The Oldest Metro in the World

Dear friends of Training Centre Raya London,

We are thrilled to present another engaging narrative to enhance your English learning journey and introduce you to new vocabulary. Continue progressing with us, level by level. Today, you will learn about the London Underground – the world’s first underground railway.

In the latter half of the 19th century, London grappled with severe traffic congestion. A solution was imperative, and in 1860, the first attempt to address this issue began. The Metropolitan Railway started construction, aiming to connect the stations of three major railways with the City of London. This involved digging deep trenches in the streets to lay the tracks, which were later covered. The first segment of this line, stretching from Paddington to Farringdon, was completed and officially opened on January 10, 1863. Five years later, operations commenced on the second underground line, known as the District Line.

The initial project required collaboration between two construction firms. However, conflicts arose, resulting in delays that postponed completion until 1884.

You might find it interesting that the first trains on the London Underground ran on steam power, creating quite a bit of fog and soot in the tunnels! It was certainly a challenge. Things improved significantly once they switched to electric trains. Initially, investors were hesitant to support the metro project. Fortunately, funds from the United States helped get things rolling, and by 1906 and 1907, new lines opened, making the Underground very popular in London. Originally, the metro was known as “The Tube,” inspired by the shape of its tunnels, or “The Tube for Two Pence,” referring to the fare charged.

In 1908, competing firms united to form “Underground,” with skilled architects enhancing the stations’ aesthetic appeal during construction. In 1933, the government acquired full ownership of London transport by purchasing shares from private companies and taking control. A comprehensive plan was established for the significant expansion of the underground railway system; however, its execution was severely hindered by World War II. Despite these setbacks, new stations and lines were gradually introduced over the years. By 1977, underground trains began servicing Heathrow Airport.

In 2013, various events were held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the London Underground, featuring the operation of steam trains from the museum to evoke the historical ambiance of earlier times. The metro system now comprises 11 lines and 272 stations, extending over an underground network of 402 kilometers. At peak times, a total of 543 service trains operate across these lines.

This is quite remarkable, wouldn’t you agree?

Image: Postal Museum

Author: Iveta Radeva