The London Underground Electric Train tells the story of the development of electric traction on the London Underground system. It combines technical knowledge, historical context and practical experiences, and covers the history of underground lines since the opening of the first deep-level underground rail system in the world in 1890: the City & South London Railway. The evolution of train design, including power, lighting, heating and design of the Underground cars is also covered along with the development of operational, engineering and safety devices on trains. Highly illustrated with period and new photography and technical diagrams, this book is a reference work for electric traction and underground rail enthusiasts.

Published in conjunction with TFL, this is a comprehensive guide to the London Underground, combining a historical overview, illustrations and newly commissioned photography.

The arrival of electric traction transformed London's fledgling underground system from a limited number of sub-surface lines into the network of deep-level tunnels we know today.

Since Victorian times, London's Underground has made an extraordinary contribution to the economy of the capital and has played a vital role in the daily life of generations of Londoners. This wide-ranging history of the Underground celebrates the vision and determination of the Victorian pioneers who conceived this revolutionary transport system and the men who tunnelled to make the Tube. From the early days of steam to electrification, via the Underground's contribution to twentieth-century industrial design and its role during two world wars, the story comes right in to the present with its sleek, driverless trains and the wrangles over the future of the system.

A lavishly illustrated book with a cast of characters encompassing entrepreneurs, architects, politicians and passengers. David Bownes, Oliver Green and Sam Mullins draw on previously unused sources and images to produce a new history that celebrates the crucial role of the Underground in the creation and everyday life of modern London. Blending social history with the story of the pioneering engineers, designers, and social reformers who created the system, LondonUnderground 150reflects on the problems of keeping a fast growing city on the move. From providing access to the business heart of the Victorian City of London to the leisure delights of the Edwardian West End, through the growth of the suburbs and the vital role of the Underground as shelter during the Blitz, the story continues through urban regeneration to the challenge of upgrading the original network to meet the needs of the 21st century. Looking at its impact on the city itself, the authors also consider how the London Underground led the way in world metro systems; what made the 1920s and 30s such an incredibly inventive era for design, and why paying for the Tube has always been a challenge.

transport, history, drawing.