London Rail
Welcome to London Rail!
The latest post covers the Surrey Iron Railway or rather, its companion line the Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Iron Railway, in use from 1805 to 1838.
The CM&GIR’s remains has some of the UK’s earliest major railway engineering work – including cuttings, embankments and bridges.
The Surrey Iron Railway itself will too be covered as its the 180th anniversary of the line’s closure.
London Rail briefly
The venerable South Western Railways Class 455 has made its final runs (Friday 20th March). The above picture, by the author, shows 455 5732 at Hampton Court – this being the unit’s last full daylight duty. It was populated by large numbers of enthusiasts and well wishers wanting to sample a last trip on the 455.
Posts Round-Up
- Was canal breach partially due to hidden culvert?
A quick post on the latest involving the Llangollen canal at Whitchurch especially after a… Read more: Was canal breach partially due to hidden culvert? - Waymos – the way to go!
A short post on those exciting (or in the eyes of some, infernal) new autonomous… Read more: Waymos – the way to go! - Factory farming ads on the tube
Several campaigns have made their way onto London’s underground, highlighting the plight of pigs that… Read more: Factory farming ads on the tube - Canal Breach news (2)
This is the first canal breach post since 29th January 2026 when the last one… Read more: Canal Breach news (2) - In brief…
The main news is Euston’s new Assisted Travel Lounge that recently opened. More on that… Read more: In brief… - A revisionist Surrey Iron Railway?
2026 is the 180th anniversary of the closure of one of the world’s earliest public… Read more: A revisionist Surrey Iron Railway? - Artemis 2 (10/4)
The final day of the space mission, including splashdown, which takes place in the early… Read more: Artemis 2 (10/4) - Artemis 2 (>9/4)This is an intermediary post, as I’m keeping the number of posts towards splashdown to… Read more: Artemis 2 (>9/4)
- Artemis 2 (6/4)Its the big day! The one where they go round Luna and see the dark… Read more: Artemis 2 (6/4)
- The moon landings – the 50th anniversary
The 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 (July 2019) was widely commemorated. These celebrated the July… Read more: The moon landings – the 50th anniversary - Artemis 2 (5/4)Even though this is currently day four of the Artemis mission, it was decided to… Read more: Artemis 2 (5/4)
- Artemis 2 (4/4)Artemis is over half way to the moon. This post continues from the first published… Read more: Artemis 2 (4/4)
Recent Comments
Yes it has been uncovered for sometime as videos by Riley Robey and Kieran and Lottie have shown. I have…
The secondary culvert, which was buried as a result of the breach, has now been completely uncovered, flushed out, and…
Yes, these are terrible misrepresentations of the true route of this historic railway. The fact that so many remains of…
Thanks for your comments. Yes these boards, which can be seen in Coulsdon on a recent visit I made, are…
Malte: Have written a new post on the Whitchurch breach largely as a result of your comments. (Published 2.30am on…