Crystal Palace junction work complete after 10 day closure to replace track

1,500 metres of track replaced with brand new equipment

Network Rail has thanked train passengers in the Crystal Palace area for their patience over the last 10 days while it carried out a major track upgrade.

The upgrade at the busy Crystal Palace junction, controlling the movement of trains in and out of the station, will help reduce train delays and improve passenger journeys.

Engineers replaced five sets of switches and crossings, the moveable rails that allow trains to transfer between lines, and 1,500 metres of track has now been replaced with brand new equipment. 

Ed Jury, Network Rail’s project manager, said:  “ We know there’s never a good time to close the railway, but with the work now completed we expect to see significant improvements to the performance of trains through the junction.

“In addition to the replacement of the switches and crossings, we’ve also installed 730 metres of new conductor rail, which feeds the electric power to trains, and 4,000 metres of new signalling and telecom cables. 

“This upgrade is just one part of our continuing investment in improving passenger journeys”.

Sussex Railway Upgrade plan

The works are part of our Sussex Railway Upgrade plan to modernise the railway network to improve passenger journeys across Sussex.

Between 2024 – 2029 Network Rail is investing £900m as part of the Sussex Railway Upgrades to modernise track, signalling, stations, structures and earthworks.