North Woolwich line

NORTH WOOLWICH LINE

Opened in 1846 between Stratford and Canning Town, the line was extended to North Woolwich the following year. Services were extended north to Palace Gates in 1887 although that line (northwards from Seven Sisters) was closed to passengers in 1963.
1979 saw the North Woolwich branch incorporated into the North London Line, pre-empting the closure of the Broad Street line (Broad Street station had hitherto provided the eastern terminus for the North London Line).

TIDAL BASIN

(1858 - 1943)

Tidal Basin station sustained heavy damage during World War II and as much of the local area had been evacuated, it was subsequently closed.

1930s map showing the location of Tidal Basin station (and the Tidal Basin itself).

Also seen is the original route of the North Woolwich branch - when the Victoria Dock was built, a swing bridge was put in at its entrance, as seen on the map here. However it was thought that the opening and closing of the bridge would interfere with the train services so a new route was built to the north of the dock. The route of the line was interruped again when the adjacent Albert Dock was opened and a new cut & cover tunnel built underneath its entrance.

The location of Tidal Basin station bears no resemblance to photos of the area whilst the station was open.

(Oct 2006)

Eastward view from the footbridge seen in the photo above. The DLR station visible further down the line is Royal Victoria.

(Feb 2007)

CUSTOM HOUSE

(1855 - 2006)

Custom House station looking in a westerly direction from the eastbound platform. The overgrowth to the right of the brick wall on the right was originally a bay platform.

(Oct 2006)

Eastbound platform and the new ticket office.

(Oct 2006)

West bound platform. The DLR platforms are to the left behind the brick wall.

(Oct 2006)

(Oct 2006)

Western view.

(Oct 2006)

Albert Dock Tunnel

When the Victoria Dock was built, a swing bridge was put in at its entrance. However it was thought that the opening and closing of the bridge would interfere with the train services so a new route was built to the north of the dock. The route of the line was interruped again when the adjacent Albert Dock was opened and a new cut & cover tunnel built underneath its entrance.

Heading toward the tunnel from Custom House station. The surface route that the line used to take branched off to the left.

(Nov 2006)

(Nov 2006)

Descending into the tunnel. For a short length, it splits into two separate small tunnels.

(Nov 2006)

Facing back toward Custom House for this photo.

(Oct 2006)

Emerging at the eastern end, on the incline toward Silvertown station.

(Nov 2006)

(Nov 2006)

SILVERTOWN

(1863 - 2006)

The Crossrail project, should it ever get built, will use the marooned stub of track between Custom House and North Woolwich, surfacing from its London side tunnel just west of Custom House station and continuing in the North Woolwich direction before diving into tunnel again under the Thames. Although there is provision for a Crossrail station at Silvertown, the location of it will be different.

View of the tunnel as it emerges at the Silvertown end. The surface level route was located to the left of the tunnel.

The very first route via the south side of what became the Victoria Dock is to be seen on the left, still with some its track intact. As it still served local factories, it was known as the Silvertown Tramway.

(Nov 2005)

Eastward view of the solitary remaining track and platform at Silvertown station as seen in Nov 2006. The original route of the line can be seen joining from the right.

For a not dissimilar view from around 1910 showing the station with both its tracks and the now demolished westbound platform, move your mouse over the cursor.

Looking toward Silvertown station at the Silvertown Tramway's tracks still embedded in the road. The factories on the right are on the north bank of the Thames.

(Oct 2006)