Regarding the London bombings: with the general assumption of al-Qaeda links
and TV commentators expressing surprise that two of the bombs were let off
in areas with a high Muslim population, it seems to me that the explosions
were designed to cause as much long-term disruption to the tube network as
possible, rather than targeting (or avoiding) specific types of people:

- Edgware Road caused the loss of three lines (or parts of): District
(Edgware Rd branch), Circle, Hammersmith & City.
- Aldgate similarly caused the closure of three lines: Circle, Hammersmith &
City, Metropolitan.
- Kings X was located at the Picc Line reversing point, thus causing two
sections to be closed: Arnos Grove to Kings X, and Kings X to Hyde Park
Corner. Had the bomb detonated a couple of stations either side of Kings X,
it would have presumably been possible to keep one of the two sections
running.

This would certainly mean precision timing and therefore significant prior
research, suggesting that the perpetrators were home grown. Where the bus
explosion comes into all this is open to question. Maybe the bomb was indeed
meant for another tube line but didn't find its target for whatever
reason(s). If so, one can only begin to guess where it might have been
intended for. Another location radiating from Kings X?

Perhaps this is giving those responsible for the carnage too much credence
and the only reason those locations were chosen is that they proved to be
the easiest routes on which to leave an item unattended without detection or
suspicion.

- - -

subterraneo wrote:
Regarding the London bombings: with the general assumption of al-Qaeda links
and TV commentators expressing surprise that two of the bombs were let off
in areas with a high Muslim population, it seems to me that the explosions
were designed to cause as much long-term disruption to the tube network as
possible, rather than targeting (or avoiding) specific types of people:

- Edgware Road caused the loss of three lines (or parts of): District
(Edgware Rd branch), Circle, Hammersmith & City.
- Aldgate similarly caused the closure of three lines: Circle, Hammersmith &
City, Metropolitan.
- Kings X was located at the Picc Line reversing point, thus causing two
sections to be closed: Arnos Grove to Kings X, and Kings X to Hyde Park
Corner. Had the bomb detonated a couple of stations either side of Kings X,
it would have presumably been possible to keep one of the two sections
running.

I noticed this too. They hit as hard as they could have done --
especially with the Picc bomb, which would have closed far less if it
were literally anywhere else. They managed to hit the precise point
they needed, and I think it was deliberate.

This would certainly mean precision timing and therefore significant prior
research, suggesting that the perpetrators were home grown. Where the bus
explosion comes into all this is open to question. Maybe the bomb was indeed
meant for another tube line but didn't find its target for whatever
reason(s). If so, one can only begin to guess where it might have been
intended for. Another location radiating from Kings X?

The obvious choice would be the junctions immediately south of Camden
Town, but that's hard to hit with precision unless you're a suicide
bomber. More likely this was a deliberate move to hit evacuees and
responders -- the IRA has done this in the past.

I'd put the following locations high on the disruption list
* Oxford Circus (Vicc and Bakerloo cross platform, central interchange)
* Camden Town (as you mention, stops all northern line trans)
* Mile End (Stops All Central line and District from the east)
* Earls Court (All district from the west, all wimbledon services,
although piccadilly would still work)
* Baker Street/Circle junction (Stops circle/h&c Edgware Road -
Moorgate or similar, maybe met line too. ERoad doesn't have that much
turnarround ability either.)

In article .com,
Alistair Bell writes
I noticed this too. They hit as hard as they could have done --

Not so. An explosion approaching Baker Street would have been better
than one just west of Edgware Road. It also looks as if train 204 was
being held for a conflicting move, so the bomb should have gone off at
Aldgate with far less resulting disruption. Anyway, why hit the same
line twice?

The obvious choice would be the junctions immediately south of Camden
Town, but that's hard to hit with precision unless you're a suicide
bomber.

Agreed. But how about Oxford Circus, closing both Victoria and Bakerloo
Lines in one hit?

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And Central line

Loony T

"Clive D. W. Feather" wrote in message
...
In article .com,
Alistair Bell writes
I noticed this too. They hit as hard as they could have done --

Not so. An explosion approaching Baker Street would have been better than
one just west of Edgware Road. It also looks as if train 204 was being
held for a conflicting move, so the bomb should have gone off at Aldgate
with far less resulting disruption. Anyway, why hit the same line twice?

The obvious choice would be the junctions immediately south of Camden
Town, but that's hard to hit with precision unless you're a suicide
bomber.

Agreed. But how about Oxford Circus, closing both Victoria and Bakerloo
Lines in one hit?

--
Clive D.W. Feather | Home:
Tel: +44 20 8495 6138 (work) | Web: http://www.davros.org
Fax: +44 870 051 9937 | Work:
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In article , Loony Tune
writes
Agreed. But how about Oxford Circus, closing both Victoria and Bakerloo
Lines in one hit?
And Central line

Only if you have to shut the whole station, which probably wouldn't be
necessary. Whereas a blast in one of the four B/V platforms would
effectively mean both lines had to be closed.

--
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In article ,
(Clive D. W. Feather) wrote:

In article , Loony Tune
writes
Agreed. But how about Oxford Circus, closing both Victoria and
Bakerloo Lines in one hit?
And Central line

Only if you have to shut the whole station, which probably wouldn't be
necessary. Whereas a blast in one of the four B/V platforms would
effectively mean both lines had to be closed.

So why is the Victoria Line still closed at King's Cross St Pancras?

--
Colin Rosenstiel

On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 16:51 +0100 (BST), (Colin
Rosenstiel) wrote:

So why is the Victoria Line still closed at King's Cross St Pancras?

It isn't. It has re-opened this afternoon. My Vic Line train stopped
there. Northern Line is not yet stopping which is perhaps
understandable given the proximity to the Picc Line platforms and shared
escalator bank.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

In article ,
(Paul Corfield) wrote:

On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 16:51 +0100 (BST), (Colin
Rosenstiel) wrote:

So why is the Victoria Line still closed at King's Cross St Pancras?

It isn't. It has re-opened this afternoon. My Vic Line train stopped
there. Northern Line is not yet stopping which is perhaps
understandable given the proximity to the Picc Line platforms and shared
escalator bank.

Yes, I follow that logic and it was why I asked about the Victoria Line
first. I'm just surprised, given that the ticket office up top was still
closed.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

In article ,
Colin Rosenstiel writes
Agreed. But how about Oxford Circus, closing both Victoria and
Bakerloo Lines in one hit?
And Central line
Only if you have to shut the whole station, which probably wouldn't be
necessary. Whereas a blast in one of the four B/V platforms would
effectively mean both lines had to be closed.
So why is the Victoria Line still closed at King's Cross St Pancras?

Only one exit to bring the bodies out (though I don't understand why the
Thameslink exit is still shut). Oxford Circus has more than one.

--
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