A weekly round-up of London’s rail transport news…
Baker Street Underground Station made out of Lego
London Underground
Tube journeys up 8% after work-from-home Covid guidance ends The Guardian
From bursting with colour to ‘bog standard’: How TfL commissioned abstract artist Paul Huxley to revamp King’s Cross Tube station… only to rip it down and replace with ‘white lavatory tiles’ Daily Mail
TfL under fire over ‘unfair’ proposed Piccadilly line premium fare to Heathrow CityAM
Tube workers set to hold a series of Metropolitan Line strikes this month have suspended their plans. Ilford Recorder
Tube driver brings joy to people’s miserable commutes by singing to passengers Mirror
Elizabeth line / Crossrail
Plans to restore five Havering Crossrail work sites to previous use and condition Romford Recorder
The operator of Crossrail trains declared a “high-risk security breach” after a member of the public was able to ride a service across London, despite ongoing testing and construction work taking place on the line. Construction News
Crossrail starting final phase of Trial Operations ahead of opening ianVisits
Mainline / Overground
Railway works on mature trees ‘paused’ after community backlash Romford Recorder
A man has been fined hundreds of pounds for failing to buy a £6 train ticket while travelling between Watford and St Albans. Watford Observer
As figures reveal that rail and tube commuter figures are still less than half pre-pandemic levels, transport groups have welcomed the prime minister’s removal of the advice to work from home in England. Independent
Cuts to the South Western Railway (SWR) service to Shepperton have been met with opposition from local politicians, residents, and businesses. SWLondoner
Train passengers suffer one of the worst periods on record for cancellations Sky News
Southern Rail has announced that it is operating a reduced timetable until further notice Mid Sussex Times
Why next-day train tickets from London to Manchester after 2.35pm just got £100 more expensive Manchester Evening News
A huge new departure board screen has appeared at London Victoria station, and it’s big, bright, and offers a lot more information than the old screens could show. ianVisits
Miscellaneous
A reshuffle at the top of Transport for London will see a long-serving executive depart and the chief executive of Crossrail leave once the line opens. Standard
Inspector Sands and why the London Underground keeps asking for him ianVisits
Captivating nostalgia photographs on the London Underground in the 1970s Far Out
Public transport campaigners furious after official advice tells employees to drive Independent
Charles Wright: What will the government do to Transport for London next? OnLondon
You can now wear Piccadilly line moquette clothing, if you don’t mind them also having a football logo on them as well. ianVisits
Cryptocurrency ads reach record levels on London transport The Guardian
And finally: Francis Bourgeois Becomes Face Of New Gucci And North Face Campaign Lad Bible
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The image above is from Jan 2013: Baker Street Underground Station made out of Lego
