View source for Metropolitan line

{{Short description|London Underground line}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = Metropolitan line
| logo                            = London flag boxes - Underground Metropolitan line.svg
| logo_width                      = 250px
| logo_alt                        = 
| image                           = File:LUL-S-Stock-arrives-Croxley.jpg
| image_width                     = 250px
| image_alt                       = A grey, blue and red S8 stock train waiting at the platform at Croxley station
| caption                         = A northbound S8 Stock Metropolitan line train at {{lus|Croxley}} heading to {{lus|Watford}}
| type                            = {{cslist|[[Rapid transit]]|[[suburban rail]]}}
| system                          = [[London Underground]]
| start                           = Baker Street, Aldgate
| mapcolour                       = Magenta<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115033512/evening-standard/ |first=Alexa |last=Baracaia |work=London Evening Standard |date=22 August 2006 |page=21 |title=Seven Wonders of London |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author1=TfL Corporate Design |title=Line diagram standard |date=January 2009 |publisher=Transport for London |edition=3 |url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-line-diagram-standard.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104182915/https://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-line-diagram-standard.pdf |archive-date=4 January 2022 |chapter=3: Underground line colours |quote=Metropolitan line - Pantone 235, C:5 M:100 K:40}}</ref>
| mapcolourlink                   = Tube map
| end                             = Uxbridge, Watford, Chesham, Amersham
| stations                        = 34 (10 step free)
| ridership2                      = 93.670 million (2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=London Assembly Questions to the Mayor |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/tube-usage-1|publisher=London Assembly |year=2022 |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> passenger journeys
| open                            = {{start date and age|1863|01|10|df=y}}
| lastextension                   = 1925
| character                       = Sub-surface
| depot                           = [[Neasden Depot|Neasden]]
| stock                           = [[London Underground S7 and S8 Stock|S8 Stock]]
| linelength_km                   = 67
| tracks                          = 2, except{{plainlist|
*4 {{lus|Wembley Park}}–{{lus|Moor Park}}
*1 {{stn|Chalfont & Latimer}}–{{lus|Chesham}}
}}
| gauge                           = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| electrification                 = {{750 V DC|conductor=fourth rail}}
| speed                           = {{cvt|62|mph}} maximum
| website                         = {{Official URL}}
| map_name                        = [[Transport for London]] {{nowrap|rail lines}}
| map                             = {{London rail lines}}
| map_state                       = collapsed
}}

The '''Metropolitan line''', colloquially known as the '''Met''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Metropolitan line {{!}} London Transport Museum |url=https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/collections/stories/transport/metropolitan-line |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=www.ltmuseum.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> is a [[London Underground]] line between {{lus|Aldgate}} in the [[City of London]] and {{stn|Amersham}} and {{lus|Chesham}} in [[Buckinghamshire]], with branches to {{lus|Watford}} in [[Hertfordshire]] and {{lus|Uxbridge}} in [[London Borough of Hillingdon|Hillingdon]]. Printed in [[magenta]] on the [[tube map]], the line is {{convert|66.7|km|mi|order=flip}} long and serves 34 stations. Between Aldgate and {{lus|Finchley Road}}, the track lies mostly in shallow "[[cut and cover]]" tunnels, apart from short sections at {{lus|Barbican}} and Farringdon stations. The rest of the line is above ground, with a [[loading gauge]] similar to those of main lines. Almost {{nowrap|94 million}} passenger journeys were made on the line in 2019.

This line is one of two Underground lines that cross the Greater London boundary and proceed outwards into the [[Home counties|Home Counties]], the other being the [[Central line (London Underground)|Central line]]. It is the only Underground line with an express service at peak times; the longer distance between stations means trains can achieve the system's highest speeds, up to {{Convert|62|mph|km/h|-1}}, on some sections.

In 1863, the [[Metropolitan Railway]] was the world's first underground railway. It first ran between [[Paddington tube station (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines)|Paddington]] and {{stn|Farringdon}}, with wooden carriages and steam locomotives, subsequently extending north-westwards into the [[Middlesex]] countryside, where it stimulated the development of new suburbs. Harrow was reached in 1880, and ultimately the line continued as far as {{rws|Verney Junction}}, in Buckinghamshire, more than {{convert|50|mi}} from {{lus|Baker Street}}. From the end of the 19th century, the railway shared tracks with the [[Great Central Railway]] out of {{stn|Marylebone}}. The central London lines were electrified by 1907, but electric locomotives were exchanged for steam locomotives on trains heading north of Harrow. After the railway was absorbed by the [[London Passenger Transport Board]] in 1933, the line was cut back to {{rws|Aylesbury}}. Steam trains ran until 1961, when the line was electrified to, and services were curtailed at, Amersham. The [[Hammersmith & City line]] was shown on the tube map as a part of the Metropolitan line until 1990, when it appeared as a separate line. The current [[London Underground S7 and S8 Stock|S8 Stock]] trains entered service between 2010 and 2012, replacing the [[London Underground A60 and A62 Stock|A Stock]] trains, which had served since 1961.

The section between Aldgate and Baker Street is shared with the [[Circle line (London Underground)|Circle line]]; between Liverpool Street and Baker Street with the [[Hammersmith & City line]]; between {{lus|Rayners Lane}} and Uxbridge with the [[Piccadilly line]]; and between {{stn|Harrow-on-the-Hill}} and Amersham with the [[London–Aylesbury line]] operated by [[Chiltern Railways]]. Baker Street is the southbound terminus for some trains not continuing to Aldgate. Most of the route has two tracks, except for the single-track [[Chesham branch]] and a four-track section between {{lus|Wembley Park}} and {{lus|Moor Park}}, which allows fast and semi-fast services to overtake "all stations" trains. There are four tracks between Wembley Park and Finchley Road: only the outer ones are used by the Metropolitan line's non-stop trains; the inner pair was transferred to the [[Bakerloo line]] in 1939 (and became the [[Jubilee line]] in 1979) with services calling at all stations.

== History ==

=== Metropolitan Railway ===
{{Main|Metropolitan Railway}}
[[File:Constructing the Metropolitan Railway.jpg|thumb|Construction of the Metropolitan line near King's Cross station (1861)]]
The Metropolitan Railway, also known as ''the Met'', was a passenger and goods railway that served London from 1863 to 1933, its main line heading north-west from [[City of London|the City]] to what were to become the [[Middlesex]] suburbs. Its first line connected the mainline railway termini at {{stnlnk|Paddington}}, {{stnlnk|Euston}} and [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]] to the City, built beneath the [[New Road (London)|New Road]] using the [[cut-and-cover]] method between Paddington and King's Cross, and in tunnel and cuttings beside [[Farringdon Road]] from King's Cross to near [[Smithfield, London|Smithfield]]. The world's first underground railway, it opened on 10 January 1863 with gas-lit wooden carriages hauled by steam locomotives. The line operated at a frequency of three trains per hour, rising to four trains per hour during the peak periods.{{sfn|Green|1987|pp=3–5}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Dennis |last2=Pigram |first2=Ron |year=1988 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury]] |title=The Golden Years of the Metropolitan Railway and the Metro-land Dream |isbn=1-870630-11-4|page=32}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Pipe|first1=Victoria|title=The Railway Adventures: Places, Trains, People and Stations|last2=Marshall|first2=Geoff|publisher=September Publishing|year=2018|isbn=9781910463871|location=Tewkesbury|pages=82}}</ref> In the 1871 plans for an underground railway in Paris, it was called the ''Métropolitain''.<ref>{{cite book |first=Benson |last=Bobrick |title=Labyrinths of Iron |url=https://archive.org/details/labyrinthsofiron00bobr |url-access=registration |publisher=Newsweek books |year=1981 |page=[https://archive.org/details/labyrinthsofiron00bobr/page/142 142]|isbn=9780882252995 }}</ref>

