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).

 

2011: The route of the line has been cut through to provide this short crossing between Albert Road (on the left) and Factory Road (on the right). There is another crossing just short of the old North Woolwich station as well.

This is all in preparation for the line being re-instated for Crossrail, so this crossing point is temporary.

 

 

 

Original fencing that could be opened to allow trains across Factory Road. The line runs parallel with Factory Road from left to right.

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 


One of the goods tracks still embedded in the tarmac of Factory Road between North Woolwich and Silvertown.

(photo: 2005)

 

 

 


Footbridge over the track. It was scheduled to be permanently closed from 18th July 2011.

(photo: 2005)

 

 

 


2006 westward view from the above footbridge of a North London Line train en route to Silvertown and beyond. The aforementioned Factory Road is on the left; the south side of the railway.

Move your cursor over the image to see the same view in July 2011.

 

 

 


Looking toward North Woolwich station from the same footbridge in 2005. The platform area of the station can just be made out. A new housing block and warehouse on the left and the BT satellite station on the right are both built on part of the once expansive platform and goods area. The industrial estate between the two was demolished in 2009 and further housing built there.

Move your cursor over the image to see the same view in 2011.

Aside from that, this is the area that the Crossrail tunnel portal on the north side of the Thames will be built. The line will continue under the river to Woolwich and Abbey Wood.

 

 

NORTH WOOLWICH

(1847 - 2006)

The Crossrail project, will use the marooned stub of track between Custom House and North Woolwich, surfacing from its London side tunnel just west of Custom House station and continuing in the North Woolwich direction before diving into tunnel again under the Thames.

There will be no replacement station at North Woolwich. The original station building is Grade II listed, so that at least will survive.


The elegant station building which remained in use until 1979. It was badly damaged during World War II and its roof was replaced by a flat conrete one, which still remains. The building was home to the marvellous North Woolwich Old Station Railway Museum until late 2008.

(photo: 2005)

 

 

 


Interior of the old station building / museum.

The London Rail Heritage Centre had a nice plan to develop the station site and line as far as Custom House for "...heritage operation, but also trains for training and testing purposes" but unfortunately nothing came of it.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

 


Interior of the old station building / museum.

(photo: 2007)

 

 

 


And the lovely ladies providing the friendly chat on this visit.

(photo: 2007)

 

 

 


The locomotive turning space in between the old station building and the platforms.

(photo: 2007)

 

 

 


Slightly different view from the photo above.

(photo: 2007)

 

 

 


The locomotive turning space and the old station building.

(photo: 2007)

 

 

 

The museum stripped of its artefacts after closure.

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 

The museum stripped of its artefacts after closure.

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 


Photo taken just before closure in 2006 of the replacement booking office, opened in 1979, looking far more attractive in this photo than it actually was. It also seemed to be rarely open, the machine outside providing the normal means of obtaining tickets.

Move your cursor over the image to see the same view, albeit in daylight, in 2009, three years after the closure of the branch.

 

...continues on next page...

 

 

Reference:
London Railways by Edwin Course. B T Batsford Ltd, London, 1962.
London's Local Railways by Alan A. Jackson. Capital Transport Publishing, Middlesex, 1999.

 

 

North Woolwich pt.2 / North Woolwich Pier