Not so long ago it was possible to get a train from Stratford down to North Woolwich. The line also stopped at Silvertown station which was a short walk from London City Airport, and the North Woolwich station was a short walk from the Woolwich foot tunnel and the car ferry.
The line from Richmond has undergone quite a few changes over time, initially it terminated at Broad Street in the heart of the city but when that closed the new terminus became North Woolwich in the east of London. Then before the Olympics were hosted at Stratford in 2012 the line was terminated at Stratford, and the line beyond was lifted and became a new extension of the Docklands Light Railway between Stratford International and Canning Town.
The remainder of the line from Canning Town to North Woolwich has been lifted and part have now been incorporated into the new Crossrail Elizabeth line.
Services were operated by Class 313 units that had dual voltage capability. The line south from Highbury and Islington were operated using a third rail for current supply, and trains heading further west raised their pantographs at Highbury and Islington station to use the overhead wires.
Images copyright Ian Blair 2006