The Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway (CCE&HR) was a railway company that constructed the deep-level underground railway that is now the central section of London's Northern line. Established in 1891, the company became a subsidiary of the Underground Electric Railways Company of London (UERL) in 1901. Various routes were planned, but a number were rejected by Parliament. Tunnels under Hampstead Heath were authorised, despite opposition by local residents who believed the tunnels would drain the heath of water and train vibrations would cause trees to collapse. When it opened in 1907, the CCE&HR's line served 16 stations (Tufnell Park pictured) and ran for 7.67 miles (12.34 km) in a pair of tunnels between its southern terminus at Charing Cross and two northern termini at Archway and Golders Green. Within a year of opening, it became apparent to the management and investors that the estimates of passenger numbers had been over-optimistic and the CCE&HR struggled financially for many years despite four extensions and connections to the City and South London Railway. In 1933 the CCE&HR and the rest of the UERL's operations were taken into public ownership. (Full article...)
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