For many years referred to by customers and staff as ‘The Drain’, the Waterloo and City Railway was built by, and as an extension of, the London and South Western Railway.
In 1893, an Act was obtained for a deep line from Waterloo station to a point near Mansion House, with no intermediate stations, and work began in 1894
Work was completed in 1897
The Railway was opened by the Duke of Cambridge in July 1898.
The line is named after its 2 stations. City station was renamed Bank in 1940, but the railway’s name wasn't updated
Train ticket issued by Waterloo & City Railway (1921-01-01) by Waterloo & City RailwayTfL Corporate Archives
Fares were 2d for a single and 3d for a return
By the early 1900s the line was carrying 5.4m passengers per year
It had twin tunnels, at least 12 foot in diameter. In the subway leading to the Docklands Light Railway at Bank, a surviving piece of the 'Greathead' shield used to bore the tunnels can be seen.
Early 1900s Waterloo & City Rolling Stock (1900-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
The Railway used 4-car trains of motor cars and trailers
At the time, the Board of Trade allowed traction power cables to run through from one carriage to another. This was not permitted subsequently and future multiple unit trains involved control of all motor cars remotely from the operative cab using low power operated contactors
The original wooden trains survived until 1940, when they were replaced by specially designed tube-sized cars similar to the Southern Railway’s surface stock. These trains ran until 1993, when modern Underground cars took their place. These were effectively Central line 1992 stock, but in Network South East livery. In 2006 the line underwent further upgrade works including new track, improved signalling and refurbished trains, which were repainted in London Underground colours.
The line is completely self-contained
This means all tube stock has to be delivered by crane and lift!
Throughout the 1900s, the line ran as part of the mainline national rail network, although with power provided by the Underground and subways running to the Central line, agreements and close collaboration with the Underground was crucial
Transfer to London Underground
Transfer of the line to London Underground was discussed in the 1940s but didn’t finally occur until 1994
Bank Station Travolator Artists Impression (1959-06-15)TfL Corporate Archives
In the 1960s, the first moving travolator was installed to assist passenger flow from the Waterloo & City platforms at Bank to the exit
Press reports stated it to be the first of its kind in Europe
"Drain" Gets New Look
British Pathe film from 1960 (1min 19s)
Interior of 1992 Waterloo & City Line Stock (2013-04-04) by Michael GarnettTfL Corporate Archives
The Waterloo and City is the Underground’s shortest line
It has only 2 stations and is less than 3km long. The trip takes 5mins. On arrival at Waterloo, all passengers have to leave the train, which then shunts ahead to a siding where the driver changes ends
Did you know? The Waterloo & City line is the only Underground line to have a day off! Trains do not run on the line on Sundays, except for special events.
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 video from the collections of the British Pathe. All enquiries regarding this video should be made directly to that institution.
