Central line facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Central line
A Central line 1992 stock train leaving Theydon Bois
Overview
Stations	49
Colour on map	Red
Website	tfl.gov.uk
Service
Type	Rapid transit
System	London Underground
Depot(s)	Ruislip Hainault White City
Rolling stock	1992 Stock
Ridership	260.916 million (2011/12) passenger journeys
History
Opened	30 June 1900
Technical
Line length	74 km (46 mi)
Character	Deep Tube
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The Central Line is a very important train line in London. You can spot it easily on the tube map because it's bright red! It travels across London from west to east. For a long time, it was the longest line on the Underground. Today, it has 49 stations.

The Central Line first opened on 30 June 1900. It is known as a "Deep Tube" line. This means its tunnels are very deep underground. During busy times, trains come every few minutes in the middle of London. On the outer parts, they come every 6-7 minutes.

Exploring the Central Line

A map of the Central Line showing all its stations.

The Central Line is 74 kilometers (about 46 miles) long. It uses special trains called 1992 Stock. These trains are kept at three main depots: Ruislip, Hainault, and White City.

The line carries a lot of people. In 2011/2012, over 260 million passenger journeys were made on the Central Line! It's a key part of London's transport system.

Central Line Stations

The Central Line has many stations. Some stations are no longer part of the line. Here are the stations, listed from west to east.

West Ruislip Branch Stations

This branch starts in the west of London.

• West Ruislip: This is the end of the line on this branch. It opened on 21 November 1948.
• Ruislip Gardens: Opened on 21 November 1948.
• South Ruislip: Opened on 21 November 1948.
• Northolt: Opened on 21 November 1948.
• Greenford: Opened on 30 June 1947.
• Perivale: Opened on 30 June 1947.
• Hanger Lane: Opened on 30 June 1947.

This branch joins the main line at North Acton.

Ealing Broadway Branch Stations

This is another western branch of the line.

• Ealing Broadway: This is the end of the line for this branch. It opened on 3 August 1920.
• West Acton: Opened on 5 November 1923.

This branch also joins the main line at North Acton.

Main Line Stations

This is the central part of the Central Line.

• North Acton: Opened on 5 November 1923.
• East Acton: Opened on 3 August 1920.
• White City: Opened on 23 November 1947.
• Wood Lane: This station opened on 14 May 1908 but closed on 22 November 1947.
• Shepherd's Bush: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• Holland Park: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• Notting Hill Gate: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• Queensway: Opened on 30 July 1900 as Queens Road. It was renamed on 1 September 1946.
• Lancaster Gate: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• Marble Arch: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• Bond Street: Opened on 24 September 1900.
• Oxford Circus: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• Tottenham Court Road: Opened on 22 June 1907 as Oxford Street. It was renamed on 9 March 1908.
• British Museum: This station opened on 30 July 1900 but closed on 24 September 1933.
• Holborn: Opened on 25 September 1933.
• Chancery Lane: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• St. Paul's: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• Bank: Opened on 30 July 1900.
• Liverpool Street: Opened on 28 July 1912.
• Bethnal Green: Opened on 4 December 1946.
• Mile End: Opened on 4 December 1946.
• Stratford: First served on 4 December 1946.
• Leyton: First served on 5 May 1947.
• Leytonstone: First served on 5 May 1947.

After Leytonstone, the line splits into two branches.

Woodford Branch Stations

This branch goes towards Woodford.

• Wanstead: Opened on 14 December 1947.
• Redbridge: Opened on 14 December 1947.
• Gants Hill: Opened on 14 December 1947.
• Newbury Park: First served on 14 December 1947.
• Barkingside: First served on 31 May 1948.
• Fairlop: First served on 31 May 1948.
• Hainault: First served on 31 May 1948.
• Grange Hill: First served on 21 November 1948.
• Chigwell: First served on 21 November 1948.
• Roding Valley: First served on 21 November 1948.

This branch usually ends at Woodford.

Epping Branch Stations

This branch goes further east towards Epping.

• Snaresbrook: First served on 14 December 1947.
• South Woodford: First served on 14 December 1947 as South Woodford (George Lane). It was renamed in 1950.
• Woodford: First served on 14 December 1947. This is where the Woodford branch usually ends.
• Buckhurst Hill: First served on 21 November 1948.
• Loughton: First served on 21 November 1948.
• Debden: First served on 25 September 1949.
• Theydon Bois: First served on 25 September 1949.
• Epping: This is the current end of the line. It was first served on 25 September 1949.

There were once more stations beyond Epping. These stations are now closed to the Central Line:

• North Weald: First served on 25 September 1949, but closed on 30 September 1994.
• Blake Hall: First served on 25 September 1949, but closed on 31 October 1981.
• Ongar: First served on 25 September 1949, but closed on 30 September 1994.