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The advent of the steam engine arguably changed London's landscape more than any other invention, with many of the city's now-famous streets being organised around this new network of lines. It was during the reign of Queen Victoria that the steam train came to London, and many of the city's buildings were demolished and age-old streets reorganised to provide efficient routes between disparate parts of the capital. The first railway line opened in 1836, connecting Bermondsey and Deptford with a terminus in London Bridge. This was extended as far as Greenwich by 1840, and offered a much faster alternative to the omnibus and boat crossings of the Thames. An instant success, this rail line serviced 650,000 passengers in its first 15 months, and more were soon to follow. Visitors to London today may be confused by the seemingly arbitrary locations of its major railway stations, and understanding requires the proper historical and social context. The need to demolish properties to make way for the new railway network meant that developers favoured poorer areas that they were more likely to be granted approval for. As property was traditionally cheaper to buy south of the Thames and in the East End, many people were evicted from their homes for the establishment of a permanent terminus at Fenchurch Street in 1841. The next few decades saw explosive growth in the railway industry, with major landmarks including the opening of Euston station in 1837, Waterloo and Paddington in 1848 and King's Cross in 1850. These termini are still core stations on the national rail grid, for long distance journeys as well as local trips, and led to a proliferation of London Euston hotels and accommodation to suit travellers of all budgets in the surrounding areas. Another major landmark came in 1863 when the world's first underground railway opened in London. This first stretch between Paddington and Farringdon Street was six kilometres in length and represented one of the most ambitious construction projects in history, with streets being excavated and tracks laid along a newly constructed, brick-lined tunnel. Today, the London Underground covers an extensive network of over 408 kilometres and 275 stations, and services three million passengers every day. Its innovative design has inspired similar metro networks all over the world, and the iconic London Underground emblem remains one of the most instantly recognisable transport symbols internationally, as well as a symbol for London in general. Bruce Giles writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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