Greenwich line
{{Short description|Railway line in south London}}
{{update|date=May 2018}}
{{use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox rail line
|name = Greenwich line
|color =
|logo =
|logo_width =
|image = Greenwich station MMB 06 376003.jpg
|image_width = 300px
|caption = A Southeastern {{brc|376}} "Electrostar" at Greenwich with a service for London Bridge
|type = Commuter rail, Suburban rail
|system = National Rail
|status = Operational
|locale = Greater London
|start = London Cannon Street
|end = Dartford
|stations = 4
|routes =
|daily_ridership =
|open = 8 February 1836
|close =
|owner = Network Rail
|operator = Southeastern
Thameslink
|character =
|depot = Slade Green
Grove Park
Hornsey
Three Bridges
|stock = British Rail Class 376
British Rail Class 465
British Rail Class 466
British Rail Class 700 Desiro City
|linelength = 3.08 miles (4.95 km)
|tracklength =
|tracks = 2
|gauge = {{track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
|electrification = 750 V DC third rail
|speed = 60 mph (96.5 km/h)
|elevation =
|map = 300px
(Click to expand)
|map_state = uncollapsed
}}
{{Greenwich Line|collapse=y}}
The Greenwich line is a short railway line in South London that follows part of the route of the London and Greenwich Railway, which was the first railway line in London.
The line diverges from the South Eastern Main Line at North Kent East junction{{cite map| title=Quail Map 5 - England South| page=3| date=September 2002| access-date= }} and runs as far as Charlton junction{{cite book |author=Network Rail |author-link=Network Rail |title=Southern Zone Route Sectional Appendix |volume=Module SA |date=August 2001 |id=SO/SA/001A |page=1/123 SO290}} where it connects with the North Kent Line.
Stations
- {{stnlnk|Deptford}}
- {{stnlnk|Greenwich}}
- {{stnlnk|Maze Hill}}
- {{stnlnk|Westcombe Park}}
History
File:Bricklayers Arms & New Cross, Midhurst RJD 91.jpg map of lines around the approaches to London Bridge, including the western end of the Greenwich line]]
The line was built by the London and Greenwich Railway in 1836, and was the very first passenger railway to be built in the capital. It was electrified with the other South Eastern and Chatham Railway local routes to Dartford on 6 June 1926 by Southern Railway.
From 12 January 2015, services using the Greenwich line were no longer able to serve London Charing Cross. This is due to the Thameslink Programme work, which removed the diamond crossing at Spa Road Junction, located between London Bridge and Deptford. As a result of this, trains using the Greenwich line could no longer reach the lines going into Charing Cross.{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/First-major-changes-for-passengers-as-London-Bridge-redevelopment-gathers-pace-1d76.aspx |title=First major changes for passengers as London Bridge redevelopment gathers pace |author= |date=2013-05-16 |access-date=20 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620191536/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/First-major-changes-for-passengers-as-London-Bridge-redevelopment-gathers-pace-1d76.aspx |archive-date=20 June 2013 |url-status=dead }} To compensate for the loss of this, London Cannon Street was given revised service times, with it being open seven days a week and until the end of service.{{cite web| url=http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/latest-news/southeastern-consults-on-changes-to-timetable-in-december-2014/| title=Southeastern consults on changes to timetable in December 2014| author=| date=2013-12-17| access-date=21 December 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220030709/http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/latest-news/southeastern-consults-on-changes-to-timetable-in-december-2014| archive-date=20 December 2013| url-status=dead}}
Service patterns
Passenger services on the line are operated by Southeastern using Class 376, 465 & 466 trains and Thameslink using Class 700.
The current service pattern ({{as of|2023|December|lc=on}}) is as follows:
Off-peak:
- Southeastern - 2tph each way between London Cannon Street & Slade Green, continuing to London Cannon Street via Bexleyheath Line
- Thameslink - 2tph each way between Luton & Rainham
References
{{reflist}}
{{Railway lines in London}}
Category:Railway lines in London
Category:Standard gauge railways in Kent