Hall Farm Curve
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| Hall Farm Curve | |
|---|---|
 Location of the former Hall Farm Curve, which linked the two tracks on the right of the map | |
| Overview | |
| Status | Disused |
| Owner | Network Rail |
| Locale | Greater London |
| Termini | |
| Stations | Lea Bridge |
| Service | |
| Type | Commuter rail, Suburban rail |
| History | |
| Opened | 26 April 1870[1] |
| Closed | 1968 |
| Technical | |
| Number of tracks | 2 |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Hall Farm Curve is a disused 500 m (1,600 ft) length of railway line in Walthamstow, East London, that connected Chingford station with Stratford station until the closure of the section of line in September 1968.[2] The track was lifted in 1970.[3][4]
Located between Hall Farm Junction and Lea Bridge Junction, the Hall Farm Curve connected two of the Lea Valley Lines – that running between Stratford and Tottenham Hale, and the Chingford branch line.[3][4]
It was situated opposite the existing Clapton Curve, which connects Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale. The Coppermill Curve connected Chingford and Tottenham Hale, the track was lifted in 1960.[5]
Lea Bridge railway station is located a short distance to the south of the junction on the Stratford line. It was closed in 1985,[3] but reopened in spring 2016.[6]
History
The curve was opened on 26 April 1870 as the original route from London to Walthamstow. When the direct line to Clapton opened in 1872, it was used by a regular service between Stratford and Chingford until 1940. Weekend services continued on the line until 1950. In 1960 the Chingford line was electrified, and overhead wires erected over the Hall Farm curve, but not the Stratford line. It was still used as a diversionary and freight route, using diesel haulage. However, British Rail closed the line in 1968 and removed the track from the curve in 1970.[4]
