Operations
Opened on 1 January 1868, the station, known as Croydon Central, was served by platforms 1 and 2 of "New Croydon Station" (an extension of East Croydon station dealing with local traffic). Initially, twelve trains per day worked the line to and from London Bridge. However, for passengers wishing to travel south or use other routes, it remained more convenient to go to East or West Croydon. The commercial judgement that created Croydon Central was therefore unrewarded and services ceased after three years on 1 December 1871. The facility remained mothballed until 1 June 1886 when, under pressure from the Council, it was reopened to traffic. Around this time, the LBSCR had sought to improve the usefulness of the short branch by extending it under the High Street to curve around to the right to join up with the West Croydon - Epsom line at West Croydon station. This plan, which might have seen Croydon Central become a viable station, was never realised.
The reopening of the station (which was now renamed Central Croydon) in 1886 did not coincide with the reintroduction of passenger services by the LBSCR; instead, two other railway companies, the London & North Western Railway and the Great Eastern Railway, worked the line and provided, by all accounts, a generally poor service. The withdrawal of services on 1 September 1890 came therefore as little surprise to the local community; they had hoped that the railway would give impetus to the development of the High Street, but this never materialised and ironically it was only after the demolition of the station that plans for the area could be advanced. In fact, two years before the reopening of the station, a "High Street Improvement Committee" had been set up with the aim of carrying out necessary civic improvements such as the widening of the High Street and the laying of a tram connection. The station, which occupied the main road frontage, stood in the way of these proposals.
Anxious to rid themselves of an unprofitable connection, in 1889 the LBSCR offered the railway land for sale at a price of £12,500. An eventual figure of £11,500 was agreed on condition that the railway company leave in place the retaining walls of their facility which were supporting part of Katharine Street. On the large plot of land, the Council intended to erect their Municipal Offices, Courts, a Police Station and Library, hoping that the presence of public facilities on part of the land would increase the development value of the remainder. By 1890, the necessary agreements and consents for the sale were in place, drawing to a close Croydon Central's short history.
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