District Line
Encyclopedia
The District line is a line of the London Underground
, coloured green on the Tube map
. It is a "sub-surface" line, running through the central area in shallow cut-and-cover tunnels. It is the busiest of the sub-surface lines. Out of the 60 stations served, 25 are underground. Two of the four (Richmond and Wimbledon) western branches of the route are also the only lines across the entire network to cross the Thames
by bridge and not by tunnel. Although the District line is only the fourth longest line on the network, it serves more stations than any other line.
(MDR) and opened in stages from 1868. The MDR was later bought by Charles Yerkes
, forming part of the "Underground" group
until it was nationalised
in the 1930s. It had branches to Uxbridge
and Hounslow West
, but both are now operated by the Piccadilly line
. Eastbound services ran as far as the seaside town of Southend-on-Sea
in Essex
from 1 June 1910 and to Shoeburyness
from 1911, until 30 September 1939 (now part of the London, Tilbury and Southend railway
). Between 1 March 1883 and 30 September 1885 the line also served stations from Ealing Broadway
to Windsor
, running on the Great Western Main Line
.
trains, although the Wimbledon
to Edgware Road
service is operated with C stock trains due to shorter platform lengths between High Street Kensington
and Edgware Road. The D stock trains were refurbished between 2005 and 2008, receiving the standard Underground livery of red, white and blue to replace the previous unpainted aluminium finish, which was prone to damage by graffiti vandals. The stock also received a complete interior refurbishment and was fitted with CCTV and passenger information displays. The trains are maintained at Ealing Common Depot
and Upminster Depot.
From 2013 both the C stock and D stock fleets will gradually be replaced by new S stock trains
from Bombardier Transportation
. The fleet is expected to be completely renewed by 2016. The new trains, which are shorter (7-car) versions of the new trains already appearing on the Metropolitan line, will be air-conditioned. Because they will be longer than the trains currently in use, some station platforms will need to be lengthened.
This gives a total of 18 trains per hour between Earl's Court and Tower Hill.
also serves Upminster
, Barking
, West Ham
and (for Tower Hill
). Tickets are interavailable between the two operators with Oyster card
s (including pay as you go) accepted on this part of c2c's route. South West Trains
services occasionally operate on the Wimbledon Branch between East Putney
and Wimbledon, often due to engineering works or problems on the mainline, although trains do not stop at any of the intermediate stations.
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
, coloured green on the Tube map
Tube map
The Tube map is a schematic transit map representing the lines and stations of London's rapid transit railway systems, namely the London Underground , the Docklands Light Railway and London Overground....
. It is a "sub-surface" line, running through the central area in shallow cut-and-cover tunnels. It is the busiest of the sub-surface lines. Out of the 60 stations served, 25 are underground. Two of the four (Richmond and Wimbledon) western branches of the route are also the only lines across the entire network to cross the Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
by bridge and not by tunnel. Although the District line is only the fourth longest line on the network, it serves more stations than any other line.
History
The District line was built by the Metropolitan District RailwayMetropolitan District Railway
The Metropolitan District Railway was the predecessor of the District line of the London Underground. Set up on 29 July 1864, at first to complete the "Inner Circle" railway around central London, it was gradually extended into the suburbs...
(MDR) and opened in stages from 1868. The MDR was later bought by Charles Yerkes
Charles Yerkes
Charles Tyson Yerkes was an American financier, born in Philadelphia. He played a major part in developing mass-transit systems in Chicago and London.-Philadelphia:...
, forming part of the "Underground" group
Underground Electric Railways Company of London
The Underground Electric Railways Company of London Limited , known operationally as The Underground for much of its existence, was established in 1902. It was the holding company for the three deep-level "tube"A "tube" railway is an underground railway constructed in a circular tunnel by the use...
until it was nationalised
Nationalization
Nationalisation, also spelled nationalization, is the process of taking an industry or assets into government ownership by a national government or state. Nationalization usually refers to private assets, but may also mean assets owned by lower levels of government, such as municipalities, being...
in the 1930s. It had branches to Uxbridge
Uxbridge tube station
Uxbridge is a London Underground station in Uxbridge in the London Borough of Hillingdon, north-west London. The station is the terminus of the Uxbridge branches of both the Metropolitan Line and the Piccadilly Line. The next station towards London is Hillingdon. The station is 15.5 miles west of...
and Hounslow West
Hounslow West tube station
Hounslow West is a London Underground station in Hounslow in west London. The station is on the Heathrow branch of the Piccadilly Line, between Hatton Cross and Hounslow Central stations. The station is located on Bath Road about 600m from the junction of Bath Road, Great West Road and Great...
