Epsom Downs Branch

Epsom Downs Branch
Overview
Type Commuter rail, Suburban rail
System National Rail
Status Operational
Locale Greater London
Termini Sutton
51°21′35″N 0°11′27″W / 51.3597°N 0.1907°W / 51.3597; -0.1907 (Epsom Downs Branch, Sutton terminus)
Epsom Downs
51°19′25″N 0°14′20″W / 51.3237°N 0.2389°W / 51.3237; -0.2389 (Epsom Downs Branch, Epsom Downs terminus)
Operation
Owner Network Rail
Operator(s) Southern
Rolling stock British Rail Class 377
British Rail Class 455
British Rail Class 456
Technical
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
Epsom Downs Line
Legend
London Victoria London Underground
Sutton & Mole Valley Line
Sutton
Belmont
Banstead
Epsom Downs

The Epsom Downs Branch is a railway line in the United Kingdom. The line runs from Sutton to Epsom Downs and is about 3 34 miles (6.0 km) long. The line starts at Sutton in the London Borough of Sutton. It is double track for about 34 mile (1.2 km) until it reaches the approach to Belmont where it becomes single track. The line continues from Belmont through Banstead and terminates at Epsom Downs in Surrey. The "Downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs.

History

The line was proposed in 1863 by the Banstead and Epsom Downs Railway, which became incorporated into the London Brighton and South Coast Railway in July 1864. It was opened for traffic on 2 May 1865.

Infrastructure

The line was electrified at 660 V using the third rail system in 1928. The line was reduced to single track in 1982 when all signalling was controlled from Victoria Signalling Centre. The line was shortened by 0.26 miles (0.42 km) when a new station was built at Epsom Downs. This opened on 13 December 1989.

Services

There are four stops on the line:

All services on the line are currently operated by Southern, and form part of the Sutton & Mole Valley Line services. From January 2006 all stations are included in the Transport for London zonal pricing scheme, including those beyond the Greater London boundary.

The typical off-peak service calls at all stations on the line every hour from London Victoria via West Croydon; in peak times two trains call every hour.

References

    External links

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Epsom Downs Branch.

    Coordinates: 51°20′11″N 0°12′00″W / 51.3365°N 0.2000°W / 51.3365; -0.2000

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, November 26, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.