The railway was soon extended from both ends and northwards via a branch from [[Baker Street tube station|Baker Street]]. It reached [[Hammersmith tube station (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines)|Hammersmith]] in 1864 and [[Richmond station (London)|Richmond]] in 1877; it completed the ''[[Circle line (London Underground)|Inner Circle]]'' in 1884,{{sfn|Green|1987|pp=7–10}} but the most important route became the line west and north-west into the Middlesex countryside, where it stimulated the development of new suburbs. [[Harrow-on-the-Hill station|Harrow]] was reached in 1880, and ultimately, as far as {{stnlnk|Verney Junction}} in [[Buckinghamshire]], more than {{convert|50|mi|km|abbr=off}} from Baker Street. From the end of the 19th century, the railway shared tracks with the [[Great Central Railway]] route out of {{rws|Marylebone}}.{{sfn|Green|1987|pp=11–14}}

[[File:Au Morandarte Flickr IMG 1744 (14652395318).jpg|thumb|12 ''Sarah Siddons'' with vintage train at Hammersmith]]
Electric traction was introduced in 1905 with [[electric multiple unit]]s operating between Uxbridge, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Baker Street. To remove steam and smoke from the tunnels in central London, the railway purchased [[Metropolitan Railway electric locomotives|electric locomotives]], exchanged for steam locomotives at Harrow from 1908.{{sfn|Green|1987|pp=24–26}} In 1910, a seventeen-minute silent film was made showing large portions of the journey from Baker Street to Aylesbury and Uxbridge, seen from the cab of a train.<ref name="A Trip on the Metropolitan Railway (1910)">{{cite web|title=A Trip on the Metropolitan Railway (1910)|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/1185333/|website=Screen Online|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=25 January 2016}}</ref>

Unlike other railways in the London area, the Met developed land for housing, thus [[Value capture|benefitting from the increase in the value of its land]] caused by the building of the railway. After [[World War I]] it promoted its housing estates near the railway with the "[[Metro-land]]" brand.

To improve services, more powerful electric and steam locomotives were purchased in the 1920s. A short branch opened from Rickmansworth to Watford in 1925. After [[World War I]], the {{convert|4|mi|km|adj=on}} Stanmore branch was built from Wembley Park.{{sfn|Green|1987|pp=43–45}}

=== London Transport ===
{{Main|Metropolitan line (1933–1988)}}
[[File:Neasden metropolitan line station geograph-2384536-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|T Stock train passing Neasden Depot in 1959]]
On 1 July 1933, the Metropolitan was amalgamated with other Underground railways, tramway companies and bus operators to form the [[London Passenger Transport Board]], and a period of rationalisation followed.

While the Metropolitan was run as an outer suburban route with steam-hauled trains and goods services, the LPTB wished to focus on electrified trains and suburban traffic. Goods services were passed to the [[London and North Eastern Railway]], which also took over the role of providing steam locomotives for trains beyond the end of electrification at Rickmansworth. All services north-west of {{Stnlnk|Aylesbury}} were withdrawn by 1936{{sfn|Green|1987|pp=46–48}} though services returned to {{Stnlnk|Quainton Road}} between 1943 and 1948.{{sfn|Horne|2003|p=69}}

The 1930s was a period of rapid growth for the north-western suburbs of London, and LPTB developed ambitious plans to simplify the Metropolitan line and expand capacity. Several stations on the Uxbridge branch were rebuilt, replacing temporary wooden buildings with modernist designs and giving Uxbridge station a new site in the town centre. A major bottleneck in the line, the double-track tunnel from Baker Street to Finchley Road, was bypassed by boring two tube tunnels underneath the Metropolitan tunnels, transferring slow services and the [[Stanmore tube station|Stanmore]] branch to the [[Bakerloo line]].{{sfn|Green|1987|p=51}} (This route was transferred to the [[Jubilee line]] in 1979.){{sfn|Green|1987|p=63}} In 1936, the line was extended east from {{stl|London Underground|Whitechapel}} to {{stl|London Underground|Barking}} along the tracks of the District line.<ref name="Rose" /> London Transport inherited incompatible [[electric multiple units]] from the railway, including the 1927–33 multiple-unit compartment stock used on routes to Watford and Rickmansworth, and these were refurbished to form a uniform fleet and designated [[London Underground T Stock]].{{sfn|Bruce|1983|pp=72–74}} In the 1950s, [[London Underground F Stock|F Stock]] trains, with sliding doors under the control of the guard, were transferred from the District line; these mainly worked the semi-fast Harrow and Uxbridge services.{{sfn|Bruce|1983|pp=78–81}}

[[File:Rayner's Lane Station. - geograph.org.uk - 39714.jpg|thumb|right|A Stock vehicles at Rayners Lane in their original unpainted livery]]
A major rebuilding of the main line from Wembley Park to Amersham was planned in the 1930s but delayed by the war. The line from Wembley to Harrow was rebuilt immediately after the war and the project was completed from 1956 to 1962, on a more modest scale than originally planned. Until 1961, passenger trains continued to be attached to a steam locomotive at {{stl|London Underground|Rickmansworth}} to run to Aylesbury. The rebuilding electrified the line from Rickmansworth to Amersham, transferring all Aylesbury services to British Railways. A pair of fast lines was added from Harrow to north of Moor Park by 1962, allowing outer-suburban trains to run fast to Moor Park.{{sfn|Green|1987|p=55}}{{failed verification|date=September 2014}} Aluminium [[London Underground A60 and A62 Stock|A stock]], originally unpainted, replaced the T stock and locomotive-hauled trains. More A Stock trains were built in 1962–63 to replace the trains on the Uxbridge service, giving the main line a single train type for all services. A Stock was four-car units that could operate as four- or eight-car trains;{{sfn|Bruce|1983|p=110}} normally operated as eight cars, a four-car unit operated the Chesham shuttle.{{sfn|Bruce|1983|p=113}} [[Driver-only operation|One person operation]] of the trains was proposed in 1972, but due to conflict with the trade unions was not introduced on the line until 1986.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Croome |first1=Desmond F. |last2=Jackson |first2=Alan Arthur |title=Rails Through the Clay: A History of London's Tube Railways |year=1993 |publisher=Capital Transport |page=468 |isbn=978-1-85414-151-4}}</ref>

