This week we celebrate London Overground’s 15^th birthday.  

Since the network was launched in 2007, our people have worked tirelessly to transform the service for our customers and communities. It is down to you the Overground is now one of the most popular and reliable railways in the UK – thank you for your ongoing hard work and dedication.   

Since its launch, the Overground has provided a vital transport link for Londoners, creating an orbital route around inner London and servicing 23 of the capital's 33 boroughs and the City of London. Customer numbers have risen from 33 million in 2008/9 to more than 190 million in 2018/19 and we operate over 1,500 services each weekday. 

The concept of an orbital railway dates back to the early 70s. However, it wasn’t until 2004 the Department for Transport (DfT) announced a review of the rail industry and, as part of that review, TfL proposed a “London Regional Rail Authority”. This would give TfL regulatory powers over rail services in and around Greater London.  

On 5 September 2006, London Overground branding was announced and on 11 November 2007, TfL took over the North London Railway routes and the extended East London Line. An official launch ceremony was held at Hampstead Heath station the next day, with the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.  

Over the years, railways in north a.02nd west London had suffered significant neglect. The aim of the London Overground was to integrate these older networks into new routes in east and south London to create a fully orbital network to serve the capital.  

Some of the improvements were immediate. The launch of London Overground introduced Oyster and full-time staffing to all 55 refurbished stations and replaced the entire train fleet with 62 modern trains. This modern fleet was further improved in 2009, by the introduction of new, air-conditioned Class 378 trains to the North London and Euston to Watford lines. These were also the first units on the national network to have fully open gangways between carriages.  

In May 2010, the East London line extension officially opened between Dalston Junction and West Croydon, with branches to New Cross and Crystal Palace. Known as the ‘Phase 1 project’, this route used the old East London line and a disused railway alignment to the north, as well as existing tracks to the south.  This was followed with the East London line being extended to Highbury & Islington in February 2011, two months earlier than announced.  

The orbital loop was completed in December 2012, when a further 6.7 miles of track were opened from Surrey Quays to Clapham Junction. This completed the loop around London and made the Overground the first new circular route in the capital since the Circle line opened 128 years previously.  

Many stations have been added the original 55 of the London Overground’s launch. In September 2008, the network introduced Shepherd’s Bush station, while also unveiling Imperial Wharf – an area which had previously suffered from poor public transport provision.  

In March 2013, refurbishment of the Grade II listed Crystal Palace station was completed, reinstating its Victorian booking hall and adding 3 lifts to make it step free for the first time. The success of the project was recognised with a win at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Both White Hart Lane and West Hampstead stations entered into service in 2019 and a brand-new station at Barking Riverside opened this year, to serve the regenerated area including housing, leisure and shopping facilities.  

Our network has continued to grow with brand new stations and extensions to our route over the last fifteen years. In May 2015, London Overground took over the West Anglia suburban rail route and services operating between Romford and Upminster. In December 2017, Night Overground started on the East London line – offering safe, affordable and sustainable nighttime travel options for our customers. A year later, the Night Overground service was extended to Highbury & Islington.  

We have continued work on our fleet, too. In 2018, platform extension works were carried out at our stations to make way for the new, longer class 710 trains and in May 2019, the new 710 fleet entered into service on the Gospel Oak to Barking line. This made the line fully electrified and added 50% extra capacity. In October 2020, the roll out of the 710 fleet was completed as the trains entered service on the West Anglia lines and Romford to Upminster line.  

We have achieved so much in 15 years, and yet there is still even more to look forward to. The London Overground is now one of the most popular and reliable railways in the country, and this is all down to the hard work and dedication of our people. Thank you for your exceptional work, and congratulations on a remarkable fifteen years of the London Overground. Here’s to the next fifteen, and beyond.