Plaque Wording: Ruislip station Listed as a building of National Significance. Architect: F F C Curtis, 1904 The Metropolitan Railway constructed the branch line between Harrow on the Hill and Uxbridge and services commenced on 4 July 1904 with, initially, Ruislip being the only intermediate stop on what was an amazingly rural branch, running through open countryside. At first, services were operated by steam trains, but track electrification was completed in the subsequent months and electric trains began operating on 1 January 1905. The junction with what was to become the Piccadilly line at Rayners Lane was opened in 1910 and, over the next three decades, development spread turning this part of Middlesex into part of London's expanding suburbia. The building is a fine example of an 'Edwardian' Metropolitan Railway station, exhibiting many features of a typical branch line station of the period. The symmetrical brick built structure is dominated by the central block, that forms the ticket hall and entrance, which is balanced by the single storey extensions to both sides. The façade consists of a blue brick plinth, with banded red brick above. The steeply pitched roof is finished in tiles, capped by a decorative ridge with finials. Three of the four original chimney stacks survive (although these have been shortened). The platform canopy is complete with original cast iron columns and decorative canopy valances. Other later additions, including the footbridge with its recently restored roof, help complete the picture of a style of branch line station that was once common on Britain's railways and that now serves the Underground.