Editing Gospel Oak to Barking line (section)

==History==
[[File:Canonbury, Highgate Road, Junction Road, South Tottenham, Tottenham & Tufnell Park RJD 112.jpg|thumb|left|A 1914 map of the Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway]]

=== Original lines ===
The line is mostly an amalgamation of lines built in the 19th century. The main section, between South Tottenham and Woodgrange Park, was built as the [[Tottenham and Forest Gate Railway]], a joint project between the [[Midland Railway]] and the [[London, Tilbury and Southend Railway]]. This opened on 9 July 1894, linking the Midland and Great Eastern joint line at South Tottenham and the Forest Gate and Barking line at Woodgrange Park. The section west of South Tottenham was built as the [[Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway]], which opened in 1868 but had not been commercially successful as a stand-alone railway.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

=== Predecessor routes ===
Although the route between Upper Holloway and Woodgrange Park has been constant, several stations have been the ends of the line. {{rws|Kentish Town}}, {{rws|St Pancras}}, {{rws|Gospel Oak}} and [[Moorgate station|Moorgate]] (via St Pancras) have all been the western termini. [[East Ham tube station|East Ham]] was an alternative eastern terminus for some time. Some trains were extended beyond Barking to destinations such as [[Southend Central railway station|Southend]] and [[Tilbury Riverside railway station|Tilbury]]. There was a regular boat train service between St Pancras and Tilbury.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

A connection to Gospel Oak was added in 1888, but the routes via Kentish Town remained the primary ones and the Gospel Oak branch was abandoned during 1926. The connection to East Ham was abandoned in 1958.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

The ''Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway'' section of the line had stations that were closed due to proximity to other stations or for other reasons. These include [[Highgate Road railway station|Highgate Road]] (closed 1918), [[Junction Road railway station|Junction Road]] (closed 1943), [[Hornsey Road railway station|Hornsey Road]] (closed 1943) and [[St Ann's Road railway station|St Ann's Road]] (closed 1942).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.abandonedstations.org.uk/Goblin.html |title = London's Abandoned Stations |publisher = Abandonedstations.org.uk |access-date = 11 July 2010}}</ref>

The line was considered for closure to passengers in 1963 as part of the [[Beeching Axe]],<ref>{{cite report |url = http://joycewhitchurch.zxq.net/maps/lonmap.jpg |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140320095819/http://joycewhitchurch.zxq.net/maps/lonmap.jpg |archive-date = 20 March 2014 |title = Map 9A, from The Reshaping of Britain's Railways |year = 1963 |publisher = [[British Railways Board]]}}</ref> but local users protested and formed an action group to prevent closure. Beeching's proposals for London were not implemented for the most part, and the line remained open. Even so, it was allowed to fall into a poor state of repair and reliability,<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.citymetric.com/transport/london-overground-s-gospel-oak-barking-line-electric-dreams-do-come-true-3968 |title = On London Overground's Gospel Oak to Barking line, electric dreams do come true |work = CityMetric |date = 11 June 2018 |access-date = 12 September 2018 |archive-date = 8 August 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200808180457/https://www.citymetric.com/transport/london-overground-s-gospel-oak-barking-line-electric-dreams-do-come-true-3968 |url-status = dead }}</ref> and by 1980 had been cut back to an hourly service between Kentish Town and Barking. The station canopies were gradually demolished, ticket offices closed and staff withdrawn from stations.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

=== New link to Gospel Oak ===
During 1981, the situation began to improve when electrification and upgrades to the line out of {{rws|St Pancras}} (later part of [[Thameslink (route)|Thameslink]]) displaced the line from Kentish Town. A new link to Gospel Oak was built and the hourly service from Kentish Town was replaced by the current route from Gospel Oak with two trains per hour. The service remained relatively unreliable, largely due to the age of the rolling stock used, which were initially Class [[British Rail Class 115|115]] and [[British Rail Class 108|108]] units, replaced in the early 1990s by Class [[British Rail Class 117|117]] and [[British Rail Class 121|121]] units.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}}

