Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR)
1st January 1985

A selection of photos taken of the former L&NWR branchline from Watford High Street Junction/Colne Junction Croxley Green.

My first memory of the Croxley branch was in December 1984 when I caught the train from Watford Junction to Watford West. In those days traction was a single LMR 3-car DC Multiple Unit.

Leaving Watford High Street you would cross onto the down DC line from Bushey at Watford High St Junction, and run 'wrong line' for a few yards before branching away under Wiggenhall Road.

Passing the rusty siding at Watford Power Station, the disused trackbed from Colne Junction would converge to meet at Croxley Green Junction. After passing the dimly lit carriage sheds, the line to Croxley Green curved sharply away, leaving the Ricky branch to continue westwards, although by late 1984 all that remained of this was the depot headshunt. Visible on the final operational stump of the old Rickmansworth branch was an ECS working formed of a pair of 501's - softly illuminated by 'real lightbulbs' with the headcode dimly displaying the 'CY' code used on all ECS workings to and from the carriage sheds. After neogotiating the tight curve, the line straightened out and you passed the CEGB site and the then newly constructed Watford Stadium halt.

Arriving at Watford West in 1984 was like entering the 60s! Although out of use, in situ on the platform were two faded maroon cast iron gas lamp standards, although the glass lanterns were long gone. Proclaiming the station name was a maroon enamel sign 'Watford West'. Climbing the steps to the street level building you were greeted by an old gas lantern hanging from the ceiling, sadly no longer in use. Your feet echoed on the wooden floor, and a glance to your right revealed the ticket window with a maroon enamel 'Tickets' sign and smaller 'Conditions of Carriage' notice. A poster board on the left by the exit door was adorned with a miniature maroon on cream totem with the legend 'British Railways' on it. Before leaving the station my ticket was collected by an old gent (possibly called George?) who was eeking out his last years until retirement.

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00 We shall begin with a visit to Croxley Green Depot, which was in fact located in Watford! In happier days a number of 501 units gather at their home shed one Saturday in 1985. This photo: Copyright Stephen Holland.
00 We shall begin with a visit to Croxley Green Depot, which was in fact located in Watford! In happier days a number of 501 units gather at their home shed one Saturday in 1985. This photo: Copyright Stephen Holland.
 01 The eventual introduction of class 313s would mean the closure of the depot. This didnt preclude them from visiting the shed however. The furthest two 501s with tail lamps on them are stored. This photo: Copyright Stephen Holland.
01 The eventual introduction of class 313s would mean the closure of the depot. This didnt preclude them from visiting the shed however. The furthest two 501s with tail lamps on them are stored. This photo: Copyright Stephen Holland.
 02 After closure, the 501s were promptly removed to Wembley Sidings. The shed lay derelict, the tracks slowly rusting. Roads 1-4 are seen here from a passing branchline train.
02 After closure, the 501s were promptly removed to Wembley Sidings. The shed lay derelict, the tracks slowly rusting. Roads 1-4 are seen here from a passing branchline train.
03 Wiggenhall Road entrance to Croxley Green depot. The overbridge directly linking Bushey from Croxley was still in situ if the road sign is to be believed.
03 Wiggenhall Road entrance to Croxley Green depot. The overbridge directly linking Bushey from Croxley was still in situ if the road sign is to be believed.
03a Nearly 20 years on from the last picture. Only the BR access drop kerb can be seen on the left of the photo, all the buildings have been swept away.
03a Nearly 20 years on from the last picture. Only the BR access drop kerb can be seen on the left of the photo, all the buildings have been swept away.
 04 Walking into the depot at a weekend when it was still in use, you would be greeted by a line of 501 units awaiting attention against the blocks.......
04 Walking into the depot at a weekend when it was still in use, you would be greeted by a line of 501 units awaiting attention against the blocks.......
