Molly Ayala
The world's first electric underground train was opened to the public in 1890, running from Stockwell to King William Street in London, UK. The train was built by the City and South London Railway (CSLR) and was the first deep-level electric railway in the world. The technology for safe tunnelling of tubes was developed by 1870, but the first successful tube railway was not practical until electric power and safe lifts were perfected in the late 1880s. By the time World War I began, electric underground railways were being used in several cities across the world, including Athens, Berlin, Boston, Buenos Aires, and Paris.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor of the first electric underground train | The City and South London Railway (CSLR) |
| Date of invention | 1890 |
| Original plan | To haul the train by cables |
| Distance covered | 3.25 miles |
| Route | Between Stockwell and King William Street |
| Train size | Smaller than today's trains |
| Seating arrangement | Seats almost up to the roof with a small slit at the top for a window |
| Inventor of multiple-unit train control (MUTC) | American inventor Frank J. Sprague |
| Year of testing MUTC | 1897 |
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What You'll Learn
The world's first electric underground railway
The trains were much smaller than today's, with seats padded almost up to the roof and a small slit at the top for a window. Nicknamed "padded cells" by witty Londoners, the claustrophobic coaches were a far cry from the spacious trains of the modern era.
The London Underground, also known as "the Tube", was a revolutionary mode of transport that transformed urban mobility. It was developed to address the issue of street congestion in London, with the first section opening in 1863 between Paddington (then Bishop's Road) and Farringdon Street. Initially, these early underground railways used steam trains, but the switch to electric power in 1890 marked a significant advancement, offering a faster, more efficient, and cleaner mode of transportation.
The success of the London Underground inspired other cities to follow suit. By World War I, electric underground railways were in operation in several major cities, including Athens, Berlin, Boston, Buenos Aires, Budapest, Glasgow, Hamburg, Istanbul, Liverpool, New York City, Paris, and Philadelphia. The adoption of electric power for rapid transit systems ushered in a new era of urban development and transportation, shaping the way cities functioned and paving the way for the extensive metro systems we know today.
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The City and South London Railway
The railway company was originally called the City of London and Southwark Subway Company and had intended to use cable haulage powered by steam engines. However, in 1888, they were persuaded to adopt electricity, a new form of motive power at the time. The use of electric traction was more efficient, faster, and cleaner than steam power, making it the natural choice for trains running in tunnels.
The C&SLR was engineered by James Henry Greathead, who had previously constructed the Tower Subway using the same tunnelling shield/segmented cast iron tube method. The C&SLR tunnels were bored at a sufficient depth to avoid interference with building foundations or public utilities, and there was no disruption to street traffic during construction. The tunnels were approximately 3.1 metres (10 ft 2 in) in diameter, which restricted the size of the trains. The small carriages with their high-backed seating were nicknamed "padded cells".
The system operated using electric locomotives built by Mather & Platt, collecting a voltage of 500 volts from the third rail. A depot and generating station were constructed at Stockwell. The railway was extended several times, eventually serving 22 stations over a distance of 21.7 km (13.5 miles) from Camden Town in north London to Morden in the south. In 1913, the C&SLR became part of the Underground Group of railways, and today, its tunnels and stations form part of the Northern line.
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The London Underground's history
The London Underground, also known as the Tube or simply the Underground, is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent home counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire. The Underground's origins lie in the Metropolitan Railway, which opened on 10 January 1863 as the world's first underground passenger railway.
The Metropolitan Railway was an immediate success, carrying 9.5 million passengers in its first year, despite using steam locomotives that emitted sulfurous fumes. The Metropolitan Railway worked with the District Railway to complete London's Circle line in 1884, with the latter extending as far as Verney Junction in Buckinghamshire, over 50 miles from central London. The Metropolitan Railway's original seven stations featured Italianate designs, with platforms illuminated by daylight from above and by gas lights in large glass globes.
The first deep-level tube line, the City and South London Railway, opened in 1890 with electric trains, becoming the world's first electric underground railway. The line featured red-brick buildings, designed by Thomas Phillips Figgis, topped with a lead-covered dome that housed the lift mechanism and weather vane. The success of the Metropolitan Railway spurred the development of other underground railways in cities like Liverpool, New York City, Paris, and Philadelphia by the time of World War I.
