How can I find a suitable BO location?

[Illucypher2013]

All,

Don't know if this goes in here, I guess it kinda does so here goes.

I frequently check out Urbexing websites, they can be useful for underground locations.



Illucypher.

[Cromicon]

On the subject of abandoned tube stations, a long time ago I used to work for London Underground and there is a proud history of the tunnels being used as shelters as well as the now more common facility for filming to take place in some of the abandoned stations. Thus, access allowed for film crews, producers, set researchers etc. This is all mentioned on the induction training course.

I would imagine in extraordinary circumstances only most of those abandoned stations would be accessed via adjacent stations to those "not in the know" via the existing tunnels (beware of the electricity, power shutdowns at platform level directly link to the control center alarms and it would be madness and illegal to try it).

To those in the know, which included practically all staff working at adjacent stations as it did when I did my training, access can be gained via known entrances at street level and ventilation shafts. In fact many stations have vent shafts that provide alternative egress.

Given that many of these are actually known, not just documented on websites but given to most employees who do or have ever worked there, I wouldn't use them as a secret bug out location. In addition, due to the vermin there is a high risk of Lyme's Disease and as such every member of station staff carries a Lyme's Disease card for emergency services.

I love the idea of disused urban and suburban tunnels though. Just those a little less well known and with fewer than 8 million or so people on top of them.

As regard use of the underground during the Blitz, the Wikipedia entry makes fascinating reading and provides a stark warning as to what can happen during a panic.

[Steveo82]

I thought i had read that when the emergency back up power supplies fail the sub stations and tunnels would slowly flood

[Cromicon]

Thanks Steveo82, I do not have current knowledge but you are right. I do know that many of the deeper tunnels are pumped, many of the cut and cover tunnels don't require it however you raise yet another reason why it wouldn't make a lot of sense to use them as a BO location.

[Cromicon]

You've triggered a bundle of memories for me now! When I was there LUL had their own power generation facility for this purpose, selling the surplus to the National Grid. I know there were discussions around discontinuing this and relying on the National Grid. I don't know how far those discussions went.