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Breathtaking Photos Celebrate 150 Years of the London Tube

By Pinar Noorata on January 11, 2013

The Tube is a staple of London that is currently celebrating its 150th Anniversary. The underground transportation system was first opened on January 9, 1863 with a steam-powered train pulling out of Paddington station and making its 3-1/2 mile journey to Farringdon. The metro system has certainly expanded in the last century and a half, building some remarkable train stops along the way.

It seems crazy to think that these underground pathways filled with exquisite architecture were all built within the last 150 years. According to Sam Mullins, the director of the London Transport Museum, the streets of London were crowded with pedestrians in the 1850's, not to mention the horse-drawn carriages and traveling livestock. The town was desperate for an efficient mode of transportation that could accommodate the crowds. As such, the underground railway was implemented.

Locals and people from all over the world who migrate to the city are quite familiar with the railways, taking in the beauty of the various stations. Luckily, we live in a digital age where photographers and casual photo enthusiasts are constantly snapping shots and sharing their captures with the world. On Flickr, there's even a group pool devoted to photos of the London Tube. The images in the group depict the multitude of stops on the vast metro map, each one offering its own awe-inspiring aesthetic.

The stations' architectural designs vary from traditional, dated motifs to more modern and abstract patterns. Photographers also take liberties in composing their shots from incredibly breathtaking angles that make the setting seem, at times, like portals to a futuristic land. Check out some of our favorites, below.

Top photo by Catarina Malaquias

Photo by Mickael M