Surrey Quays Contrasts 1990 - 2011

Using footage from early 1990 and also 2010 / 2011 plus still images from 2007 this film shows various trains at Surrey Quays station in London.

In the London Underground era we see A stock trains, whilst in the London Overground era we see Class 378 'Capitalstar' trains.

The A stock trains are seen in three different liveries, these being 'blue door', 'blue stripe upper half of bodysides' and the 'red doors plus cab front / blue stripe on lower body sides' which later became the corporate livery.

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Originally called 'Deptford Road' this station was built by the East London Railway Company (ELR) and opened in December 1869.

In July 1911 it was renamed 'Surrey Docks', in reference to the nearby, now closed, Surrey Commercial Docks.

In October 1989 it was further renamed 'Surrey Quays' following the construction of the nearby Surrey Quays Shopping Centre.

The ELR was owned by a consortium of six railway companies, one of which (the Metropolitan Railway) electrified this line in 1911, introducing through trains to Hammersmith (via Kings Cross) which became 'peak hours only' in 1936 and were withdrawn in 1941.

Other railway company steam (and in the British Railways era diesel) goods trains continued to use this line until 1962, with BR passenger trains finally being withdrawn in 1966.

This line was closed from 1995 to 1998 for route
improvement works which (mostly) did not happen.

To facilitate its rebuilding to become part of the
London Overground network Surrey Quays station
and the ELL closed on the 22nd December 2007 -
just in time for the 'end of year' holiday season.

Given that most of the country shuts down over the holidays it has to be wondered just how much work
simply had to be done / was actually done in the next few weeks that could not have waited so as to avoid disrupting passengers' travel plans over the holidays?

Media reports suggest 'very little, if any'.

In April 2010 it reopened as part of the London Overground network.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• London
• Underground
• Overground
• stock
• class
• 378
• Capitalstar
• train
• railway
• railroad
• station
• platform
• trains
• passenger
• travel
• EMU
• electric
• rail
• sbahn
• s-bahn
• ubahn
• u-bahn

[JeffOrnstein01]

Great contrast video. Awesome transformation. However, I think the London "EL" would have been a slightly better designation than "Overground." Also, how do passengers like or dislike the longitudinal seating vs. the cross-seating on the previous classes of trains? I would think they would have preferred some cross-seating in the cars. New York also went back to full longitudinal seating as well. Not too happy about that....

[citytransportinfo]

@JeffOrnstein01 Thanks, I'm pleased you found it to be of interest.

re: the name 'Overground', it was chosen to complement the existing and well-known 'Underground'.

re: the seating, its not liked by everyone. Even though most Underground trains (A Stock excepted) are like this many people would have been happier if the Overground 378's had some cross-seating - emulating the new Overground diesel trains on the Barking - Gospel Oak service.

[nasansia]

what does real time passenger information mean? Are they just the announcements

[citytransportinfo]

@nasansia Instead of just having paper timetables showing the times the trains are supposed to come, 'real-time' information tells waiting passengers when they will actually come. Often the information displays also advise of delays and other important travel information (such as planned closures).

Inside the trains the information tells passengers the name of the next station and name of the destination for the train - helping the passengers ensure that they are on the correct train.

[CadenceCPK]

@citytransportinfo 01:19 +420v and -210v not equal 660v.

[spartan117ism]

@citytransportinfo (NRS)National Rail Service on some areas of the Bakerloo line

[citytransportinfo]

@spartan117ism in what context?

Historically (ie: since 'steam train' days) this route has always been served by a mix of railway companies. Although only Overground trains now use it the entire East London Line service uses a unique mix of Network Rail and Transport For London (who 'own' London Underground) infrastructure.

Elsewhere in London Overground & Underground trains provide joint (shared) services, albeit solely on Network Rail metals.

[dvnupldr]

i've always wondered what those pillars in the middle were about

[efuller2]

Great film!

[likeplaneboy]

why are there less sparks on the lo than on the lu

[SamTheBumChum1]

Wow, great video. I pretty much use this station everyday! (: Did they replace the motors on the A stock? They sound different.

[perrymak2000]

thx so much !! great video~ i like the EL @14:20 where the A stock train just like "hopping" into the station when crossing the junction...interesting