By the 1870s, trains were essential to Britain's growing capital city.
There was a huge increase in travel from the suburbs and outlying towns
into London. From 1855-66, more than 4.3 million pounds was spent
developing the London, Brighton and South Coast line for commuters.
Controlling vandalism
After investing so much, the railway companies had to think about
security. This 1892 notice illustrates the problems of vandalism on the
railway. The company offers a reward for information about damage to
carriages standing in Norwood sidings.
Linking Norwood to London
The Norwood to Selhurst line opened in 1862. The line provided a service
to London Bridge and Victoria. This link with the main London line
encouraged the urban development of south London.