On 10 January 1863, which railway opened London’s first underground passenger service?

The Metropolitan Railway opened London’s first underground passenger service on 10 January 1863.

Its first route ran for about 3.75 miles between Paddington and Farringdon, with intermediate stations at Edgware Road, Baker Street, Great Portland Street, Euston Square and King’s Cross. The railway used steam locomotives, so ventilation shafts and open cuttings were important features.

The line was built mainly in a shallow trench using the cut-and-cover method. Streets were dug up, tracks and tunnels were constructed, and the roads were then rebuilt above them. This was different from the later deep-level “Tube” railways, which were bored through clay.

The Metropolitan Railway gave the wider network its eventual generic name: “the Metro” in some countries and “the Underground” in London. Its route later became part of the Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Circle line systems. A common mix-up is calling the 1863 service the first deep-level Tube; it was the first underground railway, but not the first deep-bore electric Tube.