{{Short description|Railway line in London}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use British English|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox rail line | name = Sutton Loop Line | color = | logo = | logo_width = | image = Sutton (Surrey) station west junction.JPG | image_width = 300px | caption = Sutton platform 2 looking towards West junction with the St Helier Line | elr = {{plainlist| * SMS1 (Streatham South Jn–Wimbledon) * SMS2 (Wimbledon–Sutton) }} | type = Heavy rail | system = National Rail | status = Operational | locale = London Boroughs of Merton and Sutton | start = {{stnlnk|Streatham}} South Jn | end = Sutton | stations = 14 | routes = {{plainlist| * Thameslink * Southern }} | daily_ridership = | open = | close = | owner = Network Rail | operator = Govia Thameslink Railway | character = | depot = {{plainlist| * Bedford Cauldwell for Thameslink * Selhurst for Southern }} | stock = {{plainlist| * Class 377 "Electrostar" * Class 700 "Desiro City" }} | linelength = | tracklength = | tracks = {{plainlist| * 2 * 1 bi-directional line at {{stnlnk|Wimbledon}} }} | gauge = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}} | electrification = | speed = Maximum 60 mph <ref name=NRSA1 /> | elevation = | map = 300px<br />(Click to expand) | map_state = uncollapsed }} {{Sutton Loop|collapse=y}} The '''Sutton Loop Line''',<ref name=NRSA1>{{cite book |publisher= Network Rail |title=Southern Appendix |volume=Module SO |date=Apr 2001 |id=A0260A03 |page=1/272}}</ref> also known as the '''Wimbledon Loop''',<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-safeguards-future-of-the-wimbledon-loop |title=Government safeguards future of the Wimbledon Loop |publisher= Department of Transport |date=21 January 2013}}</ref> is a railway line that diverges from the Portsmouth Line<ref name=NRSA1 /> at Streatham South junction and rejoins it near Sutton station. Trains leave southwards from {{stnlnk|Streatham}} to enter the loop and then return going northwards. The short section between {{stnlnk|West Sutton}} station and West junction is known as the "Wall of Death",<ref>Quail Map 5 - England South & London Underground [page 22] September 2002.</ref> possibly due to the very steep concrete walls to the cutting on both sides and the sharpness of the curve which resemble the motorcycle ride at a funfair.
==Stations== In a clockwise direction round the loop, the stations are:
* Sutton * {{stnlnk|West Sutton}} * {{stnlnk|Sutton Common}} * {{stnlnk|St Helier}} * {{stnlnk|Morden South}} * {{stnlnk|South Merton}} * {{stnlnk|Wimbledon Chase}} * {{stnlnk|Wimbledon}} * {{stnlnk|Haydons Road}} * {{stnlnk|Tooting}}
==Infrastructure== Traction current is supplied at 750 volts DC via the third rail. The supply for this is overseen by Selhurst Electrical Control Room.<ref name=NRSA1 /> Signalling is Track Circuit Block with multiple aspect colour light signals, controlled from Three Bridges rail operating centre. The line is double track throughout, except where a short bi-directionally signalled single line section passes through Wimbledon station platform 9. Originally the Down St Helier Line used platform 10 at Wimbledon, but this is now used for the Tramlink terminus which currently comprises a single platform at the southern end, split into two sections so two trams can be held at the same time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/wimbledon-to-croydon-tram-link |title=Wimbledon to Croydon tram link - Transport for London |website=www.tfl.gov.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328153428/http://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/wimbledon-to-croydon-tram-link |archive-date=28 March 2014}} </ref>
==History== {{further|Wimbledon and Sutton Railway|Tooting, Merton and Wimbledon Railway}}
==Services==
===Thameslink=== Thameslink runs services from St Albans, via {{stnlnk|Blackfriars}} round the loop. Clockwise services are described as "Sutton via Mitcham Junction" and anti-clockwise as "Sutton via Wimbledon". Occasionally, during service disruption or when the core section of the Thameslink route is closed, Sutton Loop services start and end at {{stnlnk|London Blackfriars}}.
Recent proposals were to increase the frequency of the Thameslink service by terminating at Blackfriars. This would have allowed the trains through the core section to be replaced with longer trains which could not use the loop, but this did not proceed due to objections from loop passengers about the withdrawal of their through service.<ref>{{Cite news |last=iHeron |date=2011-02-09 |title=Direct Trains May End: Thameslink Programme |url=https://www.hernehill.org.uk/direct-trains-may-end-thameslink-programme |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209125204/https://www.hernehill.org.uk/direct-trains-may-end-thameslink-programme |archive-date=2018-12-09 |access-date=2026-04-23 |work=Herne Hill |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Railway lines in London Category:Railway loop lines Category:Transport in the London Borough of Merton Category:Transport in the London Borough of Sutton