Blackheath railway station
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Blackheath | |||
| Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Blackheath | ||
| Local authority | Greenwich | ||
| Operations | |||
| Managed by | Southeastern | ||
| Platforms in use | 2 | ||
| National Rail | |||
| Station code | BKH | ||
| Annual entry/exit |
1.980 million * | ||
| Transport for London | |||
| Zone | 3 | ||
| Transport for London List of London stations: Underground | National Rail |
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| * based on sales of tickets in 2004/05 financial year which end or originate at this station. Disclaimer (PDF) | |||
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Blackheath railway station is situated in the heart of Blackheath village in London at grid reference TQ39617600. The track passes through the village and is crossed by a road overbridge on which the station buildings stand.
Much of the original station, dating back at track level to 1849 and at ticket office level to 1879, remains. It was built using London Brick to a design by George Smith (who also built Greenwich station). At the "country" end of the platforms the lines separate to the North Kent and Bexleyheath Lines. The former passes through the mile-long (1.6km) Blackheath Tunnel immediately after the junction.
Blackheath's station has two platforms which are partially covered with a weather canopy. The downside platform has a disused platform face (bay platform) facing towards London, used in earlier days by commuter trains terminating here. The area to the north (now a car-park) was formerly an area of railway sidings, where commuter trains were stabled when not in use.
The bay platform used to come into its own when a circus was taking place on Blackheath. Many of the animals would arrive in train vans. The circus would then process through Blackheath Village on to the heath. There is a local legend that on one occasion an elephant took exception to a passing bus - and the bus lost!
Services today are available to central London via Lewisham and to north Kent via the Woolwich and Bexleyheath lines. All passenger services are run by Southeastern, the successors of South Eastern Trains, who in turn took over after the French Connex South Eastern lost the franchise.
The station cannot be relied upon as a way of reaching Blackheath during November's famous free firework show, as it normally closes early on that day for safety reasons. In April however on the Sunday of the London Marathon it is crucial in enabling athletes and their supporters to reach the starting line, as on that day bus services across the heath are usually suspended as roads are closed. The lively Blackheath Halls, run by Trinity College of Music, are conveniently close to the station.
[edit] External links
- Train times and station information for Blackheath railway station from National Rail
- Street map and aerial photo of Blackheath railway station from Multimap.com
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- Satellite image from WikiMapia or Google Map
- Street map from Multimap or GlobalGuide
- Aerial image from TerraServer
| Preceding station | National Rail | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisham | Southeastern North Kent Line |
Charlton | ||
| Southeastern Bexleyheath Line |
Kidbrooke | |||
| Railway stations of London Central area | Greater London |
|---|
| Managed by Network Rail: Cannon Street • Charing Cross • Euston • Fenchurch Street • King's Cross • Liverpool Street • London Bridge • Paddington • Victoria • Waterloo |
| Managed by train operator: Blackfriars • Marylebone • Moorgate • St Pancras |
| UK railway stations |
|---|
[[Category:Zone 3]
