The Metropolitan Line: London's First Underground Railway
The Metropolitan was the world’s first underground railway, built in 1863 to ease the traffic congestion of a growing London and thus creating the first metro system. It went on to be used by Victorian entrepreneur Sir Edward Watkin to further his - ultimately unsuccessful - ambition to link Manchester and Paris by rail. Despite this failure, the Metropolitan decided to use Watkin’s land to create the iconic ‘Metro-land’, embracing affordable housing with easy commuting to London. The brand soon became accepted as the generic description of a lifestyle and by the end of the First World War Metro-land represented the appealing factors of aspiration and affordability. Following post-war developments, this book brings us up to date with the latest plans for this idiosyncratic railway in line with the 2012 Olympics.
Softback, 160 pages, black & white photographs
Condition: Good/Very Good with a little wear to cover
ISBN: 9780752453965
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Updated: 2 January 2025