City & South London Railway

The City & South London Railway (C&SLR), originally known as City of London & Southwark Subway, is considered to be the first real deep-level "tube" railway in the world. Today, the core part of the line forms the Bank branch of the Northern Line of the London Underground network.

Related Topics:
Railway - Bank branch - Northern Line - London Underground

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Built under the supervision of James Henry Greathead, it was opened between Stockwell and King William Street (near Monument) on 4 November 1890 with stations being served by hydraulic lifts and spiral staircases.

Related Topics:
James Henry Greathead - Stockwell - King William Street - 4 November - 1890

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The railway soon became known as the 'sardine box railway' as the carriages had only very small windows. Others referred to the trains as "padded-cells", as the backs of the seats were padded up to the windows. One of these carriages can today be seen in the London Transport Museum.

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In 1900 the C&SLR was extended to the north following City Road to Islington (via Moorgate, Old Street, City Road (closed today) and Angel) and south to Clapham Common. The former northern terminus King William Street had to be closed due to lack of capacity and was replaced by today's Bank station. King's Cross and Euston were reached in 1907, where the C&SLR met the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway (CCE&HR).

Related Topics:
Islington - Moorgate - Old Street - City Road - Angel - Clapham Common - King William Street - Bank - King's Cross - Euston - 1907 - Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway

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The two independent companies merged in 1913 and following a series of improvement and extension projects in the early 1920s the combined line had developed to form the majority of what is now the Northern Line by 1926, although the name did not come into use until the 1930s.

Related Topics:
1913 - 1920s - 1926 - 1930s

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