The London Overground lines have been renamed – and one honours a piece of LGBTQ+ history

The Mayor London, Sadiq Khan, visited Dalston Junction station on 28 November to inaugurate the six new names for the London Overground lines, which include the Mildmay line leading to Richmond Station.

This major update to the iconic Tube map is intended to help customers better navigate London’s transport system and celebrate the city's rich culture and history, according to Transport for London (TfL).

According to ‘Richmond Nub News’, the Mayor was joined by special guests, including Geoff Coleman from the Mildmay Hospital, in recognition of the Mildmay line, which pays tribute to the charitable hospital in Shoreditch that has served Londoners for many years. It played a crucial role during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, earning respect and appreciation from the LGBTQ+ community.

The new names and colours are:

Lioness (running from Watford Junction to Euston) – yellow

Mildmay (running from Richmond and Clapham Junction to Stratford) - blue

Windrush (running from Highbury & Islington to New Cross, Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace and West Croydon) – red

Weaver (running from Liverpool Street to Enfield Town, Cheshunt and Chingford) – maroon

Suffragette (running from Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside) – green

Liberty (running from Romford to Upminster) - grey

Geoff Coleman, CEO of Mildmay Hospital, stated: “We are deeply honored that the London Overground Mildmay Line has been named in recognition of our hospital's long-standing commitment to caring for London's most vulnerable communities.

“This tribute reflects the heart of what Mildmay stands for—compassionate, inclusive care for all, especially during the HIV/AIDS crisis, and it carries our legacy of healing and hope into the future.

“We are proud to be part of this historic change to the capital's transport network and look forward to continuing our work alongside the diverse communities of this great city.”

Over the past nine days, TfL and its suppliers have rolled out 6,000 new station wayfinding signs, Tube maps, station digital displays, onboard train information, along with audio and visual announcements on both the trains and at stations.

The final updates to the TfL website, TfL Go app, and audiovisual passenger information on newer Overground trains are expected to be completed in the coming months.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, remarked: “I'm delighted to officially launch the six new line names and colors of the London Overground, marking a historic change to the capital's transport network.

“These distinct colors and identities will not only make our fantastic London Overground network easier for customers to navigate, but they also celebrate the best of London, from the contribution of the Windrush generation to our inspiring England women's football team, as well as other untold elements of London's cultural history.

“The London Overground is now a reminder that we wouldn't be the city we are today without the energy and diverse experiences of everyone who lives here.”