Crystal Palace High Level Railway

This three mile long line running from Nunhead Junction to Edward Barry's magnificent 100,000 terminus station alongside the Crystal Palace, was opened in 1865. Promoted by the Crystal Palace & South London Junction Railway, the ownership of the line was transferred to the LC&DR in 1875. Although the original intention was to extend the railway southwards, traffic levels never really justified the initial optimism and such plans were not to be realised. Difficult to construct - there were two lengthy tunnels and most of the route was either in cutting or on embankment - the railway never made a profit, was closed temporarily during both world wars and even electrification by the Southern Railway in 1925 failed to lift passenger numbers enough to save it, with final closure occurring in 1954.Little is left of the line's stations today, although much of the route survives as a footpath. 116 pages hardback with numerous black & white illustrations.