Abbey Wood

A decidedly rural landscape on the arrival of the railway, the most significant and, indeed, oldest feature in the vicinity was Lessness Abbey. Completed in 1178, the complex fell into disrepair over the subsequent 350 years, as a result of limited funds to maintain its upkeep. Rebuilt in the early 16th Century, its renewed existence was short-lived, for the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII saw its closure and subsequent sale. It was the latter which resulted in the majority of the colossus being demolished and the stonework being reused in alternate structures, but its foundations remain in existence to this day. The Abbey was on a par with Rochester Cathedral – the bell tower, the steeple, and the main church were virtually identical in appearance. Naturally, the railway was of much later origin, and the original North Kent Line did not open until 30th July 1849, a station at Abbey Wood, as the locality was now known, coming into use on the same date. Through the area, the North Kent Line followed a course along land formerly submerged underneath the Thames. However, since the earliest days of the monastery, the process of reclaiming land was underway – indeed, drainage of water from the surrounding area was one of the Abbey’s largest costs. Compared to the former majesty and imposing nature of Lessness Abbey, the SER site was modest, if not insignificant, but at least the station had been provided at a time before the company’s ‘’economical’’ policy. Thus, noticeable brick content would be evident within the station’s construction, giving the site a more ‘’permanent’’ air about it.

Abbey Wood was an exposed location in the Victorian era, therefore the area’s then small population was treated to more than adequate weather protection at the station. The main building was situated on the ‘’up’’ side, was constituted of the customary SER yellow brick, and was single-storey with a pitched roof. Interestingly, the building entrance was situated on the side (eastern) elevation, rather than the more common rear doorway; this allowed a siding to run directly behind the station building. Attached to the main building’s northern elevation and covering the platform, was a flat-roofed canopy with an intricate valance, the latter to the same design as that which is still evident on the former goods shed at Appledore. The ‘’down’’ side was provided with a much smaller timber waiting shelter with an upward slanting roof, but even this demonstrated a canopy valance identical in pattern to that on the ‘’up’’ side. No footbridge was provided, but a level crossing, immediately to the east of the platforms, allowed passage over the lines. A lattice footbridge later came into use to the immediate east of this, but the platforms still did not receive such a structure.

Goods facilities merely consisted of the aforementioned westward-facing single siding, which terminated behind the main ‘’up’’ side station building. No form of goods shed was erected, but an additional refuge siding was in evidence. The latter was situated immediately east of the level crossing, leaving the ‘’up’’ track and, again, was westward-facing. Controlling this layout was a two-storey high all-timber signal box, of typical SER design with sash-style windows (see Snodland). This opened about a quarter of a century after the station.
 

The British Railways-designed ''totem'' station sign, which Abbey Wood retained until about 1970. Raymond Fuell
 

No. 376035 is seen disappearing into the distance of this eastward view of Abbey Wood on 3rd July

2006. The main building is on the right (''up'' side), and we are able to glimpse the peculiar canopy

arrangement mentioned within the main text. The footbridge is, amazingly, a span salvaged in 1977

 from the Blackfriars station rebuilding. David Glasspool

In brief, ''Crossrail'' is a project which aims to provide a direct rail link between the west and east of London. Its terminating point in the west is

to be Maidenhead, whilst in the east, two terminal points are to be served: Shenfield, north of the Thames, and Abbey Wood, south of the river.

Originally planned to extend as far as Ebbsfleet, to serve the international station, this proposal was dropped. Two significant reasons appear

to have caused this: 1) Lack of capacity on an already busy North Kent Line to accept further train movements; 2) The requirement for Crossrail

stock to be dual voltage. Installation of overhead wires along the North Kent Line was apparently deemed as a non-starter, but Crossrail was to

utilise AC only rolling stock. If Crossrail ever gets off the ground, at least in its present form, then the existing layout at Abbey Wood would

witness some considerable changes. Two platforms would become four, overhead catenary would emerge, and a new ''high-level'' entrance

would come into use. Drawn by David Glasspool

Next: the History Continues >>

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