Tattenham Corner Line

The Tattenham Corner Line is a railway line in Southern England. It was opened in two parts: from Purley to Tadworth as the Chipstead Valley Railway in 1893, and to Tattenham Corner as the Epsom Downs Extension Railway in 1894. Both companies were then acquired by the South Eastern Railway. The Tattenham Corner Line is now part of the Southern franchise.

The line diverges eastwards from the Brighton Main Line at Purley. It immediately splits from the Caterham Line and passes below the Brighton line. It then runs close to the Brighton line as far as Coulsdon Town, after which it turns westwards and follows the Chipstead Valley, eventually climbing to the high ground at Tattenham Corner.

The line is primarily a commuter route, but the station at Tattenham Corner was built to serve the Epsom Downs Racecourse, with large numbers of extra trains on Derby day.

There is also a railway terminus at Epsom Downs, about 2 km north of Epsom Downs Racecourse. It was built by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway and opened on 22 May 1865.

The line was third rail electrified by Southern at 660V DC (later upgraded post war by BR to 750V DC) in March 1928.

Services

Train services on the line are operated by Southern, and run to London Bridge and London Victoria (peak and evenings). During peak hours trains combine (am) or divide (pm) at Purley, the other section being for the Caterham Line.

Services are provided by a mixture of Class 455, Class 456 and......
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