=== A separate identity ===
[[File:Amersham.jpg|thumb|A stock at Amersham]]
Although the [[East London line]] had been an isolated shuttle since 1939,<ref name="Rose">{{cite book |last=Rose |first=Douglas |title=The London Underground: A Diagrammatic History |edition=8th |date=December 2007 |orig-year=1980 |publisher=Capital Transport |location=London |isbn=978-1-85414-315-0}}</ref> it was shown on London Underground maps as part of the Metropolitan line until 1968.<ref>{{cite web |title=London Underground map 1968 |url= http://www.clarksbury.com/cdl/maps/tube68.jpg |work=The London Tube map archive |access-date=21 November 2012}}</ref> In 1970, it was shown with a thin white line in the middle and labelled the "East London section".<ref>{{cite web |title=London Underground map 1970 |url= http://www.clarksbury.com/cdl/maps/tube70.jpg |work=The London Tube map archive |access-date=21 November 2012}}</ref> By the 1985 map, it had become the "East London Line", remaining the same colour as the Metropolitan line with a white line in the middle,<ref>{{cite web |title=London Underground map 1985 |url= http://www.clarksbury.com/cdl/maps/tube85.jpg |work=The London Tube map archive |access-date=21 November 2012}}</ref> changed to orange by the 1990 map.<ref name="T90" /> In 1990, the [[Hammersmith & City line]] became a separate line from Hammersmith to Whitechapel (Barking during the peak), the Metropolitan line being from Aldgate to Baker Street and northwards to Amersham with branches to Chesham, Uxbridge and Watford.<ref name="Rose" /><ref name="T90">{{cite web |title=London Underground map 1990 |url= http://www.clarksbury.com/cdl/maps/tube90.jpg |work=The London Tube map archive |access-date=21 November 2012}}</ref>

In 2003, the infrastructure was partly privatised in a [[public–private partnership]] managed by the [[Metronet (British infrastructure company)|Metronet]] consortium. Metronet entered [[Administration (law)|administration]] in 2007 and [[Transport for London]] took over responsibilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/london-underground-ppp-performance-report-2009-2010.pdf |title=PPP Performance Report |date=2009–2010 |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=7 March 2012 |pages=7–8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426034334/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/london-underground-ppp-performance-report-2009-2010.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2012 }}</ref>

On 12 December 2010, the service to Amersham was reduced from four trains per hour to two, and a direct service between Chesham and central London was introduced, replacing the 4-car Chesham to Chalfont & Latimer shuttle.<ref>{{Cite press release |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/17617.html |title=Chesham trains to run direct into central London |date=7 December 2010 |publisher= Transport for London |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120417091407/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/17617.html |archive-date=17 April 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> The final passenger services operated by the A Stock ran on 26 September 2012,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.railwaystoday.com/2012/09/26/a-stock-the-end/ |title=A Stock last day on the Metropolitan Line |date=26 September 2012 |work=Railways Today |access-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160119095624/http://www.railwaystoday.com/2012/09/26/a-stock-the-end/ |archive-date=19 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> followed by a ticketed public [[railtour]] on 29 September.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/events/vehicles-on-the-move |title= Last A stock rail tour |publisher= London Transport Museum |access-date= 27 September 2012 |archive-date= 1 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121001055823/http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/events/vehicles-on-the-move |url-status= dead }}</ref>

== Route ==
{{wide image|Metropolitan Line & London map.svg|700px|The route of the Metropolitan line through the [[London Boroughs|Greater London Boroughs]] and the [[English Counties]] of [[Hertfordshire]] and [[Buckinghamshire]]. More details of the route between Baker Street and Aldgate are shown on [[Circle line (London Underground)#Map|Circle line: Map]]|center}}
{{Metropolitan line RDT}}
The Metropolitan line is {{convert|67|km|mi|1|order=flip}} long and serves 34 stations.<ref name="Key Facts">{{cite web|title=Key facts |work=Transport for London |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/1608.aspx |access-date=22 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529041317/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/1608.aspx |archive-date=29 May 2007 }}</ref> It is electrified with a four-rail DC system: a central conductor rail is energised at –250&nbsp;V and a rail outside the running rail at +500&nbsp;V, giving a potential difference of 750&nbsp;V, except for the section from Uxbridge to Finchley Road (via Harrow-on-the-Hill) which is energised at&nbsp;–210&nbsp;V and +420&nbsp;V respectively (630&nbsp;V potential difference) to maintain compatibility with [[London Underground 1973 Stock|1973 Stock]] and [[London Underground 1996 Stock|1996 Stock]] that runs in those areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.squarewheels.org.uk/rly/stock/SsubsurfaceStock/|title=SQUAREWHEELS.org.uk – S stock|last=Richard Griffin|website=www.squarewheels.org.uk|language=en|date=3 September 2019|access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="Martin2012">{{cite book |author= Martin, Andrew |title= Underground, Overground: A Passenger's History of the Tube |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vh3n5WD_YqsC&pg=PT137 |access-date=7 December 2012 |year=2012 |publisher= Profile Books |isbn=978-1-84765-807-4 |location=London |pages=137–138}}</ref> The first {{convert|6|mi}} from [[Aldgate tube station|Aldgate]] are below ground,<ref name="Line Facts">{{cite web |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/keyfacts/13173.aspx |title=Metropolitan line facts |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=23 November 2012}}</ref> shared with the [[Circle line (London Underground)|Circle]] and Hammersmith & City lines to Baker Street, where the line diverges, remaining in tunnel until [[Finchley Road tube station|Finchley Road]].<ref name="map">{{cite web|url=http://cartometro.com/cartes/metro-london/|title=Detailed London Transport Map|access-date=23 November 2012|work=cartometro.com}}</ref> Metropolitan line trains essentially skip two stops between Baker Street and Finchley Road, with the Jubilee line serving the intermediate stations on an adjacent parallel line. The Jubilee line then joins the Metropolitan line in the same right-of-way at Finchley Road. Metropolitan line trains then run express from Finchley Road to [[Wembley Park tube station|Wembley Park]], with the Jubilee line serving the intermediate stations. Metropolitan line platforms at {{lus|Willesden Green}} and {{lus|Neasden}} remain for emergency use.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marius |first1=Callum |title=Why the Metropolitan line has 2 extra secret stations you may not know about |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/london-underground-metropolitan-line-2-21320342 |website=MyLondon |access-date=4 November 2022 |language=en |date=16 August 2021}}</ref> At Wembley Park the Jubilee line diverges to the Stanmore branch at a grade-separated junction. From just after Finchley Road, these four tracks run parallel with the [[Network Rail]] [[Chiltern Main Line]] from [[Marylebone station|Marylebone]].<ref name="map" />

Between Wembley Park and [[Harrow-on-the-Hill station|Harrow-on-the-Hill]], the Metropolitan is four-track, with fast and slow lines paired by direction, paralleling the two-track un-electrified [[London–Aylesbury line]]. The slow lines are between the fast lines, and the two intermediate stations have island platforms.<ref name="map" /> Harrow-on-the-Hill has platforms on all six lines.<ref name="map" /> The  central slow lines diverge here at a [[grade separation|grade-separated]] junction to become the {{convert|7.5|mi}} Uxbridge branch. After [[West Harrow tube station|West Harrow]], at [[Rayners Lane tube station|Rayners Lane]] the line is joined by the [[Piccadilly line]], which shares the tracks to Uxbridge; a [[turnback]] siding allows some Piccadilly line services to terminate at Rayners Lane.<ref name="map" />{{sfn|Horne|2003|p=x}}

On the main line between Harrow-on-the-Hill and [[Moor Park tube station|Moor Park]], the line is four-track, paired by use. The western fast tracks are shared with Aylesbury line services from Marylebone; the eastern slow tracks have platforms at the intermediate stations.

