North & South Western Junction Railway

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The North and South Western Junction Railway (NSWJR) was a branch line from Acton, in west London serving a terminus at Hammersmith (renamed "Hammersmith and Chiswick" in 1880). The line was built, and in full freight and passenger service, by 8th April 1858, against the advice of its shareholders.

It did not prosper. Its junction with the North London Railway south of Acton faced away from London and, despite operational expedients, this degraded the service quality of the line, making it unpopular with local commuters. In addition, its Hammersmith terminus was too far from the town centre. Competing companies such as the Hammersmith & City Line (opened 1864) provided faster services and, as housing development expanded into NSWJR's hinterland, they built new lines and stations that took away the increased passenger numbers that might have accrued to the NSWJR. A new station at South Acton, with a bay for the branch, removed the operating difficulties at the junction and halved the journey time to London, but to no effect on business.

In 1909, three new halts were built at Bath Road, Woodstock Road and Rugby Road and new railmotors were acquired to improve the services. Three years later, the Metropolitan District Railway's new station at Stamford Brook, close to the NSWJR's Hammersmith and Chiswick terminus, took away the remaining passengers.

Passenger services were withdrawn during World War I, on 1st January 1917 and they weren't reinstated after the war. Freight services continued until 3rd May 1965, sustained by a local coal depot and asphalt plant.

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