Tottenham and Forest Gate Railway
Encyclopedia
The Tottenham & Forest Gate Railway was a railway line in north London
, formed by an Act of Parliament
of 1890 and built as joint venture between the Midland Railway
and the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway
. It opened in 1894.
, in order to serve the new developments there. Much of the route crossed many existing roads, and the area had already been extensively built on, so the line was built on top of a long brick viaduct
. Many houses were demolished to make way and there was considerable local opposition to the railway.
The line opened on 9 July 1894 between South Tottenham
and Woodgrange Park
where it joined the existing LTSR line to Barking and beyond. A curve was latter added allowing East Ham
to be served as an alternative to Barking. Trains did not terminate at South Tottenham but continued westwards to various destinations via the Tottenham & Hampstead Junction Railway
, much as the Gospel Oak to Barking Line
does today.
The line had the following stations (listed from west to east using the original station names):
, part of the London Overground
.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, formed by an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of 1890 and built as joint venture between the Midland Railway
Midland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
and the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway
London, Tilbury and Southend Railway
The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway is an English railway line linking Fenchurch Street railway station in the City of London with northeast London and the entire length of the northern Thames Gateway area of southern Essex. It is currently known as the Essex Thameside Route by Network Rail...
. It opened in 1894.
History
The line was authorised at the request of Sir Courtenay Warner, a property developer who owned land in WalthamstowWalthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
, in order to serve the new developments there. Much of the route crossed many existing roads, and the area had already been extensively built on, so the line was built on top of a long brick viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
. Many houses were demolished to make way and there was considerable local opposition to the railway.
The line opened on 9 July 1894 between South Tottenham
South Tottenham railway station
South Tottenham is a railway station on the east-west Gospel Oak to Barking Line. It is located on the eastern side of the north-south A10 High Road in Tottenham, North London, between and...
and Woodgrange Park
Woodgrange Park railway station
Woodgrange Park is a railway station in Manor Park, east London, England. The station is on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line 3 km west of . The station is in both zones 3 and 4. It was opened 9 July 1894....
where it joined the existing LTSR line to Barking and beyond. A curve was latter added allowing East Ham
East Ham tube station
East Ham tube station is a London Underground station on the District and Hammersmith and City lines, located in East Ham, east London. It is in both Zone 3 and Zone 4. The station exit is on High Street North....
to be served as an alternative to Barking. Trains did not terminate at South Tottenham but continued westwards to various destinations via the Tottenham & Hampstead Junction Railway
Tottenham & Hampstead Junction Railway
thumb|right|Map dated 1914, showing the line as "Tottenhm & Hampstead Jnt"The Tottenham & Hampstead Junction Railway was a railway line in north London, formed by an Act of Parliament of 28 July 1862, and was effectively part of an attempt by the Great Eastern Railway to obtain a west end terminus,...
, much as the Gospel Oak to Barking Line
Gospel Oak to Barking line
The Gospel Oak – Barking Line is a railway line in north and east London which connects Gospel Oak in North London and Barking in East London as part of the London Overground network. It is sometimes known as the Goblin , although this is a nickname rather than an official title...
does today.
Stations
- South Tottenham & Stamford HillSouth Tottenham railway stationSouth Tottenham is a railway station on the east-west Gospel Oak to Barking Line. It is located on the eastern side of the north-south A10 High Road in Tottenham, North London, between and...
(existing) - Blackhorse RoadBlackhorse Road stationBlackhorse Road station is a London Overground and London Underground station on the junction of Blackhorse Road with Forest Road in the Walthamstow neighbourhood of the London Borough of Waltham Forest in London, England. The station below ground is on the Victoria Line of the London Underground...
(new) - WalthamstowWalthamstow Queens Road railway stationWalthamstow Queen's Road railway station is a London Overground station between and stations on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line in northeast London. It is in Zone 3. It opened as "Walthamstow" on 9 July 1894 and was renamed on 1 May 1968. Its name is misleading as the station is on Edinburgh Road,...
(new) - LeytonLeyton Midland Road railway stationLeyton Midland Road is a railway station in Leyton, on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line, between and stations.The station is managed by London Overground, and is in Zone 3...
(new) - LeytonstoneLeytonstone High Road railway stationLeytonstone High Road station is a railway station in Leytonstone, London in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line, between and . It has two platforms that are elevated approximately 20 feet above ground level, each of which contains a metal shelter, covered but...
(new) - Wanstead ParkWanstead Park railway stationWanstead Park is a railway station in Forest Gate, London. It is on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line in Zone 3, between and . It is operated by London Overground....
(new) - Woodgrange ParkWoodgrange Park railway stationWoodgrange Park is a railway station in Manor Park, east London, England. The station is on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line 3 km west of . The station is in both zones 3 and 4. It was opened 9 July 1894....
(new) - Branch: East HamEast Ham tube stationEast Ham tube station is a London Underground station on the District and Hammersmith and City lines, located in East Ham, east London. It is in both Zone 3 and Zone 4. The station exit is on High Street North....
(existing, added later, abandoned 1958) - Barking (existing)
Current status
The line now forms part of the Gospel Oak to Barking lineGospel Oak to Barking line
The Gospel Oak – Barking Line is a railway line in north and east London which connects Gospel Oak in North London and Barking in East London as part of the London Overground network. It is sometimes known as the Goblin , although this is a nickname rather than an official title...
, part of the London Overground
London Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
.