One London tube station sensationally disappeared from the Underground map, in the same year that it opened, only to make a comeback nearly 20 years later with a new name
The iconic London Underground map, with its vast network spanning across various zones and neighbourhoods, hasn’t always been the same.
For nearly two decades, one station was noticeably missing from its intricate design after it mysteriously disappeared.
Kensington (Olympia) is a peaceful rail and tube stop in West London’s Zone 2, currently served by the London Overground and the District line.
It provides a handy shortcut to avoid Zone 1, as all its Overground services are entirely within Zone 2.
However, if we travel back to 1940, Olympia had a completely different purpose.
Initially opened as Kensington station in 1844, it was so unpopular that it shut down in December of the same year.
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The station returned in 1862 with new services, including the Metropolitan line, and was renamed Kensington Addison Road in 1868.
But during the Second World War, the Metropolitan line was bombed, leading to the closure of the West London stations on the line.
However, this wasn’t the end for Kensington station. As it happens, the station was ideally situated, reports MyLondon.
Not only did it have rail connections to all of London, but it was also conveniently close to the headquarters of the Commander of the Allied Forces, led by Dwight D Eisenhower.
It became his preferred travel spot when he journeyed to Wales in 1944 to prepare for the Normandy landings.
In 1946, the station was renamed Kensington (Olympia) and began transporting workers at the Post Office Savings Bank.
Due to the National Secrets Act, the Post Office Savings Bank kept the station’s existence under wraps, and it wasn’t until 1958 that its presence was officially announced.
That year, Kensington (Olympia) gained a permanent platform and a District line shuttle service to Earl’s Court.
After a significant makeover, the station introduced more regular schedules, added a community garden, and received a facelift.
Despite these improvements, trains remain infrequent at Kensington (Olympia), making it one of London’s only part-time stations.
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