The London Underground is the world’s first underground subway. It opened in 1863, which means it’s been around for a whopping 154 years! Originally called the Metropolitan Railway, over time, it has gathered many other nicknames. But one in particular has stuck with Londoners since around 1890 – ‘The Twopenny Tube’. As years went on, this was inevitably shortened to 'The Tube'. It is clear where this came from – the architecture and design of the whole system, including the trains, resembled tubes and pipes. We’ve chosen 20 images which and showcase why this nickname stuck so easily and exemplify the mechanical beauty of the network.
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A Journey Through London's Tube
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CCTV cameras keep a watchful eye on what’s going on underground.
CCTV cameras keep a watchful eye on what’s going on underground. Read less
by James Warbey
The entrance/exit to Canary Wharf station.
The entrance/exit to Canary Wharf station. Read less
A cast iron tunnel with the train tracks removed.
A cast iron tunnel with the train tracks removed. Read less
by Tony Sellen
Down the tunnel and into the light.
Down the tunnel and into the light. Read less
A light tunnel at the recently refurbished Kings Cross station.
A light tunnel at the recently refurbished Kings Cross station. Read less
Up one of the many metallic escalators that the Underground network relies on.
Up one of the many metallic escalators that the Underground network relies on. Read less
Down the stairs, and through the 1920's architecture of the Clapham South station.
Down the stairs, and through the 1920's architecture of the Clapham South station. Read less
Inside an old Victoria line train at Walthamstow Central.
Inside an old Victoria line train at Walthamstow Central. Read less
Going down (or up?) an escalator on the way to the Waterloo and City Line at Bank station.
Going down (or up?) an escalator on the way to the Waterloo and City Line at Bank station. Read less
A long exposure shows the movement of people going up and down the escalators.
A long exposure shows the movement of people going up and down the escalators. Read less
by Luke Taylor
The Piccadilly line’s headlights cut through the darkness of the tunnel.
The Piccadilly line’s headlights cut through the darkness of the tunnel. Read less
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The Thames Tunnel is an underwater tunnel, built beneath the River Thames, connecting Rotherhithe and Wapping.
The Thames Tunnel is an underwater tunnel, built beneath the River Thames, connecting Rotherhithe and Wapping. Read less
by Matt Shaw
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