, but both are now operated by the Piccadilly line
Piccadilly Line
The Piccadilly line is a line of the London Underground, coloured dark blue on the Tube map. It is the fifth busiest line on the Underground network judged by the number of passengers transported per year. It is mainly a deep-level line, running from the north to the west of London via Zone 1, with...
. Eastbound services ran as far as the seaside town of Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea is a unitary authority area, town, and seaside resort in Essex, England. The district has Borough status, and comprises the towns of Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, North Shoebury, Prittlewell, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, and Westcliff-on-Sea. The district is situated...
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
from 1 June 1910 and to Shoeburyness
Shoeburyness
Shoeburyness is a town in southeast Essex, England, situated at the mouth of the river Thames Estuary. It is within the borough of Southend-on-Sea, and is situated at the far east of the borough, around east of Southend town centre...
from 1911, until 30 September 1939 (now part of the London, Tilbury and Southend railway
London, Tilbury and Southend Railway
The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway is an English railway line linking Fenchurch Street railway station in the City of London with northeast London and the entire length of the northern Thames Gateway area of southern Essex. It is currently known as the Essex Thameside Route by Network Rail...
). Between 1 March 1883 and 30 September 1885 the line also served stations from Ealing Broadway
Ealing Broadway station
Ealing Broadway is an east-west National Rail and London Underground station in Ealing in west London. The station is located in Haven Green , at the termination of The Broadway, and is in Travelcard Zone 3.-Services:...
to Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, running on the Great Western Main Line
Great Western Main Line
The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...
.
Trains
Most of the District line's services use sub-surface D stockLondon Underground D78 Stock
The London Underground D Stock is a type of electric multiple unit used on the London Underground District Line . The entire fleet is due to be replaced with S Stock trains in 2015.- History :...
trains, although the Wimbledon
Wimbledon station
Wimbledon station is a National Rail, London Underground, and Tramlink station located in Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton, and is the only London station that provides an interchange between rail, Underground, and Tramlink services...
to Edgware Road
Edgware Road tube station
Edgware Road station is a London Underground station on the corner of Chapel Street and Cabbell Street Road in Travelcard Zone 1 serving the Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines. The separate Edgware Road tube station is about 150 metres away on the opposite side of the Marylebone Road...
service is operated with C stock trains due to shorter platform lengths between High Street Kensington
High Street Kensington tube station
High Street Kensington is a London Underground station at Kensington High Street.The station is on the Circle Line between Gloucester Road and Notting Hill Gate, and the District Line between Earl's Court and Notting Hill Gate. It is in Travelcard Zone 1....
and Edgware Road. The D stock trains were refurbished between 2005 and 2008, receiving the standard Underground livery of red, white and blue to replace the previous unpainted aluminium finish, which was prone to damage by graffiti vandals. The stock also received a complete interior refurbishment and was fitted with CCTV and passenger information displays. The trains are maintained at Ealing Common Depot
Ealing Common Depot
Ealing Common Depot is a London Underground railway depot on the District Line, located between Acton Town Station and Ealing Common Station. It is accessed by road on Granville Gardens, off the Uxbridge Road in Ealing Common. From the main-line it is accessed at Ealing Common by a junction...
and Upminster Depot.
From 2013 both the C stock and D stock fleets will gradually be replaced by new S stock trains
London Underground S Stock
The S Stock is a class of sub-surface train currently being delivered by Bombardier Transportation in Derby to the London Underground to replace 177 existing trains on the Metropolitan, District, Hammersmith & City, and Circle lines, with a new fleet of standardised car design, totalling 191 trains...
from Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
. The fleet is expected to be completely renewed by 2016. The new trains, which are shorter (7-car) versions of the new trains already appearing on the Metropolitan line, will be air-conditioned. Because they will be longer than the trains currently in use, some station platforms will need to be lengthened.
