Epsom Downs Branch

The Epsom Downs Branch is a railway line in the United Kingdom. The line runs from Sutton to Epsom Downs and is about 3 3⁄4 miles (6.0 km) long. The line starts at Sutton in the London Borough of Sutton. It is double track for about 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km) until it reaches the approach to Belmont where it becomes single track. The line continues from Belmont through Banstead and terminates at Epsom Downs in Surrey. The "Downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs.

Epsom Downs Branch
Overview
TypeCommuter rail, Suburban rail
SystemNational Rail
StatusOperational
LocaleGreater London
TerminiSutton
51.3597°N 0.1907°W / 51.3597; -0.1907 (Epsom Downs Branch, Sutton terminus)
Epsom Downs
51.3237°N 0.2389°W / 51.3237; -0.2389 (Epsom Downs Branch, Epsom Downs terminus)
Operation
Opened22 May 1865
OwnerNetwork Rail
Operator(s)Southern
Rolling stockClass 377 "Electrostar"
Class 455
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Epsom Downs Line
 London Victoria
Sutton & Mole Valley Line
 Sutton
 Belmont
A217 road
 Banstead
 Epsom Downs

History

The line was proposed in 1863 by the Banstead and Epsom Downs Railway, which became incorporated into the London Brighton and South Coast Railway in July 1864. It was opened for traffic on 22 May 1865.[1]

Infrastructure

The line was electrified at 660 V using the third rail system in 1928, with electric services starting on 17 June.[2] The line was reduced to single track in 1982 when all signalling was controlled from Victoria Signalling Centre. The line was shortened by 0.26 miles (0.42 km) when a new station was built at Epsom Downs. This opened on 13 December 1989.[3]

Services

There are four stops on the line:

All services on the line are currently operated by Southern, and form part of the Sutton & Mole Valley Line services. From January 2006 all stations are included in the Transport for London zonal pricing scheme, including those beyond the Greater London boundary.

From May 2018, the typical off-peak service calls at all stations on the line every 30 minutes from London Victoria via West Croydon and Norbury. A historic step change has been delivered to services on this line and there are now two trains an hour from Epsom Downs to London Victoria via Sutton and West Croydon on Sundays.[4]

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References
  1. Dendy Marshall, CF (1963). History of the Southern Railway. Ian Allan. pp. 219, 517.
  2. Moody, GT (1979). Southern Electric 1909 - 1979. Ian Allan. pp. 34, 36.
  3. "Network SouthEast Railway Society". NSE Chronology. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  4. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/timetabling/electronic-national-rail-timetable/ (Timetable No. 172, May 2018)

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