History
Although the DLR is a recent addition, the National Rail line through Greenwich station is one of London's oldest - the London and Greenwich Railway is reputed to be the world's first suburban railway. It was designed by former army engineer George Landmann, and promoted by entrepreneur George Walter. Greenwich was linked by a massive brick-built railway viaduct with 878 arches, first to a station in Spa Road (Bermondsey), and later to London Bridge. The service opened on 8 February 1836 from Deptford, and on 29 December that year from Greenwich. Greenwich's handsome station building was designed by George Smith in 1840, making it one of the oldest station buildings in the world.
Difficulties in extending the railway over the lands owned by the Greenwich Hospital (London) led to the station being bypassed for many years. Eventually the line was extended eastwards via a cut-and-cover tunnel towards Maze Hill. The link between Maze Hill and Greenwich opened on 1 February 1878.
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) was extended to Lewisham via Greewnwich in December 1999, the new platforms lying immediately to the south of the mainline station. At the eastern end, the DLR heads underground through the tunnel which serves nearby Cutty Sark station and then carries the route beneath the River Thames to the north.
Read more about this topic: Greenwich Station
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