Hidden London Hangouts Season 3, Episode 11: Mail Rail

1

Piccadilly Circus: a deeper dig

The Hangouts team return for a brand new season and revisit a fan favourite of Season 1 - Piccadilly Circus. Join the team as they take Alex on location for his first chance to take a deeper look behind the scenes in the Heart of London.

2

Lords

The team share the history of Lords station, formerly known as St John's Wood Road, part of the Metropolitan Railway. Siddy and Chris also take you on location at our Acton Depot for a peek into the Sign Mezzanine.

3

Signs

Your favourite foursome are back on location at the Acton Depot to tell you all about the iconic London Underground's signs.

4

Oxford Circus

The team explore one of London's busiest stations, Oxford Circus. This station is familiar to anyone who has ever visited London but hides a secret history of two stations that became one.

5

London to New York Special

In this very special episode, the Hangouts foursome (virtually) travelled to New York to meet the team at the New York Transit Museum. Join them to explore the history of New York's transit network, as well as its parallels and differences with London's transport.

6

Underground Art

The team explore the secrets of the Museum Depot's fabulous art store. They share their favourite art and discover that gorgeous artwork is just the first step of making a classic transport poster.

7

Metroland

Escape to the country with the team in this episode exploring the suburban area known as Metro-land.

8

Marlborough Road

The team reveal elusive disused station of the Metropolitan line that has been hiding in plain sight for 82 years.

9

Holloway Road

The team uncover the secrets of Holloway Road station.

10

Tottenham Court Road

Did you know that Tottenham Court Road station used to be called Oxford Street station? Find out all about the history of this central London station.

11

Mail Rail

In this episode, the Hangouts foursome are joined by special guest Chris Taft, Head of Collection at the Postal Museum. Find out all about the Mail Rail.

12

Whitechapel

Ever heard of St Mary's station? Later known as Whitechapel Road, this short-lived station was located between Whitechapel and Aldgate East on the District and Metropolitan lines. Find out its little known but fascinating history.

13

York Road

The awesome foursome celebrate the Hangouts' first birthday with a special episode packed with exclusive on-site footage and stunning photographs from the Museum's collection. Find out all the secrets of York Road and join in the celebrations!

14

Anniversary

The team look back at their favourite moments from the three seasons of Hidden London Hangouts, to celebrate the series' first birthday.

15

Marylebone

Follow the team on location to discover the secrets of Marylebone station.

16

Edgware Road

Go behind the scenes at Edgware Road station with the team and special guest Signal Instructor Charley Monroe who showed us around the signalling cabin 'adopted' by the Museum when it went out of service in 2019.

17

Tube Maps

The team explore the history of Underground maps from the early days of the Metropolitan Railway to the revolutionary diagrammatic map by Harry Beck. They also give you a sneak peek of our Museum Depot in Acton where most of the iconic maps in our collection are stored.

18

Notting Hill Gate

The Hangouts foursome are back out on the system to explore a very old station that has been rebuilt many times in its life. The team reveal the secrets of hidden passageways not open to the public, including posters that have survived there from the 1950s.

19

Museum Reopening

This week the team explore London Transport Museum as it reopens to the public, meet Hangout fans in person and talk to TfL Commissioner Andy Byford to find out where he would like to visit behind the scenes with the team.

20

Kennington station and Kennington Loop

Join the team as they explore the hidden, disused and secret gems of Kennington station and ride the Kennington loop.

21

Leicester Square

The team explore the hidden and disused spaces of Leicester Square station, and discover original tiles and ingeniously reused lift shafts.

22

Swiss Cottage

Follow the team behind the scenes at Swiss Cottage station.

23

Hampstead

This week the team visit the deepest station on the London Underground and go behind the scenes to uncover surprising hidden features.

24

Arsenal

The team explore Arsenal station, formerly known as Gillsepie Road, one of the London's shallowest Tube stations.

25

Knightsbridge Pt.1

The team visit Knightbridge station for the first of two episodes exploring this evolving station and its beautiful original features. Part two will explore the changes being made to reuse the oldest part of the station to give step free access to the site.

26

Knightsbridge Pt.2

The team return to Knightsbridge to see how the original station is being adapted to bring step-free access to the modern Tube and reveal the surprising place that one of the original station fittings ended up.

27

Green Park Mosaic Tunnel

What's the story behind the mosaic tunnel at Green Park station? Join the Hangouts Fab Four to find out.

28

King's Cross light tunnel

This is the final episode of Hidden London Hangouts Series 3! Join the team as they talk about the wonderful architecture of King's Cross light tunnel (affectionately known as the King's Cross rainbow tunnel) and how this kaleidoscope tunnel has a special place in many Londoner's hearts.

29

Swanage Summer Special

This week the team are on holiday, but Chris and Alex invite you to join them by the sea to discover a train that served London and has now retired to Swanage Railway. They spend a privileged day aboard the newly restored Class 117 during test-runs before it enters service.

30

007: 483 Your Eyes Only

This week the team head off on a Summer Special mission to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to see Class 483 unit 007 officially become part of the Steam Railway Museum's collection.