Grove Park Sidings Explained

Grove Park Sidings[1] is a large stabling complex for suburban commuter trains in Lewisham, South East London. It is situated approximately halfway between Hither Green Station and Grove Park station.

Grove Park Sidings were previously named Hither Green Sidings,[2] until sidings closer to Hither Green were built and took that name, causing the site to be renamed Grove Park Sidings.

It consists of two sets of sidings,[3] one on either side of the Main line which are linked by a pedestrian footbridge. On the Down side are Bramdean sidings and the large carriage shed, whilst on the Up side are St Mildreds sidings. There is also a carriage washing plant on the inlet road of Down sidings.[1]

The site is owned by Network Rail and operated by Southeastern and provides berthing for a range of different EMUs. EMU types that are stabled there include Class 465 Networker, Class 466 Networker, Class 375 Express Electrostar, Class 375 Outer Suburban Electrostar and Class 376 Suburban Electrostar.

Grove Park is one of Southeastern's driver depots.[4]

Nearby is Hither Green Traction Maintenance Depot (TMD), which is operated by Balfour Beatty Rail[5] for their On-Track-Machines and Plant equipment. To the west of Grove Park Sidings is Hither Green Cemetery, and to the east, is Grove Park Nature Reserve, and Northbrook Park.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Network Rail

    . Network Rail . Network Rail . Kent Sussex Wessex Routes Sectional Appendix; LOR 130 SO 010. Module KSW2 . 2017-06-03 . 61.

  2. Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey map TQ4073SW - A. Ordnance Survey map TQ4073SW - A. https://maps.nls.uk/view/102909715. 1949. 1:1250 or . Crown. TQ4073SW . 1949. English. 2020-01-16. https://maps.nls.uk/view/103032885. 2020-01-15.
  3. Quail Map 5 - England South [page 3] Sept 2002 (Retrieved 2011-08-30)
  4. Web site: Train operating company drivers' depots on the Traindriver.org website . September 2017.
  5. http://www.ontrackplant.com/locations/hither-green-otpd Balfour Beatty Rail at Hither Green
  6. Nicholson Greater London Street Atlas Comprehensive Edition p 184 (2003)