Plaistow tube station

Plaistow station stands on Plaistow Road in the London Borough of Newham. It sits between West Ham to the west and Upton Park to the east on the District and Hammersmith & City lines. The station opened in 1858 on a new railway route from Fenchurch Street to Barking. In 1905 it gained extra tracks for electric District Railway services. The North London Railway once used Plaistow as its eastern terminus in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Metropolitan line began serving the station in 1936 before later transfers to London Underground. The station’s history shows how services changed over time. The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway built the direct line through West Ham parish in 1858. The North London Railway ran daily trains to Plaistow from 1869 until 1916. The District Railway took over most services by 1912 after electrification in 1905. The Fenchurch Street to Southend service ended in 1962, leaving abandoned platforms. Ownership moved to London Underground in 1969, and the Hammersmith & City line gained its own identity in 1990. Visitors find three operational platforms in an east–west line. The booking hall at street level dates from 1882–83 and has a unique design. Part of the 1880 railway works wall remains on the eastbound platform. The station has listed status for its historic interest. Trains run every few minutes to Upminster, Barking and central London. The surrounding area is served by several bus routes.