 05 The stored units occupied roads 12 and 11 seen in this view. I was escorted along these roads to see my 'last' 501s.
05 The stored units occupied roads 12 and 11 seen in this view. I was escorted along these roads to see my 'last' 501s.
 06. No.12 road viewed from one of the rooms attached to the front of the carriage sheds.
06. No.12 road viewed from one of the rooms attached to the front of the carriage sheds.
07. All roads were provided with an inspection pit which ran the length of the shed.
07. All roads were provided with an inspection pit which ran the length of the shed.
 08. Looking towards the additional offices which were added later, with road no.2 stops nearest the camera.
08. Looking towards the additional offices which were added later, with road no.2 stops nearest the camera.
 09. Road 1 was not as long as the others as this view shows.
09. Road 1 was not as long as the others as this view shows.
 10. A view of roads 5, 6 and 7.
10. A view of roads 5, 6 and 7.
11. A BRCW class 104 unit passes the empty depot en route to Croxley Green with the first afternoon train, 1540 ex Watford Junction
11. A BRCW class 104 unit passes the empty depot en route to Croxley Green with the first afternoon train, 1540 ex Watford Junction
 12. A Croxley bound DMU passes the depot. Part of the power station works are visible to the right.
12. A Croxley bound DMU passes the depot. Part of the power station works are visible to the right.
 13. Roads 2, 3 and 4 looking towards the rooms which overlooked Wiggenhall Road.
13. Roads 2, 3 and 4 looking towards the rooms which overlooked Wiggenhall Road.
 14. Roads 1 - 4. A small store was accessed at the end of road no.1, a stack of class 501 slam doors was piled up awaiting collection.
14. Roads 1 - 4. A small store was accessed at the end of road no.1, a stack of class 501 slam doors was piled up awaiting collection.
15. Road no.12 is nearest looking along the length of the shed towards the rooms that overlooked Wiggenhall Road.
15. Road no.12 is nearest looking along the length of the shed towards the rooms that overlooked Wiggenhall Road.
 16. In the waste ground to the left I found one half of a very large maroon enamel sign that once adorned Watford Junction advertising 'fast electric trains'.
16. In the waste ground to the left I found one half of a very large maroon enamel sign that once adorned Watford Junction advertising 'fast electric trains'.
 17. Rusting tracks stretch towards the headshunt, which was also the Rickmansworth branch. The Croxley line passed on the right and the sharp rising curve can just be discerned in the distance.
17. Rusting tracks stretch towards the headshunt, which was also the Rickmansworth branch. The Croxley line passed on the right and the sharp rising curve can just be discerned in the distance.
 18. Only one of the three signs stating 'STEAM ENGINES MUST NOT ENTER THIS SHED' remains in situ in this shot.
18. Only one of the three signs stating 'STEAM ENGINES MUST NOT ENTER THIS SHED' remains in situ in this shot.
19. Crossing over bridge 3, (bridge 3a is to the right), this view shows the depot approaches and pointwork. The headshunt access track has been partially removed.
19. Crossing over bridge 3, (bridge 3a is to the right), this view shows the depot approaches and pointwork. The headshunt access track has been partially removed.
 20. This was the depot access where points once directed trains into one of the twelve roads in the Croxley Green depot. Bridge 3a can just be discerned on the left.
20. This was the depot access where points once directed trains into one of the twelve roads in the Croxley Green depot. Bridge 3a can just be discerned on the left.
 21. Looking towards Colne Jct just beyond bridges 3 and 3A, the signal is out of use and the tracks resemble a jungle, compare this spot with photo 19.
21. Looking towards Colne Jct just beyond bridges 3 and 3A, the signal is out of use and the tracks resemble a jungle, compare this spot with photo 19.
 22. The spur from Colne Junction to Croxley Green Junction closed in 1968 when the Croxley Green to Broad Street trains ceased. The trackbed, seen here looking towards Colne Junction, was used as an unofficial shortcut to the depot by staff who would clamber off a train which would obligingly stop at the old junction site near Bushey Arches!
