Rickmansworth Station - History

History

Until 1961, Rickmansworth station was the changeover point from steam to electric locomotives for Metropolitan Line trains from Aylesbury (and Verney Junction) to London. The electrification was then extended north to Amersham and Chesham, leaving Aylesbury services to be served by British Rail Class 115 diesel multiple unit trains (since replaced by Chiltern Railways Class 165 and Class 168 units). Locomotive hauled trains (steam and electric) on the Metropolitan Line were then replaced by the new trains of A60 and A62 Stock.

However, Rickmansworth is still the changeover point for drivers on the Metropolitan Line. The majority of LU trains heading north to Amersham are timetabled to stop at Rickmansworth for about five minutes to change train staff. It is also the headquarters of the operational side of the northern section of the Met: It controls signals on the line from Northwood in the south to Watford/Chorleywood in the north and is one of the few locations on the Met where train drivers are based.

Many evening running Metropolitan Line trains terminate at Rickmansworth due to the various sidings around the station. Ticket Barriers are in operation.

• 1 September 1887: station opened by the Metropolitan Railway, from the previous terminus at Pinner
• 8 July 1889: extension to Chesham opened
• 15 March 1899(?): Great Central Railway services began
• 2 November 1925: extension to Watford opened from both Rickmansworth and Moor Park; extension of electric train services as far as Rickmansworth
• 3 January 1960: line closed between Rickmansworth and Croxley
• 12 September 1960: electric train services extended from Rickmansworth to Chesham and Amersham
• 10 September 1961: last regular steam services withdrawn
• 14 November 1966: Goods yard closed
• 11 May 1987: early morning services to Croxley and Watford reinstated