Coulsdon North Station

[Nick Catford]

Can somebody tells me what now stands on the site of the Coulsdon North
Station platforms
(closed 1983). Is the main station building still there, if so what is it
used for.

thanks

Nick

[Martin Underwood]

Post by Nick Catford
Can somebody tells me what now stands on the site of the Coulsdon North
Station platforms
(closed 1983). Is the main station building still there, if so what is it
used for.

I don't there's any trace of it left - platforms, buildings etc.

[Nick Catford]

Post by Martin Underwood
I don't there's any trace of it left - platforms, buildings etc.

That's what I thought but the local Guardian web site says the station
building is still there and shows a picture.

http://www.thisiscroydon.co.uk/heritage/croyheritage/display.var.416483.0.rail_memories.php

Nick

[Martin Underwood]

Post by Nick Catford

Post by Martin Underwood
I don't there's any trace of it left - platforms, buildings etc.

That's what I thought but the local Guardian web site says the station
building is still there and shows a picture.

http://www.thisiscroydon.co.uk/heritage/croyheritage/display.var.416483.0.rail_memories.php

That's not by any chance a picture of Coulsdon *South* station, is it? They
haven't confused them, have they? Coulsdon South is by the Cane Hill
bridges, in the section where the fast and slow lines cross the main road at
different points.

[David Morgan]

Post by Nick Catford

Post by Martin Underwood
I don't there's any trace of it left - platforms, buildings etc.

That's what I thought but the local Guardian web site says the station
building is still there and shows a picture.

http://www.croydon.gov.uk/environment/DCandE/Planning/DCC/year03/1003/231003/022679P
uses the phrase "since the closure and removal of Coulsdon North Railway
Station in this location many years ago" which sounds pretty final.

--
David

[Nick Catford]

I've now found a picture of the main building being demolished so does
anyone know what stands on the site now ?

Nick

[JMUpton2000]

The site has an industrial estate on the down side, what resembles a junk
yard on the up side, there is a ballast covered rise between the Redhill and
Quarry lines and the over bridge (which is looking decidely dodgy with
bracing on one bit over the 'junk yard') is still there.

The rest is long gone and that picture is Cousldon South.

Regards
John M Upton

My Fotopic Collections:

South Central & Other Rail Pictures:
http://gallery39764.fotopic.net/

Bus Pics:
http://gallery42239.fotopic.net/

Post by Nick Catford
I've now found a picture of the main building being demolished so does
anyone know what stands on the site now ?
Nick

[Stephen Furley]

Post by JMUpton2000
The site has an industrial estate on the down side, what resembles a junk
yard on the up side, there is a ballast covered rise between the Redhill and
Quarry lines and the over bridge (which is looking decidely dodgy with
bracing on one bit over the 'junk yard') is still there.
The rest is long gone and that picture is Cousldon South.

I've just walked past it; I'm living in Station Approach, Coulsdon
North, at the moment. I normally come home from work by bus, but
since I've got a Travelcard today I used the train to Smitham.

The 'junk yard' has been cleared, there's a large skip standing on it
at the moment. The bridge is goiing to be demolished soon, but there
are notices on it saying that this won't be done until a replacement
has been built. All part of the new by-pass road scheme. I beleive
Smitham statiion is also going to be moved, but I don't know how far.

[p***@hotmail.com]

Post by Stephen Furley

Post by JMUpton2000
The site has an industrial estate on the down side, what resembles a junk
yard on the up side, there is a ballast covered rise between the Redhill and
Quarry lines and the over bridge (which is looking decidely dodgy with
bracing on one bit over the 'junk yard') is still there.
The rest is long gone and that picture is Cousldon South.

I've just walked past it; I'm living in Station Approach, Coulsdon
North, at the moment. I normally come home from work by bus, but
since I've got a Travelcard today I used the train to Smitham.
The 'junk yard' has been cleared, there's a large skip standing on it
at the moment. The bridge is goiing to be demolished soon, but there
are notices on it saying that this won't be done until a replacement
has been built. All part of the new by-pass road scheme. I beleive
Smitham statiion is also going to be moved, but I don't know how far.

You can get a good bearing from that photo. Near the footbridge you
can see where the building once stood, the remains of the sign in the
picture were still there last time i walked past going to Smitham
Station.
And i believe as stated the new road will cut through any remains
there, although i had a little nose when i was working on the line
recently and apart from some old point rodding and joints could not
even get a bearing on where the old signal box stood either
unfortunately. I crossed all the wasteland between the quarry's and
the Redhills, but no evidence at all!.
Out of interest where did you see the pic of the old station being
demolished?

If it's of any help i have posted a link with a pretty good map of
where the new road will be..
http://www.transportforlondon.gov.uk/streets/pdfdocs/schemes/Coulsden%20Town%20Centre.pdf

Cheers,
Nick.

[MartinM]

Post by JMUpton2000
The site has an industrial estate on the down side, what resembles a junk
yard on the up side, there is a ballast covered rise between the Redhill and
Quarry lines and the over bridge (which is looking decidely dodgy with
bracing on one bit over the 'junk yard') is still there.
The rest is long gone and that picture is Cousldon South.
Regards
John M Upton
http://gallery39764.fotopic.net/
http://gallery42239.fotopic.net/

Post by Nick Catford
I've now found a picture of the main building being demolished so does
anyone know what stands on the site now ?

A very long time ago (well early 80s) the up Quarry line trains
stopped there during weekend engineering work when the Coulsdon South
line was shut, but could not use the down platform as there either
wasn't one or was no footbridge; A bit pointless as presumably the
replacement bus from Horley to Purley stopped at South, but a few pax
got off.

