Description
Book SynopsisThe Railway Metropolis describes the fascinating story of how planners, politicians and developers have shaped London's railways. Focusing on the new lines that have been added since 1980, the author considers the reasons why they were built, whether they have proved worthwhile and what lessons can be learned. Based upon extensive research, the book explains the planning, technology choice, design and funding decisions that have shaped London's rail network, and the changing operating practices, fares and management that have been equally critical to the modernisation of London's transport system.
The book covers the period from the election of a Conservative government in 1979 through to the present day and six lines that transformed London: Docklands Light Railway, Jubilee Line Extension, High Speed One, Overground, Thameslink and Crossrail. The author has drawn upon extensive industry experience as well as public and private documents, archives, recollections and i
Table of Contents
1. The Road Not Taken: London Says No to Sprawl and Motorways 2. Mrs Thatcher's Urban Development Revolution 3. The Tide Begins to Turn: Creating the Docklands Light Railway 4. The Birth of Canary Wharf 5. Making the Toy Train into a Real Railway: Fixing the DLR 6. "Take Derelict Land, Add Railway and Stir": Extending the DLR 7. From Big Bang to Big Bust: Jubilee versus Crossrail 8. Mission Creep: Building the Jubilee Line Extension 9. A New Gateway to Europe: St Pancras, Stratford and the Channel Rail Link 10. A Real "Tram" for London: Croydon Tramlink 11. Reform and Innovation: Creating Transport for London 12. Low-Hanging Fruit: The London Overground 13. Crossrail: The Hare? 14. Thameslink: The Tortoise? 15. Looking Backwards and Forwards
