The World’s Oldest Metro Station Has Seen It All

A Steam-Powered Underground? Yes, Really

If you think London’s Underground is a bit grimy now, spare a thought for the passengers in 1863. When the world’s first metro station, Baker Street, opened its doors, it ran on steam trains. Victorian commuters would emerge from their journeys covered in soot, breathing in a heady mix of coal smoke and damp London air. Not exactly the fresh start to the day you’d hope for. Trains were noisy, the ventilation was abysmal, and carriages lacked the smooth rides we take for granted today. Yet, despite these inconveniences, it was revolutionary—offering a way for the masses to move around the ever-expanding city without relying on overburdened horse-drawn omnibuses or walking miles in uncomfortable shoes.

Gas Lamps and Gloomy Tunnels

Long before the comforting hum of fluorescent lighting, the platforms were dimly lit by gas lamps. It gave Baker Street a certain eerie glow, perfect for Victorian mysteries but less ideal if you actually wanted to see where you were going. The atmosphere must have felt halfway between an opium den and an unfinished basement.

Flickering light and thick fog from the steam engines made the experience of waiting for a train both atmospheric and mildly unsettling. Londoners of the time must have felt as if they were stepping into another world—a subterranean labyrinth of iron, soot, and faintly glowing gas flames.

The ‘Cut and Cover’ Chaos

Forget sophisticated tunnel-boring machines—Baker Street and the early Underground tunnels were built using a technique called cut and cover. Engineers simply dug up massive trenches along London’s streets, built their tunnels, and then plonked the road back on top. As you can imagine, this did not go down well with Londoners who suddenly found gaping holes where their favourite shops used to be. Businesses suffered, roads were blocked, and complaints were endless. Yet, against all odds, it worked. The tunnels were completed, the tracks laid, and by the time the dust settled (quite literally), London had taken its first step towards becoming a world leader in underground transport.

No Escalators, Just Stamina

Those lucky enough to commute in the 1860s got a free workout with every journey. There were no escalators. No lifts. Just stairs. Lots of stairs. If you had heavy luggage, you could pay a porter to carry it for you—though, knowing Victorian fashion, the real struggle must have been navigating those steep steps in a corset and top hat. The lack of accessibility meant that older passengers or those with mobility issues were largely excluded from this new form of transport. If you missed a train, you had the joy of waiting on a cold, soot-covered platform until the next one arrived—a far cry from today’s air-conditioned carriages and frequent services.

The Birthplace of Underground Travel

Before Baker Street, the idea of an underground railway was absurd. But once it worked, cities around the world scrambled to copy London’s brilliantly smoky success. The Paris Métro, New York Subway, and Budapest’s Millennium Underground all owe their existence to London’s willingness to shove a train under the pavement and see what happened. It didn’t take long for underground transport to become a global phenomenon, as other cities recognised its potential to ease congestion and boost economic growth. Over time, these metro systems adapted and evolved, incorporating electric trains, improved ventilation, and better safety measures. But it all began with that first humble stretch of track beneath the streets of London.

A Touch of Victorian Charm

Unlike most modern stations, Baker Street still holds on to its Victorian charm. The tiled arches, the old-school signage, even remnants of the original gas lamp fittings—it’s all still there. It’s a bit like stepping into a Sherlock Holmes novel, except instead of solving crimes, you’re just waiting for a delayed Circle Line train. Despite the station’s many renovations over the decades, an effort has been made to preserve its historical character. Walking through its corridors feels like taking a journey through time, where modern advertisements sit alongside vintage station signs and old architectural details.

Sherlock Holmes’ Unofficial Tube Stop

Speaking of Holmes, it’s no accident that Baker Street leans into its connection with the famous detective. There are tiled silhouettes of Sherlock on the walls, a statue outside the station, and just a general air of pipe-smoking intellect. If Holmes were real, he’d probably be grumbling about the state of public transport just like the rest of us.

The station has become a pilgrimage site for Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts from around the world, who come to soak in the atmosphere and visit the nearby Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street. It’s a curious blend of fiction and reality, where the lines between literature and everyday life blur.

The Tunnel That Changed Everything

Baker Street was more than just a station—it was the start of a new way of living. A city where people could suddenly travel long distances without a horse. A place where working-class Londoners could commute to better jobs. A transport system that would eventually become the lifeblood of the city. Sure, the early days involved choking on coal dust, but hey, progress comes at a price. The success of the Underground paved the way for modern urban transport, proving that investing in public infrastructure could fundamentally reshape how cities operate. Today, millions of people take the Tube for granted, but none of it would have been possible without the bold experiment that began beneath the streets of Victorian London.

A Station With More Stories Than You Can Count

Every tile, every arch, every murky tunnel in Baker Street station has seen over 160 years of history. It’s survived war, modernisation, endless renovation projects, and more confused tourists than anyone could ever count. It may not be the flashiest station in the world, but it’s the one that started it all—and for that, we’ll tip our imaginary deerstalker hats in its honour. From being a wartime shelter during the Blitz to witnessing generations of commuters rushing to work, Baker Street has stood the test of time. It continues to serve as a reminder of the city’s relentless pace and deep connection to its past. If these walls could talk, they’d have enough stories to fill a library.