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Key facts

Length: 21km 

Stations: 16

Opened: 1968

Introduction

The Victoria line was the first deep-level Underground line to be built across central London for more than 50 years. Its 16 stations link Walthamstow in north-east London with Brixton in the south and areas not previously served by the Underground, via many interchanges, including shopping centres like Oxford Circus and mainline stations at Euston, King’s Cross and Victoria.

Why is it called the Victoria line?

The line is named after Queen Victoria (1837–1901) and the mainline station of the same name, under which the Tube line passes. 

History

The line’s origins can be traced back to the 1943 County of London Plan, but the shortages of the post-war years caused delays. Parliamentary powers to build the line were obtained in 1955, but further funding delays meant that construction work did not start until 1962. It opened in 1968 between Walthamstow Central and Highbury & Islington, and on to Warren Street a few months later. The line was completed to Victoria in 1969 and it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in March that year. 

Did you know?

The whole line is below ground except for Northumberland Park depot 

The Victoria line was the first automatic passenger railway in the world. Once the driver closed the train doors and pressed the two start buttons, the train ran automatically to the next station, responding to coded impulses transmitted through the track from a central control room. Automatic ticket gates activated by magnetically encoded tickets were also part of the scheme. 

Did you know?

Since the latest signalling upgrade in 2018 Victoria line trains run only 90 seconds apart during peak periods – 40 trains per hour 

In-house architects designed the line, with input from Misha Black’s influential Design Research Unit (DRU). The predominant colours underground were grey tiling and brushed steel or aluminium, with a variety of brighter colours in booking halls. The station platforms feature unique tile motifs designed by prominent artists in their seating recesses. Some have historical references, such as the seven elm trees at Seven Sisters, famous since the 17th century, while others have visual puns, like the ‘ton of bricks’ at Brixton. Blackhorse Road was the only completely new surface station on the line.

Did you know?

It is the UK’s most frequent train service and the world’s second, behind the Moscow Metro 

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