Victoria line (disambiguation) facts for kids

The name Victoria Line pops up in a few different places, often connected to the famous Queen Victoria. She was a very important queen who ruled the United Kingdom for a long time, from 1837 to 1901. Because she was so well-known, many things were named after her, including some interesting lines and routes.

The Victoria Lines in Malta

Imagine a giant wall built across an island to protect it! That's pretty much what the Victoria Lines are in Malta. These are a series of old defensive walls, forts, and towers that stretch for about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) across the island.

Building Malta's Defenses

The British built these lines in the late 1800s. They wanted to protect Malta from attacks, especially from the north. The island was a very important naval base for the British Empire. Construction started in 1875 and was mostly finished by 1897, just in time for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (60 years as queen!).

What Were They For?

The Victoria Lines were designed to stop an enemy from moving easily across the island. They used the natural landscape, like a deep valley, to help create a strong barrier. Soldiers could stand on the walls and in the forts, ready to defend Malta. While they were a big project, they were never truly tested in a major battle. Today, parts of the Victoria Lines are still standing, and you can even walk along some sections, enjoying the history and the views.

London's Victoria Line Train

When most people hear "Victoria Line," they think of the super-fast underground train in London, United Kingdom. This is one of the busiest and most important lines on the London Underground network, often called the "Tube."

A Busy Underground Line

The Victoria Line was built to help people travel across London more quickly and to ease crowding on other train lines. It opened in stages between 1968 and 1969. It runs from Walthamstow Central in the northeast to Brixton in the south, passing through many major stations like King's Cross, Oxford Circus, and Victoria Station. It's known for being one of the deepest lines in the Tube system.

How the Victoria Line Works

This line is special because it was one of the first in the world to use automatic train operation (ATO). This means that the trains can drive themselves, though a driver is always on board to open and close doors and handle emergencies. The trains are designed to be very efficient, stopping at stations for only a short time to keep things moving. It's a very popular line, carrying millions of passengers every year!

Fun Facts About the Victoria Line

• The line is colored light blue on the Tube map.
• It was named after Victoria Station, one of the main railway stations it serves, which in turn was named after Queen Victoria.
• The Victoria Line is one of the few lines on the London Underground that runs entirely underground.
• It's known for its distinctive "moquette" (seat fabric) pattern, which often features a repeating design.

Images for kids

• Victoria Lines Malta.jpg

  A section of the Victoria Lines in Malta.

• Victoria Line train at Victoria station.jpg

  A Victoria Line train at Victoria Station in London.