Stations across London are set to become part of Transport for London’s (TfL) new overground line layout. The new format began arriving at stations on November 20th, and most were finished by November 25th.
This new format will simplify the complex web of the lines, currently layered over the existing London underground map. Previously a single orange colour represented all Overground lines.
On-train signs not indicating how to change from one section of the city to the other, made journeys confusing for Londoners and visitors.
The London Overground had 181.4 million passenger journeys between April 2023 and March 2024. The Overground’s ridership is currently 96% of pre-pandemic levels. Selected stations, will also be serviced by new all-electric 378 class trains.
The new names highlight London’s culture and history. Another key reason for the update is to represent a new flourish in British culture from the early-modern remembrance of women’s independence movements, showcased with The Suffragette line- it highlights women’s suffrage movements, while the Weaver line focuses on the textile trade of East London.
New signage will be unveiled at the 100+ stations, alongside in-carriage map updates which will be installed across the Overground’s fleet. Additionally, an upgrade to the audio-visual passenger information system on the new electric trains will be rolled out on the Lioness, Mildmay and Windrush lines.
The project to update the map started in March 2024 and the development’s four-million-pound budget was considerably surpassed and is estimated to be close to six and a half million pounds.
Speaking about the project, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said “This is a hugely exciting moment, transforming how we think about London’s transport network”. He added: “Giving each of the Overground lines distinct colours and identities will make it simpler and easier for passengers to get around. In re-imagining London’s tube map, we are also honouring and celebrating different parts of London’s unique local history and culture”.
As the implementation was about to take place, the London Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord said in a press release on November 19th; “This is an exciting step as millions of customer journeys on the London Overground will be transformed by making it simpler to navigate. Individual line colours and names have helped customers navigate the Tube for more than a hundred years, so we wanted to take a similar approach on the London Overground.”
When it comes to Londoners and their views on the new move by TfL, speaking to people at Euston station, they gave their opinions on what the Overground was before and what is still to come:
-Thiago, a Watford local who often uses the Overground finds that the original signage and mapping “had too much going on” when trying to get around the city on the service. When asked about the historical and cultural benefits that the line will have, he said: “London is very diverse.. so I think it is very good that London is trying to represent other cultures with things like the Windrush line”.
-Ollie, who moved from Manchester to London, often uses the Overground said London’s “cultural legacy is important and if we can signpost that through visual and physical means with colour that is a benefit and a sign of progress. The present defines our relationship to the past and there is a collective responsibility to raise awareness of the past. If the Overground is a vessel for how we can do that I think that is a great thing”.
Others at the Highbury & Islington station, another starting point of the new red, Windrush Overground coloured line commented on the development:
-Leo, a local who lived just down the road from the station and uses the Overground “all the time” said he had heard that the name was changing and thought it was a good time for a change. “With the migration of people coming to London, it is important to celebrate London’s rich culture. I’ve lived here my whole life in Highbury and I think it is great that they are doing this”.
The full list of new names and colours is as follows;
Windrush – Red – running between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon. Representing the migration of Caribbeans to London between 1948 and 1971.
Suffragette – Green – running between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside. Named after the historical movement campaigning for women’s right to vote.
Weavers – Maroon – running between Liverpool Street through to Enfield Town/Cheshunt/Chingford. This celebrates East London’s rich history of its textile trade.
Liberty – Grey – running between Romford and Upminster. named after the London Borough of Havering’s motto of “Liberty”. This is due to the history of Havering’s independence for over 600 years as a Royal Liberty with special privileges outside of London’s jurisdiction.
Lioness – Yellow – runs from Euston to Watford Junction, with a notable stop at Wembley Central and the nearby Wembley Stadium Home of England Football. This line commemorates the England Women’s football team’s victory at the European Championships in 2022
Mildmay – Blue – running between Stratford and Richmond/Clapham Junction, named after a charitable hospital in Hackney, with a rich history of its own. Playing a key role during the HIV/AIDS crisis, this line still celebrates an internationally recognised rehabilitation and treatment centre for HIV.
