London and Greenwich Railway opens first section

Background. The London and Greenwich Railway was the first steam railway in the capital, designed specifically for passengers and constructed as an entirely elevated line. It was planned to be approximately 3.75 miles long, featuring a viaduct with 878 brick arches to avoid level crossings in southern London. The first Act of Parliament in 1833 authorized a line from Tooley Street to London Street, Greenwich.

Engineering Challenges. Construction faced significant difficulties. In January 1836, piers near Corbetts Lane shifted out of perpendicular, and two arches close to Tooley Street collapsed. Despite these issues, the first section opened in February 1836. The line later reached London Bridge in December 1836, with Spa Road no longer used as a stop at that time.

Early Operations. Demonstration trains had been running from mid-1835, including from Corbett's Lane Temp Station, prior to the official opening. The railway benefited from a developing tourist trade, carrying more than 1.25 million passengers annually between 1836 and 1840. The first section opened on 8 February 1836, marking the beginning of passenger service.