This is the second of my irregular looks at great London blog posts from the past month. Overall, the past month has seen a huge output of great writing and content. Below are just a few of the highlights for me.
Special Mentions
London’s Lost Pneumatic Railways – Ian Mansfield (of IanVisits fame) has written a short Kindle ebook about a forgotten aspect of London’s transport heritage.
Bomb Sight – Maps every bomb dropped on London during the Blitz. See if your address was hit.
Transport for London Urban Design – Just discovered this gem of a website. Looks at all design aspects of TFL’s offerings. The undeniable highlight is the inventory of all listed buildings and structures owned or operated by TFL.
An Edwardian Advent Calendar – Ian from IanVisits looks at ads from 100 years ago. Some highlights so far include: Scrubb’s Ammonia, Foot’s Bath Cabinet, His Master’s Voice, A Motion Photograph of Yourself and my favourite Wolsey Wool Underwear. Fascinating to see the difference in what things are advertised and how it’s done compared to now.
News
Final Section Of Overground Network Opens In South London – London’s second ‘circle line’ opens for business.
London private rents up by a third in three years – Dave Hill has a look at the very worrying statistic.
Fares To Rise By More Than Inflation For Next Ten Years – As if rising rents weren’t bad enough…
Tube/Rail
This section should really just be titled ‘Diamond Geezer and the Tube’ since almost all the posts come from him. One of London’s best bloggers.
Out of station interchanges – Diamond Geezer looks at how long it takes to transfer between stations – that while close to each other – require exiting one and entering the other.
Tube Waiting Times – Mind The Gap – Diamond Geezer looks at how long you may have to wait for a train at some of the more far flung stations, plus the circle line.
No change – Diamond Geezer looks at places where lines cross but there is no interchange.
Chameleon stations – Diamond Geezer looks at which stations are busier at the weekends rather than weekdays.
Nice view – Diamond Geezer looks at some of the best views from the Tube.
The Circle line goes east – Diamond Geezer looks at a little know fact about the circle line.
Mark Lane – Diamond Geezer looks at Mark Lane, one of the lesser known ghost stations.
The platform tiles at Aldgate East – Number 66 of 150 Great Things About The Underground.
The old entrance to Highbury & Islington – Number 67 of 150 Great Things About The Underground.
The river over Sloane Square – Number 69 of 150 Great Things About The Underground.
The escalators at Angel – Number 70 of 150 Great Things About The Underground.
The interior of Westminster – Number 71 of 150 Great Things About The Underground.
How to take your appendix out on the Piccadilly Line – From the The Brand New Monty Python Papperbok found via The Great Wen.
Old Posters from “Ghost Station” Euston at new Exhibition – Annie Mole gives you the details.
The Overground Orbital Loop – Diamond Geezer claims the world record for going around it in 1 hour 40 minutes 40 seconds.
The End of an Era on the South London Line – London Reconnections says goodbye to the South London Line, which has been removed from service due to the Overground extension.
London Underground Stamps & £2 Coin – A preview of the new stamps and coin to commemorate 150 years of the Tube next year.
Walking Overground South – Diamond Geezer walks the new section of the Overground in South London in 4 parts. Read parts 2, 3, 4. This new service also removes the old parliamentary train that used to run between Kensington Olympia and Wandsworth Road.
Tube Map Circuit Board – Working Radio – Mapping London look at a very unique tube map.
Dangleway Data – Not the tube or rail, but it’s on the tube map – Diamond Geezer has a look at passenger numbers for the Emirates Air Line.
Shopping
Roman Road Market – Diamond Geezer has a look around.
The Shops of Old London – Amazing photos – as always – from Spitalfields Life.
First In Store – Diamond Geezer looks at the original locations of many of today’s high-street stalwarts. Turns out I used to live down the road from the very first Sainsburys.
London Winter Markets For 2012 – The Londonist tells you all about them.
London Life
Shit London Awards 2012 – Looking at the very worst of London.
Eel Pie Island – thelondonphile looks around this unique artists community.
Ask A Black Cab Driver: The Swedish Cabbie – The Londonist looks at the only Swedish national to have ever passed the knowledge.
Eleanor Crow’s East End Cafes – Highlights illustrator Eleanor Crow’s work, focusing on East End Cafes.
History
The Streets of Old London – More amazing photos of London’s old streets from Spitalfields Life.
Kentish Town Road – Birthplace of the Laptop – Little known connection between Kentish Town and the laptop.
A Christmas Carol’ London Locations – A View From The Mirror looks at locations from the famous Dickens work.
A Walk Through Time In Spitalfields – blends together old and new photographs of the East End, from the always outstanding Spitalfields Life.
Architecture
Tower Bridge to get a glass floor – Ian has a look at the plan.
London Tunnels – The Londonist includes photos of some of the various tunnels around London.
In Pictures: The Kings Cross Clock Tower – London Reconnections has a look at the clock tower that’s about to get a whole lot more visible.
Turkish Baths, Russell Square – Caroline’s Miscellany has a look a sign I’ve occasionally wondered about.