Chertsey branch line

Chertsey branch line
South West Trains Class 450 in the Chertsey branch line platforms at Virginia Water
Overview
Other name(s)Chertsey loop line
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleSurrey, South East England
Stations4
Service
TypeSuburban rail, Heavy rail
SystemNational Rail
Operator(s)South Western Railway
History
Opened1849
Technical
Line length5 miles 40 chains (8.9 km)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
ElectrificationYes

The Chertsey branch line (also known as the Chertsey loop line) is a 5-mile-40-chain (8.9 km) railway line in Surrey, England. It runs from the Waterloo–Reading line at Virginia Water station to a triangular junction with the South West Main Line near Weybridge. There are intermediate stations at Chertsey and Addlestone. All of the stations are managed by South Western Railway, which operates all passenger trains. Most services run between Weybridge and London Waterloo via Hounslow and Clapham Junction. For much of the day, passengers can change to faster services at Virginia Water and Weybridge to reach the capital more quickly.

The line was built in two main stages by the London and South Western Railway. The Weybridge-Chertsey section opened in February 1848 and the extension to Virginia Water opened in October 1866. The line was electrified using the 750 V DC third-rail system by the Southern Railway in 1937.