Willesden Junction High Level Station

Since the Class 501's and class 416/3 EMU's were withdrawn from service on the former NLL services (now Overground)the Class 313 and later Class 378 EMU’s which subsequently have worked the line have been dual voltage units (there is also a DC only variant of the Class 378 which work as far as Highbury & Islington over the much extended East London line section of the Overground from New Cross, Crystal Palace and West Croydon and eventually Clapham Junction).

This coupled with the upgrading of the line for both electrically powered freight (well sometimes!) and the aborted Eurostar services to the North of England and Scotland services created a need for a 25KV supply along the length o the former NLL line to Stratford.

DC power is still in situ from Richmond to the Gunnersbury area and the District Line shares the same track from Gunnersbury to Richmond.

As there is no requirement for DC operation on the NLL from the just east of Gunnersbury on the Stratford service the third rail is no longer required and most if not all has been lifted. There is some 3rd rail on the connection from Willesden LL to east of Willesden HLL, as the Euston – Watford line is still 3rd rail with a section of dual voltage track just outside Euston.

XF

Stratford-Clapham Junction services don't serve Acton Central.

Thanks Andy I was not sure about this to be honest

XF

Only in model form I am afraid though my 2EPB does only make the occasional appearance on my layout now



XF

The Class 416/3 was fitted with window bars soon after this photo was taken. Below is a photo of it on my Croxley WRD layout at our first show; no 3rd/4th rail and not much scenery at that time with the Class 416/3 fitted with window bars



Six car Class 501's worked the Watford/Croxley Green -Broad Street services. The Richmond line did see 6 car LMS Comportment and Oerlikon/Siemens workings and I understand that Class 501 6 cars ran until 1962 when they were cut to a single 3 car unit. I cannot remember seeing a photo of a 6 car Class 501 south of Willesden Junction though.

XF

I forgot that one and the photos are on my website

XF

When I was a wee lad I do remember the 501's at Richmond. I probably did travel on them but not sure. But they always seemed to be big trains and if I recall correctly stretched out to near the road overbridge at the end of Richmond Station. Then the 2EPB's appeared and they were rather smaller to the 501's before them.

I would have loved to be on that 501 tour. Pity I was only 4 years old.

I had forgotten about the 117s.... Senior moment!

Was this for the full journey from Clapham Jct to Willesden HLL or just Olympia?

XF

That is what I thought it must have been a Class 313.

XF