=== Private operators ===
[[File:02.06.07 Gospel Oak 150.129 (5944678016).jpg|thumb|left|A Silverlink Class 150 at Gospel Oak]]
Initially part of [[British Rail]] [[Network SouthEast]], the line was [[Privatisation of British Rail|privatised]] in 1994, the track being owned by [[Railtrack]] (subsequently [[Network Rail]]) with the passenger service provided by the North London Railways franchise. This passed to [[National Express]] in 1997, which operated the line under the brand name [[Silverlink]] until November 2007. Under Silverlink, the [[slam door trains]] were replaced by [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150]] units in 2000, which improved reliability significantly. There were minor improvements in station facilities (such as CCTV and information points) but no major investment to upgrade the line and boost capacity, and the stations remained unstaffed.

=== London Overground ===
[[File:Wanstead Park stn signage.JPG|thumb|Early London Overground branded signage at Wanstead Park]]
During the opening years of the twenty-first century, many lines within London were running at full capacity, and as a consequence the line took on a new strategic significance as a bypass, relieving load on other lines by allowing passengers to travel between north and east London directly.

The [[Railways Act 2005]] abolished the franchise and gave the operation of passenger services to [[Transport for London]] (TfL). During 2005, TfL started funding a small number of additional peak time and late evening services to relieve the worst overcrowding.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

In November 2007, TfL took full control of the line, after which it introduced improved late night and weekend services, and staff, ticket machines and [[Oyster card|Oyster]] equipment at all stations. The frequency was increased to three trains per hour during morning and afternoon peaks and the line was included on the [[Tube map]] for the first time.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

The line was closed throughout most of September 2008 for upgrade work carried out by [[Network Rail]]. Capacity was increased from six trains per hour to eight (four each for passenger and goods trains). By replacing the overbridges carrying Sussex Way and Albert Road, and lowering the track in some other locations, it was made possible for [[Loading gauge#Great Britain|W10 loading gauge goods trains]] to operate. [[Railway electrification system|Electrification]] was not included.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/statebarkingtogospeloak |archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070807095942/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/statebarkingtogospeloak |url-status = dead |archive-date = 7 August 2007 |title = Barking to Gospel Oak Railway and Freight Capability Enhancements |first = The UK Department for |last = Transport |website = webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk}}</ref>

In 2010, eight new [[British Rail Class 172|Class 172]] [[Turbostar]] diesel trains replaced the Class 150 units, with two 23-metre coaches and the option to introduce a third coach.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/7525.html |title = Transport for London signs new train leasing contract &#124; Transport for London |publisher = Transport for London |date = 20 February 2008 |access-date = 30 May 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120425180718/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/7525.html |archive-date = 25 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/16672.aspx {{dead link|date = May 2011}}</ref> The service frequency was increased to four trains per hour in January 2011.<ref name="TFL 15109">{{cite web |title = Gospel Oak to Barking |url = http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/15409.aspx |publisher = Transport for London}}</ref>

==== Electrification ====
[[File:South tottenham station 1.jpg|thumb|The electrified stretch at South Tottenham (completed before the rest of the line)]]
During 2008, electrification was ruled out by the Mayor of London on grounds of cost and difficulty of electrifying a line with so many viaducts and bridges,<ref name="1541/2008">{{cite web |url = http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=22780 |title = Mayor answers to London (Question 1541/2008) |publisher = [[London Assembly]] |date = 16 July 2008 |access-date = 11 July 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721055636/http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=22780 |archive-date = 21 July 2011 }}</ref> but the Network Route Utilisation Strategy published by [[Network Rail]] in October 2009 showed a [[benefit–cost ratio]] for the scheme of 2.4:1.<ref name="1158/2012">{{cite web |url = http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=40757 |title = Mayor answers to London: Barking to Gospel Oak line (Question 1158/2012) |date = 23 May 2012 |publisher = [[London Assembly]] |access-date = 5 December 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120823201521/http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=40757 |archive-date = 23 August 2012}}</ref> During 2012, the [[Mayor of London]], [[Boris Johnson]], indicated that funding was "a matter for the [[Department for Transport]]".<ref name="1158/2012" />

