Sutton Loop Line

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Sutton Loop Line
Sutton (Surrey) station west junction.JPG
Sutton platform 2 looking towards West junction with the St Helier Line
Overview
StatusOperational
Owner Network Rail
ELR
  • SMS1 (Streatham South Jn–Wimbledon)
  • SMS2 (Wimbledon–Sutton)
LocaleLondon Boroughs of Merton and Sutton
Termini
Stations14
Service
Type Heavy rail
System National Rail
Services
Operator(s) Govia Thameslink Railway
Depot(s)
Rolling stock
Technical
Number of tracks
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Operating speedMaximum 60 mph [1]
Route map
Sutton Loop Line.png
(Click to expand)

The Sutton Loop Line, [1] also known as the Wimbledon Loop, [2] is a railway line that diverges from the Portsmouth Line [1] at Streatham South junction and rejoins it near Sutton station. Trains leave southwards from Streatham to enter the loop and then return going northwards. The short section between West Sutton station and West junction is known as the "Wall of Death", [3] possibly due to the very steep concrete walls to the cutting on both sides and the sharpness of the curve which resemble the motorcycle ride at a funfair.

Contents

Stations

In a clockwise direction round the loop, the stations are:

Infrastructure

Traction current is supplied at 750 volts DC via the third rail. The supply for this is overseen by Selhurst Electrical Control Room. [1] Signalling is Track Circuit Block with multiple aspect colour light signals, controlled from Three Bridges rail operating centre. The line is double track throughout, except where a short bi-directionally signalled single line section passes through Wimbledon station platform 9. Originally the Down St Helier Line used platform 10 at Wimbledon, but this is now used for the Tramlink terminus which currently comprises a single platform at the southern end, split into two sections so two trams can be held at the same time. [4]

History

Services

Thameslink runs services from St Albans, via Blackfriars round the loop. Clockwise services are described as "Sutton via Mitcham Junction" and anti-clockwise as "Sutton via Wimbledon". Occasionally, during service disruption or when the core section of the Thameslink route is closed, Sutton Loop services start and end at London Bridge 'low level' station (i.e. the terminating platforms, 10–15).

Recent proposals were to increase the frequency of the Thameslink service by terminating at Blackfriars. This would have allowed the trains through the core section to be replaced with longer trains which could not use the loop, but this did not proceed due to objections from loop passengers about the withdrawal of their through service. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thameslink</span> Mainline route in the British railway system

Thameslink is a 24-hour mainline route on the British railway network, running from Bedford, Luton, St Albans City, Peterborough, Welwyn Garden City, London Blackfriars and Cambridge via central London to Sutton, Orpington, Sevenoaks, Rainham, Horsham, Three Bridges, Brighton and East Grinstead. The network opened as a through service in 1988, with severe overcrowding by 1998, carrying more than 28,000 passengers in the morning peak. All the services are currently operated by Govia Thameslink Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitcham Junction station</span> Railway station and tram stop in Merton, London

Mitcham Junction is a National Rail station served by Southern and Thameslink trains, and a Tramlink stop. It is in the London Borough of Merton and is in Travelcard Zone 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackfriars station</span> London Underground and railway station

Blackfriars, also known as London Blackfriars, is a central London railway station and connected London Underground station in the City of London. It provides Thameslink services: local, and regional and limited Southeastern commuter services to South East London and Kent. Its platforms span the River Thames, the only one in London to do so, along the length of Blackfriars Railway Bridge, a short distance downstream from Blackfriars Bridge. There are two station entrances either side of the Thames, along with a connection to the London Underground District and Circle lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farringdon station</span> National rail and London Underground station

Farringdon is an interchange station located in Clerkenwell, London, England, in the London Borough of Islington, just outside the boundary of the City of London for London Underground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streatham railway station</span> Railway station in London, England

Streatham railway station is a station in central Streatham in south London. Its main entrance now is on Streatham High Road, and is in Travelcard Zone 3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wimbledon station</span> National rail, London Underground and tram station

Wimbledon is an interchange station located on Wimbledon Bridge, Wimbledon in London for London Underground, Tramlink and National Rail services, and is the only station in London that provides an interchange between the London Underground and Tramlink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herne Hill railway station</span> Railway station in Lambeth, South London, England

Herne Hill railway station is in the London Borough of Lambeth, South London, England, on the boundary between London fare zones 2 and 3. Train services are provided by Thameslink to London Blackfriars, Farringdon, St Pancras International and St Albans on the Thameslink route and by Southeastern to London Victoria and Orpington on the Chatham Main Line. It is 3 miles 76 chains (6.4 km) down the line from Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loughborough Junction railway station</span> Railway station in London

