Hampton Court branch line

The Hampton Court branch line is a short branch line off the South Western main line. It has a through station at Thames Ditton and a terminus at Hampton Court, both currently in Transport for London's Zone 6. The line is electrified, using 750 V DC third rail.

Hampton Court branch line
The line at Thames Ditton station
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleGreater London
Surrey
South East England
Stations2
Service
TypeSuburban rail, Heavy rail
SystemNational Rail
Operator(s)South Western Railway
History
Opened1849
Technical
Line length1.54 miles (2.48 km) (1 mi 51 chains)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail
Operating speedSedate
Route map

(Click to expand)

History

The branch was inaugurated 1 February 1849, when Hampton Court railway station was opened. Originally carriages were hauled by horses to Kingston station (later renamed Surbiton) where they were attached to Southampton trains and taken to London.

Services

Train services are currently operated by South Western Railway. There is a half-hourly direct service to London Waterloo which calls at all stations on the route except for Queenstown Road (Battersea). A change can be made for the fast tracks at Surbiton.

Rolling stock

The line is served by the British Rail Class 455, British Rail Class 456 and British Rail Class 707, consisting of 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 car formations, 4 cars are mostly used on weekends. Class 450s have also deputised for the usual 455s on occasions.

Future

As part of the proposed Crossrail 2 lines (principally involving a new long underground railway through London), Hampton Court has been proposed by business group London First as the terminus for a potential service to Cheshunt via Central London, opening in the "early 2030s". Additional services may or may not stop at Thames Ditton depending on volume and tourist demand. The proposed services via Victoria and Kings Cross will replace most via Waterloo services.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Crossrail 2 stations proposed by London business leaders". BBC News. 5 February 2013.

Further reading
  • Butt, R. V. J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations: details every public and private passenger station, halt, platform and stopping place, past and present (1st ed.). Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85260-508-7. OCLC 60251199.
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