22. The spur from Colne Junction to Croxley Green Junction closed in 1968 when the Croxley Green to Broad Street trains ceased. The trackbed, seen here looking towards Colne Junction, was used as an unofficial shortcut to the depot by staff who would clamber off a train which would obligingly stop at the old junction site near Bushey Arches!
22a The spur was carried over Wiggenhall Road on a steel bridge. The road still dips down and under the bridge site today, and the embankments remain on either side. A local DC train can be seen in the distance heading towards Watford High Street.
22a The spur was carried over Wiggenhall Road on a steel bridge. The road still dips down and under the bridge site today, and the embankments remain on either side. A local DC train can be seen in the distance heading towards Watford High Street.
 23a From the embankment looking over Wiggenhall Road towards Croxley Green Junction. The depot would have been on the left as the line dropped down the grade to the junction.
23a From the embankment looking over Wiggenhall Road towards Croxley Green Junction. The depot would have been on the left as the line dropped down the grade to the junction.
23b Looking towards Colne Junction and Bushey and Oxhey, the present day DC lines converge from the left.
23b Looking towards Colne Junction and Bushey and Oxhey, the present day DC lines converge from the left.
 23c Another view looking towards Croxley Green Junction from nearer Colne Junction. The vegetation was cleared in the summer for no apparent reason. Mind you, it does help to provide a clearer view of the old formation!
23c Another view looking towards Croxley Green Junction from nearer Colne Junction. The vegetation was cleared in the summer for no apparent reason. Mind you, it does help to provide a clearer view of the old formation!
24. We shall now start our trip at Watford Junction. 501156 and 168 stand with a football special bound for the Stadium. This was the last weekend the 501s saw passenger use.
24. We shall now start our trip at Watford Junction. 501156 and 168 stand with a football special bound for the Stadium. This was the last weekend the 501s saw passenger use.
24a. A pair of 313s on the DC is today non-existent. This view depicts a football special ECS working from Watford Stadium, nearing Watford Junction. The units are 313013 and 313014.
24a. A pair of 313s on the DC is today non-existent. This view depicts a football special ECS working from Watford Stadium, nearing Watford Junction. The units are 313013 and 313014.
 26. Watford High Street Junction, the points were removed around two years ago. The overgrown sleeper acted as a makeshift bufferstop prior to the lifting of the turnout.
26. Watford High Street Junction, the points were removed around two years ago. The overgrown sleeper acted as a makeshift bufferstop prior to the lifting of the turnout.
27. Another view of Watford High Street Junction. At one time a signal box overlooked the junction, being built into the embankment on the left hand side.
27. Another view of Watford High Street Junction. At one time a signal box overlooked the junction, being built into the embankment on the left hand side.
28. Class 104s 53536 and 54179 approach Watford High Street Jct, with the 1556 Croxley Green to Watford Junction. Watford power station in the background was rail connected but saw little traffic.
28. Class 104s 53536 and 54179 approach Watford High Street Jct, with the 1556 Croxley Green to Watford Junction. Watford power station in the background was rail connected but saw little traffic.
 29. Compare this view with the last, taken in 1987. The power station is but a memory, and light industrial units have sprung up on the left. The track slowly rusts away and the 104 units are now extinct on the National Rail network.
29. Compare this view with the last, taken in 1987. The power station is but a memory, and light industrial units have sprung up on the left. The track slowly rusts away and the 104 units are now extinct on the National Rail network.
 30. From a slightly different angle viewed from Wiggenhall Road bridge.
30. From a slightly different angle viewed from Wiggenhall Road bridge.
32 In this 2005 view one track can just be identified curving around from the depot towards Watford Stadium, which is only about 250 yards away and would be visible if it wasnt for the undergrowth.
32 In this 2005 view one track can just be identified curving around from the depot towards Watford Stadium, which is only about 250 yards away and would be visible if it wasnt for the undergrowth.
40. British Rail corporate nameboard viewed in 1985. Today you could expect this to fetch a tidy sum on ebay.....
40. British Rail corporate nameboard viewed in 1985. Today you could expect this to fetch a tidy sum on ebay.....
 41. The Southern Electric Group ran a railtour 'The First and Final 501' on what should have been their last day in service. Here it pauses at Watford Stadium on its return to Watford Junction with 501152 at the rear.
