THE OLDEST UNDERGROUND RAILWAYS IN THE WORLD AND THEIR ANNIVERSARIES

Abstract

The five oldest underground railways started to be operational in the 19th century. These were the metros in London, Athens, Istanbul, Budapest and Glasgow. Undoubtedly, world primacy of status in terms of age belongs to the London Underground. However, the age ranking of the others in continental Europe is more difficult to determine. Regardless of this criteria, the undergrounds of the 19th century became the basis of the world’s most widespread and rational means of public transport. The further development of these named oldest undergrounds is here documented.