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Rail bosses have unveiled the largest ever rail map of London, showing the full extent of the capital’s Oyster sprawl – a region extending all the way from Gatwick to Hertford East.

TfL’s latest map of the capital’s rail services reaches far beyond the M25 and covers a 50-mile diameter.

As well as displaying the latest Tube map update, itself only revealed on Monday, the map includes National Rail services – colour-coded by the firm that operates them.

It marks the first time stations between Merstham and Gatwick have appeared on a TfL map, as they will be brought in to the Oyster area later this month.

And a branch stretching north of Cheshunt in Zone 8 has also appeared, including stations from Broxbourne to Hertford East – which have never been on the same map as the Tube network before.

The last major update to TfL’s “London rail and Tube services” map came in the summer when a number of one-time National Rail lines running out of Liverpool Street were brought under the umbrella of London Overground.

This newest version defines “London” in the broadest sense yet, covering not only Greater London but also parts of Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire and even West Sussex.

But despite the fact the Gatwick Express will be given Oyster readers this year, the Heathrow Express still finishes outside the Oyster zone – even though its terminus, the airport itself, is in London proper and covered by the regular Tube.

Click on the map to view full-size

It comes days after a 1 per cent fare increase covering the TfL network.

But although Gatwick is being brought into the Oyster region, the introduction of Oyster readers will only generate a saving of 10p on the Gatwick Express, while an off-peak ticket on other trains through the station will cost £8.

TfL’s director of customer experience Shashi Verma said: “Expanding Oyster and the contactless ticketing system to Gatwick Airport is a great step forward.

“We are committed to making paying for transport easier for everyone and this extension will allow travellers from across the world to quickly jump on a train to central London and start their holiday or business trip with minimum fuss.”