3D Diagrams of London Underground Stations (opens in new tab)

(ianvisits.co.uk)

155 pointss3ctor83y ago53 comments

53 comments

Taniwha3y ago

I've always appreciated the official Hong Kong MTR station 3D maps

https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/system_map.html

for example:

https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/ch/services/layouts/hok.pdf

https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/ch/services/layouts/kot.pdf

mgdlbp3y ago

I thought I'd seen those in stations of a different Asian metro...had a look around for photos.* In the few systems I checked, 3D maps can be seen in Beijing Subway,[1] Seoul Metro,[2] and Shanghai Metro;[3] plus this station in Tokyo, albeit a rail-metro station.[4] Tokyo Metro also has detailed, unusually discoverable 3D maps online.[5]

Counterexample: Guangzhou Metro doesn't seem to have any, despite its modern look.[6] Speaking of which, these new systems all look remarkably similar. Is there only a single manufacturer of platform screen doors and tactile paving? Even Delhi Metro, with very few photos, has that same look in its newer stations.[7]

[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clockwise_platform_p...

[2] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bongcheon_Stn._Platf...

[3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:201610_Platform_for_...

[4] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tokyu-railway-TY01-S...

[5] https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/station/otemachi/index.htm...

[6] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tianhe_Park_Station_...

[7] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Delhi_Airport_Metro_...

* Turns out, image search (every service) fails terribly at this: All the results for maps are system maps; can't tease out a single station map for most systems. Photos of station interiors should show the actual posted maps, then? Nope. 90% of results are identical shots down the length of a platform. Turns out, it's Wikimedia Commons to the rescue

gaudat3y ago

Hands down one of the best public transportation companies in the world.

divbzero3y ago

I recall seeing a similar map of Taipei Main Station [1] when visiting Taiwan.

[1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/taiwan/comments/5vaz30/beautifully_...

rawoke0836003y ago

Wow ! Reminds me a lot of "Resident Evil - Raccoon City" :)

defrost3y ago

London has recently completed the ~ 20 billion pound Crossrail project after some 8 years or more of planning and tunneling.

Part of that was creating "vibration free" railway lines that pass some 17m or so directly under world class concert halls and major recording studios.

A small part of some major engineering in a heavily built up constricted environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOu56s6kUj4

sbuk3y ago

There are several 'ghost' station that are missing from this list:

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london

More details here: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london

Angel is a fascinating station - it used to be an island platform like Clapham Common and Clapham North, but was rebuilt in the early 90's due to safety concerns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_tube_station#Station_reb...) and until Terminal 5 opened, had the longest escalators in the UK.

eastbound3y ago

My sister used to draw pedestrian maps of the Paris metro, to discover the “One way” paths that you can take upstream (can, but may not!). Sometimes a 100m walk can become 5m. Very uncitizenly of her, but very amusing.

barrkel3y ago

Many aren't very detailed. I could do with more detail on e.g. King's Cross, a station where it's easy to be suckered into a much longer walk to / from your platform if you don't know some of the shortcuts.

ossopite3y ago

Yes, that's one of the most confusing. http://leewoodprojects.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/2955... is a more useful diagram (unfortunately I can't find the original source)

ldjb3y ago

The axonometric diagrams are only intended to be used as a location guide. They are part of larger Station Layout documents which have very detailed 2D plans for every part of the station. The axonometric diagrams therefore provide the overall view, including (in the original document) reference numbers for the individual drawings, like a sort of contents page.

King's Cross St. Pancras, for example, has 20+ pages of detailed 2D plans, covering the entrances, ticket halls, platforms, escalator areas, vent shafts and so on.

danhor3y ago

http://openstationmap.org generates layer based maps for stations based on osm data.

Looks a lot less cooler than these diagrams, but (may) work for more stations.

NonNefarious3y ago

"less cooler?"

TruthWillHurt3y ago

I look at these and still don't understand some stations :D

I swear there isn't really a tube - you just walk to your destination underground and the train is an illusion.

andybak3y ago

> the train is an illusion.

It's just there to hide the level loading.

sbuk3y ago

Kings Cross definitely feels that way!

lumoe3y ago

Vienna public transport published an AR application for Android where you can explore new WIP stations as actual 3D objects [1] There is also a video demo if you do not want to download the bloated App. [2]

[1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scalamatta... [2] https://youtu.be/EVq0D5K8dRc

OJFord3y ago

This is great; reminds me of these (slightly more 'artistic' vs. diagrammatic) cutaway views of Picadilly Circus done over the years: https://londonist.com/london/transport/london-cutaways

dividuum3y ago

If you enjoy this in game form, you might like https://store.steampowered.com/app/1122120/STATIONflow/

supernova87a3y ago

Interesting how some of the station diagrams look like Escher drawings -- something about the crossover of escalator/stairs is drawn with a funny perspective?

ggm3y ago

Bethnal Green is the site of a horrific ww2 bombing incident.

