Did the first Underground use steam?

Yes, the original Underground trains were pulled by steam locomotives that filled tunnels with choking smoke and soot. Passengers emerged covered in coal dust. Engineers tried to condense the steam to reduce smoke but barely succeeded. Electric trains did not replace steam until the 1890s. Despite the pollution, Londoners accepted it because the Underground saved hours of travel time.

Why were people scared of the Underground?

Victorians feared the Underground would cause building collapses, suffocate passengers, and drive people insane from lack of sunlight. Religious leaders said it defied God's will. Newspapers called it absurd. Doctors warned of health dangers. These fears vanished when 30,000 people rode safely on opening day. The Underground quickly became essential to London life.

How was the Underground built?

The Metropolitan Railway used cut and cover construction. Workers dug massive trenches along streets, built brick tunnels at the bottom, then covered them back up. This tore up major roads for years, disrupting traffic and businesses. Sewers and gas mains frequently burst. Workers died in accidents. But the method proved effective and was copied worldwide.

How did the Underground change London?

The Underground transformed London from a crowded center to a sprawling metropolis. Before 1863, workers had to live near their jobs because travel was slow and expensive. The Underground let people live in suburbs and commute to city jobs. London's population doubled from 3 million to 6.5 million between 1860 and 1900 because the Underground made expansion possible.

Why is it called the Tube?

Londoners call it the Tube because deep level lines built after 1890 used circular tunnels shaped like tubes. The original 1863 Metropolitan line had larger rectangular tunnels. But the nickname Tube caught on for the entire system. The iconic roundel logo and Tube map became symbols of London recognized worldwide.

Which cities copied the Underground?

London's success inspired cities worldwide to build underground railways. Budapest opened the first electric underground in 1896. Paris launched the Metro in 1900. New York opened its subway in 1904. Today over 200 cities operate underground rail systems. The basic design from 1863, tunnels beneath streets with stations, remains unchanged globally.

How many people ride it today?

The London Underground carries over 5 million passengers daily and 1.3 billion annually. The network has expanded to 250 miles with 272 stations across 11 lines. It remains essential to London life 160 years after opening. The Underground proved that underground railways could transform cities, a lesson cities worldwide continue following today.

January 10, 1863: London Underground Opens as World's First Subway

How steam engines belching smoke underground changed cities forever

On January 10, 1863, the London Underground opened as the world's first underground railway. Despite fears it would kill passengers, 30,000 people rode steam trains underground on the first day.

Key Facts

Opening Date

January 10, 1863

Original Line

Metropolitan Railway

Route

Paddington to Farringdon Street

Distance

3.75 miles with 7 stations

First Day Riders

30,000 passengers

Power Source

Steam locomotives

Construction Method

Cut and cover technique

Ticket Price

3 pence to 9 pence

Annual Riders Today

Over 1.3 billion passengers

Current Length

250 miles with 272 stations

Nickname

The Tube

Quick Stats

Attribute	Value
Opening Date	January 10, 1863
First Day Passengers	30,000 riders
Original Route Length	3.75 miles
Original Stations	7 stations
Construction Time	4 years (1859 to 1863)
Construction Cost	Over 1 million pounds
Current Network Size	250 miles, 272 stations
Daily Ridership Today	Over 5 million passengers
First Electric Line	1890 (City and South London Railway)

About January 10, 1863: London Underground Opens as World's First Subway

On January 10, 1863, the London Underground opened as the world's first underground railway. Steam locomotives hauled wooden carriages through tunnels beneath London streets. Despite warnings that tunneling underground would cause buildings to collapse and passengers to suffocate, 30,000 riders packed the trains on opening day.

Why Victorians Thought the Underground Would Kill Them

Newspapers warned that traveling underground defied God's will. Doctors claimed lack of sunlight would drive passengers insane. Critics predicted tunnel collapses would bury riders alive. The Times dismissed it as absurd. These fears evaporated when thousands survived unharmed and demanded more routes.

Steam Engines Belching Smoke in Tunnels

Steam locomotives filled tunnels with choking smoke and soot. Engineers tried condensing the steam to reduce smoke, but it barely helped. Passengers emerged covered in coal dust. Despite the pollution, ridership exploded because the Underground cut journey times from hours to minutes. Londoners accepted dirty air for speed.

The Cut and Cover Chaos That Tore Up London

Builders used the cut and cover method, digging enormous trenches along streets, building brick tunnels, then covering them back up. Construction ripped up major roads for years. Businesses went bankrupt. Sewers and gas mains constantly burst. Workers died in cave ins. Londoners hated the disruption but recognized they were witnessing engineering history.

How the Underground Transformed London Forever

Before the Underground, only the wealthy could live away from their workplaces. The Underground let ordinary people live in suburbs and commute affordably. This created the modern commuter lifestyle. The city grew from 3 million to 6.5 million residents between 1860 and 1900 because the Underground made expansion possible.

The Worldwide Subway Revolution It Sparked

London's success inspired cities globally. Budapest opened the first electric underground in 1896. Paris launched the Metro in 1900. New York's subway opened in 1904. Today, over 200 cities operate underground rail systems. London proved moving people underground was essential.

Why People Still Call It the Tube

Londoners call it the Tube because deep level lines built after 1890 used circular tunnels that looked like tubes. The original 1863 line used rectangular tunnels. The nickname stuck. The iconic Tube map designed in 1933 became a symbol recognized worldwide.

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Did You Know?

•

30,000 passengers rode the London Underground on opening day despite fears it would kill them

•

Steam locomotives filled the tunnels with choking smoke until electric trains replaced them in the 1890s

•

Victorian doctors warned that traveling underground would drive passengers insane from lack of sunlight

•

Construction used cut and cover, ripping up major London streets for years and causing traffic chaos

•

The Underground transformed London, doubling the population from 3 million to 6.5 million by 1900

•

Over 200 cities worldwide now operate underground railways inspired by London's 1863 success

Frequently Asked Questions

The London Underground opened on January 10, 1863, as the world's first underground railway. The Metropolitan Railway ran from Paddington to Farringdon Street, covering 3.75 miles with 7 stations. Despite fears it would fail, 30,000 passengers rode on opening day. It revolutionized urban transportation and inspired subway systems worldwide.