Plaque

First underground railway - red plaque

Erection date: 28/6/2016

Inscription

Metropolitan Railway
The world's first underground railway opened from Paddington to Farringdon via Baker Street Station on 10th January 1863.
For further information visit www.transportheritage.com
Transport Trust - Transport Heritage Site

Site: Baker Street war memorial (2 memorials)

NW1, Baker Street Station

This site can be found at the east bound Circle Line platform. To the right of the monument there is an unusual charity collecting box made of a war-time shell. There is a slot for coins in the top and a brass shield on the front, inscribed: "12 inch high explosive shell, presented by Messrs Vicers Ltd, Barrrow Works. Donations to the Railway Benevolent Institution for Disabled & Distressed Railwaymen, Widows & Orphans."

We thank our colleague Alan Patient for spotting the red plaque in 2018 and sending us the photos. Note that, prior to the arrival of this plaque, the white wall used to be terracotta tiles but was presumably painted so that the red plaque would stand out.

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
First underground railway - red plaque

Subjects commemorated i

First underground passenger railway - Metropolitan

Between Paddington and Farringdon. A grand opening on the 9th preceded the op...

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Metropolitan Railway Company

This was the world's first underground passenger railway which opened from Pa...

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
First underground railway - red plaque

Created by i

Transport Trust

The Transport Trust is a charitable institution that aims to increase and cha...

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This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
First underground railway - red plaque

Also at this site i

Baker Street war memorial

Baker Street war memorial

Made of Carrara marble. The list of names is contained within an arch compose...

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Nearby Memorials

Sir John Kirk

Sir John Kirk

WC1, John Street, 32

31-32 John Street is known as John Kirk House and in April 2012 is being converted into apartments, see Banbury Ball.

1 subject commemorated
Lucien Pissarro - Epping

Lucien Pissarro - Epping

CM16, Hemnall Street, 44

A custom-made plaque, but nonetheless a very attractive one.

2 subjects commemorated
Gaiety Theatre

Gaiety Theatre

WC2, Strand, Silken Hotel

The building to the east, Marconi House, has close connections to this site and we have recorded some of their joint history there.

2 subjects commemorated
2 - Red Lion Court – Caslon

2 - Red Lion Court – Caslon

EC4, Fleet Street

There are 8 Courts running off the north side of this section of Fleet Street and on the ground at the entrance to each Court is a plaque...

4 subjects commemorated
Bombs 7/7/05 - Piccadilly line - WC1

Bombs 7/7/05 - Piccadilly line - WC1

WC1, Bernard Street, Russell Square Station

This plaque is identical to the one erected at King's Cross St. Pancras.

28 subjects commemorated