This post, written in February 2017, describes some of the features of Barons Court station. It depicts an architectural rarity, deservedly Grade II listed. Unfortunately and inexplicably some of my photographs have disappeared, so I took some more yesterday.
“The station building was constructed to a design by Harry Ford in a style similar to that used at Earl’s Court and Hammersmith and is now a Grade II listed building as it retains many of its original features, including terracotta facing and Art Nouveau lettering. The wooden benches on the platform with the station name along the back on enamelled metal panels are a unique feature on the entire London Underground. The station has two island platforms to provide an interchange between the two lines – the inner pair of tracks is used by the Piccadilly line and the outer tracks by the District line.” (Wikipedia)
Other features to look out for are swan-neck light brackets on the exterior, with art nouveau glass mantles (seen on the right and either side of the entrance in the photograph above), unique, green Doulton tiles in the ticket hall, original clocks in the ticket hall and above the westbound platform and the canopies above the platforms.
Other stations have lost many of their original features but Barons Court is a time capsule dating back 119 years. Of course time takes its toll and the woodwork and cast iron girders supporting the canopies, in particular, are looking shabby with peeling paint.
It last had a lick of paint about thirty years ago. Erroneously the girders and other parts were painted in Metropolitan Line maroon. If all goes to plan the station will have remedial work done and be repainted in its original District Railway green livery later this year. Rotting and deteriorating woodwork will be replaced with acetylated wood that is more weather resistant and should need painting less often than untreated wood. I like the way Transport for London (TfL) is thinking these days. Hard to believe, but in the 1980s TfLs predecessor, I forget what it was called, mooted closing the station because it got insufficient passenger numbers.
To make the restoration of the station even more impressive, Hammersmith and Fulham Council should tidy up the cluttered street furniture outside the station. There is an old telephone box that should either be restored or removed; the pillar box needs painting; the modern map pillar and litter bins are incongruous as well as overcrowding the narrow and busy pavement.