North Kent Metro Lines

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by ARuscoe, Sep 10, 2019.

  1. ARuscoe

    ARuscoe Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2018
    Messages:
    10,832
    Likes Received:
    10,482
    The North Kent Lines serve South East London and North Kent, running metro style services between termini in central London at Charing Cross and Cannon Street, via London Bridge and the operating on three diverging routes serving:
    • Dartford via Greenwich, Woolwich and Abbey Wood
    • Dartford via Lewisham, Blackheath and Bexleyheath
    • Dartford via Lewisham, Sidcup and Bexley
    Even with this diversity, the route only covers 44 miles of track!

    Services include all stopping services on all three lines, "loops" starting and ending at Cannon Street, going via Woolwich before avoiding Dartford at Slade Green and returning to London via Sidcup, and semi fast Services calling at London Bridge, Woolwich, Abbey Wood and Dartford, before going onto Gravesend.

    The main Depot would be at Slade Green, and maybe a short spur to Grove Park. Hither Green freight depot would also be a good inclusion. There are also stabling points at Dartford and Plumstead.

    Links to Thameslink at London Bridge and Dartford/Gravesend, Crossrail between Plumstead and Abbey Wood, the Medway Valley Line at Strood, the the Chatham Mainline at Rochester and onto Gillingham could also be accommodated, although this would mean inclusion of the class 395 Javelin from Ebbsfleet and other Electrostars once you hit Medway.

    Major Stations:

    London Charing Cross:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    The only station in the West end of London and directly on the North Bank of the Thames this six platform terminus station is one of two main termini for Southeastern train services. Approx 42 million passengers a year pass through from Kent and Sussex.

    London Bridge:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Recently refurbished, London Bridge acts as the main exit point for all of the inner London lines heading south east, including Southeastern trains from Cannon Street and Charing Cross, Thameslink trains from Blackfriars and London Bridge itself is the second terminus for Southern Trains. With the Shard right next door this could be a great trainspotting vantage!

    Woolwich Arsenal, Abbey Wood & Lewisham
    Major interchange stations between the Kent Lines and the DLR, both being termini for different branches. The DLR also runs alongside the Kent lines at Greenwich. Abbey Wood will see Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) soon enough

    Dartford:
    End of the metro Lines and the edge of the Oyster card system (which was specially extended to stop people having to pay from Slade Green for a couple of miles!)

    [​IMG]

    Stock:
    Class 465 & 466 "Networkers"
    [​IMG]
    The backbone of the Metro system in Kent, these units were built in the early nineties and are still going strong with a fleet numbering almost 200. Operating on the third rail system these 75mph units work from several depots in Kent, including Slade Green on the suggested route

    Class 376 "Electrostar"
    [​IMG]
    These trains were introduced to give a huge capacity boost to the Kent fleet, being fitted in a bare style, no toilets and restricted to 59 minute journeys or less they're built to move large numbers of people quickly, even the doors are bigger to make loading and offloading quicker

    FREIGHT!
    Of course there are also the freight runs. With aggregates, tarmac and oil all regularly hauled around and across the North Kent routes there are good opportunities for short branches from Charlton to Angerstein Wharf, the freight and maintenance yard at Hither Green, and all sorts of hauls from Grain, Cliffe or Hoo coming down from Gravesend and onto the South London Lines via Lewisham
    So class 66s would be great
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2021
    • Like Like x 10
  2. markhazeldine

    markhazeldine Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2020
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    369
    I agree, this would be a good set of routes.
     
  3. johnmcglade17

    johnmcglade17 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2020
    Messages:
    205
    Likes Received:
    83
    that route will be a lot fun
     
  4. johnmcglade17

    johnmcglade17 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2020
    Messages:
    205
    Likes Received:
    83
    Start route to be a lot good because I live near London Bridge
     

Share This Page