Tower Subway 150th Anniversary

The Tower Subway, located in London, holds the distinction of being the world's first underground tube railway. It was opened in 1870 and ran for a short distance beneath the River Thames, connecting Tower Hill and Vine Lane. What makes it particularly intriguing is that it used a unique method of transportation: a cylindrical carriage that was propelled by cable traction. This unconventional design set it apart from traditional train systems. However, the Tower Subway was not commercially successful and could carry just 12 passengers forcing it closure to the public in 1898. While it had a short lifespan, the Tower Subway remains a fascinating piece of London's transportation history as an early experiment in underground rail travel. 

150th anniversary of the official opening of Tower Subway with single 1st class stamp and London SE1 anniversary postmark 2nd August 2020.