Bow Curve
| Bow Curve | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | Commuter rail |
| System | National Rail |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Greater London |
| Termini |
Limehouse Stratford |
| Stations | 2 |
| Services | 1 |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 2 April 1849 |
| Owner | Network Rail |
| Operator(s) | c2c (limited) |
| Rolling stock | Class 357 |
| Technical | |
| Number of tracks | 1 |
The Bow Curve is a branch line that connects Stratford on the Great Eastern Main Line to Limehouse on the London, Tilbury and Southend Line in Bow that once formed part of the London and Blackwall Railway.
History
The line was opened by the London and Blackwell Extension Railway (LBER) on 2 April 1849 and is entirely on a viaduct.[1] between Gas Factory Junction on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway (LTSR) and Bow Junction on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML).
It only immediate station was Bow Road which opened on it first site in 1 October 1876. However this station was re-sited on 4 April 1892. On 21 April 1941 the station was closed due to bomb damage as a result of German bombing raids during the Blitz but re-opened on 9 December 1946 but then closed between 6 January 1947 and 6 October 1947 so a number of alterations could be made. The line was electrified at this point and the original intention was to run shuttle services between Stratford and Fenchurch Street.[2][3]
Following nationalisation of the railways in 1948, Bow Road became part of the Eastern Region of British Railways. It was then decided to withdraw passenger services from the line and Bow Road station was permanently closed on 7 November 1949. The line was retained for diversions.
However this was reduced to a single track circa 1986 to allow the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Poplar-Stratford branch to share the alignment north of the station.[4]
References
- ↑ Forgotten Stations of Greater London (page 19) by J.E.Connor and B.Halford
- ↑ Connor, J E (1987). The Stepney Railway. Colchester, UK: Connor and Butler. p. 120. ISBN 0 947699 08 2.
- ↑ Connor, J E (2006). Branch Lines of East London. Midhurst UK: Middleton Press. p. 48. ISBN 1 901706 44 3.
- ↑ Connor, J E (1987). The Stepney Railway. Colchester, UK: Connor and Butler. pp. 57, 58. ISBN 0 947699 08 2.