North of Moor Park, the Watford branch diverges from the slow lines.<ref name="map" /> This double-track branch has stations at [[Croxley tube station|Croxley]] and [[Watford tube station|Watford]].<ref name="map" /><ref name="Croxley plans" /> The Watford branch has a [[Wye (rail)|triangle junction]] with the main line, with a north-facing curve between {{lus|Croxley}} and {{lus|Rickmansworth}}. This route, Watford North Curve, is used daily for a few services and empty stock movements.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Louis |first1=Nathan |title=The 'secret' Met line track near Watford known as 'North Curve' |url= https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/19499343.secret-met-line-track-near-watford-known-north-curve/ |website=Watford Observer |date=8 August 2021 |access-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>

From the Watford triangle to [[Amersham station|Amersham]], the line has two tracks. At [[Chalfont & Latimer station|Chalfont & Latimer]], the {{convert|3.89|mi}} [[single track (rail)|single-track]] [[Chesham branch]] diverges, running parallel to the main line for a distance.<ref name="Key Facts" /><ref name="map" /> The Metropolitan line ends at Amersham, where there are turnback sidings just beyond the platforms. The route continues to [[Aylesbury railway station|Aylesbury]] with Chiltern Railways trains only.<ref name="AmCh">{{cite web | url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/amersham-chesham-tube-guide.pdf | title=Amersham/Chesham tube guide | work=Transport for London | access-date=9 December 2013}}</ref>

The fast (non-stopping) lines between Wembley Park and Harrow on the Hill are signalled with LUL signalling, but using four-aspect Network Rail signal heads.<ref name="BRS">{{cite book |title= British Railway Signalling |author1=Kichenside, G.M. |author2= Williams, Alan |page=72}}</ref> The upper two lights are a two-aspect stop signal displaying either a green or red aspect, the lower two lights a repeater signal for the next stop signal ahead showing a green or yellow aspect, or no aspect when the stop signal shows a red aspect. Thus they are effectively four-light three-aspect signals with green/red/green/yellow lights from the top, danger being a single red light, caution the top green light over a yellow light, and clear two green lights.<ref name="BRS" />

The Metropolitan line's suburban rail character opposed to other London Underground lines is also shown by the long distances between stops. Eight of the top 10 furthest apart stations on the Underground are on the Metropolitan line. The section between Chalfont & Latimer and Chesham is the longest at {{convert|3.9|mi}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/what-we-do/london-underground/facts-and-figures |title=Facts & figures |publisher=Transport for London |website=tfl.gov.uk |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref> whilst the Finchley Road to Wembley Park section is the second longest, and Rickmansworth to Chorleywood the fourth longest overall.

==Services==
The Metropolitan line is the only London Underground line to operate non-stop services through some of its stations, although since 11 December 2011 these only run on weekdays during peak times (southbound in the morning peak, northbound in the evening peak).<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/wtt-340-metropolitan-21-may-2017-.pdf |title=Working timetable 340 - Metropolitan line. |access-date=5 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521010101/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/wtt%2D340%2Dmetropolitan%2D21%2Dmay%2D2017%2D.pdf |archive-date=21 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Depending on the stopping pattern, services are advertised as either ''all-stations'', ''semi-fast'' or ''fast'' on platform information boards and on-train announcements. The stopping pattern of each type of service is as follows:
*''All-stations'' services call at all stations en route<ref name="autogenerated1" />
*''Semi-fast'' services run non-stop between {{lus|Wembley Park}} and {{stn|Harrow-on-the-Hill}}, and call at all other stations en route<ref name="autogenerated1" />
*''Fast'' services run non-stop between Wembley Park and Harrow-on-the-Hill and between Harrow-on-the-Hill and {{lus|Moor Park}}<ref name="autogenerated1" />
*In the southbound direction, ''fast'' and ''semi-fast'' trains do not usually call at Wembley Park, and instead run non-stop from Harrow-on-the-Hill to {{lus|Finchley Road}}<ref name="autogenerated1" />

Owing to the track layout, ''fast'' services can only run to/from {{stn|Amersham}} or {{lus|Chesham}}. The {{lus|Uxbridge}} branch diverges from the rest of the line before the "fast" section, while the {{lus|Watford}} branch is not directly connected with the fast line at Moor Park.<ref>[http://cartometro.com/cartes/metro-london/ Detailed London transport map] - Carto Metro</ref>

No Metropolitan line trains call at any intermediate stations between Finchley Road and Wembley Park. These stations are served by the [[Jubilee line]] which runs parallel to the Metropolitan line along this section.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

===Frequency===
{{Update|section|date=January 2025}}
During the off-peak the service pattern on the line, in trains per hour (tph), is as follows:<ref name="autogenerated1" />
*8{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Aldgate}} - {{lus|Uxbridge}} (all stations);
*4{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Baker Street}} - {{lus|Watford}} (all stations);
*2{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Aldgate}} - {{stn|Amersham}} (all stations);
*2{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Aldgate}} - {{lus|Chesham}} (all stations).

These services combine to give a total frequency of 16{{nbsp}}tph between Baker Street and Harrow-on-the-Hill. Of these, 12{{nbsp}}tph run between Aldgate and Baker Street which, together with the 6{{nbsp}}tph frequencies on both the [[Circle line (London Underground)|Circle]] and [[Hammersmith & City line|Hammersmith & City]] lines,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/wtt-35-circle-and-hammersmith-and-city-21-may-2017.pdf |title=Working timetable 35 - Circle and Hammersmith & City lines |access-date=27 March 2020 |archive-date=15 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615053902/https://content.tfl.gov.uk/wtt-35-circle-and-hammersmith-and-city-21-may-2017.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> gives a total of 24 trains every hour on the central-London section between Liverpool Street and Baker Street.

In the morning peak, the southbound service pattern is strengthened to the following:<ref name="autogenerated1" />
*4{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Uxbridge}} - {{lus|Baker Street}} (all stations);
*6{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Uxbridge}} - {{lus|Aldgate}} (4 all stations, 2 semi-fast);
*6{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Watford}} - {{lus|Baker Street}} (3 all stations, 3 semi-fast);
*2{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Watford}} - {{lus|Aldgate}} (1 all stations, 1 semi-fast);
*4{{nbsp}}tph {{stn|Amersham}} - {{lus|Aldgate}} (2 semi-fast, 2 fast)
*2{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Chesham}} - {{lus|Aldgate}} (fast).

The northbound frequencies in the morning peak are similar on each route, except most trains run as ''all-stations'' services.

Similarly, in the evening peak, the northbound service pattern is strengthened to the following:<ref name="autogenerated1" />
*3{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Baker Street}} - {{lus|Uxbridge}} (all stations);
*7{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Aldgate}} - {{lus|Uxbridge}} (all stations);
*4{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Baker Street}} - {{lus|Watford}} (2 all stations, 2 semi-fast)
*4{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Aldgate}} - {{lus|Watford}} (semi-fast);
*2{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Baker Street}} - {{stn|Amersham}} (semi-fast);
*2{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Aldgate}} - {{stn|Amersham}} (fast);
*2{{nbsp}}tph {{lus|Aldgate}} - {{stn|Chesham}} (fast).

The southbound frequencies in the evening peak are similar on each route, except all trains run as ''all-stations'' services.

