Looking down the line from Rainham station

Image: © Marathon Taken: 1 Jun 2016

The construction of the London, Tilbury & Southend Railway line was authorised by Parliament on 17th June 1852. The first section was opened between Forest Gate junction on the Eastern Counties Railway and Tilbury, via Barking and Grays on 13th April 1854. The London, Tilbury & Southend Railway direct line from Bow to Barking (avoiding Stratford and Forest Gate) was constructed from west to east in 1858. Rainham station opened with the line in 1854. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link passes immediately to the south of the station. The first Eurostars ran along the line on 6th November 2007 following the completion of High Speed 1 and the opening of St Pancras International. Southeastern Javelins now also use the line. This looks across the level crossing immediately to the east of the station. High Speed 1 is to the left. The line ahead is dead straight, almost to Purfleet station. The crossing is now mainly used by foot passengers accessing the up platform as the road was severed when HS1 was constructed. The road now just leads to private railway land between the C2C line and HS1.

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