System National Rail Termini Sutton
Epsom Downs Operator(s) Southern Locale Greater London | Status Operational Opened 22 May 1865 Owner Network Rail | |
Type Commuter rail, Suburban rail Rolling stocks British Rail Class 377, British Rail Class 455 | ||
The epsom downs branch tuesday 29th september 2015
The Epsom Downs Branch is a railway line in the United Kingdom. The line runs from Sutton to Epsom Downs and is about 3 3⁄4 miles (6.0 km) long. The line starts at Sutton in the London Borough of Sutton. It is double track for about 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km) until it reaches the approach to Belmont where it becomes single track. The line continues from Belmont through Banstead and terminates at Epsom Downs in Surrey. The "Downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs.
Contents
- The epsom downs branch tuesday 29th september 2015
- 377606 at banstead on the single line epsom downs branch
- History
- Infrastructure
- Services
- References
377606 at banstead on the single line epsom downs branch
History
The line was proposed in 1863 by the Banstead and Epsom Downs Railway, which became incorporated into the London Brighton and South Coast Railway in July 1864. It was opened for traffic on 22 May 1865.
Infrastructure
The line was electrified at 660 V using the third rail system in 1928, with electric services starting on 17 June. The line was reduced to single track in 1982 when all signalling was controlled from Victoria Signalling Centre. The line was shortened by 0.26 miles (0.42 km) when a new station was built at Epsom Downs. This opened on 13 December 1989.
Services
There are four stops on the line:
All services on the line are currently operated by Southern, and form part of the Sutton & Mole Valley Line services. From January 2006 all stations are included in the Transport for London zonal pricing scheme, including those beyond the Greater London boundary.
The typical off-peak service calls at all stations on the line every hour from London Victoria via West Croydon; in peak times two trains call every hour. There are no trains to or from Epsom Downs on Sundays.