History
This station was opened on 25 August 1862 by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) as "Clapham" with the addition of "North Stockwell" from 1 May 1863. The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) route (current 'Atlantic Line', often referred to by its old name of 'South London Line') was authorized by an 1863 Act of Parliament and parallels the original 1862 LCDR route eastwards between Wandsworth Road and Brixton and beyond. During the 19th Century, all lines through this station were owned by the LCDR, and two lines were leased to the LBSCR, for their sole use.
The original 'South' 1862 line was leased to the LBSCR in 1867 and the LCDR used the new 'North' 1867 lines.
Hence the existing platforms, together with the Grade 2 listed 1862 station building is the original station. These platforms were used by the LCDR from 1862 to 1867, and by the LBSCR until the 1923 grouping.
The 1867 London, Chatham and Dover Railway platforms were closed on 3 April 1916 and subsequently demolished. However, the LCDR 1867 station building was used until the 1970s for accessing the existing platform via a long subway.
Hence the existing station, with its listed 1862 building, is paradoxically the original station of 1862, and not 1867, as wrongly quoted in several publications.
The line between Victoria and London Bridge was electrified at 6600 V AC overhead system on 1 December 1909.
The line was re-electrified in 1928 using third rail 660 V DC and the overhead system was dismantled. In 1989 the station was renamed Clapham High Street because passengers from Victoria were confusing it with Clapham Junction.
| Preceding station | Disused railways | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wandsworth Road | British Rail Southern Region |
East Brixton | ||
Read more about this topic: Clapham High Street Railway Station
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