The world's first underground passenger railway opened on 10 January 1863 when passengers packed onto a train at the Bishop's Road terminus.

A 3.75 mile long stretch of track from Paddington to Farringdon became the foundation of the present day network in London.

An underground passenger and a rail worker from the 1800s, played by actors, will greet commuters at Baker Street station - one of the stops on the original route.

'Safest metro'

They will mingle with Tube passengers, talking to them about their experience of the modern network.

London Underground's managing director Paul Godier said: "A 140th birthday is certainly worth celebrating.

"From very small beginnings, we have grown into one of the largest and safest metro systems in the world."

Passengers will be able to take part in the 19th Century Tube experience and between 1030 GMT and 1300 GMT.

Photographs showing the early days of the railway, including views of Baker Street platforms in 1863, are also going on display.