These maps show the London Underground in a way that normal people never get to see
First, here's the modern tube map. So far, so normal.
![These maps show the London Underground in a way that normal people never get to see](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-49060947%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-899747%2Ffirst-heres-the-modern-tube-map-so-far-so-normal-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Next, here's the night tube. It's September launch has been postponed due to widespread strikes over pay and hours.
![Next, here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060949,width-700,height-525,imgsize-268974/next-heres-the-night-tube-its-september-launch-has-been-postponed-due-to-widespread-strikes-over-pay-and-hours-.jpg)
Not every tube map ever created is still running. There are dozens of discontinued "ghost stations" around London.
![Not every tube map ever created is still running. There are dozens of discontinued "ghost stations" around London.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060950,width-700,height-525,imgsize-335828/not-every-tube-map-ever-created-is-still-running-there-are-dozens-of-discontinued-ghost-stations-around-london-.jpg)
Here's a close-up of the discontinued lines.
![Here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060952,width-700,height-525,imgsize-408232/heres-a-close-up-of-the-discontinued-lines-.jpg)
The Tube map isn't actually to scale, so Transport for London created a map showing where the Tube *really* runs. It was first released in response to an Freedom of Information request from a member of the public, and after it proved very popular, TfL made an official version to release more widely.
![The Tube map isn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060954,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1608356/the-tube-map-isnt-actually-to-scale-so-transport-for-london-created-a-map-showing-where-the-tube-really-runs-it-was-first-released-in-response-to-an-freedom-of-information-request-from-a-member-of-the-public-and-after-it-proved-very-popular-tfl-made-an-official-version-to-release-more-widely-.jpg)
But how are Tube stations structured inside? Blogger Ian Mansfield got his hands on a series of axonometric diagrams via an FOI request to TfL. These are "3D-like" diagrams that show off the internal structure of almost every London Underground station.
![But how are Tube stations structured inside? Blogger Ian Mansfield got his hands on a series of axonometric diagrams via an FOI request to TfL. These are "3D-like" diagrams that show off the internal structure of almost every London Underground station.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060957,width-700,height-525,imgsize-605849/but-how-are-tube-stations-structured-inside-blogger-ian-mansfield-got-his-hands-on-a-series-of-axonometric-diagrams-via-an-foi-request-to-tfl-these-are-3d-like-diagrams-that-show-off-the-internal-structure-of-almost-every-london-underground-station-.jpg)
To start with, here's King's Cross/St. Pancras, the second-busiest tube station in London. It is known for the beauty of the station above ground ...
![To start with, here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060959,width-700,height-525,imgsize-3498211/st-pancras-the-second-busiest-tube-station-in-london-it-is-known-for-the-beauty-of-the-station-above-ground-.jpg)
... as well as the snaking passageways below, which serve the Hammersmith & City/Circle/Metropolitan lines, and the Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.
![... as well as the snaking passageways below, which serve the Hammersmith & City/Circle/Metropolitan lines, and the Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060960,width-700,height-525,imgsize-573500/metropolitan-lines-and-the-northern-piccadilly-and-victoria-lines-.jpg)
Here's the second part of the Kings Cross/St. Pancras axonometric map.
![Here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060962,width-700,height-525,imgsize-418250/st-pancras-axonometric-map-.jpg)
In terms of footfall, Kings Cross/St. Pancras can't beat Oxford Circus. It's the busiest underground station in the city.
![In terms of footfall, Kings Cross/St. Pancras can](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060963,width-700,height-525,imgsize-483500/st-pancras-cant-beat-oxford-circus-its-the-busiest-underground-station-in-the-city-.jpg)
In 2014, Kings Cross/St. Pancras had 92 million visitors. Oxford Circus, meanwhile, had 98.5 million. Pictured is the upper levels and entrance hall.
![In 2014, Kings Cross/St. Pancras had 92 million visitors. Oxford Circus, meanwhile, had 98.5 million. Pictured is the upper levels and entrance hall.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060964,width-700,height-525,imgsize-528270/st-pancras-had-92-million-visitors-oxford-circus-meanwhile-had-98-5-million-pictured-is-the-upper-levels-and-entrance-hall-.jpg)
And here are the platforms and mid-levels. It intersects the Bakerloo, Central, and Victoria lines.
![And here are the platforms and mid-levels. It intersects the Bakerloo, Central, and Victoria lines.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060966,width-700,height-525,imgsize-546236/and-here-are-the-platforms-and-mid-levels-it-intersects-the-bakerloo-central-and-victoria-lines-.jpg)
Canary Wharf is cavernous, ferrying more than 50 million city workers to and from work every year.
![Canary Wharf is cavernous, ferrying more than 50 million city workers to and from work every year.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060968,width-700,height-525,imgsize-220201/canary-wharf-is-cavernous-ferrying-more-than-50-million-city-workers-to-and-from-work-every-year-.jpg)
It sits at the intersection of the Jubilee Line and the DLR in East London.
![It sits at the intersection of the Jubilee Line and the DLR in East London.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060970,width-700,height-525,imgsize-443409/it-sits-at-the-intersection-of-the-jubilee-line-and-the-dlr-in-east-london-.jpg)
Angel, meanwhile, holds a very different record. It is home to the longest escalator on the network, 60 meters.
![Angel, meanwhile, holds a very different record. It is home to the longest escalator on the network, 60 meters.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060972,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1773123/angel-meanwhile-holds-a-very-different-record-it-is-home-to-the-longest-escalator-on-the-network-60-meters-.jpg)
It serves just one line, the Northern (Bank branch). The escalator is located on the left of the diagram.
