h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The bit of Hammersmith and City line around Ladbroke Grove mentioned in Colin MacInnes' seminal novel 'Absolute Beginners':
"Across this whole mess there cuts, diagonally, yet another railway, that rides high above this slum property like a scenic railway at a fair. Boy, if you want to admire our wonderful old capital city, you should take a ride on this track some time".

Even though the Westway now obscures the view to the north from Latimer Road to Royal Oak, and the whole area around W11 is now middle-class bohemia - from rastafarian to trustafarian, if you like - the views from the elevated section between Hammersmith and Westbourne Park are still well worth a look.

Here's what I remember of the stations
Goldhawk Road - elevated twin platform station at roof level at the south end of the viaduct that carries the line over Shepherd's Bush market.

Shepherd's Bush - elevated twin platform station at roof level at the north end of the viaduct that carries the line over Shepherd's Bush market. It's completely separate to its Central Line counterpart of the same name, which is a good ten minutes walk away. There was at one point a plan to rename the Central Line station 'Shepherd's Bush Green' but it was discarded, possibly for being far too sensible. The station is currently the nearest H&C line station to QPR football club and the BBC, and consequently gets a lot of use in rush hour or when the R's are at home. Especially when the Central Line is out of action. (This may change when the new station is opened at White City).

Latimer Road - sorry, mental blank... it wasn't one I ever got on or off at. I think it's probably an elevated one, but I'm not sure. Twin platforms, anyway.

Ladbroke Grove - elevated twin platform station on the section that runs parallel to the Westway. Handy for the northern end of Portobello Road market and quite close to the legendary Rough Trade indie record shop (and record label offices) on Golborne Road.

Westbourne Park - now a twin platform station at ground level, this is where the tube line starts to run alongside the Great Western main line that goes into Paddington. Westbourne Park used to be the first stop west of Paddington for suburban rail services (I think the platforms are still there) but the railway service was withdrawn due to lack of use (I think in the 1990s). However, there are plans for Westbourne Park to be a stop on Crossrail if it ever gets built.

Royal Oak - funny little station in the shadow of the Westway with an island platform between the two tracks.

Paddington - the Hammersmith & City lines are accommodated in the main line railway station, on Platforms 15 and 16 - tucked away on the north side of the station, parallel to the platforms for the main line Thames Valley commuter services. It's a very long walk through the railway station to the Bakerloo, Circle and District Line platforms, particularly if you have luggage. If you want to change on to the Bakerloo Line, you're better off doing it at Baker Street, and if you require the District or Circle we recommend waiting until Edgware Road.

NB - I'd recommend covering Paddington separately to the Bakerloo line entry as the H&C bit is effectively a separate station. This is what makes it such a lottery to travel east from Paddington on the tube - you don't know whether to head for the Circle Line or H&C platforms, and invariably whichever option you take ends up being the wrong choice. It's a lot easier going west to Paddington from King's Cross or Baker Street, because all tubes are going to stop there, you just take pot luck which bit of Paddington you get dumped in.

(speaking as someone for whom Paddington is now the London terminus I use on a regular basis, I've found this bloody annoying.)

I've added all of that stuff as best I can - I'll try and fit it in better once it gets nearer to being PR-ready