== Rolling stock ==
{{Main|London Underground S7 and S8 Stock}}
[[File:LUL-S-Stock-interior-Original-Met-Line-Variant.jpg|thumb|S8 Stock trains featuring partial transverse seating, reminiscent of the older A Stock trains]]
Since 20 September 2012, all services have been provided by eight-car S Stock trains<ref>{{cite web |url= http://content.tfl.gov.uk/Part-1-Item05-Commissioners-Report-November-2012.pdf |title=Commissioner's Report |publisher=Transport for London |work=Board Meeting Documents |date=20 September 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |at=paragraph 3.2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826151136/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/Part-1-Item05-Commissioners-Report-November-2012.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> introduced in July 2010 to replace the 1960s [[London Underground A60 and A62 Stock|A Stock]].<ref name="waboso">{{cite news |title=Transforming the tube |author=Waboso, David |work=Modern Railways |location=London |date=December 2010 |pages=42–45}}</ref> Part of Bombardier's [[Bombardier Movia|Movia]] family, they have air-conditioning, feasible because the sub-surface tunnels, unlike tube tunnels, are able to disperse the exhausted hot air.<ref name=Bombardier>{{cite web |title= Movia metro – London, United Kingdom |publisher=Bombardier |url= http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/rail-vehicles/metros/london--united-kingdom?docID=0901260d8000d19e |access-date=27 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="MR201012p46ff">{{cite news |title='S' stock making its mark |work=Modern Railways |location=London |page=46 |date=December 2010}}</ref> They have [[regenerative brake]]s, returning around 20% of their energy to the network and thus reducing energy consumption.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/transforming-the-tube-brochure.pdf |title=Transforming the Tube |date=July 2008 |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=28 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605002808/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/transforming-the-tube-brochure.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2011 }}</ref> With fewer seats than the older A Stock&nbsp;– 306 compared with 448 – they can accommodate 697 standing passengers, compared with 597 in A Stock,{{#tag:ref|Based on 4 passengers per square metre.|group=note}} and have dedicated space for wheelchairs.<ref>*{{cite web |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/rollingstock/1614.aspx |title=Rolling Stock: A Stock |access-date=25 November 2012 |publisher= Transport for London }}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/rollingstock/21815.aspx |title=Rolling Stock: S Stock |access-date=25 November 2012 |publisher= Transport for London |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131229052317/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/rollingstock/21815.aspx |archive-date=29 December 2013 }}</ref> They have a top speed of {{convert|62|mph}},<ref name=Bombardier /> being the only London Underground stock to travel at that speed, doing so on the long-distance sections north of Finchley Road.

There are 58 S8 Stock trains in operation, as well as one eight-car S7 Stock also called 'S7+1' – which retains the all-longitudinal seating of the normal seven-car S7 Stock that is operated on London Underground's other sub-surface lines.

== Depot ==
{{Main|Neasden Depot}}
The line is served by a depot at Neasden.{{#tag:ref|Position: {{Coord|51|33|28|N|000|15|31|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=35 – Neasden Depot}}|group="note"}} The Metropolitan Railway opened a carriage works at Neasden in 1882 and the following year the locomotive works were moved from Edgware Road.{{sfn|Jackson|1986|pp=82–82}} In 1904–05, the depot was refitted to take the new electric multiple units{{sfn|Jackson|1986|p=176}} and accommodation enlarged in 1932–3.{{Sfn|Jackson|1986|p=281}} After the amalgamation into the LTPB, the depot was rebuilt from 1936 to 1939. The depot was upgraded in 2010–11 to enable it to maintain S Stock trains.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/16786.aspx |title=Works begin to build new maintenance facility at Neasden Depot |date=28 September 2010 |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=11 February 2011}}</ref> Trains are also stored overnight at Uxbridge, Watford, Rickmansworth and Wembley Park.<ref name="Tfl Key Facts">{{cite web |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/1608.aspx |title=London Underground Key Facts |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=21 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070529041317/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/1608.aspx |archive-date=29 May 2007 }}</ref>

== Steam on the Met ==
[[File:Steam Train at Amersham Station - geograph.org.uk - 56745.jpg|thumb|right|[[LMS Black 5]] 44932 at Amersham in 1992]]
In 1989, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Metropolitan to Chesham, the first '''Steam on the Met''' event took place with London Underground running two weekends of steam specials between Chesham and Watford.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.metroland.org.uk/steamonthemet/index.htm |title=Steam on the Met |author=metroland.org.uk}}</ref> The event was a success and so in 1990 London Underground ran steam between Harrow and Amersham. In 1992, to celebrate 100&nbsp;years of the Met at Amersham, the event was extended to five days at the end of May. From 1994, diesel locomotive 20227, owned by the Class 20 Locomotive Society, and electric locomotive Sarah Siddons provided air braking for the coaches.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} In 1995, trains ran between Amersham and Watford.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.offshed.com/mainline/showcategory.php?catID=13 |title=Steam on the Met |author=King, Geoffrey}}</ref>

Engines used included [[BR standard class 5]] and [[BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T|BR standard class 4]] and [[GWR 0-6-0PT|GWR Pannier tanks]]. There was other [[rolling stock]] on static display at Rickmansworth sidings. The steam trains ran between normal Metropolitan and main line services. Due to the imminent partial privatisation of LUL and the stock condition, the last steam excursion took place in 2000.{{citation needed|date=November 2012}} In 2008, special trains ran on using [[Metropolitan Railway electric locomotive]] "Sarah Siddons" and diesel [[British Rail Class 20|Class 20]] locomotives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peat.me.uk/2008/08/30/not-quite-steam-on-the-met|title=Not quite Steam on the Met|work=peat.me.uk|access-date=24 November 2011|date=30 August 2008}}</ref>

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Metropolitan, special services ran in January 2013 using a restored 1892 "Jubilee" carriage, 1898–1900 Ashbury and Cravens bogie carriages, Metropolitan Railway milk van No.3, [[Metropolitan Railway E Class]] steam locomotive No. 1 and electric locomotive ''Sarah Siddons''.<ref name="PAST">{{cite web |url= http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/events/past-events/444-past-events-tube-150 |title= Past Events – tube 150 |publisher= London Transport Museum |access-date= 4 February 2013 |archive-date= 29 October 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213235/http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/events/past-events/444-past-events-tube-150 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Further events were planned for 2013 involving Locomotive No. 1, ''Sarah Siddons'' and the Jubilee carriage, including a ''Steam back on the Met'' scheduled for May.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Vehicles on the Move |publisher=London Transport Museum |access-date=4 February 2013 |url=http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/events/vehicles-on-the-move#loco |archive-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001055823/http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/events/vehicles-on-the-move#loco |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{anchor|Upgrade and extension}}

== Four Lines Modernisation (4LM) ==
{{Main|Four Lines Modernisation}}

It was planned that a new signalling system would be used first on the line north of Baker Street from the end of 2016,<ref name="MR" /> but signalling contractor Bombardier was released from its contract by agreement in December 2013 amid heavy criticism of the procurement process<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 January 2014|title=London Underground and Bombardier abandon Tube signalling contract|url=https://www.railjournal.com/financial/london-underground-and-bombardier-abandon-tube-signalling-contract/|access-date=2 June 2020|website=International Railway Journal }}</ref> and London Underground subsequently awarded the contract for the project to [[Thales Group|Thales]] in August 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 October 2017|title=London Underground resignalling reaches milestone|url=https://www.railjournal.com/signalling/london-underground-resignalling-reaches-milestone/|access-date=2 June 2020|website=International Railway Journal }}</ref>

