Brian Hardy

Brian Hardy, born 1949, began his passion for Underground trains on weekend walks to the tracks with his grandfather and father. His career in the London Underground took him from Junior Trainee and Relief Clerk to Traffic Controller, Head Controller and finally Control Manager until his retirement in 2005. His enthusiasm for all things Underground continues to this day as he produces a monthly magazine for The London Underground Railway Society.

© Brian Hardy Collection A London, Midland & Scottish Railway train arrives in the original station at King’s Cross, pre-WW2. Although closed in WW2, the main line platforms reopened in 1945 – Met platforms were relocated further west in 1941 (the present station). On the right a Metropolitan Railway compartment train of MW Stock arrives.

Brian tells of his rise through the ranks – touching upon the post-war camaraderie and discipline, his roles and rostas, the cancellations and loss of staff on the Underground during the 1960’s and 70’s. He has unearthed some wonderful snippets of the Underground culture back in the day and he shares them along with his knowledge of the waxing and waning of
passengers on the system during his career. He shares his interest in the wide variety of rolling stock and muses over the differences between the Underground then and now, and gives his opinion on current day King’s Cross and St Pancras.

Finally he lets us in on a couple of pet peeves and tells a heart-warming story about ‘Mind the Gap’.

© Brian Hardy Collection King’s Cross Thameslink – 2007, just before the Thameslink platforms closed and were replaced by the low level St. Pancras International.
© Brian Hardy Collection The front of the station probably just after WW2. In front of the main line station is the Piccadilly Line station building, long since demolished.

Story by Sarah Monk