Station History

Harlesden Station began life when a station named Willesden was originally opened on a site 50 yards further along the line by the London & Birmingham Railway in 1841. However, this station closed in 1866 when it was replaced by the current Willesden Junction station.

The current Harlesden Station was opened on 15th June 1912 by the London & North Western Railway, as part of their new line project from London Euston to Watford Junction.

The station closed on 9th January 1917 to allow works to be carried out in association with the extension of London Underground’s Bakerloo Line from Queens Park to Watford. The works were completed and the station reopened, with the first Bakerloo Line services calling here on 1st August 1917.

With the passing of the Railways Act 1921, the station and line were amalgamated with several others to form the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway in 1923

Nationalisation of the Railways saw the big four companies amalgamated, with the station and its line becoming part of British Railways Midland Region on 1st January 1948.

Due to falling patronage, London Underground withdrew the Bakerloo Line service between here and Watford Junction on 24th September 1982. However, this decision was reversed and services resumed as far as Harrow and Wealdstone on 4th June 1984.

Management changes saw the station pass to the London & Southeastern business unit upon sectorisation in 1982, relaunched as Network Southeast on 10 June 1986.

Privatisation of the railways saw the station and line become part of National Express under their Silverlink Trains subsidiary in 1993.

The final change of management for the line and its stations came in November 2007 when Transport for London undertook operation of the services under their London Overground brand, while station management was assumed by London Underground.