NORTH WOOLWICH LINE

 

 

Opened in 1846 between Stratford and Canning Town, the line was extended to North Woolwich the following year. Services were extended north to Palace Gates in 1887 although that line (northwards from Seven Sisters) was closed to passengers in 1963.

1979 saw the North Woolwich branch incorporated into the North London Line, pre-empting the closure of the Broad Street line (Broad Street station had hitherto provided the eastern terminus for the North London Line).

 

 

 

NORTH WOOLWICH PIER

 

Alan A. Jackson states in London's Local Railways that the North Woolwich railway started life as an alternative "...to river passenger services, handling pleasure traffic before becoming servants of the dock complexes and riverside industry."

The railway company, the Eastern Counties & Thames Junction Railway, later taken over by the LNER, built a ferry pier for river connecting traffic. The introduction of the Woolwich free ferry caused the closure of the ECR's own ferry service, although the pier was still used for other river services. As of 2009, the pier was still in existence, although in a very dilapidated condition.

Facing eastward. The North Woolwich station building is opposite the stairs on the left hand side of the photo.

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 

There is some dubious argument that the graffiti paint will help preserve the rusting metals!

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 

The charred remains of the booking office.

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 

 

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 

 

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 

 

(photo: 2009)

 

 

Reference: London Railways by Edwin Course. B T Batsford Ltd, London, 1962.

 

Further links:

http://www.londonrail.org/railway/index.htm

http://www.urban75.org/railway/north-woolwich-line.html

 

 

Newbury Park - Ilford