Clapham railway station, Adelaide
Encyclopedia
Clapham railway station was a railway station on the Belair railway line in suburban Adelaide
, South Australia
, which was closed in April 1995. Its remains are located on the north side of the Springbank Road overpass
in the inner southern Adelaide
suburb of Clapham
. It was located 10.0 km by railway from the Adelaide Railway Station
. The station consisted of two earth-filled concrete faced platforms, with a small shelter (the seats are gone though) and disused speaker on the down track. The platform on the 'up' track may be on the ARTC
's 'Hit list' of disused platforms to be removed.. During the Belair line renewal in 2009, the top edge of the 'down' platform was removed because of the risk of trains connecting and causing damage.
On all Adelaide Metro
rail network maps (in most carriages), you can still see the gaps on the Belair line map where this, and other closed stations on the Belair railway line, have been removed.
Clapham had an interesting history. The suburb was presumably named after the Clapham
area of South London
. The station was originally the terminus of the Clapham branch line, which began at Mitcham station
, and the original station was to the west of the more recent platforms (which were on the main line); this explains the unusual layout of the intersection of the local roads west of the Springbank Road overpass (opened 1924). At that time, Belair Rd, known as Bull's Creek Road, ran on the west side of the railway line from Wattlebury Road to McPherson Street. (The then main road to Belair, now called the Old Belair Road, was via Blythwood Road). The Clapham branch line, and the old station, were abandoned formally in 1917. Presumably, the newer station was built a little before that.
The Clapham passenger service, typically a P class locomotive and a couple of passenger cars, was known as the 'Clapham Dodger': this service must have ceased when the branch line was closed.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, which was closed in April 1995. Its remains are located on the north side of the Springbank Road overpass
Overpass
An overpass is a bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway...
in the inner southern Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
suburb of Clapham
Clapham, South Australia
Clapham , located approximately 8km south of the Adelaide CBD, is a primarily residential suburb situated within the City of Mitcham. The suburb is named after Clapham in London, England...
. It was located 10.0 km by railway from the Adelaide Railway Station
Adelaide Railway Station
Adelaide Railway Station is the central terminus of the Adelaide Metro railway system. It is at on the north side of North Terrace, west of Parliament House. The Adelaide Casino is in part of the building that is no longer required for the station....
. The station consisted of two earth-filled concrete faced platforms, with a small shelter (the seats are gone though) and disused speaker on the down track. The platform on the 'up' track may be on the ARTC
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Australian Rail Track Corporation is a federal government owned corporation established in 1997 that owns, leases, maintains and controls the majority of main line standard gauge railway lines on the mainland of Australia, known as the Defined Interstate Rail Network .-History:The Interstate...
's 'Hit list' of disused platforms to be removed.. During the Belair line renewal in 2009, the top edge of the 'down' platform was removed because of the risk of trains connecting and causing damage.
On all Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
rail network maps (in most carriages), you can still see the gaps on the Belair line map where this, and other closed stations on the Belair railway line, have been removed.
Clapham had an interesting history. The suburb was presumably named after the Clapham
Clapham
Clapham is a district in south London, England, within the London Borough of Lambeth.Clapham covers the postcodes of SW4 and parts of SW9, SW8 and SW12. Clapham Common is shared with the London Borough of Wandsworth, although Lambeth has responsibility for running the common as a whole. According...
area of South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
. The station was originally the terminus of the Clapham branch line, which began at Mitcham station
Mitcham railway station, Adelaide
Mitcham railway station is located on the Belair railway line in Adelaide, South Australia. It is located 8.5 km by rail from Adelaide Railway Station, and is actually located in Lower Mitcham...
, and the original station was to the west of the more recent platforms (which were on the main line); this explains the unusual layout of the intersection of the local roads west of the Springbank Road overpass (opened 1924). At that time, Belair Rd, known as Bull's Creek Road, ran on the west side of the railway line from Wattlebury Road to McPherson Street. (The then main road to Belair, now called the Old Belair Road, was via Blythwood Road). The Clapham branch line, and the old station, were abandoned formally in 1917. Presumably, the newer station was built a little before that.
The Clapham passenger service, typically a P class locomotive and a couple of passenger cars, was known as the 'Clapham Dodger': this service must have ceased when the branch line was closed.