162. Dollis Hill

Saturday 9th November 10.25am

"Dollis" is an odd word isn't it that makes me smile for no good reason. The station is the exact opposite to the one I'd been to before (Neasden) in that its ticket office is underneath the rail tracks, with a subway to roads on either side. It's only little with two barriers and an office with a window opposite them to keep an eye on what's going on, and it was surprisingly busy when I was there.

Wikipedia entry here.

162 stations is 60% of the stations on the underground (270). This is what that looks like:

There's still a lot to do isn't there? Unbelievably I'm now in my fifth year of this foolishness and I suspect I thought it would all be over by now, but looking at the map and all those stations stretching beyond the M25 I can't help thinking it will take another five!

161. Neasden

Saturday 4th November 10.10am

Unexpectedly for a zone 3 station in the middle of nowhere - it's very adjacent to the North Circular - this is a station I've been through several times before, way back when, and could remember. There's an IKEA within walking distance and I went there several times about 25 years ago when it was one of the few in the country. How time's change!

The station is a small building perched on top of a bridge over the railway itself which really is a very practical way of building stations. I do like the roundels built into the seating, and actually despite its location it's a nice little station.

Wikipedia entry here.