The First Underground Train

Summary

History Daily: The First Underground Train – Detailed Summary

Released on January 10, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of History Daily, host Lindsay Graham delves into the fascinating story behind the inception and realization of the world's first underground passenger railway in London. Titled "The First Underground Train," the episode meticulously chronicles the visionary efforts of Charles Pearson, a radical lawyer whose persistent advocacy transformed London's transportation landscape.

Charles Pearson's Vision for London

The narrative begins on a spring morning in 1842 at London Bridge station. Charles Pearson, a burly man nearing fifty, is introduced as a passionate campaigner dedicated to alleviating London's burgeoning transportation chaos. Observing the overcrowded streets and the inefficiency of existing transport methods, Pearson conceives the groundbreaking idea of an underground railway to streamline movement and reduce surface traffic.

“This hectic scene is all too familiar to Charles, but he thinks he has the solution… a railway underground.” [00:10]

Proposal to the City Councillors

Fast forward to May 11, 1846, at the medieval Guildhall in the City of London. Pearson presents his ambitious proposal to local councillors, showcasing an intricate model of an enormous train station. His vision includes a central railway terminus connected to existing stations via underground lines, an innovation deemed impossible by many at the time.

“He wins the support of many of the men present. But it's not enough to see his idea adopted by the Royal Commission.” [04:27]

Facing Initial Rejection and Continued Advocacy

Despite gaining some support, Pearson's proposal is initially rejected by the Royal Commission. Unwavering in his determination, Pearson embarks on a relentless campaign to garner public and political support. Over the next two decades, he engages in public speaking, publishes pamphlets, and even stands for Parliament to advocate for his underground railway. His efforts are underscored by the creation of the city's first traffic survey, which provides compelling evidence of the dire need for improved transportation infrastructure.

“Charles evidence will be compelling. And this time the government will listen.” [08:45]

Securing Funding and Beginning Construction

In early 1858, Pearson's perseverance pays off when he secures a crucial meeting with the Lord Mayor of London. Leveraging a precedent where the City of London had previously invested in commercial docks, Pearson convinces the Lord Mayor to allocate £200,000 for the underground railway project. This substantial investment instills confidence in other potential investors, enabling the Metropolitan Railway Company to commence construction.

“He gives the go-ahead for the City of London to invest 200,000 pounds.” [09:24]

Challenges During Construction

Construction of the underground railway employs the cut-and-cover method, involving the excavation of a wide trench, laying down railway lines, and subsequently roofing the structure. Led by John Fowler, an esteemed railway engineer from Yorkshire, the project faces numerous obstacles, including encountering sewers and pipes, reinforcing nearby building foundations, and dealing with the slow pace of manual labor despite innovations like rudimentary conveyor belts.

“It's filthy and dangerous work, with the constant risk that the trench they're digging will flood or collapse.” [09:24]

Opening Day: A Historic Achievement

After more than two years of arduous construction, the Metropolitan Railway opens on January 10, 1863. The inaugural day is marked by excitement and anticipation as thousands of passengers board the first underground train. Despite the absence of Pearson, who tragically passed away four months prior, his legacy is celebrated as the railway successfully reduces travel time across London to just 18 minutes.

“Charles left a legacy which would live on forever in the history of London.” [09:24]

Legacy of Charles Pearson

Although Pearson did not live to witness the completion of his dream, his relentless dedication laid the foundation for what would become the extensive London Underground network. Today, the Underground serves millions daily, a testament to Pearson's visionary foresight and determination.

“But it was thanks above all to the efforts of one man that it transported its first passengers on January 10, 1863.” [09:24]

Conclusion

Lindsay Graham effectively encapsulates the transformative impact of Charles Pearson's vision on London's transportation system. From initial conception and persistent advocacy to overcoming financial and engineering challenges, Pearson's story underscores the power of innovation and perseverance in shaping history.

Notable Quotes

• “This hectic scene is all too familiar to Charles, but he thinks he has the solution… a railway underground.” – Charles Pearson [00:10]
• “He wins the support of many of the men present. But it's not enough to see his idea adopted by the Royal Commission.” – Lindsey Graham [04:27]
• “Charles evidence will be compelling. And this time the government will listen.” – Charles Pearson [08:45]
• “It's filthy and dangerous work, with the constant risk that the trench they're digging will flood or collapse.” – Charles Pearson [09:24]
• “But it was thanks above all to the efforts of one man that it transported its first passengers on January 10, 1863.” – Lindsey Graham [09:24]

Final Thoughts

This episode of History Daily not only recounts the historical facts surrounding the first underground railway but also brings to life the indomitable spirit of Charles Pearson. It serves as an inspiring reminder of how one individual's vision can lead to monumental advancements that shape the future of a city.

Transcript

[Lindsey Graham]

There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery.

[Charles Pearson]

App as a member of Noiser plus.

[Lindsey Graham]

At noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts.

[Charles Pearson]

Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history [e-mail] it's the spring morning of 1842 at London Bridge, a train station on the south bank of the River Thames. With a climbing and a hiss of steam, a train chugs slowly into the station. As the engine comes to a halt, carriage doors fling open and passengers flood out onto the platform. Among the sea of men in suits and top hats flowing through the station is London native Charles Pearson. Charles is a burly, busy looking man nearing 50, who is on a mission to improve the city's transportation system. As he allows himself to be swept along by the crowd, Charles scans the hectic scene around him. At the end of the platform through a wide pair of gates, the bustle of travelers rush out into the chaotic streets. In the tiny square outside the ticket office, dozens of railway porters, horse and carriages, street sellers and newspaper boys jockey for position. Passing through the gates, Charles steps to one side, allowing the other businessmen to flow past him. He pulls out a notebook and jots down his observations as his fellow passengers from the train push through the commotion outside the station. Some try to flag down a horse drawn taxi or line up to secure a seat on the crowded buses that will carry them on across London. Others merely try to elbow their way through the crowd and head off on foot into the clogged and narrow streets of the British capital. This hectic scene is all too familiar to Charles, but he thinks he has the solution. Charles Pearson works in the City of London, a bastion of the English establishment. But despite his personal wealth and high social status, Charles has always been different. A radical, a man with an eye on the future, a campaigner for the poor and disenfranchised of Victorian Britain. And he has an idea to solve the travel chaos that is choking the vast city he calls home a railway underground. It's an idea that will be mocked and dismissed by many as an impossible dream. But two decades later, Charles vision will lead to the opening of the first underground passenger railway in the World on January 10, 1863.

[Lindsey Graham]

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[Charles Pearson]

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[Charles Pearson]

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[Charles Pearson]

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[Charles Pearson]

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[Charles Pearson]

From Noiser and Airship I'm Lindsey Grant and this is History. Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is January 10, 1863. The first underground train. It's the evening of May 11, 1846, almost 17 years before the world's first underground passenger railway will open to the public. At the medieval Guildhall in the heart of the City of London, a council meeting is underway. City lawyer Charles Pearson stands in the middle of the grand room before the gray and bearded ranks of local councillors. On the table beside him is a large wooden box, its side secured with eight padlocks. Charles tells the intrigued counselors that inside the box is the solution to the transport chaos they all see on the streets every day. By the middle of the 19th century, London is dying of its own success. The city is the capital of the growing British Empire, and vast wealth is flowing in from all corners of the world People have followed, and in huge numbers. At the beginning of the century, the population of London was just under a million. But by the 1840s, that number has more than doubled. This transformation has only been possible thanks to the railways. The first public railway powered by steam only opened 16 years prior in 1830. But it sparked a mania. Britain is now crisscrossed by new railways, with more being built all the time. But there is one place where no railways have been built. They are banned in the center of London. All the new lines to the capital terminate at the city's outskirts. The thousands of passengers they carry every day must find their own way across the Basque city. The traffic this creates is choking roads and making life increasingly unbearable. Something must be done. So the British government has formed a Royal Commission to investigate and decide the future of transportation in London. Charles Pearson has a bold proposal for this commission, but to persuade them of its worth, he needs the support of the influential councillors of the City of London. So now, as Charles speaks to them, he circles the large box he's brought with him and slowly undoes the padlocks. One by one, his audience leans forward as finally he lifts the lid, revealing an intricate model of an enormous train station. What Charles proposes is a grand Central railway terminus for London, linked to existing stations by the never before seen innovation of underground railways. For the next two hours, Charles explains his idea in minute detail. He wins the support of many of the men present. But it's not enough to see his idea adopted by the Royal Commission. When the commission publishes its recommendations later that year, Charles ideas aren't included. But that doesn't put Charles off. He knows that the capital is still growing so fast that another government inquiry will be needed before too long. And when that time comes, Charles plans to be ready. Over the coming years, Charles releases pamphlets, gives public speeches and even stands for Parliament. All to spread his dream of building an underground railway. Charles firmly believes that an underground system would take thousands of commuters off the roads every day. But to be built, the line still needs permission from the British government. So Charles begins gathering evidence for his claims. Eight years after his proposals were first rejected by the Royal Commission, Charles develops the city's first ever traffic survey. At his own expense, Charles hires a team to count the passing pedestrians and vehicles on every major road and station in the City of London. After completing this survey, Charles presents his findings to Parliament. He tells the government that overcrowding in the city isn't just caused by its growing population. The traffic in the streets is greatly caused by buses and Cabs serving commuters, or as Charles describes them, the population of the city who now oscillate between the country and the city. Who leave the city of London every afternoon and return every morning. Charles evidence will be compelling. And this time the government will listen. In August 1854, the newly formed Metropolitan Railway Company will be given permission to build an underground railway in London. But Charles campaign will not end just yet. The government may have given its permission, but it won't fund the new line. If Charles dream is to become a reality, he will have to find some money first.

[Narrator]

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[Charles Pearson]

It'S early 1858, five years before the opening of the world's first underground passenger railway. At the Guildhall in the City of London, Charles Pearson waits outside the office of the Lord Mayor, the head of the city's local government. By now, Charles is in his mid-60s and has been promoting his dream of an underground railway for over 15 years. But throughout all this time, Charles has not lost any of his enthusiasm. He has a briefcase full of papers, plans and projections all ready for his appointment with the Lord Mayor. It's a meeting which could decide the fate of the whole project. The Metropolitan Railway Company desperately needs money. Three and a half years have passed since it secured permission to build an underground railway in London. But construction is estimated to cost almost a million pounds and the company has nowhere near that. It's struggling to attract investors who are wary of such untried technology. Charles isn't a company director and is only a minor shareholder. And yet he's taken on the task of saving the entire project. To do that, he's come to see the Lord Mayor to convince the City of London itself to invest in the railway. After a long wait, Charles is finally ushered into the Lord Mayor's office. There he once again lays out his well practiced. The city is dying. The new railway can save it. But the Lord Mayor hesitates to grant him funding, fearing that any investment by local government could be illegal, as some of the scheme's opponents claim. But Charles expected this objection and he's unearthed a precedent to show the Lord Mayor that what he proposes is perfectly lawful. At the turn of the century, the City of London invested in large commercial docks on the River Thames. That was deemed legal, so any similar investment in a railway line should be too. The Lord Mayor is convinced. He gives the go ahead for the City of London to invest 200,000 pounds. And with this backing, other investors gain the confidence to come forward soon. The Metropolitan Railway Company has the needed money in place and Charles project can finally begin. Two years after his meeting with the Lord Mayor, construction is underway in the centre of London. The air rings to the sound of pickaxes and shovels as thousands of workmen labour to dig a wide trench out of the London soil. Deep in the pit, Charles picks his way through the line of laborers. With an engineer beside him as a guide. Charles marvels at the scene before him. His long cherished dream is being turned into reality before his eyes. In charge of the construction is a man from Yorkshire named John Fowler. He's an experienced railway engineer and regarded as one of the best in the country. But a building project like this has never been attempted before. The company is using a technique called cut and cover. The planned route is cleared of buildings and then a 33 foot wide trench is dug. The two railway lines, one for each direction, are laid down inside the trench before the whole thing is roofed over with iron girders or arches made of brick. The tunnel created is not deep, but as Charles guide explains, even this shallow depth is causing headaches for John Fowler and the other engineers. They've run into sewers and pipes which had to be redirected. They've been forced to reinforce the foundations of nearby buildings to keep them from falling down. And with all these obstacles, work has been slow to speed. Construction company engineers developed a rudimentary conveyor belt which is housed in a wooden tower 40ft high. It lifts excavated earth out of the trench so it can be carried away to a spoil heap in West London. But even with this innovation, most of the work is still done by hand. The project draws in labor from all over the country. And as Charles walks through the mammoth construction site, he hears snippets of conversations, work songs and curses almost in every accent of English he can think of. Thousands of men toil in shifts around the clock. It's filthy and dangerous work, with the constant risk that the trench they're digging will flood or collapse. But to Charles delight, he sees that the Metropolitan Railway is slowly growing, growing. Construction will continue for more than two years as the new line snakes three and a half miles across the center of London. There will be accidents and delays as the workers carve this path out of the earth. But finally, at the beginning of 1863, Charles New Railway, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, will be ready to welcome passengers. It's January 10, 1863, in a newly opened train station beneath the streets of London. Under the dull yellow glow of a gaslight, a gray whiskered businessman in a top hat waits on the platform. The crowd is packed tight around him, excited to be there for the opening day of a new underground railway. The crowd's chatter falls silent as the chug of a distant steam engine echoes through the earth. It grows louder and louder. And then, with a sudden roar of smoke and the scream of metal on metal, the train bursts out of the tunnel. There are cheers and applause among the crowd as the steam engine slows and comes to a halt. All at once, everyone on the platform surges forward to clamor on board. The gray whiskered businessman just manages to claim one of the last seats in first class when a whistle pierces through the smoke still lingering on the unventilated platform. The brakes are released and the engine shudders forward. They're on the move. And into the tunnel. Tens of thousands of passengers ride the Metropolitan Railway on its opening day. The train runs six times an hour and crosses London in just 18 minutes. But one man isn't there to witness this special occasion. Charles Pearson, the radical lawyer who first came up with the idea of an underground railway, the man who campaigned so long to have it built, did not live to see it completed. He died at the age of 68 at his home in south London in September 1862, just four months before the railway opened. But Charles left a legacy which would live on forever in in the history of London. He was the man whose vision and determination cleared the way not only for the Metropolitan Railway, but for a whole network of interconnecting lines that burrowed deep beneath the earth of the British capital. The London Underground now carries millions of passengers every day. But it was thanks above all to the efforts of one man that it transported its first passengers on January 10, 1863. History Next on History Daily, January 13, 1842 Lookouts at a British garrison in.

[Lindsey Graham]

Afghanistan spot a lone rider approaching their walls and are shocked to discover that the wounded Englishman is the sole survivor.

[Charles Pearson]

Of an entire army. From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily. Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Molly Bach Music and sound design by Lindsey Graham. This episode is written and researched by William Simpson. Produced by Alexandra Curry Buckner. Executive producers are Steven Walters for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.