Transport for LondonHistory
Most of the network runs along routes that were developed as railways in the 19th century, but by the early 21st century had become dilapidated and under-used.
Watch a short video about the development of London Overground.
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Since the launch we have:
- Refurbished all stations across the network
- Constructed six new stations - Shepherd's Bush (2008), Imperial Wharf (2009), Dalston Junction, Haggerston, Hoxton and Shoreditch High Street (all 2010)
- Introduced Oyster, from the very first day
- Introduced 57 new walk-through electric trains and eight diesel trains
- Added the network to our online and electronic real-time service update information
- Worked with Network Rail to upgrade track, signalling and power supply to allow more frequent trains
Highbury & Islington - Clapham Junction/West Croydon
The newest of London Overground's lines opened on 9 December 2012 between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction, completing the London Overground orbital route. Read more about the new line.
This is in addition to the Highbury & Islington to West Croydon line which opened in 2010. Running between West Croydon and Dalston Junction, the extension to Highbury & Islington followed in 2011. This line is made up of three sections:
- The central section between Whitechapel and New Cross Gate. This section used to be the London Underground East London line. It includes the historic Brunel Tunnels under the River Thames, originally used only by pedestrians. The East London line closed in 2007 to become part of the London Overground network
- The section north of Whitechapel uses the route of the old railway lines into Broad Street station, which closed in 1986, and includes four new stations
- The section south of New Cross Gate runs along existing National Rail tracks. A new train depot has been constructed in this area
Find out more about the Brunel Tunnels