Belsize Park may be one of the deep shelter stations?

rlweb3y ago

Belsize Park has a deep shelter which is connected to the station but has been used as a storage facility for a while.

Semi-accessible currently and is known within the urbex community

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/belsize-park-deep-leve...

implements3y ago

There’s a few tours of the deep level facilities on YouTube now - fascinating from a Cold War civil defence perspective (things you thought you’d never see, even second hand):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZDs9pgO8VQ

OBFUSCATED3y ago

The incident: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35938274

waterpowder3y ago

Another good resources with many stations from all over the world (mostly European): http://estacions.albertguillaumes.cat/

captainbland3y ago

Slightly disappointed by the absence of Stratford (which has its own tube-style map for navigating the station, although does include national rail, etc.) but otherwise very cool.

ldjb3y ago

An axonometric diagram exists for Stratford (actually, there are two -- one for the platform levels and one for the subway levels). I'm not sure why they weren't included in the Freedom of Information response; it could have been for security reasons.

tobylane3y ago

It’s not their station? It’s a mainline station that includes some TfL exclusive lines.

1 more reply

ape43y ago

Reminds me of ant colonies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_colony

redbar0n3y ago

With the amount of terrorist attacks that have been conducted in subway stations, especially in London, it seems quite irresponsible to publicize these.

spark3k3y ago

Do you really think that the couple hours it saves by having these maps to hand instead of a terrorist going to the station and making their own map of the public space is going to mean the difference between an attack and no attack? Get real. Let’s just get rid of all maps then hmm? Security risk.

GaylordTuring3y ago

While I don’t agree with the sentiment that it’s irresponsible to publish these maps, I don’t think you should underestimate how lazy the average person is, including terrorists. It often baffles me how utterly ineffective most terrorists are (which I guess , among other things, comes down to “bad”/lazy planning), only managing to kill maybe a handful of people, if even that.

Most people wouldn’t be very interested in being so nerdy as to map out the London Underground. Why would most terrorists be any different?

redbar0n3y ago

No, but it could make the difference between a poor attack and a very effective attack. The point being that subways are particularly vulnerable points.

Do you think that all maps and other forms of architectural or engineering schemas should be widely publicised, without individual regard to their potential for exploit?

IG_Semmelweiss3y ago

You are not wrong, but my understanding is that... this is the very reason some NYC subway maps are not made public.

s3ctor8OP3y ago

These diagrams were based on some provided by TFL in response to a Freedom of Information request. They redacted areas where "disclosure of the information requested would be likely to adversely affect the safety and security of TfL employees and members of the general public." [0]

[0] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/maps_of_public_corrid...

redbar0n3y ago

Fantastic! That means they at least have made _some_ ethical editorial decisions, and didn't conform to some naïve conception that all information should be widely publicized regardless of the potential for adverse effects.

1 more reply

zarzavat3y ago

Can you expand on what exactly the threat might be? How is a 3D map more dangerous than a 2D map? And these are public spaces, it’s not like it’s some secret information.

redbar0n3y ago

A threat actor might rapidly scan potential targets to optimize for points of congestion, escape routes etc. If they had surveyed the area manually, they'd likely be captured on CCTV cameras, which would later aid investigators in tracking them down.

I was not specifically talking about 3D vs. 2D, btw.

monkey_monkey3y ago

Which terrorist attacks in London subway stations are you referring to? I've lived here for more than 30 years and can't think of a single terrorist attack in an tube station.

chrisseaton3y ago

Are you being pedantic? Because obviously they set off the bombs while in the tunnel between stations rather than at a station?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_July_2005_London_bombings

1 more reply

redbar0n3y ago

Just search for "Underground" here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents_in...

or go directly here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacks_on_the_London_Undergro...

1 more reply

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53 comments

Taniwha3y ago

I've always appreciated the official Hong Kong MTR station 3D maps

https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/system_map.html

for example:

https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/ch/services/layouts/hok.pdf

https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/ch/services/layouts/kot.pdf

mgdlbp3y ago

[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clockwise_platform_p...

[2] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bongcheon_Stn._Platf...

[3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:201610_Platform_for_...

[4] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tokyu-railway-TY01-S...

[5] https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/station/otemachi/index.htm...

[6] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tianhe_Park_Station_...

[7] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Delhi_Airport_Metro_...

gaudat3y ago

Hands down one of the best public transportation companies in the world.

divbzero3y ago

I recall seeing a similar map of Taipei Main Station [1] when visiting Taiwan.

