City & South London Railway
The City & South London Railway (C&SLR), originally known as City of London & Southwark Subway, is considered to be the first real deep-level "tube" railway in the world. Today, it forms part of the Northern Line of the London Underground network. Built under the supervision of James Henry Greathead, it was opened between Stockwell and King William Street (near Monument) on 4 November 1890 with stations being served by hydraulic lifts and spiral staircases. The railway soon became known as the 'sardine box railway' as the carriages had only very small windows. Others referred to the trains as "padded-cells", as the backs of the seats were padded up to the windows. One of these carriages can today be seen in the London Transport Museum. In 1900 the C&SLR was extended to the north following City Road to Islington (via Moorgate, Old Street, City Road (closed today) and Angel) and south to Clapham Common. The former northern terminus King William Street had to be closed due to lack of capacity and was replaced by today's Bank station. King's Cross and Euston were reached in 1907, where the C&SLR met the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway. The two independent companies (along with the Great Northern & City Railway) merged into the Northern Line in 1926.
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