Epsom Downs Branch
The Epsom Downs Branch is a 3-mile-65-chain (6.1 km) railway line in Greater London and Surrey, England. It runs from Sutton to its southern terminus at Epsom Downs, with intermediate stations at Belmont and Banstead. With the exception of the northernmost 39 ch (780 m), the branch is single track. All stations are managed by Southern, which operates all passenger trains. Most services run between Epsom Downs and London Victoria via Selhurst.
| Epsom Downs Branch | |||
|---|---|---|---|
A Southern Class 455 at Belmont station in 2007 | |||
| Overview | |||
| Status | Operational | ||
| Owner | Network Rail | ||
| ELR | NFE | ||
| Locale | Greater London, Surrey | ||
| Termini | |||
| Service | |||
| Type | Commuter rail, Suburban rail | ||
| System | National Rail | ||
| Operator(s) | Southern | ||
| Rolling stock | Class 377 "Electrostar" | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | 22 May 1865 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
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The line was primarily built for racegoers attending Epsom Downs Racecourse and was promoted by the Banstead and Epsom Downs Railway. Authorisation was granted by parliament in July 1862 and construction was completed by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. The branch opened as a double track line on 22 May 1865. It was electrified by the Southern Railway using the 750 V DC third-rail system in 1928 and the majority of the branch has operated as a single line since 1981.