Opening

The line was built jointly by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) and the South Eastern Railway (SER). Although the intention had been to open in 1882, completion was delayed until August 1885 for reasons including bad weather disrupting construction. Success was limited even at the beginning, and following a closure proposal as early as 1895 railmotors were introduced in 1905 in an attempt to improve efficiency and counteract competition from trams and buses. At this time the two halts were opened: although Spencer Road met with little success, Bingham Road attracted more custom with its main-road location and from passengers interchanging with trams and buses; it was rebuilt as a full station (see below).

World War I

The first closure came in 1917, although services had been suspended for the most part since 1915, to save money and resources for the war effort. It was still possible for diverted trains and excursions or other special services to use the line.

Changes in 1935

Major changes came in 1935:

• The line was electrified on the third rail system;
• Bingham Road halt was rebuilt as a full station;
• Coombe Lane was rebuilt and renamed Coombe Road;
• Selsdon Road was renamed Selsdon, although the village of that name was approximately 2 miles (3 km) away;
• The remains of Spencer Road halt were cleared away;
• A new half-hourly service, seven days a week, augmented during weekday peak hours, was introduced - this compares with the previous best service level of 16 trains daily from 1906 until 1915;
• Services ran direct to London at all times, between Sanderstead station and either London Charing Cross or London Cannon Street.

The electric service commenced on 30 September 1935, in belated response to the Southern Heights Light Railway scheme which had received approval in 1928. This had been proposed from Sanderstead to Orpington, and on it would have run a loop service from Charing Cross to Lewisham and then Woodside-Sanderstead-Orpington and back, or vice versa. However, the scheme could not attract investment and was moribund even before the electrification to Sanderstead was completed.^[1] So, the decline towards final closure of the Woodside line began soon afterwards.

Decline

Services were reduced during World War II, with the withdrawal of Saturday afternoon and Sunday trains. In the 1950s through trains to London ran at peak hours only, with a Sanderstead–Elmers End shuttle at other times, connecting with Hayes–London trains). A closure threat came in 1963, but local pressure (through, for example, the newly formed Croydon Transport Users' Association) brought about a reprieve. Saturday trains were withdrawn in 1967. In 1976 through trains to London were withdrawn, leaving a Sanderstead–Elmers End peak hours shuttle service;

Closure

Closure took place on 13 May 1983: by the time the line closed, estimated usage was less than 200 passengers a day. By 1983 the track was in very poor condition, the Selsdon/Sanderstead area was being planned for re-signalling and in view of the line's low patronage British Rail could not financially justify wholesale renewal. This was a factor in closure.