Stations
In order from west to eastRichmond branch
| Richmond branch | |||
| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Richmond station (London) Richmond station is a National Rail and London Underground station in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in south west London which is managed by South West Trains.... |
27 July 1846 | District line 1 June 1877 | |
| Kew Gardens |  |
1 January 1869 | District line 1 June 1877 |
| Gunnersbury Gunnersbury station thumb|right|District Line train for Richmond in 1955Gunnersbury station is a London Underground and National Rail station in Gunnersbury in west London. The station is served by the District Line and London Overground trains on the North London Line and is managed by London Underground. On the... |
1 January 1869 | Opened as Brentford Road renamed 1871, District line 1 June 1877 | |
Ealing Broadway branch
| Ealing Broadway branch | |||
| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ealing Broadway Ealing Broadway station Ealing Broadway is an east-west National Rail and London Underground station in Ealing in west London. The station is located in Haven Green , at the termination of The Broadway, and is in Travelcard Zone 3.-Services:... ( Trains to Heathrow London Heathrow Airport London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe... ) |
 |
Change for Central line Central Line The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground... |
|
| Ealing Common Ealing Common tube station Ealing Common is a London Underground station on the Uxbridge branch of the Piccadilly Line, and on the Ealing Broadway branch of the District Line... |
1 July 1879 | From 1886 until 1 March 1910 known as Ealing Common and West Acton | |
| Acton Town Acton Town tube station Acton Town is a London Underground station in Acton, west London, served by the Piccadilly and District lines. The station is at the junction of Gunnersbury Lane and Bollo Lane and is in Travelcard Zone 3.-Services:... |
 |
1 July 1879 | Opened as Mill Hill Park, renamed 1 March 1910 |
| Chiswick Park Chiswick Park tube station Chiswick Park is a London Underground station in Chiswick in west London. The station is served by the District Line and is between Turnham Green and Acton Town stations... |
1 July 1879 | Opened as Acton Green, renamed Chiswick Park and Acton Green in 1889, renamed 1910 | |
| The Richmond and Ealing Broadway branches join just west of Turnham Green | |||
| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnham Green Turnham Green tube station Turnham Green is a London Underground station in Chiswick in west London. The station is located on Turnham Green Terrace, but the actual green is much closer to Chiswick Park station. The station is served by the District and Piccadilly Lines although Piccadilly Line trains normally only stop at... |
1 January 1869 | District line 1 June 1877 | |
| Stamford Brook Stamford Brook tube station Stamford Brook is a London Underground station on the eastern edge of Chiswick in west London. The station is served by the District Line and is between Ravenscourt Park and Turnham Green stations. The main entrance is located on Goldhawk Road with a secondary entrance on Prebend Gardens. It is in... |
 |
1 February 1912 | District line 1 June 1877 enroute to Richmond Richmond station (London) Richmond station is a National Rail and London Underground station in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in south west London which is managed by South West Trains.... |
| Ravenscourt Park Ravenscourt Park tube station Ravenscourt Park is a London Underground station located in west Hammersmith, west London. The station is served by the District Line and is between Hammersmith and Stamford Brook stations.... |
 |
1 April 1873 | Opened as Shaftesbury Road, District line 1 June 1877, renamed 1 March 1888 |
| Hammersmith | 15 December 1906 | Change for Piccadilly line Piccadilly Line The Piccadilly line is a line of the London Underground, coloured dark blue on the Tube map. It is the fifth busiest line on the Underground network judged by the number of passengers transported per year. It is mainly a deep-level line, running from the north to the west of London via Zone 1, with... |
|
| Barons Court Barons Court tube station Barons Court is a London Underground station in West Kensington, Greater London. This station services the District Line and the Piccadilly Line. The station is located on Gliddon Road, a short distance from Talgarth Road in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham... |
 |
15 December 1906 | Change for Piccadilly line Piccadilly Line The Piccadilly line is a line of the London Underground, coloured dark blue on the Tube map. It is the fifth busiest line on the Underground network judged by the number of passengers transported per year. It is mainly a deep-level line, running from the north to the west of London via Zone 1, with... |
| West Kensington West Kensington tube station West Kensington is a London Underground District Line station in West Kensington. It is located in North End Road close to the junction of that road and West Cromwell Road/Talgarth Road .... |
 |
9 September 1874 | Opened as Fulham – North End, renamed 1877 |
Wimbledon branch
| Wimbledon branch | |||
| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon Wimbledon station Wimbledon station is a National Rail, London Underground, and Tramlink station located in Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton, and is the only London station that provides an interchange between rail, Underground, and Tramlink services... |
 |
21 May 1838 | District line 3 June 1889 |
| Wimbledon Park Wimbledon Park tube station Wimbledon Park is a London Underground station in Wimbledon. The station is on the District Line and is between Southfields and Wimbledon stations. The station is located on Arthur Road close to the junction with Melrose Avenue close to the eastern side of Wimbledon Park... |
3 June 1889 | ||
