Driver’s eye view starts at Rayners Lane, where the train sits in the reversing siding before heading into central London. On board a 1973 stock train, we pass through the busy tunnels and emerge at Arnos Grove, continuing onward to the northern terminus at Cockfosters. Along the way, we traverse classic suburban and inner-city sections, highlighting both the operational challenges and scenic glimpses of London Underground infrastructure.

From Acton Town, we switch to the Heathrow Airport branch, where the 1973 stock runs via Terminal 4 and then onto Terminals 1, 2, and 3. This branch is notable for its unusual quadruple track section between Acton Town and Northfields, a rare feature on a deep-level tube line. The journey showcases modern signalling alongside the historical architecture of older stations.

The film also takes us past four disused stations, seen from the driver’s perspective, giving a view of places passengers rarely experience. A visit to Aldwych station, closed in 1994, reveals the remnants of the short branch from Holborn, including tunnels, platforms, and the quirks of its operation.

Narration throughout explains the history, construction, and evolution of these lines, contrasting the operational features of active sections with the remnants of closed ones. This approach combines a detailed technical view with a historical narrative, making it a distinctive exploration of the northern and western branches of the Piccadilly Line.