Hampton Court Branch Line
| Hampton Court Branch Line via Thames Ditton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Suburban rail, Heavy rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | National Rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Operational | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale |
Greater London Surrey South East England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opening | 1849 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Network Rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator(s) | South West Trains | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Hampton Court Branch Line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Legend
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The Hampton Court Branch Line is a short branch line off the South Western Main Line. It has a through station at Thames Ditton and a terminus at Hampton Court, both currently in Transport for London's Zone 6. The line is electrified, using 750 V DC third rail.
History
The branch was inaugurated 1 February 1849, when Hampton Court railway station was opened. Originally carriages were hauled by horses to Kingston station (later replaced Surbiton) where they were attached to Southampton trains and taken to London.
Services
Train services are currently operated by South West Trains. There is a half-hourly direct service to London Waterloo which calls at all stations on the route except for Queenstown Road (Battersea).
Rolling stock
The line is served by the British Rail Class 455, normally comprising two four-car units (reduced to one unit at weekends). Class 450s have also deputised for the usual 455s on occasions.
Future
As part of the proposed Crossrail 2 infrastructure, Hampton Court has been proposed by business group London First as the terminus for a potential service to Cheshunt via Central London, opening in the "early 2030s". However, it has not been confirmed as to whether or not this includes a scheduled stop at Thames Ditton, or whether or not the proposed services will replace the current London-bound services.[1]
See also
References
Further reading
- Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-85260-508-1.
