Catford loop line

Catford loop line
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleGreater London
Termini
Stations8
Service
TypeSuburban rail, Heavy rail
SystemNational Rail
Services1
Operator(s)
Depot(s)Grove Park
Rolling stockClass 700
Class 375 "Electrostar"
Class 465 "Networker"
Class 466 "Networker"
History
Opened1 July 1892
Technical
Number of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail
Operating speedMaximum 60 mph (97 km/h)
Route map

(Click to expand)
A 1908 Railway Clearing House map of the western end of the Catford loop line, showing how it connects with the South London line to rejoin the Chatham Main Line, thus creating the loop. Also note Loughboro Jct to access the City extension (now Thameslink).

The Catford loop line is a railway line in southeast London. It carries a suburban stopping passenger service from central London to Sevenoaks, and is also a relief route for the Chatham Main Line carrying passenger trains from London Victoria to the Kent coast. There is also much freight activity as this is the main route to Willesden and the north via Latchmere Junction. Freight traffic includes aggregates trains to and from locations along the Thames estuary, and Kent, aviation fuel running between Colnbrook (for Heathrow) and the Isle of Grain, and a small number of international workings from the Channel Tunnel via the yard at Dollands Moor. Until around 2013, a significant quantity of intermodal traffic from Thamesport used the line - however, the opening of London Gateway meant that the larger container ships stopped serving Thamesport and this traffic then ceased.

The line begins at Brixton Junction,[1][2] where it diverges from the Chatham Main Line, and ends when it rejoins the Chatham Main Line (now extended to pairs of fast and slow lines) at Shortlands Junction,[3][4] west of Shortlands station.

  1. ^ Quail Map 5 - England South [page 3] September 2002
  2. ^ Network Rail (April 2001). South Zone Sectional Appendix. Vol. Module SO. p. SO110 1/4. SO/SA/001A.
  3. ^ Quail Map 5 - England South [page 4] September 2002
  4. ^ Network Rail (April 2001). South Zone Sectional Appendix. Vol. Module SO. p. SO110 1/9. SO/SA/001A.