Going Underground
In 1843 the Thames Tunnel opened, the first ever tunnel to run successfully under a river. Built by Sir Marc Brunel and his son Isambard, it paved the way for the Underground and would in fact years later become part of the route of the East London line. The underground was devised as a way of linking the main railway stations of Paddington, Euston and King’s Cross, as railway companies had been warned they could not build stations in busy central London.
The Underground Opens
Excavation to make the first Underground tunnel began in 1860, causing thousands of London’s poorer inhabitants to be displaced. The Metropolitan line was the first line to open in 1863, linking Paddington in the West with Farringdon in the East. It was constructed using a method called "cut and cover", whereby streets had to be dug up, tracks laid and then covered with a brick-lined tunnel. This method was highly problematic and created congestion. Despite this, the Metropolitan line was hugely successful, allowing London’s less wealthy residents to be able to live farther away from their places of work in larger and more affordable homes.
In 1843 the Thames Tunnel opened, the first ever tunnel to run successfully under a river. Built by Sir Marc Brunel and his son Isambard, it paved the way for the Underground and would in fact years later become part of the route of the East London line. The underground was devised as a way of linking the main railway stations of Paddington, Euston and King’s Cross, as railway companies had been warned they could not build stations in busy central London.
The Underground Opens
Excavation to make the first Underground tunnel began in 1860, causing thousands of London’s poorer inhabitants to be displaced. The Metropolitan line was the first line to open in 1863, linking Paddington in the West with Farringdon in the East. It was constructed using a method called "cut and cover", whereby streets had to be dug up, tracks laid and then covered with a brick-lined tunnel. This method was highly problematic and created congestion. Despite this, the Metropolitan line was hugely successful, allowing London’s less wealthy residents to be able to live farther away from their places of work in larger and more affordable homes.
Expansion
The next two lines to begin construction were the District and Circle Lines. Unfortunately, these were built by two rival companies who refused to cooperate, hence there being two stations for certain destinations (Edgware Road, Hammersmith). The fact that the Underground was built with private investment and with little communication between companies partly explains why there are around 40 stations in London that fell into disuse shortly after being constructed, as they were erected without actually being needed.
World War II
During World War II, the Underground tunnels provided shelter for thousands during air raids, as well as a means for many to escape to the countryside. The sheer numbers of people sleeping underground meant that certain stations began to provide evening classes, libraries and even musical entertainment.
London Underground Today
Thanks to advances in tunnel building, the City & South London and Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead (now all part of the Northern Line), Waterloo & City, Central, Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines were all built in quick succession before 1907. Only two other lines have been built since: the Victoria and Jubilee lines, the latter having expanded considerably in 2000. Today 275 stations are open, serving around 3 million passengers each day.
The next two lines to begin construction were the District and Circle Lines. Unfortunately, these were built by two rival companies who refused to cooperate, hence there being two stations for certain destinations (Edgware Road, Hammersmith). The fact that the Underground was built with private investment and with little communication between companies partly explains why there are around 40 stations in London that fell into disuse shortly after being constructed, as they were erected without actually being needed.
World War II
During World War II, the Underground tunnels provided shelter for thousands during air raids, as well as a means for many to escape to the countryside. The sheer numbers of people sleeping underground meant that certain stations began to provide evening classes, libraries and even musical entertainment.
London Underground Today
Thanks to advances in tunnel building, the City & South London and Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead (now all part of the Northern Line), Waterloo & City, Central, Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines were all built in quick succession before 1907. Only two other lines have been built since: the Victoria and Jubilee lines, the latter having expanded considerably in 2000. Today 275 stations are open, serving around 3 million passengers each day.
