Waterloo & City line
The turquoise Waterloo & City line is the shortest Tube line — just two stations, 2.4 km, four minutes end to end. Nicknamed 'The Drain', it exists for one purpose: to ferry City workers between Waterloo and Bank.
About the Waterloo & City line
Opened in 1898 by the London and South Western Railway, the line ran independently until 1994 when London Underground took it over.
It only runs Monday to Saturday daytime — closed Sundays, late evenings and the entire Christmas period. It is also the only Tube line with no intermediate stations.
Trains are 1992 Stock (the same fleet as the Central line) and were originally lifted into the tunnels through a hatch at Waterloo because the line is fully isolated from the rest of the network.
Key stations on the Waterloo & City line
- WaterlooBakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, National Rail — South Bank, London Eye
- BankCentral, Northern, DLR — City of London financial district
FAQs about the Waterloo & City line
Why is the Waterloo & City line called The Drain?
The original LSWR-era trains and tunnels were notoriously cramped and damp, and the line burrows under the Thames — Londoners have called it 'The Drain' since the 1890s.
Does the Waterloo & City line run on Sundays?
No. The Waterloo & City line is closed all day Sunday, late evenings, public holidays and the Christmas period. Use the Jubilee or Northern lines instead.
How many stations are on the Waterloo & City line?
Just two — Waterloo and Bank. There are no intermediate stations.