London Underground station has completely different signs to all the others
The London Underground roundel is a symbol recognised across the world, but one central London Tube station has a unique design that sets it apart from all the others
The iconic blue bar and red circle logo of the London Underground, also known as the roundel, is a symbol recognised not just across the UK but globally. It's the beacon people search for when navigating their way around the capital. This emblematic logo graces popular souvenirs such as mugs, t-shirts and keyrings, purchased by both locals and tourists, and has even influenced the design of logos for other subway systems worldwide.
However, the evolution of the roundel into its current form has been a gradual process, and in one central London Tube station, the modern-day design with the red circle is yet to fully take hold.
READ MORE: Claudia Winkleman-loved brand launches Bank holiday sale including 'holy grail' spray
Regular users of Moorgate station, served by the Northern, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City and Circle lines, may have noticed that the station hasn't fully embraced the famous logo typically associated with the Tube.
Instead, the station sports a unique, diamond-shaped roundel behind the blue bar, rather than the customary red circle.
While this might seem unusual, this sign actually predates the circular version, reports MyLondon. The diamond-shaped sign harks back to the era of the Metropolitan Railway, the precursor to the London Underground, which operated London's underground rail network from 1863 to 1933. In fact, it was the world's first subway system.
The Metropolitan Railway fittingly used a diamond-shaped roundel in its logo to artistically portray its significance to global public transport.
However, when the Metropolitan Railway joined the London Passenger Transport Board and was renamed the Metropolitan line, the diamond logos started being replaced by round ones designed by Edward Johnston in the 1920s.
But in 2013, the diamond-shaped logos were put back up at Moorgate station to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Metropolitan Railway.
The diamond-shaped roundels were left at Moorgate to remind commuters of the history of the Tube, and to this day, Moorgate remains the only Underground station in London to have them.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK households rush to 'hold physical cash' as warning issued to millions
Households are seeking a safety net in time of global volatility, according to the Bank of England's chief cashier UK households have been issued a warning to "hoard physical cash" as Brits scramble to respond amidst economic uncertainty and fear of shortages. According to the Bank of England's chief cashier, households are seeking a safety net during this period of global volatility. Victoria Cleland stated on Tuesday that UK households were creating a cash contingency fund, similar to their actions during the Covid and cost of living crises. She noted that the Bank had observed a significant rise in the number of banknotes in circulation in recent months. "At a time of uncertainty, at a time of crisis, people do move to cash. They want to make sure they have literally got something under the mattress," said Ms Cleland. "Even in the UK, there will be times where networks are down and you can only be paying in cash." Cleland mentioned that consumers want cash "to be there but they're not necessarily using it". Last year, Ron Delnevo, chair of the Payment Choice Alliance, which advocates for the long-term future of cash services, declared it was "completely unacceptable" that some shops were refusing cash. "The vast majority of the public want cash to be honoured as a payment," he stated. "These businesses are letting down the public." Kate Osborne, the Labour Party MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, who has signed the early day motion, expressed: "It is a fundamental right that people should be able to use cash as a legal tender. "When you are trying to budget, particularly if you are on a low income, cash is a simple way of doing it. I understand that many people are not using cash much of the time, but there should be choice for all. "We are seeing more and more retailers offering card-only payments, and it causes problems in constituencies like mine where we've got a high number of people who are digitally excluded or may choose not to do electronic banking." The Bank of England has suggested that in the coming years, alternative digital payment methods will likely become increasingly accepted and utilised, reports Birmingham Live. In 2017, debit cards surpassed cash as the most frequently used payment method in the UK.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
Say goodbye to the London Underground's last wooden escalator
