There was only one story in town – or, more specifically, Twitter/X – on Thursday morning: Sadiq Khan’s £6.3m renaming (and rebranding) of the London Overground.
We now have the Lioness line, the Windrush line, the Mildmay line, the Weaver line, the Suffragette line and the Liberty line.
The choices predictably sparked debate on social media. How nice to name a line after Jackie Weaver, the infamous parish council clerk who “had the authority”, joked one wag.
Where’s the “stab vest line”, asked another, in reference to London crime rates. Mr Khan didn’t laugh when I said planned RMT strikes next week would see all Overground lines temporarily named the Mick Lynch line. (The Mayor can rest easy, these strikes have just been called off.)
Wannabe “joke” mayoral candidate Count Binface came up with his own ideas. Others laughed that, under Tory control, there would be a “Managed Dec Line”.
Vote Count Binface for Mayor of London and I will rename the Overground lines, as follows... #VoteBinface #MakeYourVoteCount pic.twitter.com/I9NO9CQtmA
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) February 15, 2024
Many loved the names – but some were unhappy about the apparent “politicisation” of the lines (in contrast to those on the Tube). Others questioned the spending of money on anything other than Tube repairs at a time the Central line is in daily chaos.
Other than the Lioness line (which calls at Wembley Central station, scene of the England Women’s stunning Euro 2022 victory) it requires a deep knowledge of London to be able to match the names with the routes.
None trip off the tongue, but delve deeper and you’ll be impressed
None are terribly obvious or trip off the tongue. But delve a little deeper and you’ll be impressed with the thought that has gone into the process. Mildmay is a great example: in its latter years, a specialist HIV hospital made famous by Princess Diana.
I had the chance to visit a few years ago, when its future was under threat, and it is a “hidden gem”. The only weakness in the Overground taking its name is the lack of a Mildmay station (though there used to be a Mildmay Park station).
Also on Twitter/X was a fascinating thread about the history of the Mildmay hospital and a visit by Margaret Thatcher when Prime Minister.
Fascinating thread about Margaret Thatcher's visit to the Mildmay hospital - which last week had a London Overground line renamed in its honour👇 https://t.co/qlIlsPPI91
— Ross Lydall (@RossLydall) February 19, 2024
The rebranding could sadly herald the end of the “Goblin” nickname – what was once the Gospel Oak to Barking branch line, which now becomes the Suffragette line.
To be fair to Mr Khan, what he has done is spark a debate. He’s probably got at least £1m of free publicity for the Overground.
The new names and colour-coding should make the network easier to navigate, even if it takes some time for the names to stick.
It may have been more sensible to name the lines after their destinations - though this wouldn’t have been as much fun, or as news-worthy.
How the Overground lines could have been named in 2015, had Boris not blocked it pic.twitter.com/f4OA24999A
— diamond geezer (@diamondgeezer) February 15, 2024
For those who have not used the multitude of lines, the Overground a treat – if a victim of its own success.
The trains are new and mostly run on time. It’s the second busiest rail network in the country – behind only the Elizabeth line. And just wait for the summer heat for a reminder it’s also the coolest, thanks to the air conditioned, walk-through trains.
The only name missing, though, is the Livingstone line. It was Ken Livingstone who had the foresight as mayor to spot the potential of converting the North London line, as it then was, to TfL control and thereby transforming its trains and stations.
By doing so, he arguably did more for the London suburbs than any of his successors. Alas for Ken, his name is not as “in vogue” as his achievements at City Hall merit.