In 2011, Network Rail proposed electrification in [[Network Rail Control Periods|Control Period 5]] (CP5), however, in July 2012, [[Justine Greening]], the [[Secretary of State for Transport]], stated that electrification was not included in the [[High Level Output Specification]] for CP5, and that any funds would need to be provided by TfL.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-07-16d.687.0 |title = Rail Investment: 16 Jul 2012: House of Commons debates |publisher = [[TheyWorkForYou]] |access-date = 5 December 2012}}</ref> In August, the Mayor wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport to seek a way forward, and "she committed her officials to support work with TfL, Network Rail, train operators and other industry parties to see if a viable way can be found to bridge the funding gap."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=42987|title = Mayor answers to London: Diesel trains (Question 2942/2012) |date = 17 October 2012 |publisher = [[London Assembly]] |access-date = 5 December 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140320095908/http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=42987 |archive-date = 20 March 2014}}</ref>

During November 2012, the magazine ''[[Modern Railways]]'' reported that the Department for Transport had ruled out the work on the basis of an estimated cost of [[Pound sterling|£]]90 million, in contrast to an estimate of £40 million by TfL.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.barking-gospeloak.org.uk/history/20121101_e_bulletin.pdf |title = Barking–Gospel Oak Line User Group News eBulletin 1 November 2012 |date = 1 November 2012 |first = Glenn |last = Wallis |publisher = Barking–Gospel Oak Line User Group |access-date = 5 December 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In June 2013, it was announced that £115 million of funding for electrification would be made available as part of upgrades to rail infrastructure included in the government's 2013 spending round.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209279/PU1524_IUK_new_template.pdf |title = Investing in Britain's future |page = 26 |publisher = [[The Stationery Office]] |author = HM Treasury |author-link = HM Treasury |date = June 2013 |access-date = 26 June 2012}}</ref> At the same time Transport for London announced that they had obtained a £90m commitment from the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] and the Secretary of State for Transport.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2013/06/mayor-secures-unprecedented-transport-settlement-for-london-to |title = Mayor secures 'unprecedented' transport settlement for London to support long-term economic growth |date = 26 June 2013 |publisher = [[Greater London Authority]] |access-date = 17 July 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130630205659/http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2013/06/mayor-secures-unprecedented-transport-settlement-for-london-to |archive-date = 30 June 2013}}</ref>

In September 2015, Network Rail awarded the £56.9 million contract to electrify the line to [[John Murphy (contractor)|J. Murphy & Sons]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/j-murphy-sons-to-carry-out-electrification-of-gospel-oak-barking-route |title = J Murphy & Sons to carry out electrification of Gospel Oak-Barking route |magazine = Rail Technology Magazine|date = 29 September 2015 |access-date = 20 March 2017}}</ref> There were part closures (at weekends and from South Tottenham to Barking) from June to late September 2016, followed by a full closure from October 2016 to February 2017. In February 2017, Network Rail announced that whilst the line would re-open as scheduled, they were not able to complete all the work planned due to "incorrect" designs and late delivery of materials.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/london-overground-gospel-oak-to-barking-route-to-reopen-on-monday-27-february-but-further-work-is-required |title = London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking route to reopen on Monday 27 February but further work is required |access-date = 8 February 2017 |publisher = Network Rail |date = 7 February 2017}}</ref> Further evening and weekend works until late June 2017 were already planned, followed by around four months of commissioning work before the electric wires could be turned on so that [[British Rail Class 710|Class 710]] trains could run.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tfl-tries-to-reduce-line-closure-time-for-goblin-electrification |title = TfL tries to reduce line-closure time for GOBLIN electrification |magazine = Rail Technology Magazine |date = 2 February 2016}}</ref> Although the line was completely electrified by mid-January 2018,<ref>{{Cite magazine |url = https://www.newcivilengineer.com/business-culture/beleaguered-barking-to-gospel-oak-line-to-reopen/10026931.article |title = Beleaguered Barking to Gospel Oak line to reopen |magazine = New Civil Engineer |access-date = 28 May 2018 |language = en-gb}}</ref> delays prevented the introduction of new electric trains until 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/new-overground-trains-for-gospel-oak-to-barking-line-delayed-by-three-months-1-5491792 |title = New Overground trains for Gospel Oak to Barking line delayed... by three months |last = Gelder |first = Sam |work = Islington Gazette |access-date = 28 May 2018 |language = en-gb |archive-date = 4 November 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181104095318/http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/new-overground-trains-for-gospel-oak-to-barking-line-delayed-by-three-months-1-5491792 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/gospel-oak-to-barking-electrification-works-to-be-complete-in-time-for-arrival-of-new-double-length-electric-trains# |title = Gospel Oak to Barking electrification works to be complete in time for arrival of new double-length electric trains |website = Network Rail Media Centre}}</ref>

