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The Metropolitan Railway was, as I'm sure you know, the first Underground Railway to be built in the world, initially opening on the 10th January 1863 between Bishops Road, Paddington and Farringdon Street on the edge of the City. 

Over the years it gradually extended right out into rural Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex and its development was a major reason behind the development and building of the suburbs of west and north west London.

Today, as with many of London Underground's Lines, its infrastructure and trains are scheduled for renovation and replacement (see the section on Upgrade Plans) and continues to operate the A60/62 Stock.

Its only rolling stock depot is at Neasden, though trains are stabled overnight at some remote locations.

The following photos have all been supplied by Chris Cobley and provide a variety of views from around the line. Thanks to Chris for these.

Amersham

Amersham is the furthest rural outpost of London Underground and the running between here and Harrow-on-the-Hill is shared with Chiltern Railways on its route to Marylebone.

Of course at one time the Metropolitan Line did operate beyond Amersham and Chesham (the latter location can be seen on the signalling diagram illustrated), but the branches to Brill and Aylesbury and Verney Junction were closed in the mid 1930', although the latter branch was reopened as far as Quainton Road Road between 1943 and 1948.  The branch between Aylesbury and Amersham was finally closed upon the electrification of the line to Amersham in 1961.

The following photos by Chris Cobley amply reflect this diversity; most of the pictures are self-explanatory and I've added only minimal captions to a few

Unlike on the District Line where we run under Network Rail Rules and Regulations, the Chiltern Line in this section run under London Underground Operating Procedures

Rickmansworth Signal Cabin

'Ricky' Cabin controls the area of the Metropolitan Line between Moor Park and Chalfont and Latimer, and includes the stations and areas of Watford, Croxley and, of course, Rickmansworth itself as well as a number of sidings; all in all a pretty complex area.

In common with many of the remaining cabins around London Underground, the cabin itself is pretty old technology but it is capable of running in 'Automatic Working' controlled by a programme machine.

The following collection by Thomas Crame illustrate the A60 in service at a variety of locations.