The history of the South London Line from 1867
Extract from ‘Railways South East’ Winter 1991/2 issue:
Radial rail routes in Greater London have had an almost universal history of development, though that might have been distinctly patchy in some cases. The history of the comparatively few peripheral services has been much more patchy. The so-called 'Middle', 'Outer' and even 'Super-Outer' Circles via Addison Road (now Olympia) have all disappeared, while the North London Line (now North Woolwich-Richmond) after a long period of running down has taken on a new lease of life in recent years. The story of the South London Line between London Bridge and Victoria reveals even more mixed fortunes since it opened throughout in 1867.
On 30th June 1862 the London Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSC) obtained its South London Act to build a link between London Bridge and Victoria. The 8.75 miles of line were never more than four miles from the City but traversed an area rapidly undergoing suburban development, much of it of high quality, and to serve this was its prime function… Read the article