This album contains photographs (most probably taken by Henry Flather, 1839 - 1901) and plans to illustrate work in progress of the London Metropolitan Railway in 1862. The railway opened in January 1863 and was the world's first public passenger underground railway. The first line, which took three years to construct, ran for just under four miles from Bishop's Street, Paddington to Farringdon Street.

Most of the line was not covered over, though it is below ground level. Where tunnels were necessary, many were made on the 'cut and cover' principle - a huge trench was dug, the retaining walls built and the top constructed. To minimise the disturbance to property, the tunnels were driven under roads wherever possible.

The Metropolitan Railway was an immediate success, with over 27,000 journeys a day being made over the first year.