[1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/taiwan/comments/5vaz30/beautifully_...

rawoke0836003y ago

Wow ! Reminds me a lot of "Resident Evil - Raccoon City" :)

defrost3y ago

London has recently completed the ~ 20 billion pound Crossrail project after some 8 years or more of planning and tunneling.

Part of that was creating "vibration free" railway lines that pass some 17m or so directly under world class concert halls and major recording studios.

A small part of some major engineering in a heavily built up constricted environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOu56s6kUj4

sbuk3y ago

There are several 'ghost' station that are missing from this list:

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london

More details here: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london

eastbound3y ago

barrkel3y ago

ossopite3y ago

Yes, that's one of the most confusing. http://leewoodprojects.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/2955... is a more useful diagram (unfortunately I can't find the original source)

ldjb3y ago

King's Cross St. Pancras, for example, has 20+ pages of detailed 2D plans, covering the entrances, ticket halls, platforms, escalator areas, vent shafts and so on.

danhor3y ago

http://openstationmap.org generates layer based maps for stations based on osm data.

Looks a lot less cooler than these diagrams, but (may) work for more stations.

NonNefarious3y ago

"less cooler?"

TruthWillHurt3y ago

I look at these and still don't understand some stations :D

I swear there isn't really a tube - you just walk to your destination underground and the train is an illusion.

andybak3y ago

> the train is an illusion.

It's just there to hide the level loading.

sbuk3y ago

Kings Cross definitely feels that way!

lumoe3y ago

[1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scalamatta... [2] https://youtu.be/EVq0D5K8dRc

OJFord3y ago

This is great; reminds me of these (slightly more 'artistic' vs. diagrammatic) cutaway views of Picadilly Circus done over the years: https://londonist.com/london/transport/london-cutaways

dividuum3y ago

If you enjoy this in game form, you might like https://store.steampowered.com/app/1122120/STATIONflow/

supernova87a3y ago

Interesting how some of the station diagrams look like Escher drawings -- something about the crossover of escalator/stairs is drawn with a funny perspective?

ggm3y ago

Bethnal Green is the site of a horrific ww2 bombing incident.

Belsize Park may be one of the deep shelter stations?

rlweb3y ago

Belsize Park has a deep shelter which is connected to the station but has been used as a storage facility for a while.

Semi-accessible currently and is known within the urbex community

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/belsize-park-deep-leve...

implements3y ago

There’s a few tours of the deep level facilities on YouTube now - fascinating from a Cold War civil defence perspective (things you thought you’d never see, even second hand):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZDs9pgO8VQ

OBFUSCATED3y ago

The incident: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35938274

waterpowder3y ago

Another good resources with many stations from all over the world (mostly European): http://estacions.albertguillaumes.cat/

captainbland3y ago

Slightly disappointed by the absence of Stratford (which has its own tube-style map for navigating the station, although does include national rail, etc.) but otherwise very cool.

ldjb3y ago

tobylane3y ago

It’s not their station? It’s a mainline station that includes some TfL exclusive lines.

1 more reply

ape43y ago

Reminds me of ant colonies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_colony

redbar0n3y ago

With the amount of terrorist attacks that have been conducted in subway stations, especially in London, it seems quite irresponsible to publicize these.

spark3k3y ago

GaylordTuring3y ago

Most people wouldn’t be very interested in being so nerdy as to map out the London Underground. Why would most terrorists be any different?

redbar0n3y ago

No, but it could make the difference between a poor attack and a very effective attack. The point being that subways are particularly vulnerable points.

Do you think that all maps and other forms of architectural or engineering schemas should be widely publicised, without individual regard to their potential for exploit?

IG_Semmelweiss3y ago

You are not wrong, but my understanding is that... this is the very reason some NYC subway maps are not made public.

s3ctor8OP3y ago

[0] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/maps_of_public_corrid...

redbar0n3y ago

1 more reply

zarzavat3y ago

Can you expand on what exactly the threat might be? How is a 3D map more dangerous than a 2D map? And these are public spaces, it’s not like it’s some secret information.

redbar0n3y ago

I was not specifically talking about 3D vs. 2D, btw.

monkey_monkey3y ago

Which terrorist attacks in London subway stations are you referring to? I've lived here for more than 30 years and can't think of a single terrorist attack in an tube station.

chrisseaton3y ago

Are you being pedantic? Because obviously they set off the bombs while in the tunnel between stations rather than at a station?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_July_2005_London_bombings

1 more reply

redbar0n3y ago

Just search for "Underground" here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents_in...

or go directly here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacks_on_the_London_Undergro...

1 more reply

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