The Waterloo & City Line is probably the quaintest Underground line in London with a dedicated alignment (not a branch line) operating with just two stations between Waterloo and Bank, formally known as City. The line spans just 2.37 km, making it the shortest line in the entire London Underground network, and possibly among the world’s shortest heavy rail lines too. It is also one of the oldest lines still operating with heavy demand, operating since 8 August 1898.
To transfer to the Waterloo & City Line, follow the signs from around the station.
As the Waterloo & City Line is located in a separate independent area (since it was not part of the Underground network until quite recently in 1994), passengers need to touch out of the system to transfer.
Touching out of the fare gates at Bank.
Heading down the passageway to the Waterloo & City Line.
Two options to access the Waterloo & City Line Bank station are available, by stairs or by the moving walkway.
My decision was obvious.
Heading down the rather long travellator.
The Waterloo & City Line fare gates are at the end of the travellator.
Touching into the Waterloo & City Line platform.
Trains depart from both tracks of the island platform, so keep a lookout for the next departing train.
The next train would be at Platform 8.
The buffer stop at the end of Platform 8.
The incoming Waterloo & City Line train from Waterloo, heading back to Waterloo.
The interior of the Waterloo & City Line 1992 Stock.
The seats on the Waterloo & City Line 1992 Stock are similar to the ones on the Central Line, but with additional armrests between each seat.
The rather empty train on a bank holiday.
The route map of the Waterloo & City Line is so short that it is possible to duplicate them on a single route map slot on board, and yet it still looks rather long.
The entire route map of the Waterloo & City Line running between Waterloo and Bank.
Perch seats are available at the ends of the car by the doors.
Heading on to Waterloo.
The journey from Bank to Waterloo takes just 4 minutes.
After the 4 minutes, it’s the end of the line and the train terminates.
Disembarking from the Waterloo & City Line train at Waterloo. All passengers must alight here.
Looking out to Waterloo Underground Depot.
Once all passengers have been cleared, the Waterloo & City Line train shuts its doors and heads to Waterloo Underground Depot to turn back to the departure platform to head to Bank again. The depot acts as the turnback siding for the terminating trains.
Heading out of Waterloo station.
At Waterloo Waterloo & City Line Underground Station, there are no ticket gates, but rather, yellow Oyster readers.
For Oyster and contactless cars holders, remember to touch out here or risk a maximum or penalty fare.