Transport for LondonFull steam ahead for Tube's 150th birthday
With just over six weeks to go before its 150th birthday, we look ahead to the range of celebratory events being held throughout 2013.
All will explore the Tube's fascinating history and look at the vital role it will play in the future.
Highlights include a recreation of the first Tube passenger journey with specially restored trains, open weekends and behind-the-scenes tours at the museum's Acton depot.
There will also be theatre shows at the disused Aldwych station and the continuation of the Poster Art 105: London's Greatest Designs exhibition.
The Royal Mint will be issuing two commemorative £2 coins and Art on the Underground will run a programme including new commissions by top British artists.
How London led the way
The original Underground line was built by the Metropolitan Railway, a company formed to undertake the challenge of relieving congestion on roads between Paddington, Euston and King's Cross mainline stations and the City.
Travelling on the new railway was a novelty that thousands of Londoners were eager to experience and on the opening day long queues formed at every station.
The line was a huge success, with more than 25,000 passengers a day using the Underground during its first six months.
It now carries around 3.5million passengers on weekdays, serves 270 stations and has 250 miles of track, 45 per cent of which is underground.
To celebrate the Underground's 150th anniversary the London Transport Museum has launched an exclusive collection of gifts and souvenirs.
It includes Underground line cufflinks, a variety of limited edition prints and posters, and Metropolitan line glassware.
For more details, visit www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk
