Abstract
The five oldest underground railways started to be operational in the 19th century. These were the metros in London, Athens, Istanbul, Budapest and Glasgow. Undoubtedly, world primacy of status in terms of age belongs to the London Underground. However, the age ranking of the others in continental Europe is more difficult to determine. Regardless of this criteria, the undergrounds of the 19th century became the basis of the world’s most widespread and rational means of public transport. The further development of these named oldest undergrounds is here documented.
Highlights
The nineteenth century is often characterised, somewhat figuratively but justifiably, as a century of steam
In 1825, George Stephenson, an English mechanical engineer, started the public operation of a train pulled by a steam locomotive along a track between Stockton and Darlington
Numerous fundamental things required for the commencement of operations in the underground were tried on railway tracks
Summary
The nineteenth century is often characterised, somewhat figuratively but justifiably, as a century of steam. In 1825, George Stephenson, an English mechanical engineer, started the public operation of a train pulled by a steam locomotive along a track between Stockton and Darlington His locomotive, Rocket, and newly invented hot rolled rails passed successfully into technical operation. In 1830, an indication of the future use of the underground for transportation purposes appeared on the Manchester – Liverpool rail track which was the first railway tunnel on a track using steam trains. This was the 1,066m long Edge Hill tunnel. On continental Europe there is a certain problem with the determination of the first metro construction project – there are three candidates. It is a straightforward fact that celebrations of the original creation of the first metro in continental Europe are held in all of the three countries
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