Battersea Park railway station
Encyclopedia
Battersea Park is a suburban railway station in the London Borough of Wandsworth
, formerly known as York Road. It is situated at the junction of the South London Line
and the Brighton Main Line
between Victoria and . It is close to Battersea Park
, and is not far from Battersea Power Station
.
. It has an attractive polychrome
brick Venetian Gothic
facade. Access to the 5 platforms is via steep wooden staircases, and it is unusable by infirm or physically disabled travellers. Platform 1 is made completely from wood and Platform 5 is rarely in use, with through Southern
and Gatwick Express
services passing towards Clapham Junction
.
and Battersea Pier Junction 1 May 1867 as a means of reducing congestion at Stewarts Lane
. York Road (Battersea) station was opened at this time..
The station was renamed Battersea Park and York Road 1 January 1877 and Battersea Park 1 June 1885.
The South London line through the station to London Bridge were electrified in 1907, and those to Crystal Palace
in 1910 by means of the LB&SCR 'Elevated Electric' overhead system.
At the end of August 2009, electronic ticket gates were installed and are now in use. There is some staffing provision but the station will be fully staffed from first to last train as part of the new Southern Franchise stating in September 2009.
With the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station into "The Power Station London", the railway station is due a complete refurbishment. The contract was awarded to the Costain Group
in April 2006.
. is around the corner, within easy walking distance and provides access to South West Trains
services, though transfer at Clapham Junction is more common.
The typical off peak service is
Terrier
No.70 Poplar collided with the rear of the 11:35pm from London Bridge due to a fogman's error.
On 2 April 1937, two electric passenger trains collided just south of the station; ten people were killed and seventeen seriously injured. The signalman at Battersea Park, believing there to be a fault with his equipment, overrode the electrical interlocking and allowed the second train into the occupied section.
opened an engine shed off what is now Prince of Wales Drive 29 March 1858. It was closed in 1877.
The London Brighton and South Coast Railway built a roundhouse
a few yards north of the station at the lower level in 1869. This was extended with a second adjoining roundhouse in 1870 and a third in 1889. The depot closed 15 July 1934, but remained in use as a road transport depot until demolished in 1986.
London Borough of Wandsworth
The London Borough of Wandsworth is a London borough in southwest London, England, and forms part of Inner London.-History:The borough was formed in 1965 from the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea and much of the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth, but...
, formerly known as York Road. It is situated at the junction of the South London Line
South London Line
South London Line may refer to one of two semicircular railway lines which both run between London Victoria and London Bridge stations through the southern suburbs of London, UK:*Inner South London Line - running via Denmark Hill and Peckham Rye...
and the Brighton Main Line
Brighton Main Line
The Brighton Main Line is a British railway line from London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton. It is about 50 miles long, and is electrified throughout. Trains are operated by Southern, First Capital Connect, and Gatwick Express, now part of Southern.-Original proposals:There were no fewer...
between Victoria and . It is close to Battersea Park
Battersea Park
Battersea Park is a 200 acre green space at Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth in England. It is situated on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Chelsea, and was opened in 1858....
, and is not far from Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station is a decommissioned coal-fired power station located on the south bank of the River Thames, in Battersea, South London. The station comprises two individual power stations, built in two stages in the form of a single building. Battersea A Power Station was built first in the...
.
Description
The station remains effectively unmodernised since its construction in the Victorian eraVictorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
. It has an attractive polychrome
Polychrome
Polychrome is one of the terms used to describe the use of multiple colors in one entity. It has also been defined as "The practice of decorating architectural elements, sculpture, etc., in a variety of colors." Polychromatic light is composed of a number of different wavelengths...
brick Venetian Gothic
Venetian Gothic architecture
Venetian Gothic is a term given to an architectural style combining use of the Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Moorish architecture influences. The style originated in 14th century Venice with the confluence of Byzantine styles from Constantinople, Arab influences from Moorish Spain and early...
facade. Access to the 5 platforms is via steep wooden staircases, and it is unusable by infirm or physically disabled travellers. Platform 1 is made completely from wood and Platform 5 is rarely in use, with through Southern
Southern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
and Gatwick Express
Gatwick Express
Gatwick Express is the name given to the frequent rail shuttle service between Victoria station in London and Gatwick Airport in South East England, operated by the Southern franchise...
services passing towards Clapham Junction
Clapham Junction railway station
Clapham Junction railway station is near St John's Hill in the south-west of Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Although it is in Battersea, the area around the station is commonly identified as Clapham Junction....
.
History
The London Brighton and South Coast Railway opened a new high level line between Pouparts JunctionPouparts Junction
Pouparts Junction is a railway junction near Clapham Junction south of the Thames in inner London.It was named after Samuel Poupart, who at one time owned the land that is now Shaftesbury Park Estate....
and Battersea Pier Junction 1 May 1867 as a means of reducing congestion at Stewarts Lane
Stewarts Lane
Stewarts Lane is a large railway servicing facility in Battersea in London, England, founded by the London Chatham and Dover Railway in 1862, to serve London Victoria railway station. It was sited in the midst of a maze of railway lines between 'Factory Junction' and 'Stewarts Lane Junction',...
