London Underground

Underground

Why London Underground is nicknamed The Tube

Farringdon station MMB 22 S-Stock

GWR broad gauge Metropolitan Class

Baker Street Waterloo Railway platform March 1906 (cropped)

The Home Front in Britain during the Second World War HU44272

London Underground

The London Underground, also known as the Tube, is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. It is the oldest underground railway network in the world, having opened its first section in 1863. The system is operated by Transport for London (TfL).

History

The London Underground was first opened on 10 January 1863 with the Metropolitan Railway, which ran between Paddington and Farringdon. This initial line was constructed using the cut-and-cover method. The network expanded rapidly, with the District Railway opening in 1868 and the Circle Line being completed in 1884.

The first deep-level tube line, the City and South London Railway, opened in 1890, running from King William Street to Stockwell. This line was the precursor to the modern Northern Line.

Network

The London Underground network consists of 11 lines:

• Bakerloo Line
• Central Line
• Circle Line
• District Line
• Hammersmith & City Line
• Jubilee Line
• Metropolitan Line
• Northern Line
• Piccadilly Line
• Victoria Line
• Waterloo & City Line

The network serves 272 stations and covers 402 kilometers (250 miles) of track. The system is divided into nine zones, with Zone 1 being the central area.

Operations

The London Underground operates from approximately 05:00 to 00:30, Monday to Saturday, with reduced operating hours on Sundays. Night Tube services operate on some lines on Friday and Saturday nights.

Rolling Stock

The rolling stock used on the London Underground varies by line. The trains are classified into two types: deep-level tube trains and sub-surface trains. Deep-level tube trains are smaller and operate on lines that run through deep tunnels, while sub-surface trains are larger and operate on lines that run closer to the surface.

Safety and Security

Safety and security on the London Underground are managed by the British Transport Police. The network is equipped with CCTV and other security measures to ensure passenger safety.

Future Developments

Several projects are underway to expand and improve the London Underground. These include the extension of the Northern Line to Battersea Power Station, the upgrade of the Bakerloo Line, and the introduction of new rolling stock.

Related Pages

• Transport for London
• History of the London Underground
• List of London Underground stations
• Night Tube
• British Transport Police