The line was electrified using the NR Series 2 OLE (Overhead Line Equipment) range.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.networkrail.co.uk/publications/documents/CP5-Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-June-15.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160326212503/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/publications/documents/CP5-Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-June-15.pdf |url-status = dead |archive-date = 26 March 2016 |title = CP5 Enhancements Delivery Plan June 2015 |date = June 2015 |publisher = [[Network Rail]] |access-date = 21 January 2016}}</ref>

==== New trains ====
[[File:Class 710 train at Barking Station.jpg|thumb|A Class 710 four-coach electric train at Barking station]]
On account of the completion of electrification in 2018, new electric [[British Rail Class 710|Class 710]] trains were supposed to run from March 2018. However, the delivery of these trains was delayed by the manufacturer; at one point,  officials were not even willing to divulge an anticipated service date for the Class 710 sets.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/06/20/london-overground-receives-first-new-class-710-emu/ |title = London&nbsp;Overground receives first new Class 710 EMU {{!}} Global Rail News |date = 20 June 2018 |work = Global Rail News |access-date = 11 September 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180911225501/https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/06/20/london-overground-receives-first-new-class-710-emu/ |archive-date = 11 September 2018 |url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="standard.co.uk">{{Cite web |url = https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/train-services-to-be-halved-on-troubled-goblin-barking-to-gospel-oak-line-a4089041.html |title = Trains to be halved on troubled 'Goblin' Barking to Gospel Oak line |date = 12 March 2019 |publisher = Evening Standard |access-date = 23 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/bombardier-class-710/s-authorised-but-wait-goes-on-for-entry-into-traffic |title = Bombardier Class 710/2s authorised, but wait goes on for entry into traffic |website = railmagazine.com |access-date = 23 April 2019}}</ref>

Due to the Class 172 units being needed by [[West Midlands Trains]], three [[British Rail Class 378|Class 378]] units (378 206, 378 209 and 378 232) were moved from other parts of the [[London Overground]] and shortened down from five to four carriages to provide an interim service until the class 710 units entered service. However, six trains are needed to be able to run a full service, so from 15 March 2019 (the day the last Class 172 units left London Overground) the frequency on the line was halved to two trains per hour.<ref name="standard.co.uk"/>

Increases in passenger numbers led to severe overcrowding at peak times, but it was not possible to increase peak frequencies without reducing the number of goods trains, as the line could accommodate only eight trains per hour in each direction. The two-coach Class 172 diesel trains in use between 2010 and 2019 were incapable of handling the increased number of passengers experienced after the incorporation into the London Overground. Between 2016 and 2018 the line was electrified by Network Rail; this work was delayed due to a number of design, track works and delivery problems. At the same time, platforms were lengthened to accommodate the new four-coach electric Class 710 trains. These trains were intended to be introduced in the spring of 2018, but the delivery was delayed by the manufacturer, the first two entering service on 23 May 2019,<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |date = 28 May 2019 |title = Aventra finally enters Barking-Gospel Oak service |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/aventra-finally-enters-barking-gospel-oak-service |access-date = 3 October 2023 |magazine = [[Rail Magazine]]}}</ref> but the existing two trains per hour service was maintained until the full timetable was restored in June of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Gelder |first = Sam |date = 24 June 2019 |title = Three-year nightmare is over! Full service resumes on Gospel Oak to Barking Overground line |url = https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/full-service-resumed-on-gospel-oak-to-barking-london-overground-line-1-6123315 |access-date = 11 August 2019 |publisher = Islington Gazette}}</ref> The full fleet entered service in August 2019.<ref name="Gospel Oak to Barking trains">{{Cite web |title = Gospel Oak to Barking trains |url = https://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-overground/gospel-oak-to-barking-improvements |access-date = 11 June 2019 |website = Transport for London}}</ref> Because the delay caused timetable cutbacks and continued overcrowding, TfL offered a month's free travel, financed by the manufacturer [[Bombardier Inc.|Bombardier]], to compensate passengers for the months of disruption they experienced.

