History
The station opened as part of the newly constructed Tooting, Merton and Wimbledon Railway on 1 October 1868 at the junction with the preexisting West Croydon to Wimbledon Line. Initially named Lower Merton, it was renamed Merton Park on 1 September 1887.
Two platforms served the new line via Merton Abbey to Tooting Junction station with a third entering service on 1 November 1870 to serve the single track West Croydon to Wimbledon Line.
The Tooting platforms were suspended from use between 1 January 1917 and 27 August 1923 as a wartime cost-saving measure, eventually closing permanently on 3 March 1929 when the line was closed to passengers. Continuing in use for freight services through to the mid-1970s, the track was eventually lifted and most of the platforms fenced off. Limited passenger access was maintained, however, as it was necessary to cross both platforms and the intervening trackbed to reach platform 3 and the West Croydon to Wimbledon Line. Initially, a wooden walkway was laid across the trackbed, eventually replaced with a raised earth walkway.
Access to the station buildings was via the single entrance on Rutlish Road, a public footpath running alongside the line from (now demolished) signal box at the Kingston Road level crossing providing an alternative route for pedestrians.
Merton Park station continued to serve the West Croydon to Wimbledon Line until its withdrawal from service on 31 May 1997 for conversion into part of the Tramlink system (Route 3 – New Addington to Wimbledon). Merton Park tram stop now overlaps the site of the original station, the tram lines occupying the site of the trackbed and platform of the old line.
The original station building has been converted into a private house, forming part of a small housing development covering some of the original station site.
Part of the nearby long public footbridge (crossing both lines to provide access to playing fields from Dorset Road) is now located at Corfe Castle station on the Swanage Railway following its removal on closure of the Croydon line.
| Preceding station | Disused railways | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon | Southern Railway |
Merton Abbey | ||
| Network SouthEast |
Morden Road | |||
Read more about this topic: Merton Park Railway Station
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