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Central Line

Shelfmark: Photo 1132/1

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Photographer unknown

'Building the Central Line of the London Underground, 1898'

Increasing congestion in Central London in the mid-19^th century led to the creation of the world’s first underground system.

The Metropolitan Line, from Paddington to Farringdon, was opened in 1863 and in 1891 the Central London Railway was formed to build a line connecting the City to the growing western suburbs. The line from Shepherd’s Bush to Bank (known as the ‘Twopenny Line’ from its standard fare) was opened in 1900 and proved an immediate success.

In this view workers pose during the construction of British Museum Station. The station only remained in service until 1933, although it was later used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.

Gelatin silver print