Something Else

Crystal Palace, South London is having a jamboree this weekend with a celebration of the steam railway. 'Subway Superday - Tunnels & Trains . . . and Dinosaurs]' is to mark the 40th anniversary since the last spectacular steam train made its final journey along the tracks of the old Crystal Palace High Level railway line. This line, completed in 1865, was home to gothic-style stations and a remarkable vaulted subway built by Edward Barry, the man who designed Dulwich College. One station is now a very stylish block of flats.

On Sunday, there will be a guided walk, organised by the London Wildlife Trust, along the site of the old railway line through the lush Sydenham Hill Woods, followed by an illustrated talk by railway enthusiast and historian, Alan Jackson. He will relate the full history of the line and the fine station- building as well as describing his own memories of taking the last journey.

Southwark Model Railway Club are exhibiting a large model of the Crystal Palace station starting on Saturday 17th and continuing every Sunday throughout September at the Crystal Palace Museum. An exhibition about the line in general and the last journey in particular has opened at Upper Norwood Library.

But perhaps the highlight of the weekend is the chance to visit the rarely opened subway to the High Level Station, which was built by Italian cathedral craftsmen in the 1860s: a chance to see beautiful vaulted columns decorated in a mix of red and white brickwork.

General Info: 071-732 7778

(Photograph omitted)