Loughborough Junction railway station is a railway station in the Loughborough Junction neighbourhood of the London Borough of Lambeth. It was opened as Loughborough Road by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway in 1864. It is between Elephant & Castle and Herne Hill stations and is served by Thameslink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beckenham Junction station</span> National Rail station and Tramlink tram stop in London, England

Beckenham Junction is the main railway and tram station in Beckenham in the London Borough of Bromley, south London. The railway stop is on the Chatham Main Line, 8 miles 53 chains (13.9 km) down the line from London Victoria and situated between Kent House and Shortlands. The tram stop is one of the eastern termini of Tramlink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton Main Line</span> Railway line between London and Brighton

The Brighton Main Line is a major railway line in the United Kingdom that links Brighton, on the south coast of England, with central London. In London the line has two branches, out of London Victoria and London Bridge stations respectively, which join up in Croydon and continue towards Brighton as one line. The line is electrified throughout using the third rail system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tulse Hill railway station</span> Railway station in London, England

Tulse Hill railway station is in the Tulse Hill area of the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, between railway bridges over the A205, South Circular Road and the A215, Norwood Road. It is 5 miles 2 chains (8.1 km) measured from London Victoria. At the moment, there are 4 platforms, each long enough for 8 coaches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sutton railway station (London)</span> National Rail station in London, England

Sutton railway station (sometimes referred to as Sutton (Surrey) on tickets and timetables) is in the London Borough of Sutton in South London and is the main station serving the town of Sutton. It is served by Southern and Thameslink trains, and lies in Travelcard Zone 5, 14 miles 75 chains (14.94 miles, 24.04 km) down the line from London Bridge, measured via Forest Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Helier railway station</span> National Rail station in London, England

St Helier railway station is in the London Borough of Merton in South London. The station is served by Thameslink, and is on the Sutton Loop Line. It is in Travelcard Zone 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sutton and Mole Valley lines</span>

The Sutton and Mole Valley lines were constructed between 1847 and 1868 by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, the London and South Western Railway and the LBSCR-sponsored Horsham, Dorking and Leatherhead Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chatham Main Line</span> Main railway line in south-east England

The Chatham Main Line is a railway line in England that links London Victoria and Dover Priory / Ramsgate, travelling via Medway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thameslink Programme</span> Rail transport project in London

The Thameslink Programme, originally Thameslink 2000, was a £6 billion project in south-east England to upgrade and expand the Thameslink rail network to provide new and longer trains between a wider range of stations to the north and to the south of London. The development facilitated new cross-London journeys, which means that passengers no longer have to change trains in London. Work included platform lengthening, station remodelling, new railway infrastructure, and new rolling stock. The project was originally proposed in 1991 following the successful introduction of the initial Thameslink service in 1988. After many delays, planning permission was granted in 2006 and funding was approved in October 2007. Work started in 2009 and was completed on 18 September 2020, although trains over the new routes began running in 2018.

Network Rail's (NR) South London Route Utilisation Strategy (SLRUS), published in March 2008 (SLRUS) was the eighth Route Utilisation Strategy to be produced. By default, RUSs are established by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) unless the latter objects within 60 days. The RUS is included in NR's map as established.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooting, Merton and Wimbledon Railway</span>

The Tooting, Merton and Wimbledon Railway (TM&WR) was a railway company jointly operated by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) in Surrey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portsmouth line</span>

The Portsmouth line is a secondary main line originally built by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway and the London and South Western Railway between 1847 and 1868. It leaves the South London Line at Peckham Rye, with connections to the Victoria branch of the Brighton Main Line at Streatham, and continues via Sutton, Epsom and Dorking to join the Mid-Sussex Line at Horsham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holborn Viaduct–Herne Hill line</span>

The Holborn Viaduct–Herne Hill line is a railway line between Holborn Viaduct in the City of London and Herne Hill in the London Borough of Lambeth. After the closure of Holborn Viaduct station the line ends at the south portal of Snow Hill tunnel merging into Snow Hill lines. From there the Widened Lines to St Pancras and Kentish Town are reached. Today the section north of Blackfriars is part of the Thameslink core. Originally being a branch line of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) towards the City of London, the line is sometimes called LCDR City Branch.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Network Rail (April 2001). Southern Appendix. Vol. Module SO. p. 1/272. A0260A03. Retrieved 2012-01-12
  2. Department of Transport press release. "Government safeguards future of the Wimbledon Loop". UK government.
  3. Quail Map 5 - England South & London Underground [page 22] September 2002 (Retrieved 2012-01-12)
  4. "Wimbledon to Croydon tram link - Transport for London". www.tfl.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014.
  5. Herne Hill website http://www.hernehill.org.uk/direct-trains-may-end-thameslink-programme