In the early 20th century, the early tube lines, originally owned by several private companies, were unified under the Underground brand. This led to the formation of London Transport in 1933, under the control of the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB). During World War I and II, the tube stations doubled as air-raid shelters for London's residents.
The Victoria line, a new tube line across central London, opened in 1968–1971 with trains operating automatically. In 1979, the Jubilee line opened, taking over part of the Bakerloo line, and extending through the Docklands to Stratford in 1999. In 2003, control of the London Underground passed to Transport for London (TfL), which continues to oversee its operations today.
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Electric traction's benefits
The world's first electric underground train made its debut in 1890, with London's City & South London Railway using electric traction to overcome issues with tunnel air quality. Electric traction offered several benefits over steam traction, which was the predominant mode at the time. Here are some key advantages of electric traction:
Superior Acceleration and Speed Control
Electric traction systems provide superior acceleration and speed control, making them ideal for high-speed trains and urban transit systems. Electric trains have quicker acceleration, which is particularly beneficial for metro and commuter services in urban areas.
Power and Load Handling
Electric traction systems are more powerful and can handle heavier loads with less strain on the engine compared to conventional diesel engines. This advantage makes electric traction ideal for freight trains traversing hilly or mountainous terrain.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Benefits
Electric trains offer better energy efficiency and substantially lower emissions than diesel engines. They produce no local emissions, which is crucial for improving air quality in tunnels and urban areas. Additionally, electric traction systems can incorporate regenerative braking, converting the train's kinetic energy back into electricity.
Noise Reduction
Electric traction systems are significantly quieter than diesel or gasoline-powered trains, contributing to reduced noise pollution in cities and urban environments.
Safety and Comfort
Electric trains, with their quick acceleration and precise speed control, enhance safety and provide a smoother ride for passengers. The use of automatic train control systems further improves safety and allows for more efficient traffic management.
The adoption of electric traction in railways brought about significant improvements in speed, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Despite the challenges of high initial costs and infrastructure maintenance, electric traction revolutionized transportation, powering high-speed rail networks and urban metro systems worldwide.
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The first electrified underground line in Europe
The London Underground first opened as a metro system in 1863, using steam locomotives. However, the first electrified underground line in Europe was the City and South London Railway, which opened in 1890. It was the world's first deep-level electric metro system. The line operated on a uniform fare system, with a fare of twopence for any journey on the 3-mile (5-km) line.
The London Underground, also known as "the Tube", was a pioneer in electric traction, overcoming issues with tunnel air quality and providing a cleaner, faster, and more efficient mode of transportation than steam-powered trains. This innovation in electric traction inspired other cities to follow suit, transitioning from steam locomotives to electric-powered trains.
Budapest opened the first electrified underground line on the European continent, the M1, in 1896. This line ran from Gizella tér (now Vörösmarty tér) in the city centre to City Park and the local zoo, covering a distance of 3.7 kilometres (2.3 miles). The M1 line was recognised as an IEEE Milestone due to its innovative features, including bidirectional tram cars, electric lighting in stations and tram cars, and an overhead wire structure for power instead of a third-rail system.
The development of electric rapid transit systems continued, with the first electrified subway tunnel in North America opening in Boston's Tremont Street Subway in 1897. In 1904, Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway in Athens, Greece, was electrified, becoming part of the Athens Metro in 2000 as Line 1. By World War I, several cities across the globe had adopted electric underground railways, including Athens, Berlin, Boston, Buenos Aires, Budapest, Glasgow, Hamburg, Istanbul, Liverpool, New York City, Paris, and Philadelphia.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric underground train was invented by the City and South London Railway (CSLR), which opened in 1890.
The first electric underground train line ran for about 3 miles between Stockwell and King William Street in London.
The original plan was to haul the train by cables, similar to the system used by San Francisco's cable cars. However, the cable contractor went bankrupt, so the CSLR opted for electric-powered trains, which were a new technology at the time.
