Hundreds of rail passengers celebrated Croydon taking its place on London’s iconic Tube map on Sunday, as the first trains made their inaugural trip from West Croydon to Dalston Junction.

Rail enthusiasts and residents keen to check out the new Overground Network service piled in to the new four carriage trains for the trip north.

The £1bn project links West Croydon, Crystal Palace and Norwood Junction to London’s financial powerhouse at Canary Wharf through a direct line to Canada Water, as well as the up-and-coming trendy areas of Shoreditch and Dalston in East London.

Ian Brown, Managing Director of TfL London Rail, said: “The first day of the new East London route was an unqualified success.

"With thousands of people taking advantage of the hot weather and London Overground’s new air-conditioned trains to get out and about on a fantastic London weekend.

“With four trains an hour all day every day providing a turn up and go service, this new line is about people having better access to all the leisure and entertainment available in London as well as using it as a quick and reliable commuter line to work.”

Goldsmiths College students made a party of Sunday’s opening by performing music and poetry at stations along the line, which boasts trains running between West Croydon and Canada Water in 30 minutes.