| Southfields Southfields tube station Southfields is a London Underground station in Southfields in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The station is on the District Line between and stations. The station is located on Wimbledon Park Road at the junction with Augustus Road and Replingham Road... |
3 June 1889 | ||
| East Putney East Putney tube station East Putney is a London Underground station on the branch of the District line. It is between to the north, and to the south. The station is on Upper Richmond Road... |
3 June 1889 | ||
| Putney Bridge Putney Bridge tube station Putney Bridge is a London Underground station on the branch of the District Line. It is between and stations and is in Zone 2. The station is located in the south of Fulham, adjacent to Fulham High Street and New Kings Road and is a short distance from the north end of Putney Bridge from which... |
 |
1 March 1880 | Opened as Putney Bridge & Fulham, renamed 1 January 1902 as Putney Bridge & Hurlingham, current name from 1932 |
| Parsons Green Parsons Green tube station Parsons Green is a London Underground station on the branch of the District Line. It is between and stations and is in Zone 2. The station is located on Parsons Green a short distance north of the green itself. The station is about half way between Fulham Road and New Kings Road... |
1 March 1880 | ||
| Fulham Broadway Fulham Broadway tube station Fulham Broadway is a London Underground station on the branch of the District Line. It is between and stations and is in Travelcard Zone 2. The station is located on Fulham Broadway . It is notable as the nearest station to Stamford Bridge stadium, the home of Chelsea Football Club... |
 |
1 March 1880 | Opened as Walham Green, renamed 2 March 1952 |
| West Brompton West Brompton station West Brompton is a Network Rail West London Line and London Underground District Line station in west London. It is located on Old Brompton Road immediately south of Earls Court Exhibition Centre and to the west of Brompton Cemetery.... |
 |
12 April 1869 | |
| The Wimbledon branch joins the main line west of Earl's Court | |||
Kensington (Olympia) branch
| Kensington (Olympia) branch | |||
| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington (Olympia) Kensington (Olympia) station Kensington station is a station in West London managed and served by London Overground and also served by Southern and London Underground. It is in Travelcard Zone 2... |
2 June 1862 | Opened as Addison Road, District line 1872, renamed 1946 | |
| The Kensington (Olympia) branch joins the main line west of Earl's Court, and trains from it normally run to High Street Kensington | |||
Edgware Road branch
| The Edgware Road branch diverges from the main line east of Earl's Court | |||
| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Street Kensington High Street Kensington tube station High Street Kensington is a London Underground station at Kensington High Street.The station is on the Circle Line between Gloucester Road and Notting Hill Gate, and the District Line between Earl's Court and Notting Hill Gate. It is in Travelcard Zone 1.... |
 |
1 October 1868 | Circle line |
| Notting Hill Gate Notting Hill Gate tube station Notting Hill Gate tube station is a London Underground station in the street known as Notting Hill Gate. On the Central Line, it is between Holland Park to the west and Queensway to the east. On the District Line and Circle Line it is between High Street Kensington and Bayswater stations... |
 |
1 October 1868 | Circle line |
| Bayswater Bayswater tube station Bayswater is a London Underground station in the Bayswater area of the City of Westminster. It is served by the Circle and District lines, but is closed until 23rd of August for engineering works. It's between Notting Hill Gate and Paddington stations, in Travelcard Zone 1... |
 |
1 October 1868 | Circle line |
| Paddington ( Trains to Heathrow London Heathrow Airport London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe... ) |
 |
1 October 1868 | Bakerloo Bakerloo Line The Bakerloo line is a line of the London Underground, coloured brown on the Tube map. It runs partly on the surface and partly at deep level, from Elephant and Castle in the south-east to Harrow & Wealdstone in the north-west of London. The line serves 25 stations, of which 15 are underground... , Hammersmith & City Hammersmith & City Line The Hammersmith & City line is a subsurface London Underground line. It connects Hammersmith in the west with Barking in the east, running through the northern part of central London. It is coloured salmon pink on the Tube map... , Great Western Main Line Great Western Main Line The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great... |
| Edgware Road Edgware Road tube station Edgware Road station is a London Underground station on the corner of Chapel Street and Cabbell Street Road in Travelcard Zone 1 serving the Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines. The separate Edgware Road tube station is about 150 metres away on the opposite side of the Marylebone Road... |
 |
1 October 1863 | |
Main line
| Main line | |||
| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earl's Court Earl's Court tube station Earl's Court tube station is a London Underground station in Earls Court. The station is located between Earls Court Road and Warwick Road . It is on the boundary of Travelcard Zone 1 and 2 and is in both zones.... |
 |
15 December 1906 | |
| Gloucester Road Gloucester Road tube station -Deep-level station:By the beginning of the 20th century, the MDR had been extended to Richmond, Ealing Broadway, Hounslow West and Wimbledon in the west and to New Cross Gate in the east... |
 |
1 October 1868 | |
| South Kensington South Kensington tube station South Kensington is a London Underground station in Kensington, west London. It is served by the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines. On the District and Circle lines, the station is between Gloucester Road and Sloane Square, and on the Piccadilly Line, it is between Gloucester Road and... |
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24 December 1868 | |