. York Road (Battersea) station was opened at this time..
The station was renamed Battersea Park and York Road 1 January 1877 and Battersea Park 1 June 1885.
The South London line through the station to London Bridge were electrified in 1907, and those to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace railway station
Crystal Palace railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It is located in the Anerley area between the town centres of Crystal Palace and Penge...
in 1910 by means of the LB&SCR 'Elevated Electric' overhead system.
At the end of August 2009, electronic ticket gates were installed and are now in use. There is some staffing provision but the station will be fully staffed from first to last train as part of the new Southern Franchise stating in September 2009.
With the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station into "The Power Station London", the railway station is due a complete refurbishment. The contract was awarded to the Costain Group
Costain Group
Costain Group plc is a British construction and civil engineering company headquartered in Maidenhead. It was part of the original Channel Tunnel consortium and is involved in Private Finance Initiative projects.-History:...
in April 2006.
Services
Services are operated by SouthernSouthern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
. is around the corner, within easy walking distance and provides access to South West Trains
South West Trains
South West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...
services, though transfer at Clapham Junction is more common.
The typical off peak service is
- 10 trains per hour (tph) to London Victoria
- 2 tph to Sutton, calling at Clapham JunctionClapham Junction railway stationClapham Junction railway station is near St John's Hill in the south-west of Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Although it is in Battersea, the area around the station is commonly identified as Clapham Junction....
, Wandsworth CommonWandsworth Common railway stationWandsworth Common railway station is in the London Borough of Wandsworth in south London. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southern, and it is in Travelcard Zone 3.-History:...
, BalhamBalham stationBalham station consists of two adjacent stations located in the Balham area of south London, England...
, Streatham CommonStreatham Common railway stationStreatham Common railway station is in Streatham in south London miles from Victoria, and is in Travelcard Zone 3.The station is managed by Southern who also operate trains from the station...
, NorburyNorbury railway stationNorbury railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London miles from Victoria. The station is operated by Southern, who also provide the majority of services and is in Travelcard Zone 3.Ticket barriers are in operation at this station.- Service :The typical off-peak train...
, Thornton HeathThornton Heath railway stationThornton Heath railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London miles from Victoria. It is on the Brighton main line between East Croydon and London Victoria. The station is operated by Southern, who also provide the majority of services...
, SelhurstSelhurst railway stationSelhurst railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London from Victoria. The station is operated by Southern, who also provide the majority of services , and is in Travelcard Zone 4.- History :The Balham Hill and East Croydon line was constructed by the London Brighton...
, West CroydonWest Croydon stationWest Croydon station is a transport interchange for National Rail and Tramlink services, as well as London Buses. It is in the London Borough of Croydon and Travelcard Zone 5...
, WaddonWaddon railway stationWaddon railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southern. It is in Travelcard Zone 5....
, WallingtonWallington railway stationWallington railway station is in the London Borough of Sutton in south London. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Southern, and is in Travelcard Zone 5....
and Carshalton BeechesCarshalton Beeches railway stationCarshalton Beeches railway station is in south Carshalton in the London Borough of Sutton in south London. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Southern, and is in Travelcard Zone 5.- Services :... - 2 tph to Sutton, calling at Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Common, Balham, Streatham HillStreatham Hill railway stationStreatham Hill railway station is one of three stations serving the suburb of Streatham, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The wooden station building at street level faces the busy Streatham High Road at the junction with Leigham Court Road...
, West NorwoodWest Norwood railway stationWest Norwood railway station is in the London Borough of Lambeth in West Norwood, south London. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Southern, and it is in Travelcard Zone 3. Services from Platform 1 go to London Victoria and London Bridge via Tulse Hill...
, Gipsy HillGipsy Hill railway stationGipsy Hill railway station is in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London. It is situated on the outer route of the South London Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Southern, and it is in Travelcard Zone 3....
, Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace railway stationCrystal Palace railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It is located in the Anerley area between the town centres of Crystal Palace and Penge...
, Norwood JunctionNorwood Junction railway stationNorwood Junction railway station is in South Norwood in the London Borough of Croydon in south London, in Travelcard Zone 4.The station is managed by London Overground and trains operated by Southern and London Overground .-History:...
, West Croydon, Waddon, Wallington and Carshalton Beeches - 2 tph to London BridgeLondon Bridge stationLondon Bridge railway station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the London Borough of Southwark, occupying a large area on two levels immediately south-east of London Bridge and 1.6 miles east of Charing Cross. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the...
, calling at Wandsworth RoadWandsworth Road railway stationWandsworth Road railway station is on the South London Line from London Victoria to .It is operated by Southern. The next stations are to the west, towards Victoria and to the east, towards London Bridge.-History:...
, Clapham High StreetClapham High Street railway stationClapham High Street railway station is on the South London Line from London Victoria to .It is close to station and interchange between the two is counted as an Out of Station Interchange on Oyster, so journeys involving a change between the two are charged as through journeys and not two...
, Denmark HillDenmark Hill railway stationDenmark Hill railway station is a railway station in the London Borough of Southwark in London, England, on the Inner South London Line. The station is managed by Southeastern and is served by trains of that company and Southern. It is in Travelcard Zone 2. It is located on Champion Park in the...
