Acton Main Line railway station explained

Acton Main Line
Symbol:crossrail
Manager:Elizabeth line[1]
Owner:Network Rail
Fare Zone:3
Locale:Acton
Borough:London Borough of Ealing
Events1:Opened as Acton
Years2:26 September 1949
Events2:Renamed Acton Main Line
Platforms:3
Tracks:4
Railexits0405: 0.115
Railexits0506: 0.088
Railexits0607: 0.309
Railexits0708: 0.394
Railexits0809: 0.336
Railexits0910: 0.264
Railexits1011: 0.347
Railexits1112: 0.350
Railexits1213: 0.384
Railexits1314: 0.442
Railexits1415: 0.454
Railexits1516: 0.262
Railexits1617: 0.239
Railexits1718: 0.264 -->
Railexits1819: 0.311
Railexits1920: 0.351
Railexits2021: 0.126
Railexits2122: 0.321
Railexits2223: 1.100
Railcode:AML
Coordinates:51.5171°N -0.2668°W
Gridref:TQ203812
Original:Great Western Railway
Pregroup:Great Western Railway
Postgroup:Great Western Railway
Dft Category:E
Access:yes

Acton Main Line is a railway station on the Great Western Main Line in Acton, west London, England. Located 4chain21chain down the line from between Paddington and Ealing Broadway stations. The station is served and managed by the Elizabeth line. The station was rebuilt with step-free access as part of the Crossrail project. It is in fare zone 3.

History

The Great Western Main Line opened through Acton in 1838, however the Great Western Railway (GWR) was initially focused on long distance traffic.[2] The station was opened by the GWR on 1 February 1868.[3] Originally simply named Acton, it was operated by the Western Region of British Railways following nationalisation in 1948. On 26 September 1949 it was renamed Acton Main Line. When sectorisation was introduced, the station was served by Network SouthEast until the privatisation of British Railways in 1994.

Together with the underground stations at West Acton and North Acton, Acton Main Line serves the GWR garden estate. This large area of family housing, bordered on three sides by the stations named and on the fourth side by the A40 road, was developed by GWR in the 1920s to accommodate its staff, particularly drivers from the Old Oak Common depot.[4]

By 1947 the station had four platforms, all partially covered along their length by wooden canopies, as well as a siding next to platform 1.[5] [6] Both platform 1 and its siding were removed in the late 1960s, although remaining platforms 2, 3 and 4 retained their numbering. The Victorian station building was demolished and replaced with a small booking office in 1974,[7] [8] and platform canopies were dismantled. Platform 1's permanent way is still intact, and is used as a fast through line for non-stopping trains; all non-local trains on the Great Western Main Line pass through the station. The frequency of trains was reduced in the 1960s to a peak hour only service.[9]

In the 1990s, the Great Western Main Line was electrified through Acton Main Line as part of the Heathrow Express project.[10] A new station building was completed in early 1996, during extensive renovation of the adjacent bridge on Horn Lane. In 2004, a cut in the number of services to two trains per hour by First Great Western Link was criticised by local residents, who called for the station to be served by Crossrail services.[11] [12] In 2008, Oyster pay as you go became available for passengers at the station.[13]

Acton Yard

The Great Western Railway built a large freight marshalling yard adjacent to the station in the late nineteenth century. It was one of a series of such yards on the perimeter of London used for the transfer of freight between railways. The yard continues in use but on a much reduced scale.

Crossrail

Acton Main Line was first proposed to be part of the Crossrail project in the 1990s.[14] In 2003, initial public consultation proposed that no Crossrail services would stop at the station.[15] In 2004, it was proposed that services would call at the station seven days a week, but no stations improvements were planned. The number of seats available into central London from the station would double, due to longer and more frequent trains.[16] Following criticism,[17] it was announced in 2005 that a new station building and step free access would be built as part of the project.[18]

In May 2011, Network Rail announced that it would deliver improvements and alterations to prepare the station for Crossrail services.[19] In 2016, the station design was completed, and submitted to Ealing Council for approval.[20] The work would include a new station building designed by Bennetts Associates[21] with level access from Horn Lane, platform extensions, new platform canopies and step-free access to all platforms.[22] [23] Outside the station, improvements funded by Transport for London and Ealing Borough Council would include a new roundabout with zebra crossings, widened pavements, street trees and covered cycle parking.[24] [25]

