The Greenwich line is a short railway line in South London that follows part of the route of the London and Greenwich Railway, which was the first railway line in London.

Greenwich line
A Southeastern Class 376 "Electrostar" at Greenwich with a service for London Bridge
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleGreater London
Termini
Stations4
Service
TypeCommuter rail, Suburban rail
SystemNational Rail
Operator(s)Southeastern
Thameslink
Depot(s)Slade Green
Grove Park
Hornsey
Three Bridges
Rolling stockBritish Rail Class 376
British Rail Class 465
British Rail Class 466
British Rail Class 700 Desiro City
History
Opened8 February 1836
Technical
Line length3.08 miles (4.95 km)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail
Operating speed60 mph (96.5 km/h)
Route map

(Click to expand)

The line diverges from the South Eastern Main Line at North Kent East junction[1] and runs as far as Charlton junction[2] where it connects with the North Kent Line.

Stations

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History

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A 1908 Railway Clearing House map of lines around the approaches to London Bridge, including the western end of the Greenwich line

The line was electrified with the other SE&CR local routes to Dartford on 6 June 1926 by Southern Railway.

From 12 January 2015, services using the Greenwich line were no longer able to serve London Charing Cross. This is due to the Thameslink Programme work, which removed the diamond crossing at Spa Road Junction, located between London Bridge and Deptford. As a result of this, trains using the Greenwich line could no longer reach the lines going into Charing Cross.[3] To compensate for the loss of this, London Cannon Street was given revised service times, with it being open seven days a week and until the end of service.[4]

Service patterns

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Passenger services on the line are operated by Southeastern using Class 376, 465 & 466 trains and Thameslink using Class 700.

The current service pattern (as of December 2023) is as follows:

Off-peak:

References

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  1. ^ Quail Map 5 - England South (Map). September 2002. p. 3.
  2. ^ Network Rail (August 2001). Southern Zone Route Sectional Appendix. Vol. Module SA. p. 1/123 SO290. SO/SA/001A.
  3. ^ "First major changes for passengers as London Bridge redevelopment gathers pace". 16 May 2013. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Southeastern consults on changes to timetable in December 2014". 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.