It's Complicated: The District Line
60 stations and 4 branch lines crossing 13 London boroughs and 6 fare zones. Meet the District line...
The District line is the 3rd oldest on the London transport network, after the Metropolitan (1863) and the Hammersmith & City (1864).
The Metropolitan Railway’s early success prompted a huge number of proposals for other railways: in 1864 there were 259 different projects for making c. 300 miles of railway in and around the city.
1863 John Fowler scheme
Under the name “Metropolitan District Railways”, the scheme involved completing an Inner Circle and making an Outer Circle by connecting lines to existing railways. The Inner Circle was approved by Parliament
Kensington Addison Road Underground Station (1933-09-02) by Topical PressTfL Corporate Archives
Parliamentary Acts authorised the Metropolitan to extend its line to South Kensington and to the Minories, Tower Hill. The South Kensington to Tower Hill section was granted to the Metropolitan District Company, together with spurs from South Kensington to Addison Road
Construction of the Cromwell Road section of the District line (circa 1867) by Henry FlatherLondon Transport Museum
1st sod cut at Kensington on 29 June 1865
Nearly 3,000 men were employed, working for the last month day and night. The 1st section of the District, from South Kensington to Westminster Bridge, opened on 24 December 1868. The intermediate stations were Sloane Square, Victoria, and St. James’s Park
Under an agreement of 1866, the Metropolitan worked and maintained the District lines. The Metropolitan paid the District 55% of the gross receipts.
The working arrangement became seen as unsatisfactory by the District and a year’s notice was given to terminate it on 1 July 1871.
District Railway Locomotive (1871-07-03)TfL Corporate Archives
The District company bought its own rolling stock, and built repair shops and sheds at West Brompton, and on 3 July 1871 the District began to work on its own undertaking
The District Railways Map of London Timetable (1890-06-15) by District RailwayTfL Corporate Archives
After the split, the District extended
The District line initially stopped at Mansion House. In the following years it extended west to Hammersmith, Richmond, Ealing and Hounslow, and south to Putney and Wimbledon
In 1933 the District Railway joined with other Underground railways, tramway companies and bus operators to form the London Passenger Transport Board. At this point it became the District line, rather than the District Railway.
Metropolitan Diagram of Lines (1933-04-06)TfL Corporate Archives
By this time the District worked over 58 miles of railway, of which it owned over 25 miles outright, partly owned 1 mile, leased or worked jointly a further 5 miles, and exercised continuous running powers over 26 miles of the lines of other companies
Interior view of a D78 District Line carriage (circa 1980) by UnknownLondon Transport Museum
Extensions in numerous directions
The line's long history is somewhat complex; 12 extensions were made in total, not all of which survive today
District Line Car Line Diagram (2016-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Even today its operations are complex. More than half of its stations connect to at least 1 other line and the District line is the only line that uses bridges to cross the River Thames
Hannah Dadds, London Underground's First Female Train Operator (1997-10-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Did you know?
London Underground's 1st female train operator was on the District line. Hannah Dadds qualified in 1978 after 7 weeks of training
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
This story has been enhanced using images from the collections of the London Transport Museum. All enquiries regarding those images should be made directly to that institution.
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