Pitlake is where the Surrey Iron Railway’s terminus depot was sited. From here deliveries were made to other parts of Croydon, or perhaps goods forwarded to/transferred from the continuation along the CMG, especially aggregates quarried from Merstham. Note: SiR = Surrey Iron Railway. CMG = Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Iron…
There is perhaps nothing better than taking a tram direct down the tracks to either Ampere Way or Waddon Marsh because its a ride on most of the old SiR route. Despite contrary apperances such as the lack of access footpaths however, one can walk alongside much of the Tramlink…
Having crossed Church Road into Hallowfield Way, the railway’s alignment heads towards a vehicle pound right at the bottom of the road. However there is no through route to Mitcham. This is attained by a side passage back up on the left of Hallowfield Way. Car pound at the bottom…
Wandle Park provides perhaps the most visible evidence of the former Surrey Iron Railway. As one enters the park there is a stream immediately ahead with a footbridge across it. Head away from this towards the cottages on the edge of the park. The rear boundaries of these cottages forms…
Summerstown was known as Garratt Green in the 19th Century. ‘Summerstown’ used to be called Church Road. Garratt Lane’s approach to Summerstown. The SiR crossed diagonally to the west side as it progressed towards The Mead The route of the SiR from Garratt Lane through Summerstown seems to offer a…
The Wandle as it approaches the Southside Centre. The tracks of the SiR ran along the left side bank of the river. At the south end of the Wandsworth shopping centre is Mapleton Crescent, one can find the River Wandle in an open channel. On the west bank of this…
Note: SiR = Surrey Iron Railway. CMG = Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Iron Railway. CCR = Croydon Canal Railway As far as it appears just two pictures showing wagons at the SiR’s Wandsworth Basin are in existence. The more famous one is the Youngs painting which is depicted on the…
The Railway from Wandsworth to Croydon This feature was specially prepared for the 210th anniversary of the official opening of one of the earliest public railways in the world, covering the Surrey Iron Railway between Wandsworth basin and the Pitlake terminus at Croydon. Some new, unpublished elements covering the railway’s…
Looking from the former canal entrance, across the coal pier, towards the Woolwich free ferry, the Thames Barrier, Canary Wharf and Central London. The flats on the extreme right are built on land where the Woolwich class narrow boats were once built. A look at the waterway The canal is…
(The following section on the railway was kindly written for London Canals by Ian Bull of the Crossness Engines Trust) The Royal Arsenal’s railways began in 1824 with a horse drawn plateway that was regarded as complete by 1840 when it had reached 15 miles in length. It’s likely that…