Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Contrary to popular belief, the London Underground did not get its name because it runs underground. The system's identity evolved over seven decades:
The world's first underground railway began operation on January 10, 1863, running between Paddington and Farringdon. Crucially, most of this initial line was built using "cut-and-cover" just below street level, and significant portions ran in open cuttings or even on the surface, passing through backyards and gardens.
As the network expanded, deep-level "tube" lines (using tunneling shields) were constructed to avoid surface congestion. By the early 20th century, the majority of the system was subterranean.
The term "Underground" gained colloquial currency as more lines went below ground. It became the official brand name in 1933 when the London Passenger Transport Board unified the various private companies under a single public authority.
The deep-level lines' circular cross-section gave rise to the enduring nickname "the Tube," which is now used interchangeably with "the Underground."
So, the name reflects the system's eventual character, not its initial condition.