Identity area
Authorized form of name
Central London Railway
Description area
History
In June 1900 the Central London Railway (now the Central Line) opened its first section, running from Bank to Shepherd's Bush. The route was extremely busy but kept a flat fare of 2 pence a ticket, earning it the nickname 'Twopenny Tube'. Extensions were gradually added to the line: in 1920 the westward extension to Ealing Broadway was opened; while the extensions to Leyton and Ruislip were delayed by the Second World War, and finally completed in 1947. In 1948 surface lines were extended to West Ruislip and Epping, with a further shuttle running from Epping to Ongar. The total length of the line was then 52 miles.