Crosstown Linkline
Train with yellow front has destination blind that reads 'Woolwich'
Diesel Crosstown Linkline service at North Woolwich in May 1985, shortly before the service is replaced
Overview
LocaleGreater London
First service14 May 1979 (1979-05-14)
Last service11 May 1985 (1985-05-11)
SuccessorNorth London Link
Former operator(s)British Rail
Route
TerminiCamden Road
North Woolwich
Distance travelled11 miles (18 km)
Average journey time37 minutes
Service frequency2 trains hourly (3 at peak)
On-board services
Class(es)Standard class only
Technical
Rolling stockBritish Rail Class 105

Crosstown Linkline was a railway service that operated from 14 May 1979 to 11 May 1985 between Camden Road and North Woolwich in London, England. The service was operated by British Rail with financial support from the Greater London Council. It reintroduced passenger trains to sections of line that had not been served for over thirty years. It benefited from several improvements during its brief existence as new stations were added and trains started running on Saturdays in 1983. Operated by diesel trains, it was replaced with the electric North London Link service between Richmond and North Woolwich from 13 May 1985.

History

Background

The Greater London Council (GLC) and the Docklands Development Organisation jointly funded the service that was operated by British Rail, intending to improve transport in the Docklands regeneration area of East London.[1] It was an extension of the existing Stratford to North Woolwich service.[2] The service reintroduced passenger trains to areas that had not been served since the 1940s.[3]

Infrastructure

Initially the service called at Camden Road, Caledonian Road & Barnsbury, Highbury & Islington, Canonbury, Stratford, West Ham, Canning Town, Custom House, Silvertown and North Woolwich.[4] New platforms were provided at West Ham to coincide with the introduction of the service on 14 May 1979.[5] Stations at Canning Town, Custom House, Silvertown and North Woolwich were upgraded.[6]

The initial publicity for the route indicated three stations would be built between Canonbury and Stratford.[4] Hackney Central and Hackney Wick stations were opened to passengers on 12 May 1980.[7] The stations were funded by the GLC.[8] There was a formal opening on the stations by Peter Parker of British Rail and Horace Cutler of the GLC on 11 June 1980.[9] Dalston Kingsland station was opened on 16 May 1983.[7][10]

Services

The route length was 11 miles with a journey time of 37 minutes.[11] In 1981 the GLC asked British Rail to better publicise the service.[12] The Railway Development Society published a survey of passenger opinions of the route in 1981. Passengers complained that the diesel trains were old and uncomfortable, there was no service at weekends and trains were frequently cancelled because of staff shortages.[13] At the May 1982 timetable the off-peak service was two trains an hour with three trains an hour at peak times. Saturday service was introduced from 16 July 1983.[14]

Replacement

The line was already third rail electrified between Camden Road and Canonbury where the service shared tracks with electric Broad Street services to Richmond and Watford. The third rail electrification was extended to North Woolwich in November 1984.[15] The diesel Crosstown Linkline service was replaced with the electric North London Link service between Richmond and North Woolwich from 13 May 1985, with Homerton station between Hackney Central and Hackney Wick opening on the same day.[16] Regular service was withdrawn between Canonbury and Broad Street, with Dalston Junction effectively replaced by Dalston Kingsland station.

References

  1. ↑ Allen, G. F. (1981). The Eastern Since 1948. United Kingdom: I. Allan.
  2. ↑ David, G. (2017). Railway Renaissance: Britain's Railways After Beeching. United Kingdom: Pen & Sword Books.
  3. ↑ Brown, Joe (2009). London Railway Atlas. Hersham: Ian Allan. ISBN 978-0-7110-3397-9.
  4. 1 2 Crosstown Linkline. British Railways Board. 1979.
  5. ↑ Batten, M. (2020). East London Railways: From Docklands to Crossrail. United Kingdom: Amberley Publishing.
  6. ↑ Willis, J. (2022). The Railways of London Docklands: Their History and Development. United Kingdom: Pen and Sword.
  7. 1 2 Salmon, S., Smith, P. (2019). Directory of British Railways: New and Reopened Stations 1948–2018. United Kingdom: Pen & Sword Books.
  8. ↑ Report and Accounts. British Railways Board. 1980.
  9. ↑ The Railway Magazine. (1980). United Kingdom: IPC Business Press Limited.
  10. ↑ Asher, Wayne (2014). A very political railway : the fight for the North London line. Middlesex: Capital Transport Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85414-378-5. OCLC 909302141.
  11. ↑ Passenger Timetable May 1982. British Railways Board. May 1982.
  12. ↑ The Railway Magazine. Volume 127. (1981). United Kingdom: IPC Business Press Limited.
  13. ↑ Bring Back the Trains. Railway Development Society. 1983.
  14. ↑ What's New in the High Street: Dalston Kingsland Station on the Crosstown Linkline. British Railways Board (Central Advertising Services). 1983.
  15. ↑ The Railway Magazine. (1985). United Kingdom: IPC Business Press Limited.
  16. ↑ Batten, M. (2022). London's Transport and the Olympics: Preparation, Delivery and Legacy. United Kingdom: Amberley Publishing.
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