Introducing London Overground
Launched in 2007, London Overground has integrated older existing networks into new routes to create a fully orbital network to serve the Capital
Poster Advertising the Arrival of London Overground (2007-10-06)TfL Corporate Archives
London Gets A New Train Set!
London Overground was launched in 2007 to provide better connections between areas outside of central London
The new Overground network introduced Shepherd's Bush in 2008 and Imperial Wharf in 2009 to serve areas of the Capital that had suffered from poor public transport provision
But did you know that the origins of the Overground date back over 170 years to the construction of the Thames Tunnel, led by Marc Brunel?
It opened in 1843 as a pedestrian link, and at the time was the first tunnel to be built under a navigable river. In 1865 it was purchased by the East London Railway Company and connected to the rail network on both sides of the river carrying passengers and freight on a variety of routes
The Thames Tunnel became part of the Tube network in 1933, and passenger services through it were standardised as a shuttle between Shoreditch and New Cross/New Cross Gate called the East London Line.
East London Line becomes London Overground
The East London line closed as part of London Underground in 2007 for extensive refurbishment before reopening as part of London Overground 3 years later
View of Overground Platforms at Highbury & Islington Station (2012-09-04) by Thomas RiggsTfL Corporate Archives
Extension to Highbury & Islington
Opened 2011
Hoarding from the Construction of the London Overground Surrey Quays to Clapham Junction Branch (2012-10-30) by Michael GarnettTfL Corporate Archives
Extension to Clapham Junction 2012
This completed the loop around London and created the first new circular route in the Capital since the Circle line 128 years earlier
In 2015 TfL took over the suburban rail routes connecting Liverpool Street with Chingford, Enfield Town and Cheshunt, and services operating between Romford and Upminster.
Platform at Barking Riverside Station (2022-07-18) by Nick TurpinTfL Corporate Archives
In July 2022, Barking Riverside was opened as an extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking route
A Comprehensive Network
Today the network covers 113 stations, linking north to south, east to west, and looping around the Capital
Poster Introducing Rebranding of London Overground Lines (2024-02-15) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
New Names
In 2023, it was decided to make travel on the London Overground simpler and easier for customers by naming each of the 6 lines
A programme of engagement sought to identify names and colours for each line, getting the views of customers and communities, local historians, academics and transport specialists. The new branding was launched in 2024.
Poster Introducing the London Overground Liberty Line (2024-02-15) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
The Liberty line
Poster Introducing the London Overground Lioness Line (2024-02-15) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
The Lioness line
Poster Introducing the London Overground Mildmay Line (2024-02-15) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
The Mildmay line
Poster Introducing the London Overground Suffragette Line (2024-02-15) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
The Suffragette line
Poster Introducing the London Overground Weaver Line (2024-02-15) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
The Weaver line
Poster Introducing the London Overground Windrush Line (2024-02-15) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
The Windrush line
London Overground Map 2024 (2024-02-15) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives
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.
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