Farringdon Station: where London underground was born
Farringdon Station in 1866 and now. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Whether you arrived late to work due to last Wednesday’s industrial action or have ever suffered the consequences of high concentration of polluted air that has been recently reported, you also probably have - like most Londoners - a hate-you-but-can’t-live-without-you relationship with it.
London’s underground, loved or hated, is not only the city’s iconic transport, but was also the world’s first subway system, leading the way for the opening of subterranean railways all around the world.
Back in 1863, the Metropolitan Railway was located between Paddington and Farringdon street and connected the main-line termini at Paddington, Euston and King’s Cross to the City.
More than 150 years on, much has happened, and London’s Tube - named after the shape of the tunnels - has kept growing as the city of London has grown: from the Circle line, which was the very first line to be completed, to the coming opening of the new Elizabeth line in 2017; this symbol of the city has had an eventful life. A life that began the 10th of January at Bishop’s Road - what Londoners know as Farringdon Station.
The opening day was widely covered by British newspapers: the event was hailed by the Times as a “great engineering triumph of the day”. That morning, more than 30,000 passengers tried out the Tube; today, the London underground carries 1.17 billion passengers a year. Farringdon is also expected to become one of the busiest stations in the country once the new Crossrail link opens in 2018.
Farringdon station has gone through many changes - including the construction of the new National Rail Entrance or the refurbishment that included a new roof canopy - but maintains its old essence: the station building still has its original signage and indications of the Metropolitan Railway. A sign for a parcel office has also survived and decorates the exterior wall.
Located in the London borough of Islington, Farringdon station is worth a visit. Travel back in time to one of modernity’s key events, but remember, mind the gap.
