Deptford, London & Greenwich Railway
An original ramp remains behind the current station on what was the first passenger and steam railway in London, built in 1838. Graded List II.
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Deptford station, Deptford High Street, London SE8 3NU
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In 1832 a proposal was made to build a railway from Greenwich to Tooley Street, near London Bridge. A retired officer of the Royal Engineers was engaged to draw up a plan. He envisaged a viaduct nearly four miles long and carrying a double track on 878 brick arches. In 1836 the railway was opened as far as Spa Road in Bermondsey. This station therefore can lay claim to being the first passenger terminus in London. However it was only 10 months later that London Bridge was reached.
The railway still exists though most of the viaduct is much widened. Between North Kent East Junction and Deptford Creek bridge to Norman Road in Greenwich the railway remains as the original two tracks. The London & Greenwich Railway was later absorbed by the South Eastern Railway which in turn became part of the South Eastern & Chatham in 1899.
At Deptford a long brick ramp was built to convey road carriages on wagons up to the railway. It did not operate for long in this role and its survival is attributable to its use for ferrying carriages and wagons down to workshops at street level for maintenance.
By Road: The original viaduct ran from London Bridge to Greenwich and survives, though in most places much widened. Nevertheless certain traces of the original survive and can be found in Bermondsey and in Deptford. The ramp at Deptford is behind the station.
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