Barking to Southend

Two separate railway lines were built from London out to Southend-on-Sea in Essex, which became a popular seaside resort, and both are still busy routes today. This book by Dr Edwin Course concentrates on the former London, Tilbury & Southend Railway which opened in through to Southend in 1856 before continuing further east. 

Part of the route in east London runs alongside the District and Hammersmith & City Lines of the London Underground such as at Barking. Indeed, in the first half of the twentieth century, the District Line ran through to Southend during the Summer!

Once you get to Southend then you can sample the delights of the longest pleasure pier in the world. So long indeed that it has it's own railway! You can also stop off at Leigh-on-Sea on the way and see one of the previous generation Southend Pier Railway cars in a cafe!

An excellent book on an interesting railway line.

Barking

Former Southend Pier Railway car in Leigh-on-Sea

Southend Central

Southend Pier Railway