Willesden Junction is one of North London's main suburban rail hubs. The station itself - and indeed, its surroundings - are extraordinarily unprepossessing, surrounded as they are by miles of railway yards, industrial premises and major roads. But it's a really useful transport interchange, and set to get busier as the new London Overground services develop.
The station has a complex history: the first station here was opened in 1866 on the original main line out of Euston. At the same time, a station was opened on the North London Line, which ran from the City to Richmond. In 1915 services began on the new suburban electric lines from Euston to Watford, which were also used by the Bakerloo Underground line. An electric service was also provided along the West London Line to Kensington High Street. The main line platforms were removed when outer suburban services ceased calling at Willesden in 1962. The West London line service had ceased in 1940, but recommenced in 1999.
Today, there are four sets of services calling at the station:
- Euston to Watford Junction (every 20 minutes)
- Richmond to Stratford (North London Line - every 15 minutes)
- Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction (every 30 minutes)
- Elephant & Castle to Harrow & Wealdstone (Bakerloo - frequent)
Except the Bakerloo line services, since 2007 the other lines have been operated by London Transport and branded as the 'London Overground'. Together, they knit together a wide range of destinations in North and West London, and provide a means to getting between them without going into central London. Plans are in the pipeline to increase the frequency of all services, and the number of trains running between Clapham Junction and Stratford via the North London Line - currently, this happens only at rush hour.
Willesden Junction is effectively two separate stations, linked by a walkway and stairs (or a lift): the Bakerloo and Euston to Watford services use the lower station, which is well preserved with traditional wooden awnings. The North London and West London Line services to Clapham use the upper station, which has very short platforms, and modern but slightly tatty buildings.
Both levels have small outlets selling hot drinks and snacks, and the station is now fully accessible, thanks to a network of elevated walkways and lifts. There is a modern ticket office on Station Approach. Since late 2007, London Oyster pay-as-you-go tickets have been valid on all services from this station. read more