Sutton Loop Line

The Sutton Loop Line,[1] also known as the Wimbledon Loop,[2] is a railway line that diverges from the Portsmouth Line[1] at Streatham South junction and rejoins it near Sutton station. Trains leave southwards from Streatham to enter the loop and then return going northwards. The short section between West Sutton station and West junction is known as the "Wall of Death",[3] possibly due to the very steep concrete walls to the cutting on both sides and the sharpness of the curve which resemble the motorcycle ride at a funfair.

Sutton Loop Line
Sutton platform 2 looking towards West junction with the St Helier Line
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
ELR
  • SMS1 (Streatham South Jn–Wimbledon)
  • SMS2 (Wimbledon–Sutton)
LocaleLondon Boroughs of Merton and Sutton
Termini
Stations14
Service
TypeHeavy rail
SystemNational Rail
Services
Operator(s)Govia Thameslink Railway
Depot(s)
Rolling stock
Technical
Number of tracks
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Operating speedMaximum 60 mph [1]
Route map

(Click to expand)

Stations

In a clockwise direction round the loop, the stations are:

Infrastructure

Traction current is supplied at 750 volts DC via the third rail. The supply for this is overseen by Selhurst Electrical Control Room.[1] Signalling is Track Circuit Block with multiple aspect colour light signals, controlled from Three Bridges rail operating centre. The line is double track throughout, except where a short bi-directionally signalled single line section passes through Wimbledon station platform 9. Originally the Down St Helier Line used platform 10 at Wimbledon, but this is now used for the Tramlink terminus which currently comprises a single platform at the southern end, split into two sections so two trams can be held at the same time.[4]

History
Further information: Wimbledon and Sutton Railway and Tooting, Merton and Wimbledon Railway

Services

Thameslink runs services from St Albans, via Blackfriars round the loop. Clockwise services are described as "Sutton via Mitcham Junction" and anti-clockwise as "Sutton via Wimbledon". Occasionally, during service disruption or when the core section of the Thameslink route is closed, Sutton Loop services start and end at London Bridge 'low level' station (i.e. the terminating platforms, 10–15).

Recent proposals were to increase the frequency of the Thameslink service by terminating at Blackfriars. This would have allowed the trains through the core section to be replaced with longer trains which could not use the loop, but this did not proceed due to objections from loop passengers about the withdrawal of their through service.[5]

References
  1. Network Rail (April 2001). Southern Appendix. Vol. Module SO. p. 1/272. A0260A03. Retrieved 2012-01-12
  2. Department of Transport press release. "Government safeguards future of the Wimbledon Loop". UK government.
  3. Quail Map 5 - England South & London Underground [page 22] September 2002 (Retrieved 2012-01-12)
  4. "Wimbledon to Croydon tram link - Transport for London". www.tfl.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014.
  5. Herne Hill website http://www.hernehill.org.uk/direct-trains-may-end-thameslink-programme
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