|
More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
|
underground
|
|
The abbreviation commonly used in London for the underground railway. The Metropolitan Railway, engineered by John *Fowler and opened in 1863, was the first of its kind in the world. It ran 6.5km/4m from Paddington to Farringdon Street and was later extended to become the District and Circle lines. These were built close to the surface and were covered over only where necessary. They could therefore use steam engines. The next development was deep tunnelling for a railway using only electric trains, in what became known as the 'tube'.
|
|
|
|
The world's first stretch of underground electric railway opened in 1890 between the City and Stockwell (it is incorporated in today's Northern line). By 1907 the basis of the present system was in place, but it was owned by several private companies. They came together as part of *London Transport in 1933. In recent decades there have been two major accidents on London's underground: 42 people were killed when a train crashed into the end of a cul de sac at Moorgate in 1975, and 31 died as a result of a fire at King's Cross in 1987. The only other cities in Britain to have underground systems are Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle.
|
|
|
|