Where was the first subway in the world?
February, 26: The first subway line was opened to the public in New York City
The first underground railway in the world was the Metropolitan Railway, now part of the London Underground. London's system was proposed by Charles Pearson, as part of a city improvement plan, after the Thames Tunnel opened. After ten years of discussion, the British Parliament authorized the construction of an underground railway. Construction began in 1860 and was complete in 1863.
More Info:
www.britannica.com
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30 Comments
Diane Herazo
I thought the African Americans were the first people to have an underground railroad ?
Anthony Valentine Salvatore
Old question, why was New York above the queation
fcowell
Kevin, The first underground lines used a "cut-and-cover" method. They dug up streets, went down a short distance, laid the tracks and then covered over and relaid the street. In later years, the lines were very deep and constructed with special boring machines.
Bill Coe
Charlene Giles, I assume the earliest trains were steam powered, burning coal and I have no idea how they vented the smoke; probably through vent holes in the ceiling of the tunnels. They would stink, wouldn't they. However, it would not have been a problem for long. The London Underground first opened as an "underground railway" in 1863 and its first electrified underground line opened in 1890.
Bill Coe
George Edwards, Not ALL the underground is really underground. They can put the trains on the tracks on the part that is above ground.
Bill Coe
LarryLane0415, It asked about the first subway system. The "underground railway" that blacks used to get to safety in the north was only metaphorically underground. Can't you just see a railway running secretly in tunnels all the way from Raleigh, North Carolina to New York and Canada.
Robert James Hopkins
boston is the oldest subway in America ..
Barri Weinberg
Yes Karen, I did read the question. It spoke of subways, not underground railroads. One does not need to read between the lines to detect ignorance; it speaks loud and clear on its own.
LarryLane0415
Was it Ant Jama?
Charlene Giles
As they were most likely steam engines, how did they get all that smoke out of the tunnels?
Dalila Lopez
de first subway was in london now in every way jo jo jo.
Karen Nash
I got it :-)
George Edwards
I like the question about how they get those big trains underground! Well? It seems obvious at first but may not be that easy when you think aboutit. Ok all you smarty pants, can you explain how?
Anthony Griffin
The question on the day, was one, that was asked sometime ago. But with careful thought about how old the United States & Great Britain are as countries. I thought about Great Britain leading the way, in that form of transportation. After all it is Great Britain who actually gave the United States it's start, by declaring it's independence, to do it's own thing in life.
Dawn Dozier
I th o ught. U was referring to subway. The sandwich place!
Sandra Raynes
HA! Where is the first Subway? on state road #16.