Catford loop line

It carries a suburban stopping passenger service from central London to Sevenoaks, and is also a relief route for the Chatham Main Line carrying passenger trains from London Victoria to the Kent coast.

Freight traffic includes aggregates trains to and from locations along the Thames estuary, and Kent, aviation fuel running between Colnbrook (for Heathrow) and the Isle of Grain, and a small number of international workings from the Channel Tunnel via the yard at Dollands Moor.

The five stations on the original route were: The length of the Catford Loop is nearly eight miles (12.5 km).

The line was electrified with the other SECR urban routes on 12 July 1925 by the Southern Railway on its 660 DC third-rail system.

All other services originate from London Blackfriars and Thameslink Core and call at all stations.

A 1908 Railway Clearing House map of the western end of the Catford loop line, showing how it connects with the South London line to rejoin the Chatham Main Line , thus creating the loop. Also note Loughboro Jct to access the City extension (now Thameslink ).