London Overground

Also known as LO, Ginger line, the Overground

suburban rail network in Greater London and Hertfordshire

Key facts

Owner: Transport for London
Locale: Greater London and Hertfordshire
Transit type: Commuter rail
Number of stations: 113 served (81 operated)
Annual ridership: 189 million
Website: tfl .gov .uk /modes /london-overground /
Began operation: 11 November 2007 ; 18 years ago ( 2007-11-11 )
Operator s: First Rail London (2026–2034)
Reporting marks: LO ( National Rail )
System length: 167 km (103.8 mi)
Track gauge: 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ) standard gauge
Electrification: Overhead line , 25 kV 50 Hz AC Third rail , 750 V DC

Article

The London Overground (also known simply as the Overground) is a suburban rail network serving London and some of its northern environs. Established in 2007 to take over Silverlink Metro routes, it now serves a large part of Greater London as well as Hertfordshire, with 113 stations on the six lines that make up the network.

The Overground forms part of the United Kingdom's National Rail network but it is under the concession control and branding of Transport for London (TfL). Operation has been contracted to First Rail London since May 2026. TfL previously assigned orange as a mode-specific colour for the Overground in branding and publicity including the roundel, on the Tube map, trains and stations. In 2024, each of the six Overground lines was given a distinct colour and name.