| Sloane Square Sloane Square tube station Sloane Square is a London Underground station in Sloane Square, in the Chelsea district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is served by the District and Circle Lines and is between South Kensington and Victoria. It is in Travelcard Zone 1.... |
24 December 1868 | ||
| Victoria ( Trains to Gatwick) |  |
24 December 1868 | Victoria Victoria Line The Victoria line is a deep-level London Underground line running from the south to the north-east of London. It is coloured light blue on the Tube map... |
| St. James's Park St. James's Park tube station St James's Park is a London Underground station near St James's Park in the City of Westminster. It is served by the District and Circle Lines and is between Victoria and Westminster stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 1.... |
 |
24 December 1868 | |
| Westminster Westminster tube station Westminster is a London Underground station in the City of Westminster. It is served by the Circle, District and Jubilee lines. On the Circle and District lines, the station is between St. James's Park and Embankment and, on the Jubilee line it is between Green Park and Waterloo. It is in... ( Westminster Pier Westminster Millennium Pier Westminster Millennium Pier is a pier on the River Thames, in the City of Westminster in London, UK. It is operated by London River Services and served by various river transport and cruise operators.... ) |
24 December 1868 | Jubilee Jubilee Line The Jubilee line is a line on the London Underground , in the United Kingdom. It was built in two major sections—initially to Charing Cross, in central London, and later extended, in 1999, to Stratford, in east London. The later stations are larger and have special safety features, both aspects... |
|
| Embankment Embankment tube station Embankment is a London Underground station in the City of Westminster, known by various names during its history. It is served by the Circle, District, Northern and Bakerloo lines. On the Northern and Bakerloo lines, the station is between Waterloo and Charing Cross stations; on the Circle and... ( Charing Cross Charing Cross railway station Charing Cross railway station, also known as London Charing Cross, is a central London railway terminus in the City of Westminster, England. It is one of 18 stations managed by Network Rail, and trains serving it are operated by Southeastern... ) ( Embankment Pier Embankment Pier Embankment Pier is a pier on the River Thames in London, UK. It is located on the North Bank of the river, immediately next to the Hungerford Bridge and directly outside the river entrance to Embankment tube station... ) |
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30 May 1870 | Bakerloo Bakerloo Line The Bakerloo line is a line of the London Underground, coloured brown on the Tube map. It runs partly on the surface and partly at deep level, from Elephant and Castle in the south-east to Harrow & Wealdstone in the north-west of London. The line serves 25 stations, of which 15 are underground... , Northern Northern Line The Northern line is a London Underground line. It is coloured black on the Tube map.For most of its length it is a deep-level tube line. The line carries 206,734,000 passengers per year. This is the highest number of any line on the London Underground system, but the Northern line is unique in... |
| Temple Temple tube station Temple is a London Underground station in the City of Westminster, between Victoria Embankment and Temple Place. It is on the Circle and District lines between Embankment and Blackfriars and is in Travelcard Zone 1. The station entrance is from Victoria Embankment... |
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30 May 1870 | |
| Blackfriars Blackfriars station Blackfriars station, also known as London Blackfriars, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the City of London, England. Its platforms will eventually span the River Thames a short distance downstream from Blackfriars Bridge. The current entrance is located on the... (closed until 2011) ( Trains to Gatwick and Luton London Luton Airport London Luton Airport is an international airport located east of the town centre in the Borough of Luton in Bedfordshire, England and is north of Central London. The airport is from Junction 10a of the M1 motorway... ) ( Blackfriars Millennium Pier Blackfriars Millennium Pier Blackfriars Millennium Pier is a pier on the River Thames, in the Blackfriars area of London, United Kingdom. It is served by boats operating under licence from London River Services and is situated on the north bank of the Thames, adjacent to Blackfriars Bridge.The pier is located almost directly... ) |
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30 May 1870 | First Capital Connect First Capital Connect First Capital Connect is a passenger train operating company in England that began operations on the National Rail network on 1 April 2006... / Southeastern Southeastern (train operating company) London & South Eastern Railway Limited, trading as Southeastern is a train operating company in south-east England. On 1 April 2006 it became the franchisee for the new Integrated Kent Franchise , replacing the publicly owned South Eastern Trains on the former South East Franchise... (Thameslink Thameslink Thameslink is a fifty-station main-line route in the British railway system running north to south through London from Bedford to Brighton, serving both London Gatwick Airport and London Luton Airport. It opened as a through service in 1988 and by 1998 was severely overcrowded, carrying more than... ) |
| Mansion House Mansion House tube station Mansion House is a London Underground station in the City of London, near Mansion House . It is a sub-surface station served by trains on the Circle and District Lines. It is between Blackfriars and Cannon Street stations. The station is located at the junction of Queen Victoria Street and Cannon... |
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3 July 1871 | |
| Cannon Street |  |