With the introduction of S8 Stock, the track, electrical supply, and signalling systems are being upgraded in a programme planned to increase peak-hour capacity on the line by 27 per cent by the end of 2023.<ref name="MR">{{cite news |work=Modern Railways |date=January 2013 |pages=38–41 |title=Sub-surface renewal |last=Abbott |first=James}}</ref><ref name="TfL-upgrade">{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/our-upgrade-plan-london-underground-february-2011.pdf |title=Our Upgrade Plan |publisher=Transport for London |date=February 2011 |access-date=7 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817225410/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/our-upgrade-plan-london-underground-february-2011.pdf |archive-date=17 August 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Four Lines Modernisation|url=https://www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/four-lines-modernisation|access-date=2 June 2020|website=Transport for London }}</ref> A single control room for the sub-surface railway opened at Hammersmith on 6 May 2018, and [[communications-based train control]] (CBTC) provided by Thales will progressively replace 'fixed block' signalling equipment dating back the 1940s.<ref name="MR" /><ref name="MR2">{{cite news |work=Modern Railways |date=January 2013 |pages=42–43 |title=Cityflo 650 to control the SSR |last=Stewart |first=Rob}}</ref> Trackside signals with [[automatic train protection]] (ATP) will remain on the line north of Harrow-on-the-Hill, shared with Chiltern Railways DMUs.<ref name="MR" />

The rollout of CBTC has been split into sections, each known as a signal migration area (SMA).<ref>{{Cite journal|date=October 2020|title=Underground News|journal=London Underground Railway Society|volume=706|pages=572}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Metropolitan line signal migration areas
!data-sort-type="number"|{{Abbr|SMA|Signal migration area}}{{efn-lr|SMAs 0.5, 1, 4–7 and 10–12 concern parts of the District, Circle, and Hammersmith & City lines.}}
!from
!class="unsortable"|to
!status
!data-sort-type="isoDate"|date
|-
|2
|Finchley Road
|Euston Square
|completed
|data-sort-value="2019-09" | September 2019
|-
|3
|Euston Square
|Aldgate
|completed
|data-sort-value="2020-07" | July 2020
|-
|8
|Finchley Road
|Preston Road
|completed
|data-sort-value="2025-06" | June 2025
|-
|9
|Preston Road
|{{plainlist|
* West Harrow
* Moor Park
}}
|planned
|data-sort-value="2025-07" | ''2025+ (TBC)''
|-
|13
|Moor Park
|{{plainlist|
* Watford
* Amersham
* Chesham
}}
|planned
|data-sort-value="2026-01" | ''2026+ (TBC)''
|-
|14
|West Harrow
|Uxbridge
|planned  
|data-sort-value="2027-01" |''2027+ (TBC)''
|}

{{notelist-lr}}

Work on the SMAs north of Finchley Road were delayed in November 2023 because of the complexity of Neasden Depot (shared with the Jubilee Line) and challenges relating to the inter-operability with [[Chiltern Railways]] which shares tracks with the Metropolitan line in this area.<ref name="FOI-4LM">{{cite web |date=November 2023 |title=FOI Request Detail - 4LM |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-2726-2324 |access-date=20 January 2024 |publisher=Transport for London}}</ref>