Transport for London is giving Alperton tube station a step-free glow-up by replacing its antiquated (now out-of use) wooden escalator with two brand new lifts. Taken from the Dome of Discovery at the Festival of Britain, the already- vintage escalator was installed into Alperton station in November 1955 with only one direction, up. It also only benefited commuters heading London-bound, and was decommissioned in 1988. Since then, the London Underground's last wooden relic has been hidden behind a closed-off wall, but soon it will be gone forever, as the out of service escalator is going to be removed to make way for lifts, making Alperton fully accessible. Brent Council has agreed to team up with TfL to partially fund the station revamp by contributing up to half of the total costs (capping at £5 million). Now, the new lift will make Alperton's eastbound platform completely step-free, except for the step from the train to the platform, where staff members will provide mini-ramps as needed. As for westbound commuters, the stairs and tunnel under the railway complicate the renovation designs. TfL has considered adding a new lift for a separate tunnel that's behind the retail space in front of the station, but that would require its current occupiers, a local barber shop, to close. Will they close a local business for the greater good of accessible transit? That is to be determined. What we do know is that the upgrade will include more ticket barriers and new accessible toilet. 'It's essential that TfL and local authorities continue working together to help achieve a city where the public transport network is open to everyone, with the delivery of schemes being prioritised where there is third party funding available,' said a spokesperson for TfL. With 6,000 new homes expected to be constructed in the area, and at least 10 percent of them designed to be wheelchair accessible, the station glow-up will significantly help meet the new residents' requirements. Costs for the station's revamp are expected to be between £10 million and £16 million, with construction expected to start next summer for the lifts to open in summer 2027.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Newport council hopes 2040 will be 'new era' for city
This vision of a 'welcoming and safe' Newport in the year 2040, set out by the council, will drive a new placemaking plan for improvements to the city centre. The 15-year strategy combines a series of 'quick wins' with more long-term projects all designed to lift the city and encourage more visitors and prosperity. It unashamedly draws from successes elsewhere, looking at how cities across the UK – and as far away as Australia – have revived public spaces for their communities. Newport council is spending £6m to improve these 55 roads in the city Council planning a 'no one left behind' scheme for residents in need Eisteddfod is an opportunity to show 'we are a proud Welsh city,' says leader While the proposals in the new plan are 'not a guaranteed list' and in some cases would not be solely council-led, they represent a framework to help Newport 'pull in the same direction' and ensure the city's 'evolution'. The set of 'quick win' proposals for the first two years include: A food-focused outdoor market around the Steel Wave sculpture, based on a similar scheme in Bristol. Opening a new playground, possibly in John Frost Square, to make central Newport a more 'family-friendly destination', inspired by a shopping centre project in Brisbane, Australia. Brightening streets with 'more inviting' festoon lighting to 'create a more welcoming and vibrant city after dark'. 'Wrapping' empty shops with local artists' works to 'improve the aesthetic appeal of vacant spaces'. A walking route 'Tube map' to improve navigation around the city centre. Making Newport's art, heritage and culture more visible in public spaces. Fixed 'busking spots' for licensed performances, similar to a London Underground initiative. Developing a 'place brand' for Newport with its own logo, and making it 'highly visible' throughout the city. Raising awareness of the city's events calendar with a new digital platform. Improving the 'visual appeal' of Rodney Parade's riverside stand, as seen from Rodney Road. Medium-term projects include finding a 'new use' for the historic Westgate Hotel, where Chartists clashed with soldiers in 1839, and redeveloping Rodney Parade's so-called 'cabbage patch' into a modern training facility. The River Usk will be celebrated as a 'defining feature' of Newport, with better waterfront access and potential opportunities for boating, water taxis and watersports. The council said it will also work with the owners of Friars Walk to attract new operators to two large commercial spaces – the closed Cineworld cinema and the former Debenhams department store. Long-term projects would include regenerating the southern end of Commercial Street, including a proposal to 'demolish assets that detract from the character of the area'. As a whole, the council hopes these ambitions will make the city centre 'a thriving place, filled with excitement and fun experiences', which also benefit from already-agreed projects including the new leisure centre and Coleg Gwent campus on Usk Way. Beyond the physical differences it wants to achieve by 2040, however, the council hopes 'the biggest change by far to Newport is to the identity and perception of the city'. 'Most importantly, Newport has fallen in love with Newport again,' it said in its vision statement. 'And the world can see what the city and its people have to offer.'