6 October 1884 | Southeastern Southeastern (train operating company) London & South Eastern Railway Limited, trading as Southeastern is a train operating company in south-east England. On 1 April 2006 it became the franchisee for the new Integrated Kent Franchise , replacing the publicly owned South Eastern Trains on the former South East Franchise... |
| Monument | 6 October 1884 | Central Central Line The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground... , Northern Northern Line The Northern line is a London Underground line. It is coloured black on the Tube map.For most of its length it is a deep-level tube line. The line carries 206,734,000 passengers per year. This is the highest number of any line on the London Underground system, but the Northern line is unique in... , Waterloo & City Waterloo & City Line The Waterloo & City line is a short underground railway line in London, which was formally opened on 11 July 1898. It has only two stations, Waterloo and Bank... , DLR Docklands Light Railway The Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro or light rail system opened on 31 August 1987 to serve the redeveloped Docklands area of London... (all via escalator connection to Bank station) |
|
| Tower Hill Tower Hill tube station Tower Hill is a London Underground station at Tower Hill in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.The station is in Travelcard Zone 1 and near the Tower of London... ( Fenchurch Street Fenchurch Street railway station Fenchurch Street railway station, also known as London Fenchurch Street, is a central London railway terminus in the south eastern corner of the City of London, England. The station is one of the smallest terminals in London in terms of platforms and one of the most intensively operated... ) ( Tower Gateway Tower Gateway DLR station Tower Gateway is a Docklands Light Railway station near the Tower of London. It is in Travelcard Zone 1. It adjoins the tracks to Fenchurch Street station and is on the site of the closed Minories railway station.... ) ( Tower Pier Tower Millennium Pier Tower Millennium Pier is a pier on the River Thames, in London, UK. It is operated by London River Services and served by various river transport and cruise operators... ) |
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25 September 1882 | |
| Aldgate East Aldgate East tube station Aldgate East is a London Underground station located between Aldgate and Whitechapel in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.The station is in Travelcard Zone 1... |
6 October 1884 | ||
| Whitechapel | 6 October 1884 | ||
| Stepney Green Stepney Green tube station Stepney Green is a London Underground station on the District and Hammersmith and City lines, located on the junction of Globe Road and Mile End Road in the Stepney area of east London, United Kingdom.-History:... |
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1902 | |
| Mile End Mile End tube station Mile End is a London Underground station in Tower Hamlets, East London, served by the Hammersmith & City, District and Central Lines. It is in Travelcard Zone 2.-History:... |
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1902 | |
| Bow Road Bow Road tube station Bow Road tube station is on the District and Hammersmith & City lines of the London Underground. It is on Bow Road in Bow, east London, about 300 metres from Bow Church DLR station and is in fare zone 2... Bow Church Bow Church DLR station Bow Church station is a station on the Docklands Light Railway on Bow Road, in the Bow neighbourhood of east London. The station is located on the DLR's Stratford branch, between Devons Road and Pudding Mill Lane stations and is in Travelcard Zone 2. It is within 300 m walking distance of Bow... |
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1902 | |
| Bromley-by-Bow Bromley-by-Bow tube station Bromley-by-Bow tube station is a London Underground station on the Blackwall Tunnel Northern Approach Road in the Bromley-by-Bow neighbourhood of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in east London, England. The station is on the District and Hammersmith & City lines, with both services sharing a... |
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1858 | |
| West Ham West Ham station West Ham station is an interchange station located on the corner of Manor Road and Memorial Avenue in the West Ham neighbourhood of the London Borough of Newham in east London, England. The station is served by London Underground, National Rail and Docklands Light Railway services... |
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1 February 1901 | |
| Plaistow Plaistow tube station Plaistow station is a London Underground station on the District and Hammersmith and City lines, located in Plaistow and West Ham, east London. It is in Zone 3.... |
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1858 | |
| Upton Park Upton Park tube station Upton Park station is a London Underground station on the District and Hammersmith and City lines, on Green Street in the Upton Park area of the London Borough of Newham, east London. It is in Zone 3.... |
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1877 | |
| East Ham East Ham tube station East Ham tube station is a London Underground station on the District and Hammersmith and City lines, located in East Ham, east London. It is in both Zone 3 and Zone 4. The station exit is on High Street North.... |
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1858 | |
| Barking Barking station Barking station is a railway station served by National Rail and London Underground services. It is located in Barking in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in east London, England. The station is in Zone 4, has nine platforms, and is managed by c2c. It has been proposed that ownership of... |
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1854 | |
| Upney Upney tube station Upney tube station is a London Underground station on the District Line. It is located on Upney Lane, Barking in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in east London. The station is in Zone 4.... |
1932 | ||
