710 130 arriving at Wood Street
710 130 departing Wood Street
London Overground Chingford Line is a Transport for London operated Overground line in London, England. Running between London Liverpool Street and Chingford, the branch is currently part of the Lea Valley Lines network.
History[]
In 1870, a line was opened from Lea Bridge Road to Shern Hall Street station (a temporary station located west of the present day Wood street station) and a shuttle service operated commencing traffic on 24 April 1870. The train service was not operated as a through service and passengers had to change for trains to Bishopsgate station (this was the destination before Liverpool Street opened).
The line between Hackney Downs and Church Hall Junction opened on 1 August 1872 and direct services to Bishopsgate commenced as a result. In 1873 the line was extended to a temporary terminus at Chingford (where the engines refilled from a farm pond). This extension saw the closure of Shern Hall station and the opening of Wood Street and Hale End (since renamed Highams Park)
In the 1910s it became apparent that severe overcrowding was causing problems and the branch was identified for a series of improvements to enable more services to run. After World War One four new carriage sidings were laid and a new signal box opened at Chingford, carriage sidings and the engine shed facilities at Wood Street were expanded.
The new improved passenger services (marketed as the Jazz service) started on 12 July 1920.
In 1955, electrification of the line began.
On 12 November 1960, Class 305s, Class 302s and Class 304s were introduced.
In 1980, the Class 305s, Class 302s and Class 304s were replaced by Class 315s.
On 5 February 2012, the route was retained by Abellio Greater Anglia.
On 31 May 2015, the route passed to London Overground and was included in the sale from Abellio Greater Anglia's Ilford depot.
In April 2020, the Class 317/7 and 8 were withdrawn and replaced by brand new Class 710/1 Aventras.
On 5 October 2020, the Class 315 was withdrawn and the line was converted into a full Class 710 Aventra operation.
Current Route[]
The Chingford Line operates via these primary locations.
- London Liverpool Street
- Bethnal Green
- Hackney Downs
- Clapton
- St James Street
- Walthamstow Central
- Wood Street
- Highams Park
- Chingford
Gallery[]
