broad street to poplar by j.e.connor
a detailed history of the eastern part of the north london railway, from its earliest days in the 1850's, through to the present day. including photographs of all the stations on the line whilst still intact. some of which are extremely rare.
sorry, this title is currently out of print
hold your mouse over the picture below to see a couple of sample pages from this book
| on 26th august 1846, the royal assent was given authorising the construction of an eight mile railway running from north london through to the east end. it was to originate at a junction with the london & birmingham line near camden town, then proceed by way of islington, hackney and bow. it was known by the rather unwieldly title of "the east & west india docks & birmingham junction railway", and was intended chiefly as a freight link between the towns of the midlands & the docks at blackwall. |
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construction proved to be slow, largely due to financial problems, but further hampered when some of the works collapsed at the western end. therefore it wasn't until 26th september 1850 that the first trains ran, and then only east of islington. although intended for goods traffic, the initial service was for passenger's, and operated from islington to the london & blackwall's city terminus at fenchurch street. this was made possible by the construction of a junction between the new enterprise and the blackwall extension railway near bow common.