| Becontree Becontree tube station Becontree Station is a London Underground station on the District Line, located in Becontree. The station is in Zone 5.The station was opened in 1932, when the electrified District Line was extended to Upminster, replacing Gale Street Halt which was built by the London, Tilbury and Southend... |
1932 | ||
| Dagenham Heathway Dagenham Heathway tube station Dagenham Heathway is a London Underground station on the District line, located in Dagenham. It is in Zone 5.The station was opened in 1932 and is of similar design to Upney and Elm Park with the platforms arranged on a central island with a long sloping walkway connection to the ticket hall... |
1932 | Opened as Heathway, renamed 1949 | |
| Dagenham East Dagenham East tube station Dagenham East is a London Underground station on the District line, located in the suburb of Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The station is in Zone 5 and is located between Dagenham Heathway to the west and Elm Park to the east. The station has moderate usage for a... |
1885 | Opened as Dagenham, District line 1902 to 1905, District restarted 1932 and station renamed 1949 | |
| Elm Park Elm Park tube station Elm Park Station is a London Underground station on the District Line, located in Elm Park in the London Borough of Havering.The station is in Zone 6... |
1935 | ||
| Hornchurch Hornchurch tube station Hornchurch tube station is a London Underground station on the District Line, located in Hornchurch and a short walk south from the town centre. The station is in Zone 6, located between Elm Park and Upminster Bridge stations.-History:... |
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1885 | District line 1902 to 1905, District restarted 1932 |
| Upminster Bridge Upminster Bridge tube station Upminster Bridge tube station is a London Underground station on Upminster Road in the Upminster Bridge neighbourhood of the London Borough of Havering in northeast London, England. The station is on the District line and is the penultimate station on the eastern extremity of that line... |
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17 December 1934 | |
| Upminster Upminster station Upminster station is a London Underground and National Rail station located in Upminster in the London Borough of Havering and in London fare zone 6. Located east-northeast of Charing Cross, it is the easternmost station on the London Underground network and the eastern terminus of the District... |
1885 | District line 1902 to 1905, District restarted 1932 | |
Closed stations
- Hounslow Town tube stationHounslow Town tube stationHounslow Town was a London Underground station in Hounslow in west London. The station was at the east end of Hounslow High Street at the junction with Kingsley Road...
, opened 1 May 1883, replaced by Hounslow EastHounslow East tube stationHounslow East is a London Underground station in Hounslow in west London designed by Acanthus LW Architects.The station is on the Heathrow branch of the Piccadilly Line, between Hounslow Central and Osterley. The station is located on Kingsley Road about 400m north of Hounslow High Street. Hounslow...
on 2 May 1909 - Mark LaneMark Lane tube stationMark Lane tube station is a disused station on the Circle and District Lines of the London Underground, west of the modern Tower Hill station....
, Main line, opened 1884, replaced by Tower HillTower Hill tube stationTower Hill is a London Underground station at Tower Hill in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.The station is in Travelcard Zone 1 and near the Tower of London...
4 February 1967 - South ActonSouth Acton railway stationSouth Acton railway station is in the London Borough of Ealing in South Acton, west London. It is on the North London Line, and the station and all trains serving it are operated by London Overground. It is in Travelcard Zone 3...
, Ealing branch, opened 1880, closed 28 February 1959 - St. Mary'sSt Mary's tube stationSt Mary's was a station on London Underground's District line located between the present-day stations at Whitechapel and Aldgate East.-History:...
, Main line, opened 3 March 1884, closed 30 April 1938 - Tower of LondonTower of London tube stationTower of London tube station was a station in London situated where Tower Hill station is located today.It was opened in 1882 during the construction of the Metropolitan Railway to the north...
, Main line, opened 1882, closed 1884
Current service pattern
The following off-peak service pattern currently runs on the District line (frequencies in peak hours are generally higher):- 6 trains per hour Ealing Broadway – Tower Hill
- 6 trains per hour Richmond – Upminster
- 6 trains per hour Wimbledon – Upminster
- 6 trains per hour Wimbledon – Edgware Road
- 3 trains per hour Kensington (Olympia) – High Street Kensington
This gives a total of 18 trains per hour between Earl's Court and Tower Hill.
Safety
In early 2009, three safety failures occurred on the line. All of them were recorded to have involved trains which passed signals showing red. In August 2009 it was reported that the line had been given a period of less than a month to improve safety features or face possible legal action, involving temporary line closures.Interavailabilty
c2cC2c
c2c is a British train operating company that is part of the National Express Group. It provides passenger rail services on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line from Fenchurch Street railway station in the City of London to east London and the entire length of the northern Thames Gateway...
also serves Upminster
Upminster station
Upminster station is a London Underground and National Rail station located in Upminster in the London Borough of Havering and in London fare zone 6. Located east-northeast of Charing Cross, it is the easternmost station on the London Underground network and the eastern terminus of the District...
, Barking
Barking station
Barking station is a railway station served by National Rail and London Underground services. It is located in Barking in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in east London, England. The station is in Zone 4, has nine platforms, and is managed by c2c. It has been proposed that ownership of...
