Fascinating black and white photos of Victoria line released as it celebrates 50th birthday

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James Morris2 September 2018

Rarely-seen black and white photos show the Victoria line in use decades ago as it celebrates its 50th birthday.

The London Underground line celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend and has been hailed for how well it has aged.

At 6.30am on September 1, 1968, the line’s first train left Walthamstow Central for Highbury and Islington.

Remarkably, however, and compared to the recent example of the Night Tube, there was no fanfare at all for the first deep-level Tube route since the Central line in 1907.

Mike Ashworth, Transport for London’s (TfL) former heritage chief, told the Standard: “It’s interesting that it was so low-key.

Construction of the Victoria line (PA )
PA

“There was no fanfare at all, it was literally just the first train coming out and getting under way.

“For such a major piece of investment, it’s remarkable a big deal wasn’t made out of it.”

Initially, the route ended at Highbury and Islington. This was extended to Warren Street later in 1968, and then Victoria in 1969.

The grand opening came in 1969 (PA )
PA

Mr Ashworth said transport leaders had been saving the big opening for Victoria.

In the event, the Queen took the train to Green Park, becoming the only reigning monarch to ever use the Tube.

The line was extended to Brixton by 1971, and completed at Pimlico in 1972.

The modern-day Victoria line at Highbury and Islington station
Nick Ansell/PA

Mr Ashworth continued: “The Victoria line was designed to improve the interchange at mainline railway stations. Victoria, for example, was only served by the District and Circle lines and lacked a north to south underground route.”

After modernisation work in recent years, the Victoria line is the most intensely run Tube line. In fact, with 36 trains an hour at peak times, it’s the most frequent service in the UK and second most frequent in the world.

For Mr Ashworth, it’s proof the line has aged well: “The improvements over the last few years – new trains, new signalling – are amazing. It’s now one of the most intensely run services in an old tunnel, so it’s remarkable how it’s kept pace.

“The Victoria line is a textbook example in modernising.”

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