Tooting, Merton and Wimbledon Railway

In the 1860s the LBSCR was expanding its South London suburban network, and proposed the TM&WR to link their Peckham Rye to Sutton route with the LSWR, and attract goods traffic from the Merton Abbey industries.

After a year the LSWR began a service from Kingston to Ludgate Hill (near Blackfriars) via Tooting, beginning a long association between the Wimbledon branch and the LCDR City line.

In 1894 Tooting Junction was relocated to the other side of Mitcham Road, with just two platform faces for all services, although the original station building remained until the 1980s.

The rapid expansion of electric trams in South London diverted passenger traffic away from these small suburban lines.

[4] LCC Tram No's 2, 4, 10 and 30[verification needed] paralleled various sections of the TM&WR and WCR, and running on the streets they were more useful for local travel.

The C&SLR provided a direct service to the City and West End (via the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway), with stations more conveniently placed for commuters.

The TM&WR and WCR system was left only with passengers connecting to the mainlines, and goods traffic from Merton Abbey and Waddon Marsh.

As new works opened in the Merton Abbey area freight continued to be profitable, with coal inward and finished products out; private sidings were added to the branch to handle the traffic.