[Alan Osborn]

Post by MartinM
A very long time ago (well early 80s) the up Quarry line trains
stopped there during weekend engineering work when the Coulsdon South
line was shut, but could not use the down platform as there either
wasn't one or was no footbridge; A bit pointless as presumably the
replacement bus from Horley to Purley stopped at South, but a few pax
got off.

The station closed at the end of the Summer 1983 timetable last trains
ran 30th September 1983 - I was on the last public working
I only recall the station being used Mon-Fri peak hours
all scheduled trains terminated there in sidings just south of the
terminal platforms.
The scheduled last arrival normally went forward into the sidings for
overnight berthing. But on this last day was to go back to Selhurst
depot. In view of the enthusiast interest it became an additional
1930 Coulsdon North to East Croydon service.
The station had green enamel signs to the end, but all got nicked the
previous night. AFAIK the cops are still looking for the thief

===============================
The closure of the station was principally for the upgrading of the
Brighton main-line in preparation for dedicated Gatwick Express trains
The station being in the wrong place i.e. accessed off the fast lines
only so local suburban trains clogged up the main-line, and being so
close to Smitham on the Tattenham Corner branch it was deemed surplus
and Coulsdon North services were transferred to terminate at Smitham.
================================
The history of the station dates from around 1900 when rivalry between
the SER which owned and operated the route to Redhill via Coulsdon South
The LBSCR had an agreement to use the route for its Brighton main-line
services. But the SER always gave priority to its local trains, so
delaying the LBSCR.
So in 1900 the LBSCR built a by-pass called the Quarry Line which is
today used by most express trains not booked to call at Redhill
Coulsdon was the only station duplicated by the LBSCR hence its
inconvenient location on the fast lines.

With the railway groupings in 1923 the LBSCR and SER became one company
'Southern' and Coulsdon North lost its main-line status to become a
suburban terminus until last trains on 30th September 1983
The only exception being as stated by engineering blockades on the
Redhill route. Although I am sure trains called in both directions
and also at Earlswood which has also since lost its fast line platforms.

[Peter Masson]

Post by Alan Osborn
The closure of the station was principally for the upgrading of the
Brighton main-line in preparation for dedicated Gatwick Express trains
The station being in the wrong place i.e. accessed off the fast lines
only so local suburban trains clogged up the main-line, and being so
close to Smitham on the Tattenham Corner branch it was deemed surplus
and Coulsdon North services were transferred to terminate at Smitham.

Until the 1980s reorganisation, the western pair of lines from Windmill
Bridge Junction through East Croydon and Purley to Coulsdon were the Local
(Slow) Lines and so entirely suitable for suburban trains terminating at
Coulsdon North. Fast trains used the eastern pair, and crossed to the Quarry
Line at Stoats Nest Junction. The 1980s reorganisation switched the fast and
slow pairs of lines, so it made sense to divert the Coulsdon North trains to
Smitham (which is very close by).
Peter

[MartinM]

Post by Alan Osborn

Post by MartinM
A very long time ago (well early 80s) the up Quarry line trains
stopped there during weekend engineering work when the Coulsdon South
line was shut, but could not use the down platform as there either
wasn't one or was no footbridge; A bit pointless as presumably the
replacement bus from Horley to Purley stopped at South, but a few pax
got off.

The station closed at the end of the Summer 1983 timetable last trains
ran 30th September 1983 - I was on the last public working
I only recall the station being used Mon-Fri peak hours
all scheduled trains terminated there in sidings just south of the
terminal platforms.
The scheduled last arrival normally went forward into the sidings for
overnight berthing. But on this last day was to go back to Selhurst
depot. In view of the enthusiast interest it became an additional
1930 Coulsdon North to East Croydon service.
The station had green enamel signs to the end, but all got nicked the
previous night. AFAIK the cops are still looking for the thief

It was the Southern limit of the original overhead LBSCR
electrification as well. No idea when the main line platforms closed
but the up main was an island with the down terminus platform and used
the same footbridge; I never used the terminus platforms but remember
the row of 4 Sub ends up aginst the A23 in the depot. Has or will any
of the formation be lost to the new A23 Coulsdon bypass?

[Paulb]

On Tue, 25 May 2004 17:50:06 +0100, "Nick Catford"

Post by Nick Catford
Can somebody tells me what now stands on the site of the Coulsdon North
Station platforms
(closed 1983). Is the main station building still there, if so what is it
used for.
thanks
Nick

Try here:
http://www.trainspots.co.uk/locpage.php?ts_number=50

No trace of the station now, you wouldn't know there was one there
just by looking.

[Stephen Furley]

Post by Paulb
On Tue, 25 May 2004 17:50:06 +0100, "Nick Catford"

Post by Nick Catford
Can somebody tells me what now stands on the site of the Coulsdon North
Station platforms
(closed 1983). Is the main station building still there, if so what is it
used for.
thanks
Nick

http://www.trainspots.co.uk/locpage.php?ts_number=50
No trace of the station now, you wouldn't know there was one there
just by looking.

It's a pity they couldn't have closed all three stations, and built
one new one, serving all three lines. Coulsdon South is a bit too far
South to be convienient for much except the hospital.

Given that it was only served by a few terminating trains, and that
Smitham was only a few tens of metres away, it's surprising that
Coulsdon North lasted as long as it did.

[Alan Osborn]

Post by Stephen Furley
Given that it was only served by a few terminating trains, and that
Smitham was only a few tens of metres away, it's surprising that
Coulsdon North lasted as long as it did.

Probably because trains berthed at the sidings beyond the platforms
So trains may just as well carry pax rather than go ECS.