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With the rebranding of the Overground, London’s transport map just got a whole load more colourful. What was once tangled orange is now a glorious splash of yellow, blue, red, maroon, green and grey. But there’s more to the Overground rebrand than flashy new colours.
Each new Overground line has not just a new colour but a new name – and each of those line names has been chosen for a reason. From the historic textile trade of east London to the Wembley triumph of England at Women’s Euro 2022, the new names all have something to do with the areas they run through. TfL said it worked with customers, stakeholders, historians, industry experts and local communities to come up with the names.
Keen to find out more? Here’s a breakdown of what the new Overground names are and exactly what they’re supposed to mean.
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The Lioness line
Route: Between Euston and Watford junction
Colour: Yellow parallel lines
This one runs through Wembley and is named after England’s Lionesses national football team. It specifically commemorates the team winning the Euros in 2022, which is recognised as marking a ‘step change’ in attitudes towards women’s football across the UK. The line intends to honour the legacy of that team in empowering the next generation of women and girls in sport.
The Mildmay line
Route: Between Stratford and Richmond/Clapham Junction
Colour: Blue parallel lines
The Mildmay line runs through Shoreditch – and it’s named after the area’s Mildmay Mission Hospital. The east London charitable hospital played a crucial role in the 1980s’ HIV/AIDS crisis, and remains the only hospital in the UK specialising in the care of HIV/AIDS.
The Windrush line
Route: Between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon.
Colour: Red parallel lines
Named after the Windrush generation and their legacy, the Windrush line runs through several areas with strong ties to Caribbean communities like Dalston, Peckham and Croydon.
Hear the stories of the Windrush generation from the people who were part of it.
The Weaver line
Route: Between Liverpool Street and Enfield Town/Cheshunt/Chingford
Colour: Maroon parallel lines
East London’s textile trade dates back centuries, historically centred around the likes of Spitalfields, Bethnal Green and Hackney. The Weaver line commemorates the history of that trade.
The Suffragette line
Route: Between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside
Colour: Green parallel lines
The Suffragette line commemorates the working class East End women that paved the way for women’s rights. It also runs to Barking, the home of Annie Huggett – the longest surviving suffragette who died in 1996 aged 103.
Read more about the Gospel Oak-Barking line (also known as the Goblin) here.
The Liberty line
Route: Between Romford and Upminster
Colour: Grey parallel lines
Way back in 1465 Havering was designated a ‘liberty’, giving it a certain amount of freedom (including from taxation). The Liberty line commemorates the area’s historical independence – as well as, according to TfL, celebrating ‘the freedom that is a defining feature of London’.
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