Transport for LondonNorthern line facts
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The Northern line has its roots in two separate railways: The 5.25 km (3.26 mile) City and South London Railway - the world's first electric deep-level tube line - which opened in 1890 and ran from King William Street in the City to Stockwell; and the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway, which opened in 1907.
Between 1922 and 1926, the City and South London Railway was rebuilt and linked with the Hampstead Railway at Camden Town, with extensions to Hendon Central (1923), Edgware (1924) and Morden (1926).
The line, renamed the Northern line in 1937, was further extended between Archway and East Finchley in 1939, over existing suburban railway tracks to High Barnet in 1940, and to Mill Hill East in 1941.
Improving the Northern line
Northern line facts
Number of passengers on the Northern line
| Weekday | Saturday | Sunday | Annual (mil) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 660,395 | 446,576 | 278,513 | 206.734 |
The Northern line covers 58 km (36 miles) and serves 50 stations between Morden and Edgware, Mill Hill East or High Barnet, with two central London branches via Bank or Charing Cross. 84 trains, each of six cars, are required to operate the peak period service.
Two depots are used to overhaul and maintain Northern line trains. The largest depot is at Morden while most maintenance and overhaul work is performed at Golders Green. Additional sidings at Highgate, Edgware and High Barnet are used to stable trains overnight.
Hampstead has the deepest lift shaft, 55.2m (181 ft), and is the deepest station below ground level, 58.5m (192 ft).
Hampstead has the deepest lift shaft, 55.2m (181 ft), and is the deepest station below ground level, 58.5m (192 ft).
Angel station has the longest 60m (197 ft) escalators in western Europe, which take 80 seconds to carry passengers up or down the 27.5 m (90 ft) drop Morden is the most southerly point served by the Underground, 16km (10 miles) from central London.
The tunnel between East Finchley and Morden (via Bank) is the Underground's longest and one of the longest rail tunnels in the world, 27.8km (17.25 miles) The Dollis Brook viaduct over Dollis Road on the Mill Hill East branch is the highest point above ground level on the Underground, 18m (60 ft).
The Underground's deepest point below ground level is at Holly Bush Hill, Hampstead, 67.4m (221 ft).
Northern line management
The Northern line's General Manager is Pat Hansberry.
Tube Lines is responsible for the maintenance, upgrading and renewal of the Northern line's assets.
Further information
If you wish to comment on the Northern line services, or would like to know more about the line, please contact us.