In mid-2013 a gated barrier was built along the entire length of platforms 2 and 3, protecting passengers from the fast lines. In June 2017, it was announced that completion of the station was delayed until 2019.[26] In December 2017, MTR Crossrail took over management of the station from Great Western Railway, with TfL Rail services running from May 2018 in preparation for the full operation of the Elizabeth line.[27] In 2019, contracts for the new station building were awarded, allowing construction of the new station building to proceed.[28]

Following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[29] the refurbished station opened on 18 March 2021, providing step free access to all platforms.[30]

Passenger volume

Passenger Volume at Acton Main Line[31] !!2019-20!2020-21!2021-22!2022-23
Entries and exits350,930125,9543210761,099,704

Services

All services at Acton Main Line are operated by the Elizabeth line using EMUs.

As of the May 2023 timetable, the typical Monday to Friday off-peak service is:[32]

A Sunday service was introduced at the station in May 2019. Prior to this, the station was closed on Sundays.[33]

In December 2023, two more peak services into Abbey Wood from Reading started stopping at this station.

Connections

London Buses routes 260, 266, 440 and night route N266 serve the station.[34]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/AML/details.html Station facilities for Acton Main Line
  2. Book: Bolton. Diane. A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 7, Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden. https://web.archive.org/web/20150103214103/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol7. live. 3 January 2015. Hicks. M A. Croot. Patricia E C. Victoria County History. 1982. Elrington. C R. 2–7. Baker. T F T.
  3. Book: Quick, Michael. Railway passenger stations in Great Britain : a chronology. 2020. Railway and Canal Historical Society. 978-0-901461-57-5. Fifth edition, version 5.02. Oxford. 43. 612226077.
  4. See section "The Railway Expansion" at Acton History.
  5. http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/eaw005404?search=ealing&ref=610 "Wall's Ice Cream and Sausage Factory and environs, Acton, from the west, 1947"
  6. http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/eaw006452?search=ealing&ref=619 "Acton Main Line Railway Station, the Wall's Ice Cream and Sausage Factory and environs, Acton, 1947. This image was marked by Aerofilms Ltd for photo editing."
  7. Lane, Kevin (July 2017). "Hanimex Hymek" on Flickr. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  8. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49428126@N00/7876491928/ "Acton Main Line station, 1960 & 2012"
  9. Web site: 12 June 1968. Oral Answers to Questions — Railways – in the House of Commons - Acton Main Line Station. live. 2021-09-08. TheyWorkForYou. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908141444/https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1968-06-12a.234.11 . 8 September 2021 .
  10. Web site: Heathrow Express. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180815045612/https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/heathrow-express/. 15 August 2018. 30 June 2020. Railway Technology. en-GB.
  11. Web site: Clements. James. 3 November 2004. Train franchise could hit buffers. live. 2021-09-08. Ealing Times. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908141443/https://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/542264.train-franchise-could-hit-buffers/ . 8 September 2021 .
  12. Web site: August 2004. Acton Mainline train station not safe yet. live. 2021-09-08. Acton W3. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908141442/http://neighbournet.com/server/common/consra17.htm . 8 September 2021 .
  13. News: 2008-05-12. Smartcard extended to rail route. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-09-08.
  14. Web site: Crossrail – from its early beginnings. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621200319/https://www.crossrail.co.uk/crossrail-from-its-early-beginnings. dead. 21 June 2021. 2021-09-07. Crossrail. en.
  15. Web site: September 2003. Round 1 Consultation Information Panels. dead. 8 September 2021. Crossrail. It is not proposed that Crossrail services would stop at Acton Main Line, West Ealing, Hanwell & Elthorne or Southall stations. They would continue to be served by train services to/from Paddington.. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908141442/https://learninglegacy.crossrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/3D-012-04_Round-1-Consultation-Panels-West-Area.pdf . 8 September 2021.
  16. Web site: August 2004. Round 2 Consultation Information Panels. dead. 7 September 2021. Crossrail. 46. https://web.archive.org/web/20210907215655/https://learninglegacy.crossrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/3D-021-03_Round2-Consultation-Panels-West.pdf . 7 September 2021 .