== List of stations ==
=== Open stations ===
''In order from east to west.''
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Station !! Image !! Opened<ref name="Rose" /> !! Branch !!Additional information !! Position
|-
| [[Aldgate tube station|Aldgate]] || [[File:Aldgate-Station-Entrance.jpg|100px]] || 18 November 1876 || Main line
|Terminus. Connects with Circle line.
|{{Coord|51|30|50|N|000|04|34|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=01 – Aldgate tube station}}
|-
| [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]] {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} {{rail-interchange|london|overground}} {{rail-interchange|london|elizabeth}} || [[File:Liverpool Street Underground concourse entr.JPG|100px]] || 12 July 1875 || Main line
| Originally Bishopsgate, renamed 1 November 1909. Interchange for [[Central line (London Underground)|Central]] and [[Hammersmith & City line|Hammersmith & City]] lines and [[Weaver line]], [[Elizabeth line]] and [[National Rail]] services from [[Liverpool Street railway station|Liverpool Street]] mainline station. ||{{Coord|51|31|07|N|000|04|53|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=02 – Liverpool Street station}}. {{rail-interchange|london|crossrail}}.
|-
| [[Moorgate station|Moorgate]] {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} {{rail-interchange|london|elizabeth}} || [[File:Moorgate.jpg|100px]] || 23 December 1865 || Main line
| Originally Moorgate Street, renamed 24 October 1924. Interchange for [[Northern line|Northern]] line and National Rail services on the [[Northern City Line]]. Interchange for Elizabeth line via [[Liverpool Street Station]]. ||{{Coord|51|31|07|N|000|05|19|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=03 – Moorgate station}}.
|-
| [[Barbican tube station|Barbican]] || [[File:Barbican Station.jpg|100px]] || 23 December 1865 || Main line
| Originally Aldersgate Street, renamed Aldersgate 1910, Aldersgate and Barbican 1923, Barbican 1968. ||{{Coord|51|31|13|N|000|05|52|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=04 – Barbican tube station}}
|-
| [[Farringdon station|Farringdon]] {{access icon}} {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} {{rint|London|thameslink}} {{rail-interchange|london|elizabeth}} || [[File:Farringdon station exterior.jpg|100px]] || 10 January 1863 || Main line
| Resited 22 December 1865. Originally Farringdon Street, renamed Farringdon & High Holborn 1922, Farringdon 1936. Interchange for National Rail and Elizabeth line services. ||{{Coord|51|31|12|N|000|06|19|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=05 – Farringdon station}}
|-
| [[King's Cross St Pancras tube station|King's Cross St Pancras]] {{access icon}} {{rail-interchange|gb|rail|}} {{rail-interchange|eurostar|}} || [[File:King's Cross St Pancras tube stn Euston Rd NE entrance.JPG|100px]] || 10 January 1863 ||Main line
| Station resited 1941. Originally King's Cross, renamed King's Cross & St Pancras 1925, King's Cross St Pancras 1933. Interchange for [[Northern line|Northern]], [[Piccadilly line|Piccadilly]] and [[Victoria line|Victoria]] lines, National Rail services and [[Eurostar]].|| {{Coord|51|31|49|N|000|07|27|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=06 – King's Cross St Pancras tube station}}
|-
| [[Euston Square tube station|Euston Square]] || [[File:Euston Square stn look east.JPG|100px]] || 10 January 1863 || Main line
|Originally Gower Street, renamed 1909. || {{Coord|51|31|33|N|000|08|09|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=07 – Euston Square tube station}}
|-
| [[Great Portland Street tube station|Great Portland Street]] || [[File:Great Portland St Tube Station.jpg|100px]] || 10 January 1863 || Main line
|  Originally Portland Road, renamed Great Portland Street 1917, Great Portland Street & Regent's Park 1923, Great Portland Street 1933. ||{{Coord|51|31|26|N|000|08|38|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=08 – Great Portland Street tube station}}
|-
|[[Baker Street tube station|Baker Street]]
|[[File:BakerStEntrance.JPG|100px]]
|10 January 1863
|Main line
|Metropolitan line platforms date from 1868. Interchange for  [[Bakerloo line|Bakerloo]], [[Circle line (London Underground)|Circle]], [[Hammersmith & City line|Hammersmith & City]] and [[Jubilee line|Jubilee]] lines.
|{{Coord|51|31|19|N|000|09|25|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=09 – Baker Street tube station}}
|-
| [[Finchley Road tube station|Finchley Road]]|| [[File:Finchley Road Tube.jpg|100px]]|| 30 June 1879 || Main line|| Finchley Road (South Hampstead) from 1885 to 1914. Connects with [[Jubilee line|Jubilee]] line.||{{Coord|51|32|50|N|000|10|49|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=10 – Finchley Road tube station}}
|-
| [[Wembley Park tube station|Wembley Park]] {{access icon}} || [[File:Wembley Park tube station extension.jpg|100px]] || 12 May 1894 || Main line
| Connects with [[Jubilee line]].||{{Coord|51|33|49|N|000|16|46|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=11 – Wembley Park tube station}}
|-
| [[Preston Road tube station|Preston Road]] || [[File:Preston Road Tube Station.jpg|100px]] || 21 May 1908 || Main line || Resited 1931–32. ||{{Coord|51|34|20|N|000|17|43|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=12 – Preston Road tube station}}
|-
| [[Northwick Park tube station|Northwick Park]] || [[File:Northwick Park tube station 1.jpg|100px]] || 28 June 1923 || Main line || Originally Northwick Park & Kenton, renamed 1937. ||{{Coord|51|34|43|N|000|19|07|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=13 – Northwick Park tube station}}
|-
| [[Harrow-on-the-Hill station|Harrow-on-the-Hill]] {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} || [[File:Harrow-on-the-Hill stn north entrance.JPG|100px]] || 2 August 1880 || Main line || Originally Harrow, renamed 1894. Interchange for National Rail services. ||{{Coord|51|34|46|N|000|20|13|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=14 – Harrow-on-the-Hill station}}
|- style="border-top:4px solid #ccc"
| [[West Harrow tube station|West Harrow]] || [[File:West Harrow tube station 2.jpg|100px]] || 17 November 1913 || Uxbridge ||  ||{{Coord|51|34|47|N|000|21|12|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=15 – West Harrow tube station}}
|-
| [[Rayners Lane tube station|Rayners Lane]] || [[File:Rayners Lane stn building.JPG|100px]] || 26 May 1906 ||Uxbridge || Connects with [[Piccadilly line|Piccadilly]] line.||{{Coord|51|34|31|N|000|22|17|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=16 – Rayners Lane tube station}}
|-
| [[Eastcote tube station|Eastcote]] || [[File:Eastcote tube station 1.jpg|100px]] || 26 May 1906 ||Uxbridge || ||{{Coord|51|34|36|N|000|23|49|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=17 – Eastcote tube station}}
|-
| [[Ruislip Manor tube station|Ruislip Manor]] || [[File:Ruislip Manor tube station 1.jpg|100px]] || 5 August 1912 ||Uxbridge || ||{{Coord|51|34|24|N|000|24|45|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=18 – Ruislip Manor tube station}}
|-
| [[Ruislip tube station|Ruislip]] || [[File:Ruislip station building.JPG|100px]] || 4 July 1904 ||Uxbridge || ||{{Coord|51|34|17|N|000|25|16|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=19 – Ruislip tube station}}
|-
| [[Ickenham tube station|Ickenham]] || [[File:Ickenham tube station 1.jpg|100px]] || 25 September 1905 ||Uxbridge || Originally Ickenham Halt, rebuilt 1970–71.
|{{Coord|51|33|43|N|000|26|31|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=20 – Ickenham tube station}}
|-
| [[Hillingdon tube station|Hillingdon]] {{access icon}} || [[File:Hillingdon stn entrance.JPG|100px]] || 10 December 1923 ||Uxbridge ||Renamed Hillingdon (Swakeleys) 1934, suffix gradually dropped. Resited and rebuilt 1992. ||{{Coord|51|33|14|N|000|27|00|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=21 – Hillingdon tube station}}
|-
| [[Uxbridge tube station|Uxbridge]] {{access icon}} || [[File:Uxbridge station entrance.JPG|100px]] || 4 July 1904 ||Uxbridge || Terminus. Station resited from Belmont Road in 1938. ||{{Coord|51|32|45|N|000|28|42|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=22 – Uxbridge tube station}}
|- style="border-top:4px solid #ccc"
| [[North Harrow tube station|North Harrow]] || [[File:N Harrow station.jpg|100px]] || 22 March 1915 || Main line || ||{{Coord|51|35|06|N|000|21|45|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=23 – North Harrow tube station}}
|-
| [[Pinner tube station|Pinner]] {{access icon}} || [[File:Pinner tube station.jpg|100px]] || 25 May 1885 || Main line || ||{{Coord|51|35|34|N|000|22|50|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=24 – Pinner tube station}}
|-
| [[Northwood Hills tube station|Northwood Hills]] || [[File:Northwood Hills tube station.jpg|100px]] || 13 November 1933 || Main line || ||{{Coord|51|36|02|N|000|24|33|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=25 – Northwood Hills tube station}}
|-
| [[Northwood tube station|Northwood]] || [[File:Northwood tube station.jpg|100px]] ||1 September 1887 || Main line ||The last station within [[Greater London]]. || {{Coord|51|36|39|N|000|25|28|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=26 – Northwood tube station}}
|-
| [[Moor Park tube station|Moor Park]] || [[File:Moor Park stn main entrance.JPG|100px]] || 9 May 1910 || Main line ||Originally Sandy Lodge, renamed Moor Park & Sandy Lodge 18 October 1923, Moor Park 25 September 1950. ||{{Coord|51|37|47|N|000|25|58|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=27 – Moor Park tube station}}
|- style="border-top:4px solid #ccc"
| [[Croxley tube station|Croxley]] || [[File:Croxley Tube Station - exterior.JPG|100px]] || 2 November 1925 || Watford || Originally Croxley Green, renamed 23 May 1949. ||{{Coord|51|38|51|N|000|26|29|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=28 – Croxley tube station}}
|-
| [[Watford tube station|Watford]] || [[File:Watford Tube Station.JPG|100px]] || 2 November 1925 || Watford ||Terminus. ||{{Coord|51|39|27|N|000|25|03|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=29 – Watford tube station}}
|- style="border-top:4px solid #ccc"
| [[Rickmansworth station|Rickmansworth]] {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} || [[File:Rickmansworth station building.JPG|100px]] || 1 September 1887 || Main line || ||{{Coord|51|38|25|N|000|28|24|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=30 – Rickmansworth station}}
|-
| [[Chorleywood station|Chorleywood]] {{access icon}} {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} || [[File:Chorleywood station building.JPG|100px]] || 8 July 1889 || Main line ||The last station within [[Hertfordshire]]. Originally Chorley Wood, renamed Chorley Wood & Chenies 1 November 1915, Chorley Wood 1934, Chorleywood 1964. ||{{Coord|51|39|15|N|000|31|06|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=31 – Chorleywood station}}
|-
| [[Chalfont & Latimer station|Chalfont & Latimer]] {{access icon}} {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} || [[File:Chalfont & Latimer station building.JPG|100px]] || 8 July 1889|| Main line ||Originally Chalfont Road, renamed 1 November 1915. Interchange for National Rail services. ||{{Coord|51|40|04|N|000|33|40|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=32 – Chalfont & Latimer station}}
|- style="border-top:4px solid #ccc"
| [[Chesham tube station|Chesham]] {{access icon}} || [[File:Chesham station building.jpg|100px]] || 8 July 1889 || Chesham || Terminus. ||{{Coord|51|42|19|N|000|36|41|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=33 – Chesham tube station}}
|- style="border-top:4px solid #ccc"
| [[Amersham station|Amersham]] {{access icon}} {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}} || [[File:Amersham tube station 1.jpg|100px]] || 1 September 1892 || Amersham||Terminus. Renamed Amersham & Chesham Bois 12 March 1922, Amersham 1937. Interchange for National Rail services.||{{Coord|51|40|27|N|000|36|27|W|region:GB_type:railwaystation|name=34 – Amersham station}}
|}

