Station code CLD Number of platforms 2 | DfT category D | |
Local authority |
Chelsfield railway station is on the South Eastern Main Line, serving the Chelsfield and Green Street Green areas south of Orpington, in the London Borough of Bromley, south-east London. It is 15 miles 25 chains (24.6 km) down-line from London Charing Cross and is situated between Orpington and Knockholt stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 6.
Contents
The line on which it is located, and the station itself, was opened on 2 March 1868 by the South Eastern Railway to shorten its route from London to Dover. The building of the route, which crosses the North Downs, was a difficult undertaking, with steep gradients. At Chelsfield the line is rising steadily on a 1 in 120 gradient through the Chelsfield Tunnel beyond the station. It is said that this was an inspiration to E. Nesbit when writing The Railway Children
The modern station building dates from the 1970s when its predecessor was damaged by fire.
Service
The typical off-peak service from the station is two trains per hour southbound to Sevenoaks and two trains per hour northbound to London Charing Cross, calling at all stations to Hither Green and then running fast to London Bridge. In the peak hours this is supplemented by stopping Tunbridge Wells to London Charing Cross services, running fast from Chelsfield to London Bridge. These connect with the Knockholt and Dunton Green services. Sevenoaks to Charing Cross stopping services via Orpington are diverted to Cannon Street.
Connections
London Buses routes R1 and 654 serve the station.