, Peckham RyePeckham Rye railway stationPeckham Rye railway station is a station on Rye Lane in the centre of the shopping district of Peckham in South London. It opened on 1 December 1865 for LC&DR trains and on 13 August 1886 for LB&SCR trains...
, Queens Road PeckhamQueens Road Peckham railway stationQueens Road Peckham railway station is in the London Borough of Southwark and also serves the area to the east of Peckham, in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is on the Inner South London Line between and , and trains also go to Croydon via various routes and beyond...
and South BermondseySouth Bermondsey railway station- External links :... - 2 tph to CaterhamCaterham railway stationCaterham railway station serves the town of Caterham in the Tandridge district of Surrey, England.The station is the southern terminus of the Caterham Line, which branches from the London to Brighton main line at Purley...
, calling at Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Common, Balham, Streatham Common, Norbury, Thornton Heath, Selhurst, East CroydonEast Croydon stationEast Croydon station is a railway station and tram stop in Croydon, 10.35 miles south of London Bridge in Travelcard Zone 5. It is the largest and busiest station in Croydon and the busiest in London outside Travelcard Zone 1 in terms of the number of passengers entering and exiting...
, South CroydonSouth Croydon railway stationSouth Croydon railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London, in Travelcard Zone 5. It is on the Brighton Line at its junction with the Oxted Line. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southern.-History:...
, Purley OaksPurley Oaks railway stationPurley Oaks railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London. The station is on the Brighton Main Line between Croydon and Redhill. All trains serving it are operated by Southern and it is in London Travelcard Zone 6...
, PurleyPurley railway stationPurley railway station is at Purley in the London Borough of Croydon, on the main London to Brighton line, in Travelcard Zone 6. It is a junction, with branches to Caterham and Tattenham Corner. There are sidings used by the Day and Son gravel company, part of whose installation has been given a...
, KenleyKenley railway stationKenley railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southern, and it is in Travelcard Zone 6, on the Caterham Line....
, WhyteleafeWhyteleafe railway stationWhyteleafe railway station is in the Tandridge district of Surrey, England. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southern, and it is on the Caterham Line....
and Whyteleafe SouthWhyteleafe South railway stationWhyteleafe South railway station serves part of the suburban village of Whyteleafe in the district of Tandridge, Surrey, England. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southern, and it is on the Caterham Line.... - 2 tph to London Bridge, calling at Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Common, Balham, Streatham Hill, West Norwood, Gipsy Hill, Crystal Palace, Sydenham, Forest HillForest Hill railway stationForest Hill railway station is situated in Forest Hill, part of the London Borough of Lewisham. The station is located on the South Circular Road ....
, Honor Oak ParkHonor Oak Park railway stationHonor Oak Park railway station serves the suburban area of Honor Oak in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is located between and .The station is operated by London Overground, with London Overground and Southern trains serving the station. First Capital Connect and some Southern services pass...
, BrockleyBrockley railway stationBrockley railway station is on the main railway line between and .The station is operated by London Overground, with London Overground and Southern trains serving the station. First Capital Connect and some Southern services pass through the station. It is in Travelcard Zone 2.-History:The line...
and New Cross GateNew Cross Gate stationNew Cross Gate station is a railway station in New Cross, London, on the Brighton Main Line. It is about 600 metres west of station. It is in Travelcard Zone 2, on the East London Line. The station is operated by London Overground.-History:...
Accidents
On 24 December 1881, a train hauled by LBSCLondon, Brighton and South Coast Railway
The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1846 to 1922. Its territory formed a rough triangle, with London at its apex, practically the whole coastline of Sussex as its base, and a large part of Surrey...
Terrier
LB&SCR A1 Class
The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway A1 Class is an English class of 0-6-0T steam locomotive. Designed by William Stroudley, 50 members of the class were built in 1872 and between 1874 and 1880, all at Brighton Works. The class have received several nicknames, initially being known as...
No.70 Poplar collided with the rear of the 11:35pm from London Bridge due to a fogman's error.
On 2 April 1937, two electric passenger trains collided just south of the station; ten people were killed and seventeen seriously injured. The signalman at Battersea Park, believing there to be a fault with his equipment, overrode the electrical interlocking and allowed the second train into the occupied section.
Motive Power Depots
The West End of London and Crystal Palace RailwayWest End of London and Crystal Palace Railway
The West End of London and Crystal Palace Railway was an early railway company in south London between Crystal Palace station and Wandsworth, which was opened in 1856. The line was extended in 1858 to a station at Battersea Wharf which was misleadingly named Pimlico...
opened an engine shed off what is now Prince of Wales Drive 29 March 1858. It was closed in 1877.
The London Brighton and South Coast Railway built a roundhouse
Roundhouse
A roundhouse is a building used by railroads for servicing locomotives. Roundhouses are large, circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding or adjacent to turntables...
a few yards north of the station at the lower level in 1869. This was extended with a second adjoining roundhouse in 1870 and a third in 1889. The depot closed 15 July 1934, but remained in use as a road transport depot until demolished in 1986.