41. The Southern Electric Group ran a railtour 'The First and Final 501' on what should have been their last day in service. Here it pauses at Watford Stadium on its return to Watford Junction with 501152 at the rear.
 42. In this view of Watford Stadium it would appear that someone has indeed 'liberated' the BR corporate style name boards!
42. In this view of Watford Stadium it would appear that someone has indeed 'liberated' the BR corporate style name boards!
50. We arrive next at Watford West. As described earlier the station retained lots of old features. This view shows the last morning train from Croxley awaiting departure - it cant leave until I get on it, at the rear of the train is George the ticket clerk, who has locked the station entrance and is waiting impatiently for me to join the train!
50. We arrive next at Watford West. As described earlier the station retained lots of old features. This view shows the last morning train from Croxley awaiting departure - it cant leave until I get on it, at the rear of the train is George the ticket clerk, who has locked the station entrance and is waiting impatiently for me to join the train!
51. The final day of class 501 operation. 501150 in overall BR Blue, departs with the 1739 ex Watford Junction to Croxley Green.
51. The final day of class 501 operation. 501150 in overall BR Blue, departs with the 1739 ex Watford Junction to Croxley Green.
 52. A few minutes later 501150 returns with the 1750 Croxley Green to Watford Junction. The guards watches over the empty platform.....
52. A few minutes later 501150 returns with the 1750 Croxley Green to Watford Junction. The guards watches over the empty platform.....
 53. Watford West in happier times. During the day when no trains were running, the station was locked shut to prevent vandalism. Note the traditional red telephone box and apparent support for Vietcong!
53. Watford West in happier times. During the day when no trains were running, the station was locked shut to prevent vandalism. Note the traditional red telephone box and apparent support for Vietcong!
54. A sunny spring afternoon witnesses the new order in the form of 313008. The branch service was rostered for a single unit. Exceptionally during heavy snowfall, I have seen a pair of 501s work, usually on the 'school service' which departed from Watford Junction at 15.40.
54. A sunny spring afternoon witnesses the new order in the form of 313008. The branch service was rostered for a single unit. Exceptionally during heavy snowfall, I have seen a pair of 501s work, usually on the 'school service' which departed from Watford Junction at 15.40.
55. On an overcast afternoon BRCW Class 104s 54184 and 53540 substitute for a class 313. This was by no means a rare occurrence! Note the maroon name board in situ to the left.
55. On an overcast afternoon BRCW Class 104s 54184 and 53540 substitute for a class 313. This was by no means a rare occurrence! Note the maroon name board in situ to the left.
56. Another DMU substitution! A class 104 slows to a halt at Watford West. It is highly likely that the waiting passenger wants head towards Watford. Most guards would let you go to Croxley and then travel back to Watford!
56. Another DMU substitution! A class 104 slows to a halt at Watford West. It is highly likely that the waiting passenger wants head towards Watford. Most guards would let you go to Croxley and then travel back to Watford!
56a. 313002 approaches Watford West with a Croxley Green to Watford Junction service.
56a. 313002 approaches Watford West with a Croxley Green to Watford Junction service.
 57. Network South East branded the Midland Region DC routes as the 'North London Lines'. All day trains were introduced on weekdays and Saturdays on the Croxley Branch. This noble gesture was thwarted by half-hearted marketing and regular cancellations which unsurprisngly resulted in poor patronage. By 1989 Watford West was open all day (and night), tatty and uninviting... except to the vandals.
57. Network South East branded the Midland Region DC routes as the 'North London Lines'. All day trains were introduced on weekdays and Saturdays on the Croxley Branch. This noble gesture was thwarted by half-hearted marketing and regular cancellations which unsurprisngly resulted in poor patronage. By 1989 Watford West was open all day (and night), tatty and uninviting... except to the vandals.
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