District Line |
| Hob Uid: 1310408 | |
Location :
Greater London Authority
Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, City and County of the City of London, Wandsworth, Merton, Southwark, Havering, City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Ealing, Richmond upon Thames, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon, Lewisham, Hounslow
Slough, Buckinghamshire, Windsor and Maidenhead
Iver, Eton
Non Civil Parish
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| Grid Ref : TQ1816075180 |
| Summary : The first section of what is now the District Line, but known when it opened as the Metropolitan and District Line, started operation on 24th December 1868 between South Kensington and Westminster. The confusing similarity of names between the Metropolitan Railway and the Metropolitan District Railway arose because the MDR was separately promoted for financial reasons as a move towards the completion of a circular railway for London; the two companies were to be merged on completion. But that did not happen; their interests diverged; and the Inner Circle, completed in 1884, was the scene of incessant conflicts between the two partners. In 1869 the District started operating a line between Gloucester Road and West Brompton and the following year installed its own pair of tracks between Gloucester Road and South Kensington parallel to those of the Metropolitan Railway. The District also put in connections from Earl's Court to both High Street Kensington and Kensington Olympia. The railway reached Hammersmith in 1874, Richmond in 1877 and Ealing Broadway two years later. In 1883 a short-lived extension was introduced to Windsor from Ealing Broadway over the tracks of the Great Western Railway. This service was withdrawn in 1855. From West Brompton the service was extended to Putney Bridge in 1880 and to Wimbledon in 1889. In 1902 the Whitechapel and Bow Railway opened, allowing through operation to Upminster. Further District extensions to Hounslow (1884) and Uxbridge (1910) were transferred to the Piccadilly Line in 1964 and 1933 respectively. |
More information : The first section of what is now known as the District Line, started operation on 24th December 1868 between South Kensington and Westminster.
The District was the second company to operate underground railway services in London.
Like its predecessor, the Metropolitan, its history is inextricably linked with that of the Circle.
The District was extended in stages beyond Westminster and the final link of the present day Circle line was completed in 1884. This link included an extension via Aldgate East to Whitechapel.
In 1869 the District started operating a line between Gloucester Road and West Brompton and the following year installed its own pair of tracks between Gloucester Road and South Kensington parallel to those of the Metropolitan Railway.
The District also put in connections from Earl's Court to both High Street Kensington and Kensington Olympia.
The railway reached Hammersmith in 1874, Richmond in 1877 and Ealing Broadway two years later. In 1883 a short-lived extension was introduced to Windsor from Ealing Broadway over the tracks of the Great Western Railway. This service was withdrawn in 1885.
From West Brompton the service was extended to Putney Bridge in 1880 and to Wimbledon in 1889. In 1902 the Whitechapel & Bow Railway - with trains provided by the District - opened, allowing through operation to Upminster. Further District extensions to Hounslow (1884) and Uxbridge (1910) were transferred to the Piccadilly line in 1964 and 1933 respectively.
When Railtrack was set up in 1994, the District Line took over all the infrastructure of the line from Putney Bridge to Wimbledon including East Putney, Southfields and Wimbledon Park stations.
The Richmond branch of the line continues to be a joint operation with Silverlink Train Services over tracks between Gunnersbury and Richmond for which Network Rail (Railtrack's predecessor) is now responsible.
The District Line's stations reflect its long and varied history with a wide range of architectural styles, and include some such as Barons Court and Fulham Broadway which have been listed as buildings of special interest. Contrasting with the District Railway's early overall-roofed stations at West Brompton and Fulham Broadway are the ex-London, Tilbury and Southend Railway stations at Plaistow and East Ham with their ornately monogrammed canopy ironwork.
Ex-London and South Western Railway cottage-style stations at Wimbledon Park and Southfields are similarly distinctive as is the classic 1930s Charles Holden station at Chiswick Park (also listed). Hammersmith Station's platforms and circulating areas have recently been completely updated in contemporary style. (4)
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