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HeadlineThe London Overground has a colourful new look
Short HeadlineNew Overground line colours finally on track
StandfirstTfl's new colour scheme for the London Overground is being rolled out across the capital.
Stations across London are set to become part of Transport for London’s (TfL) new overground line layout. The new format began arriving at stations on November 20th, and most were finished by November 25th.
This new format will simplify the complex web of the lines, currently layered over the existing London underground map. Previously a single orange colour represented all Overground lines.
On-train signs not indicating how to change from one section of the city to the other, made journeys confusing for Londoners and visitors.
The London Overground had 181.4 million passenger journeys between April 2023 and March 2024. The Overground’s ridership is currently 96% of pre-pandemic levels. Selected stations, will also be serviced by new all-electric 378 class trains.
The new names highlight London’s culture and history. Another key reason for the update is to represent a new flourish in British culture from the early-modern remembrance of women’s independence movements, showcased with The Suffragette line- it highlights women’s suffrage movements, while the Weaver line focuses on the textile trade of East London.
New signage will be unveiled at the 100+ stations, alongside in-carriage map updates which will be installed across the Overground’s fleet. Additionally, an upgrade to the audio-visual passenger information system on the new electric trains will be rolled out on the Lioness, Mildmay and Windrush lines.
The project to update the map started in March 2024 and the development’s four-million-pound budget was considerably surpassed and is estimated to be close to six and a half million pounds.
Speaking about the project, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said “This is a hugely exciting moment, transforming how we think about London’s transport network”. He added: “Giving each of the Overground lines distinct colours and identities will make it simpler and easier for passengers to get around. In re-imagining London’s tube map, we are also honouring and celebrating different parts of London’s unique local history and culture”.
As the implementation was about to take place, the London Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord said in a press release on November 19th; “This is an exciting step as millions of customer journeys on the London Overground will be transformed by making it simpler to navigate. Individual line colours and names have helped customers navigate the Tube for more than a hundred years, so we wanted to take a similar approach on the London Overground.”
When it comes to Londoners and their views on the new move by TfL, speaking to people at Euston station, they gave their opinions on what the Overground was before and what is still to come:
-Thiago, a Watford local who often uses the Overground finds that the original signage and mapping “had too much going on” when trying to get around the city on the service. When asked about the historical and cultural benefits that the line will have, he said: “London is very diverse.. so I think it is very good that London is trying to represent other cultures with things like the Windrush line”.
-Ollie, who moved from Manchester to London, often uses the Overground said London’s “cultural legacy is important and if we can signpost that through visual and physical means with colour that is a benefit and a sign of progress. The present defines our relationship to the past and there is a collective responsibility to raise awareness of the past. If the Overground is a vessel for how we can do that I think that is a great thing”.
Others at the Highbury & Islington station, another starting point of the new red, Windrush Overground coloured line commented on the development:
-Leo, a local who lived just down the road from the station and uses the Overground “all the time” said he had heard that the name was changing and thought it was a good time for a change. “With the migration of people coming to London, it is important to celebrate London’s rich culture. I’ve lived here my whole life in Highbury and I think it is great that they are doing this”.
The full list of new names and colours is as follows;
Windrush – Red – running between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon. Representing the migration of Caribbeans to London between 1948 and 1971.
Suffragette – Green – running between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside. Named after the historical movement campaigning for women’s right to vote.
Weavers – Maroon – running between Liverpool Street through to Enfield Town/Cheshunt/Chingford. This celebrates East London’s rich history of its textile trade.
Liberty – Grey – running between Romford and Upminster. named after the London Borough of Havering’s motto of “Liberty”. This is due to the history of Havering’s independence for over 600 years as a Royal Liberty with special privileges outside of London’s jurisdiction.
Lioness – Yellow – runs from Euston to Watford Junction, with a notable stop at Wembley Central and the nearby Wembley Stadium Home of England Football. This line commemorates the England Women’s football team’s victory at the European Championships in 2022
Mildmay – Blue – running between Stratford and Richmond/Clapham Junction, named after a charitable hospital in Hackney, with a rich history of its own. Playing a key role during the HIV/AIDS crisis, this line still celebrates an internationally recognised rehabilitation and treatment centre for HIV.