==== Extension to Barking Riverside ====
{{Main Article|Barking Riverside railway station}}
The line was extended southeast by {{Convert|4.5|km|mi|abbr=}} from the terminus at [[Barking station|Barking]] to serve the [[Barking Riverside]] regeneration area, a [[Brownfield land|brownfield]] site with permission for around 10,800 new homes.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title = Improvements and Projects - Barking Riverside extension |url = https://www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/barking-riverside-extension |access-date = 12 October 2021 |website = Transport for London |language = en-gb}}</ref> Proposed in the mid 2010s following cancellation of the [[Docklands Light Railway extension to Dagenham Dock|DLR extension to Dagenham Dock]], the extension was approved in 2017,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date = 4 August 2017 |title = Transport and Works Act 1992: Application for the Proposed London Overground (Barking Riverside Extension) Order and Deemed Planning Permission - letter from Secretary of State |url = https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/635697/barking-riverside-extension-decision.pdf |access-date = 17 April 2020 |website = [[Department for Transport]]}}</ref>  leading to construction commencing during late 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date = 24 December 2018 |title = JV picks up £196m Barking Riverside contract delayed by Carillion collapse |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/civils/sectors-civils/jv-picks-up-196m-barking-riverside-contract-delayed-by-carillion-collapse-24-12-2018/ |access-date = 15 April 2020 |website = Construction News |language = en-gb}}</ref> Running partially alongside the existing [[London, Tilbury and Southend Railway]] line and then a new viaduct to the [[Barking Riverside railway station|Barking Riverside station]], the extension opened to passengers on Monday 18 July 2022<ref name="BRE">{{cite web |title = Barking Riverside extension |url = https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/barking-riverside-extension |publisher = Transport for London |access-date = 13 July 2022 |archive-date = 11 August 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160811172758/https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/barking-riverside-extension |url-status = dead }}</ref> at an estimated cost of £327m.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last = Horgan |first = Rob |date = 7 December 2020 |title = TfL's Barking Riverside Extension suffers year delay and another cost hike |url = https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/tfls-barking-riverside-extension-suffers-year-delay-and-another-cost-hike-07-12-2020/ |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201207083427/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/tfls-barking-riverside-extension-suffers-year-delay-and-another-cost-hike-07-12-2020/ |archive-date = 7 December 2020 |access-date = 20 January 2021 |magazine = [[New Civil Engineer]] |language = en-gb}}</ref>

===Accidents and incidents===
On 23 January 2020, a freight wagon derailed between Leyton Midland Road and Walthamstow Queen's Road stations, causing extensive damage to more than 2.5 miles (4&nbsp;km) of track; the line was closed between Barking and South Tottenham stations while repair works took place, whereby 10,000 tonnes of [[Track ballast|ballast]], 5,300 [[concrete sleeper]]s and 39 new pieces of rail were installed.<ref name=NR270120>{{cite web |url = https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/update-gospel-oak-to-barking-line-freight-derailment-monday-27-january |title = UPDATE: Gospel Oak to Barking line freight derailment (Monday 27 January) |publisher = Network Rail |date = 27 January 2020 |access-date = 28 January 2020 }}</ref> The line re-opened on 19 February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/gospel-oak-to-barking-line-service-resumes-after-freight-train-derailment-damage-repaired-1-6521873 |title = Gospel Oak to Barking line service resumes after freight train derailment damage repaired |last = Cumiskey |first = Lucas |website = Hampstead Highgate Express |date = 19 February 2020 |language = en-gb |access-date = 23 February 2020 |archive-date = 29 September 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200929075925/https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/gospel-oak-to-barking-line-service-resumes-after-freight-train-derailment-damage-repaired-1-6521873 |url-status = dead }}</ref>