  17. Web site: August 2004. Public Awareness and Public Consultation Round 1: Results and Crossrail's Response. dead. 8 September 2021. Crossrail. Why are there no stopping services at some stations on the Great Western, particularly at West Ealing, Acton Main Line or Southall?. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908151755/https://learninglegacy.crossrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3D-018-Round-1-Public-Consultation-Results.pdf . 8 September 2021 .
  18. Web site: February 2005. Pre-Bill Information Round Panels. dead. 8 September 2021. Crossrail. 40–41. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908141447/https://learninglegacy.crossrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/3D-027-04_Initial-West-Area-Information.pdf . 8 September 2021 .
  19. Web site: 17 May 2011. Crossrail Station Design Contract Awarded. https://web.archive.org/web/20111121185115/http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/press-releases/crossrail-station-design-contract-awarded-network-rail-release#.T7AJqsWaU08. dead. 21 November 2011. 26 June 2012. Crossrail.
  20. Web site: 23 May 2016. Modernisation of Acton main line station approved as part of Crossrail project. live. 2021-09-08. www.railway-technology.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908141443/https://www.railway-technology.com/news/newsmodernisation-acton-main-line-station-approved-crossrail-project-4902009/ . 8 September 2021 .
  21. Web site: Crossrail Surface Stations • Projects • Bennetts Associates. live. 2021-09-07. Bennetts Associates. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703095420/https://www.bennettsassociates.com/projects/crossrail-surface-stations/ . 3 July 2020 .
  22. Web site: MacLennan. Peter. 18 March 2016. Major improvement plans for Acton Main Line station unveiled. dead. 2021-09-08. Crossrail. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20160321084253/http://www.crossrail.co.uk:80/news/articles/major-improvement-plans-for-acton-main-line-station-unveiled . 21 March 2016 .
  23. Web site: Acton Main Line Station. https://web.archive.org/web/20150816011851/http://www.crossrail.co.uk/route/western-section/acton-main-line-station. dead. 16 August 2015. 2021-09-08. Crossrail. en.
  24. Web site: March 2014. Places and Spaces - Urban Realm on the Crossrail route. dead. Crossrail. 24–25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901045917/https://learninglegacy.crossrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Places-and-Spaces-Urban-Realm-on-the-Crossrail-Route-Book.pdf . 1 September 2021 .
  25. Web site: McDougall. Hamish. 3 June 2014. Crossrail exhibits design proposals for areas around stations. dead. 2021-09-07. Crossrail. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20140606123736/http://www.crossrail.co.uk:80/news/articles/crossrail-exhibits-design-proposals-for-areas-around-stations . 6 June 2014 .
  26. News: 2017-06-30. Crossrail stations in west London delayed until 2019. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-09-07.
  27. Web site: 21 May 2018. Heathrow Connect out as TfL Rail comes in. live. 2021-09-08. Railway Gazette International. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200702221303/https://www.railwaygazette.com/projects-and-planning/heathrow-connect-out-as-tfl-rail-comes-in/46486.article . 2 July 2020 .
  28. Web site: O’Connor. Rob. 8 May 2019. Network Rail announces new contracts for Crossrail project. live. 2021-09-07. Infrastructure Intelligence. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200927023941/http://www.infrastructure-intelligence.com/article/may-2019/network-rail-announces-new-contracts-crossrail-project-1 . 27 September 2020 .
  29. Web site: Horgan. Rob. 2020-10-22. 'Substantial progress' made at late running Crossrail stations. 2021-09-07. New Civil Engineer. en.
  30. https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/acton-main-line-station-latest-in-the-tfl-network-to-be-made-step-free-as-upgrade-works-complete "Acton Main Line station latest in the TfL network to be made step-free as upgrade works complete"
  31. Web site: Estimates of station usage ORR Data Portal . 31 Jul 2024 . dataportal.orr.gov.uk.
  32. Web site: Elizabeth line timetable: 21 May to 9 December 2023 . Transport for London . 23 May 2023 . 21 May 2023.
  33. Web site: Paddington to Heathrow Airport (TfL Rail). Transport for London. 27 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190527193458/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/paddington-heathrow-19-may-14-december-2019.pdf. 27 May 2019. dead.
  34. Web site: Acton Main Line Station. TfL. 24 June 2022.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Acton Main Line railway station".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.