=== Former stations ===

[[File:LT loco L92 in 1969.jpg|thumb|LT loco L92 at Croxley tip in 1969]]
The [[Brill Tramway]] with stations {{rws|Waddesdon Road}}, {{rws|Westcott}}, {{rws|Wotton|Metropolitan Railway}}, {{rws|Church Siding}}, {{rws|Wood Siding}} and {{rws|Brill}} closed in 1935. In the following year, the line was cut back to Aylesbury, with [[Waddesdon railway station|Waddesdon station]] and {{rws|Granborough Road}}, {{rws|Winslow Road}} stations on the line to [[Verney Junction]] closing.<ref name="Rose" /> Initially {{rws|Verney Junction}} and [[Quainton Road railway station|Quainton Road]] remained open, with main line services provided by the LNER.

In 1939, the [[Stanmore tube station|Stanmore]] branch and the stopping service between Finchley Road and Wembley Park were transferred to the [[Bakerloo line]]. On the St John's Wood section, [[Lord's tube station|Lord's]] and [[Marlborough Road tube station|Marlborough Road]] stations were replaced by [[St John's Wood tube station|St John's Wood]], and [[Swiss Cottage tube station|Swiss Cottage]] replaced [[Swiss Cottage (Metropolitan line) tube station|the Metropolitan line station]].{{sfn|Green|1987|p=51}}<ref name="Rose" /> The Bakerloo line service to Stanmore was transferred to the [[Jubilee line]] when that line opened in 1979.{{sfn|Green|1987|p=63}}

In 1961, when steam locomotives were replaced and the line was electrified to Amersham, the Underground service to [[Great Missenden railway station|Great Missenden]], [[Wendover railway station|Wendover]], [[Stoke Mandeville railway station|Stoke Mandeville]] and [[Aylesbury railway station|Aylesbury]] was withdrawn.<ref name="Rose" />

=== Goods-only branches ===
Between Moor Park and Croxley, a short branch ran south-east off the Watford branch, near its junction with the main line, to Croxley Tip, a rubbish dump beside the Grand Union Canal. This site began as a gravel loading point before becoming used by the railway to dump waste such as old ballast and waste from [[Neasden Power Station|Neasden power station]]. This route, never used for passenger traffic, continued to be used by London Transport's small fleet of steam engines until 1971, when diesels replaced them. The branch closed some time after this, although a section of the spur line remained visible from a passing train.

A second short branch line, known as the [[Halton Railway]], served [[RAF Halton]] near Wendover, across the [[Wendover Arm Canal|Wendover Arm]] of the Grand Union Canal. The line was built during the First World War and closed in 1963.<ref name="Halton Railway MOD">{{cite web|title=Halton Railway|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafhalton/aboutus/haltonrilway.cfm|website=[[RAF Halton]]|publisher=MOD|access-date=6 September 2015}}</ref> The trackbed is now a footpath.<ref name="The Wendover Arm: Linear and Circular Walks">{{cite book|title=The Wendover Arm: Linear and Circular Walks|publisher=Buckinghamshire County Council|location=Aylesbury|url=http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/952709/Wendover_Arm_Leaflet.pdf|access-date=6 September 2015}}</ref>

Although not operated by Metropolitan passenger services, the line from South Harrow to Rayners Lane was built by the Metropolitan railway as the [[District Railway]] was in financial difficulties at the time. This included a short branch, part of which is still visible, on a viaduct to a gas works. Other minor freight connections along the line once included connections to the Midland main line at Finchley Road.

A single-track spur from a small yard between Ickenham and Ruislip stations connects to [[Ruislip depot|Ruislip Depot]] of the Central line. This line is used for engineering and empty stock transfers, although occasional plans suggest extending the Central line into Uxbridge by upgrading the connection. It was built in 1973.

== Metropolitan line extension ==
{{Main|Croxley Rail Link}}
[[File:Croxley rail link.png|thumb|Diagram of the Croxley Rail Link]]
Also known as the Croxley Rail Link, an extension to the Metropolitan line was to reroute the Watford branch from the current terminus using the disused [[Watford and Rickmansworth Railway|Croxley Green branch line]] to [[Watford Junction railway station|Watford Junction]]. Funding was agreed in December 2011<ref>{{Cite news |title=Transport schemes given £854m in government funding |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-16174368 |work=BBC News |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=14 December 2011}}</ref> and the necessary permission was granted by the UK Government in July 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Watford Metropolitan line Tube extension gets go-ahead |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23443173 |work=BBC News |date=24 July 2013 |access-date=24 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="Croxley plans">{{cite web |title=Croxley Rail Link |year=2012 |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2053.aspx |access-date=23 November 2012 |publisher=Transport for London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325121007/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2053.aspx |archive-date=25 March 2013 }}</ref><ref name="tflmet">{{cite web |title=Metropolitan line Extension |publisher=Transport for London |year=2017 |url= https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/metropolitan-line-extension |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170717143418/https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/metropolitan-line-extension |archive-date=17 July 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to a funding shortfall, the project was cancelled in 2016.<ref name="tflmet"/>

== References ==

=== Footnotes ===
{{Reflist|group="note"}}

{{clear}}
=== Notes ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Bruce|first=J Graeme|year=1983|title=Steam to Silver. A history of London Transport Surface Rolling Stock|publisher=Capital Transport|isbn=0-904711-45-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Green|first=Oliver|year=1987|title=The London Underground: An illustrated history|publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing|Ian Allan]]|isbn=0-7110-1720-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Horne|first=Mike|title=The Metropolitan Line|year=2003|publisher=Capital Transport|isbn=1-85414-275-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/metropolitanline00mike}}
* {{cite book|title=London's Metropolitan Railway|last=Jackson|first=Alan|year=1986|publisher=David & Charles|isbn=0-7153-8839-8}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite book|first=Clive |last=Foxell |title=The Metropolitan Line |publisher=History Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7524-5396-5 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Metropolitan Line}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
{{geoGroup}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/keyfacts/13173.aspx Metropolitan line facts]

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[[Category:London Underground lines]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1863]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Brent]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Camden]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of London]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Harrow]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Hillingdon]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Islington]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Amersham]]
[[Category:Standard gauge railways in England]]
[[Category:Rickmansworth]]
[[Category:1863 establishments in England]]