Alstom has welcomed colleagues’ families, partners and local stakeholders to its Morden Traincare Centre in South London to mark 100 years since the opening of the Northern line’s almost eight-mile (12.3km) extension from Clapham Common to Morden.
The family and friends event on Sunday 13 September celebrated a century of transport history, as well as the Alstom team which continues to keep one of London’s busiest Underground lines moving safely and reliably every day. Guests were invited to tour the depot, meet the people behind Alstom’s operations and view a specially-commissioned exhibition, ‘Morden 100: Portraits from the Northern line’, created by photographer Nick Robinson.
On 13 September 1926, the Northern line was extended from Clapham Common to Morden, with seven new stations opening at Clapham South, Balham, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, Colliers Wood, South Wimbledon, and Morden, alongside Morden Traincare Centre.
A century later, Morden remains a vital part of London’s transport network and, together with Golders Green Traincare Centre, forms the engineering core of the line. A large timeline charting key moments in the Northern line’s history was also unveiled at the depot during the Morden 100 event.
Alstom maintains the Northern line’s fleet of 106 1995 Stock trains from its Morden and Golders Green Traincare Centres. The Alstom-built fleet entered passenger service in 1998 and continues to serve millions of Londoners and visitors using the Underground each year.
“Today is a celebration of a place, a milestone and, above all, our people,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK at Alstom.
“For 100 years, Morden Traincare Centre has played a vital role in keeping the Northern line moving. The London Underground has changed enormously since 1926, but the dedication, skill and professionalism of the people who care for this fleet remain at the heart of everything we do.”
He added: “We are proud to celebrate this centenary with our colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, and to recognise the contribution that Morden and Golders Green continue to make to London’s transport network.”
The Alstom team working on the Northern line comprises almost 250 employees across two depots, representing 20 nationalities. With an average tenure of 14 years, the workforce includes colleagues who have been with the Northern line for nearly five decades – the longest-serving having joined in 1977.
Image credit: Nick Robinson
