
Oct 19, 2009
Whilst looking for something totally different on the Discovery TV website, I came across an interesting short video clip about the time when Plessey occupied several miles of tunnel under London and set up a factory inside.
The Central Line extension from Liverpool St was built before the war, but not fitted out for trains until the war finished – priorities being somewhat diverted. After the above ground Plessey factory was bombed by German planes, they decided to move nearly 2,000 people into the newly built tunnels.
The factory specialised in making components for fighter planes and bombers.
The conversion of the Underground was completed in March 1942 at a cost of £500,000 and gave Plessey 300,000 sq.ft. of factory floor.
The 4 and a half minute video clip is on the Discovery Website.

Incidentally, I was looking to see if Discovery Science is going to repeat a program I saw last night about the Jubilee Line extension. While nearly a decade old, the documentary had loads of good footage of tunnels etc. Sadly, I can’t find a repeat date, but did notice that next Sunday (25th Oct), there will be a programme about the building of the Singapore Underground.