The SideTracked Series
HATTON CROSS
A Piccadilly Line geocache · clear either challenge to unlock the coordinates · progress saves on this device
Trivia
Challenge
Cache
STAGE 1

LONDON UNDERGROUND TRIVIA

All 10 answers must be correct to reach the challenges. Miss one and a hint appears under the question to steer you right.

1What was the exact date Hatton Cross Station officially opened?
HINT — Mid-1970s, on a Saturday in July. Think 1975, not 1974 or 1976.
2Prior to Hatton Cross, which station was the western terminus of the Piccadilly Line's Hounslow branch?
HINT — The station immediately east of Hatton Cross on this branch. Its name includes "West".
3What is the approximate internal diameter of the Piccadilly Line's deep-level tube tunnels?
HINT — The standard deep-tube diameter used across London's deep-level lines. Just under 12 feet.
4Who designed the iconic diagrammatic London Underground map, first introduced in 1933?
HINT — An engineering draftsman, not an architect. His first name is Harry.
5Which two TfL fare zones does Hatton Cross span?
HINT — Heathrow Terminal 5 sits in Zone 6. Hatton Cross is one stop closer to central London.
6Excluding the Terminal 4 loop, which Heathrow terminals are directly served by the Piccadilly Line?
HINT — Terminal 1 closed in 2015. The main branch serves a combined 2 & 3 station; a separate branch serves Terminal 5.
7Which former line's services were partially replaced by the Piccadilly Line's western extension towards Hounslow?
HINT — It still shares track with the Piccadilly Line on some western sections. It's the green line on the map.
8What rolling stock (train model) is commonly used on the Piccadilly Line?
HINT — Named after its introduction year — one of the oldest stocks in regular service. Think early '70s.
9What type of station best describes Hatton Cross's track and platform level?
HINT — Not deep bore tunnels, but not street level either. The line runs in a shallow cutting just below the surface.
10What was the exact date the extension from Hatton Cross to Heathrow Central opened?
HINT — The last month of 1977, just before Christmas.
STAGE 2

CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE

Two routes to the cache. Clear either one to unlock the coordinates — pick the puzzle or the pressure.

PATH A

🧩 HATTON CROSS JIGSAW

🧩

Assemble the Hatton Cross jigsaw on Jigidi. When you finish, its completion message reveals a code — punch it in below to claim the coordinates.

PATH B

🧳 TERMINAL CONNECTOR SORT

Heathrow's automatic baggage sorter has jammed. You are the manual override — read each bag's terminal tag and get it down the right chute before the belt runs out.

🧳
40 bags, 2 phases. Phase 1 — The Twin Terminals — splits bags between T2 and T3. Phase 2 — The Full Hub — opens all four chutes (T2 · T3 · T4 · T5) and runs faster.
🖐️
Two ways to sort: drag the bag onto its chute and let go, or just hold your pointer down over the chute. Keys 1–4 work too. Faster routing builds a combo for bonus points.
⚠️
Two strikes are free — each freezes the belt for 3 seconds. A third strike restarts the phase. Let the timer ring run out and you'll lose a strike.
FINAL

🏆 CACHE UNLOCKED

🏆

Challenge cleared. Head to:

N 51° 27.985′   W 0° 25.397′

💡 Hint: on the bottom of the solar panel post.