3-008-885 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Trial-trip on the Metropolitan (Underground) Railway: the train passing the Portland-road station, [London], 1862. 'This railway...has been bored successfully amidst a complicated network of gaspipes, waterpipes, and sewers, from Paddington to Victoria-street...A large number of the shareholders, together with the members of the vestry of St. Pancras, and the representatives of some other parishes through which the line passes, were conveyed on Saturday week over the line, and the appearance of the works was such as to give satisfaction to all parties interested in this great undertaking. The visitors were conveyed in a train made up of long carriages, such as are intended to rim upon the line, and railway trucks temporarily fitted up with seats. The train was drawn by a locomotive the whole distance from the mouth of the tunnel in the new Victoria-street to the Great Western Railway station at Paddington. The arrangements for the starting and conveyance of the train were in the hands of the Great Western Railway Company, which, it is stated, has undertaken to work the line...In an early part of the day the line was officially inspected by the Government Inspector of Railways'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.