Transport for LondonNorthern line facts
History
The Northern line has its roots in two separate railways: the 5.25 km (3.26 mile) City and South London Railway - the world's first electric deep-level tube line - which opened in 1890 and ran from King William Street in the City to Stockwell; and the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway, which opened in 1907.
Between 1922 and 1926, the City and South London Railway was rebuilt and linked with the Hampstead Railway at Camden Town, with extensions to Hendon Central (1923), Edgware (1924) and Morden (1926).
The line, renamed the Northern line in 1937, was further extended between Archway and East Finchley in 1939, over existing suburban railway tracks to High Barnet in 1940, and to Mill Hill East in 1941.
Improving the Northern line
Major expansion schemes at Camden Town and Tottenham Court Road are planned and as part of the Tottenham Court Road development
Plans to modernise the Northern line, which include new trains and a state-of-the-art signalling system, took a significant step forward in November 1994 with the announcement of a multi-million pound Private Finance Initiative, with the then Anglo-French company, GEC-Alsthom (now Alstom) to lease 106 new trains.
All 106 new trains are now in service, and with the improved layout the carriages can also accommodate wheelchairs, luggage and pushchairs more easily. In addition forced air ventilation and advanced thermostatic controls mean a more comfortable carriage environment. Illuminated door buttons allow independent passengers operation of the doors.
Major expansion schemes at Camden Town and Tottenham Court Road are planned and as part of the Tottenham Court Road development, new modern premises for the British Transport Police are being built near Goodge Street Station. Clapham North, Clapham Common, Clapham South, Balham, Oval, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon stations have all been modernised and work is on hand at Morden.
In 1992 Angel station was completely rebuilt at a cost of £70 million, with two separate platforms replacing the former central island, escalators to replace the lifts and the spacious re-sited booking hall in Islington High Street.
Mornington Crescent re-opened in April 1998 after full modernisation that included new lifts and restoration work to restore the station to its 1907 splendour. The escalators at Highgate, which were more than 50 years old, have also been replaced.
Close working with the local British Transport Police Home Beat Officers has also led to greater security for passengers and staff and a marked decrease in the level of crime. These crime reduction measures have been recognised as successful and are being extended across the Underground network
Northern line facts
Number of passengers on the Northern line
| Weekday | Saturday | Sunday | Annual (mil) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 660,395 | 446,576 | 278,513 | 206.734 |
The Northern line covers 58 km (36 miles) and serves 50 stations between Morden and Edgware, Mill Hill East or High Barnet, with two central London branches via Bank or Charing Cross. 84 trains, each of six cars, are required to operate the peak period service.
Two depots are used to overhaul and maintain Northern line trains. The largest depot is at Morden while most maintenance and overhaul work is performed at Golders Green. Additional sidings at Highgate, Edgware and High Barnet are used to stable trains overnight.
Hampstead has the deepest lift shaft, 55.2m (181 ft), and is the deepest station below ground level, 58.5m (192 ft)
Hampstead has the deepest lift shaft, 55.2m (181 ft), and is the deepest station below ground level, 58.5m (192 ft)
Angel station has the longest 60m (197 ft) escalators in western Europe, which take 80 seconds to carry passengers up or down the 27.5 m (90 ft) drop Morden is the most southerly point served by the Underground, 16km (10 miles) from central London
The tunnel between East Finchley and Morden (via Bank) is the Underground's longest and one of the longest rail tunnels in the world, 27.8km (17.25 miles) The Dollis Brook viaduct over Dollis Road on the Mill Hill East branch is the highest point above ground level on the Underground, 18m (60 ft)
The Underground's deepest point below ground level is at Holly Bush Hill, Hampstead, 67.4m (221 ft)
Northern line management
London Underground has recently established a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to secure stable, long term investment in the system. This follows the Government's announcement in March 1998 of its intention to divide London Underground into a publicly owned operating company and three privately-owned companies (Infracos) who will be contracted to maintain and enhance the existing network.
The PPP contract was signed with Tube Lines to upgrade, renew and maintain the Northern line. Tube Line's contract also covers the maintenance of Jubilee and Piccadilly lines.
In order to ease transition to the new PPP structure, the operational side of the Underground has been reorganised from individual lines to a new structure reflecting the proposed Infraco groupings. From September 1999, the Northern line has been grouped with the Jubilee and Piccadilly lines.
From November 2003, George McInulty will be responsible for delivering JNP (Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly) train and station services to meet customers' requirements. The line's General Manager is David Millard.
Further information
If you wish to comment on the Northern line services, or would like to know more about the line, please contact us.