![It serves just one line, the Northern (Bank branch). The escalator is located on the left of the diagram.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060973,width-700,height-525,imgsize-370937/it-serves-just-one-line-the-northern-bank-branch-the-escalator-is-located-on-the-left-of-the-diagram-.jpg)
Gants Hill is one of the more architecturally interesting tube stations, its Soviet-era architecture is inspired by the metro in Moscow.
![Gants Hill is one of the more architecturally interesting tube stations, its Soviet-era architecture is inspired by the metro in Moscow.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060974,width-700,height-525,imgsize-11713912/gants-hill-is-one-of-the-more-architecturally-interesting-tube-stations-its-soviet-era-architecture-is-inspired-by-the-metro-in-moscow-.jpg)
It's also a particularly simple tube stop, serving only the Central Line. It is located in Zone 4, North East London.
![It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060979,width-700,height-525,imgsize-338024/its-also-a-particularly-simple-tube-stop-serving-only-the-central-line-it-is-located-in-zone-4-north-east-london-.jpg)
Just contrast that with Waterloo, the third-busiest tube stop in London.
![Just contrast that with Waterloo, the third-busiest tube stop in London.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060981,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1302629/just-contrast-that-with-waterloo-the-third-busiest-tube-stop-in-london-.jpg)
Ever visited Waterloo?
![Ever visited Waterloo?](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060983,width-700,height-525,imgsize-583212/ever-visited-waterloo.jpg)
It's notable for having the most escalators of any station on the London Underground — 23. (Take the wrong one and you can end up with a 100-yard detour.)
![It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060984,width-700,height-525,imgsize-540988/its-notable-for-having-the-most-escalators-of-any-station-on-the-london-underground-23-take-the-wrong-one-and-you-can-end-up-with-a-100-yard-detour-.jpg)
It connects the Bakerloo, Jubilee?, Northern, and Waterloo & City Lines.
![It connects the Bakerloo, Jubilee?, Northern, and Waterloo & City Lines.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060985,width-700,height-525,imgsize-417374/it-connects-the-bakerloo-jubilee-northern-and-waterloo-city-lines-.jpg)
Westminster tube is defined by its imposing pillars and high-ceilinged atrium.
![Westminster tube is defined by its imposing pillars and high-ceilinged atrium.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060986,width-700,height-525,imgsize-493025/westminster-tube-is-defined-by-its-imposing-pillars-and-high-ceilinged-atrium-.jpg)
It's easily recognisable in its axonometric map.
![It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060987,width-700,height-525,imgsize-528400/its-easily-recognisable-in-its-axonometric-map-.jpg)
Barbican wasn't always open to the elements, but after sustaining damage during the Blitz, the decision was made to keep it that way.
![Barbican wasn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060989,width-700,height-525,imgsize-2920635/barbican-wasnt-always-open-to-the-elements-but-after-sustaining-damage-during-the-blitz-the-decision-was-made-to-keep-it-that-way-.jpg)
It serves the Circle and Metropolitan Lines.
![It serves the Circle and Metropolitan Lines.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060990,width-700,height-525,imgsize-420794/it-serves-the-circle-and-metropolitan-lines-.jpg)
Here are a few more interesting ones...
![Here are a few more interesting ones...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060991,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1127477/here-are-a-few-more-interesting-ones-.jpg)
If you've ever ventured into West London, then chances are you've changed lines at Earl's Court, its above-ground platforms connecting the Piccadilly and various arms of the District line.
![If you](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060992,width-700,height-525,imgsize-523245/if-youve-ever-ventured-into-west-london-then-chances-are-youve-changed-lines-at-earls-court-its-above-ground-platforms-connecting-the-piccadilly-and-various-arms-of-the-district-line-.jpg)
Finsbury Park, located in North London, serves the Piccadilly and Victoria Lines. (It's also the home of yours truly.)
![Finsbury Park, located in North London, serves the Piccadilly and Victoria Lines. (It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060993,width-700,height-525,imgsize-478500/finsbury-park-located-in-north-london-serves-the-piccadilly-and-victoria-lines-its-also-the-home-of-yours-truly-.jpg)
South Kensington is another picturesque station, and services the District, Circle, and Piccadilly Lines.
![South Kensington is another picturesque station, and services the District, Circle, and Piccadilly Lines.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060994,width-700,height-525,imgsize-466832/south-kensington-is-another-picturesque-station-and-services-the-district-circle-and-piccadilly-lines-.jpg)
Victoria connects the Circle, District, and Victoria lines. Its train station is a gateway to much of Southern England.
![Victoria connects the Circle, District, and Victoria lines. Its train station is a gateway to much of Southern England.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49060997,width-700,height-525,imgsize-458200/victoria-connects-the-circle-district-and-victoria-lines-its-train-station-is-a-gateway-to-much-of-southern-england-.jpg)
Here's Bermondsey, in South London.
![Here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49061000,width-700,height-525,imgsize-353820/heres-bermondsey-in-south-london-.jpg)
And here's Brixton, at the end of the Victoria line. The area is currently undergoing rapid gentrification.
![And here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49061001,width-700,height-525,imgsize-500449/and-heres-brixton-at-the-end-of-the-victoria-line-the-area-is-currently-undergoing-rapid-gentrification-.jpg)
Leicester Square is one of London's most notorious tourist traps. Its tube stop connects to the Northern and Piccadilly lines.
![Leicester Square is one of London](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49061003,width-700,height-525,imgsize-528718/leicester-square-is-one-of-londons-most-notorious-tourist-traps-its-tube-stop-connects-to-the-northern-and-piccadilly-lines-.jpg)
And lastly, here's Warren Street.
![And lastly, here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-49061004,width-700,height-525,imgsize-537683/and-lastly-heres-warren-street-.jpg)
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