, West Ham
West Ham station
West Ham station is an interchange station located on the corner of Manor Road and Memorial Avenue in the West Ham neighbourhood of the London Borough of Newham in east London, England. The station is served by London Underground, National Rail and Docklands Light Railway services...
and (for Tower Hill
Tower Hill tube station
Tower Hill is a London Underground station at Tower Hill in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.The station is in Travelcard Zone 1 and near the Tower of London...
). Tickets are interavailable between the two operators with Oyster card
Oyster card
The Oyster card is a form of electronic ticketing used on public transport services within the Greater London area of the United Kingdom. It is promoted by Transport for London and is valid on a number of different travel systems across London including London Underground, buses, the Docklands...
s (including pay as you go) accepted on this part of c2c's route. South West Trains
South West Trains
South West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...
services occasionally operate on the Wimbledon Branch between East Putney
East Putney tube station
East Putney is a London Underground station on the branch of the District line. It is between to the north, and to the south. The station is on Upper Richmond Road...
and Wimbledon, often due to engineering works or problems on the mainline, although trains do not stop at any of the intermediate stations.
In popular culture
- The fictional Walford East tube station in the BBC television series EastEndersEastEndersEastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
is on the District line, taking the place of Bromley-by-BowBromley-by-Bow tube stationBromley-by-Bow tube station is a London Underground station on the Blackwall Tunnel Northern Approach Road in the Bromley-by-Bow neighbourhood of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in east London, England. The station is on the District and Hammersmith & City lines, with both services sharing a...
. From 4 February 2010 EastEnders will use shots of District line trains to superimpose on their episodes to show the trains running into the fictional station of Walford East which is part of the set. - SheffieldSheffieldSheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
band MilburnMilburn (band)Milburn was an indie rock band from Sheffield, England that consisted of Joe Carnall, Louis Carnall, Tom Rowley, and Joe Green. They announced they would split on 28 March 2008, with the band playing their final gig at Sheffield's Carling Academy on 24 May 2008.-Formation:Milburn's formation came...
wrote a song called 'The District Line' which refers to London. - Canadian guitarist Pat TraversPat TraversPatrick Henry "Pat" Travers is a Canadian rock guitarist, keyboardist and singer who began his recording career with Polydor Records in the mid-1970s...
wrote a song called 'Life in London' which mentions the District Line.
Gallery
External links
| West: | Crossings of the River Thames Crossings of the River Thames This is a list of crossings of the River Thames including bridges, tunnels and ferries. There are 214 bridges, over 20 tunnels, six public ferries and one ford.-Barrier and boundary:... |
East: |
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| Kew Bridge Kew Bridge Kew Bridge is a bridge in London over the River Thames. The present bridge was designed by John Wolfe-Barry and opened in 1903 by King Edward VII. The bridge was givenGrade II listed structure protection in 1983.- Location :... |
Richmond Richmond station (London) Richmond station is a National Rail and London Underground station in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in south west London which is managed by South West Trains.... branch, between Gunnersbury Gunnersbury station thumb|right|District Line train for Richmond in 1955Gunnersbury station is a London Underground and National Rail station in Gunnersbury in west London. The station is served by the District Line and London Overground trains on the North London Line and is managed by London Underground. On the... and Kew Gardens |
Chiswick Bridge Chiswick Bridge Chiswick Bridge is a reinforced concrete deck arch bridge over the River Thames in West London. One of three bridges opened in 1933 as part of an ambitious scheme to relieve traffic congestion west of London, it carries the A316 road between Chiswick on the north bank of the Thames and Mortlake on... |
| Putney Bridge Putney Bridge Putney Bridge is a bridge crossing of the River Thames in west London, linking Putney on the south side with Fulham to the north. Putney Bridge tube station is located near the north side of the bridge.-History:... |
Wimbledon Wimbledon station Wimbledon station is a National Rail, London Underground, and Tramlink station located in Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton, and is the only London station that provides an interchange between rail, Underground, and Tramlink services... branch, between Putney Bridge Putney Bridge tube station Putney Bridge is a London Underground station on the branch of the District Line. It is between and stations and is in Zone 2. The station is located in the south of Fulham, adjacent to Fulham High Street and New Kings Road and is a short distance from the north end of Putney Bridge from which... and East Putney East Putney tube station East Putney is a London Underground station on the branch of the District line. It is between to the north, and to the south. The station is on Upper Richmond Road... |
Wandsworth Bridge Wandsworth Bridge Wandsworth Bridge crosses the River Thames in west London. It carries the A217 road between the areas of Battersea, near Wandsworth Town Station, in the London Borough of Wandsworth on the south of the river, and the areas of Sands End and Parsons Green, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and... |