Bakerloo line

Is the Bakerloo line running today?

This page covers the Bakerloo line in depth — route, stations, history, step-free access and quirks. For the live answer right now, including the current TfL status (Good Service, Minor Delays, Severe Delays, Part Closure or Suspended) and any reported disruption, see the live network status board on the homepage. It's refreshed every 60 seconds from TfL Open Data.

The Bakerloo line is one of the Underground's quieter deep-level lines, and one of its most charismatic. It runs the entire length of central London on a roughly north-west to south-east axis, takes its name from a portmanteau of Baker Street and Waterloo, and is operated by the oldest passenger trains in service anywhere on the Tube — the 1972 Stock, which is now over fifty years old and slowly being prepared for replacement.

Where it runs

The line runs from Harrow & Wealdstone in the north-west, sharing tracks with the London Overground Lioness line as far as Queen's Park, before plunging into deep tunnels at Kilburn Park. It then runs in classic deep-tube fashion through Paddington, Baker Street, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross and Waterloo, terminating at Elephant & Castle.

For most of its length south of Queen's Park, the Bakerloo is a single tube — no branches, no flying junctions, no diversions. That simplicity is part of its character.

A bit of history

The Bakerloo opened in 1906 as the Baker Street & Waterloo Railway. Its name was famously coined by the Evening News, which described the route as "the Bakerloo line" — a contraction the railway's directors initially considered undignified but came to accept. It was the first deep-level Tube line to use electric multiple-unit trains from day one.

Extensions in the 1910s and 1930s pushed the line outwards to Watford Junction (since cut back), and the famous fork at Baker Street to Stanmore was eventually transferred to the new Jubilee line in 1979 — at which point the Bakerloo settled into its current shape.

The 1972 Stock

The trains running on the Bakerloo line today are the oldest in regular passenger service on any railway in the United Kingdom. The 1972 Stock entered service exactly when its name suggests, originally built for the Northern line and reassigned to the Bakerloo when the 1995 and 1996 Stock arrived elsewhere on the network. They are notable for their wood-effect interior trim, distinctive door-closing chime, and the fact that they have lasted three decades longer than originally planned.

TfL has been planning a replacement programme for years — the so-called "New Tube for London" project, which is delivering new trains for the Piccadilly line first. Bakerloo replacements are expected later in the 2020s, subject to funding.

The proposed Lewisham extension

For decades there have been proposals to extend the Bakerloo line south from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham, via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate. The case for the extension is strong — it would unlock significant housing development along the Old Kent Road corridor and link a part of south-east London poorly served by the Underground today. As of the most recent published plans, the extension is part of TfL's long-term ambitions but has not yet been formally funded for construction.

Notable stations

• Baker Street — the line's spiritual home, opened in 1906 and one of the most architecturally significant stations on the network.
• Paddington — interchange with the Elizabeth line, Circle, District, and the mainline station for Heathrow Express and Great Western services.
• Oxford Circus — the busiest interchange on the line, connecting to the Central and Victoria lines.
• Waterloo — interchange with the Jubilee, Northern, Waterloo & City lines and the mainline station for south-west England.
• Elephant & Castle — current southern terminus, being redeveloped as part of a major regeneration of the area.

Step-free access

Step-free Bakerloo line stations include Harrow & Wealdstone, Wembley Central, Willesden Junction, Paddington and Elephant & Castle. Most central-section stations remain step-up only due to the age and depth of the line — a significant proportion of platforms are reached via stairs from a lift level, rather than direct platform-to-train.

Hours

The Bakerloo runs from around 05:30 on weekdays (later on Sundays) until just after midnight. The Bakerloo line does not run on the Night Tube — for late-night travel along its corridor, the Victoria, Central and Jubilee lines are the alternatives.

Common quirks

• Shares track with the Overground. North of Queen's Park, Bakerloo trains share infrastructure with the Lioness line of the London Overground. Service patterns can get complex during disruption.
• Quieter than its peers. The Bakerloo is one of the least-busy central tube lines, often a better choice than the parallel Victoria or Jubilee at rush hour if you have the option.
• No air-cooled trains yet. The 1972 Stock is not air-conditioned. In summer the line can get noticeably warm.

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