Commemorative key; from the opening of the Central line from Liverpool Street to Stratford, by Rt Hon A J Barnes MP, Minister of Transport, 3rd December 1946

On 3 December 1946, the extension from Liverpool Street to Stratford on the Central line was opened. This ceremonial key was presented to the Right Honourable A.J Barnes, the Minister of Transport, who used it to officially open the eastern extension. The key is designed to incorporate the London Transport roundel symbol. It includes the letters 'L.N.E.R.' and 'L.M.S.', representing the London and North Eastern Railway and London Midland and Scottish Railway: partners in the 1935-40 New Works Programme extensions. This section of the line was under construction from 1937, but the opening was delayed because of the Second World War. The intermediate stations of Bethnal Green and Mile End also opened on the same day.