View source for Watford Junction railway station

{{short description|Principal railway station in Hertfordshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox London station
| name           = Watford Junction
| alt_name       = 
| manager        = [[London Northwestern Railway]]
| manager1       = 
| manager2       = 
| owner          = [[Network Rail]]
| owner1         = 
| owner2         = 
| symbol         = rail
| symbol2        = overground
| locale         = [[Watford]]
| borough        = [[Watford|Borough of Watford]]
| platforms      = 12 (10 in use)
| fare_zone      = A
| fare_zone_1    = 
| railcode       = WFJ
| dft_category   = B
| railcode2      = 
| access         = yes
| access_note    = <ref name="stepfree">{{citation step free south east rail}}</ref>
| image_name     = File:Watford Junction 2025 19 01 58 353000.jpeg
| caption = The main entrance to Watford Junction
| coordinates    = {{coord|51.6635|-0.3958|type:railwaystation_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| map_type       = Hertfordshire
| label_position = right
| years1         = 20 July 1837
| events1        = Original station - '''Watford''' - opened.<ref name="Butt242">Butt (1995), page 242</ref>
| years2         = 5 May 1858
| events2        = Station relocated and renamed '''Watford Junction'''<ref name="Butt242" />
| years3         = 1909
| events3        = Rebuilt
| years4         = 1980s
| events4        = Refurbished throughout
| years5         = 
| events5        = 
| years6         = 
| years7         = 
| years8         = 
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'''Watford Junction''' is a railway station serving the town of [[Watford]] in [[Hertfordshire]], England. The station is on the [[West Coast Main Line]] (WCML), {{Convert|17|mi|34|ch|0|lk=in}} from {{rws|London Euston}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.nr.co.uk/browse%20documents/sectional%20appendix/sectional%20appendix%20full%20pdf%20copies/london%20north%20western%20south%20sectional%20appendix.pdf|title=Network Rail Sectional Appendix Archives - London North Western Southern Section|website=Network Rail}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the [[Abbey Line]], a branch line to [[St Albans]]. It is also the northern terminus of the [[Lioness line]] of the [[London Overground]], which operates via the [[Watford DC line]] into central London.

Journeys into London take between 16 and 52 minutes, depending on the service. Trains also run to {{rws|Clapham Junction}} and {{rws|East Croydon}}, via the [[West London line]]. The station is a major hub for local bus services and the connecting station for buses to [[Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter]]. The station is located north of a viaduct over the [[River Colne, Hertfordshire|Colne Valley]] and immediately south of Watford Tunnel.

==History==
[[File:Watford, The old railway station house - geograph.org.uk - 981561.jpg|thumb|left|The original 1837 Watford railway station]]
[[File:Roscoe L&BR(1839) p073 - Viaduct over the River Colne near Watford.jpg|thumb|left|The new railway line, opened in 1837, approached Watford over the River Colne on a viaduct (Thomas Roscoe, 1839)]]

[[Watford railway station (1837-1858)|The first railway station to open in Watford]] was situated on the north side of St Albans Road, approximately {{convert|200|m|yds}} further up the line from the present-day station. This small, single-storey red-brick building was built in 1836–7, when the first section of the [[London and Birmingham Railway]] (L&BR) was opened between London and {{rws|Boxmoor}}. The station provided first and second-class waiting rooms, a departure yard, a carriage shed and engine house. The platforms were situated in a deep cutting which was accessed via a staircase.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Roscoe|first1=Thomas|last2=Lecount|first2=Peter|title=The London and Birmingham railway, with the home and country scenes on each side of the line|date=1839|publisher=Charles Tilt|pages=53–54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zwoHAAAAQAAJ&q=The%20London%20and%20Birmingham%20Railway%20(1839)%20by%20Thomas%20Roscoe&pg=PA53|access-date=16 April 2015|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130215005/https://books.google.com/books?id=zwoHAAAAQAAJ&dq=The+London+and+Birmingham+Railway+%281839%29+by+Thomas+Roscoe&pg=PA53|url-status=live}}</ref>

In its 21 years of operation, it also served as a station for royalty; in the short period when the [[Dowager Queen Adelaide]] was resident at [[Cassiobury House]] (c.1846-49), this station was remodelled to provide her with a royal waiting room, and it was also reportedly used by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on a trip to visit Sir [[Robert Peel]] in November 1843, when they travelled by road from [[Windsor Castle]] to take a train from Watford to {{rws|Tamworth}}.<ref name=NWHG-oldstation>{{cite web|title=The original Watford station|url=http://north-watford-history.org.uk/pages/railways/original-watford-station.html|website=North Watford History Group|access-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413170528/http://north-watford-history.org.uk/pages/railways/original-watford-station.html|archive-date=13 April 2015}}</ref>

The old station closed when it was replaced by a new, larger station, which opened on 5 May 1858. The new ''Watford Junction'' station was located south of St Albans Road in order to accommodate the newly constructed branch line to St Albans. The junction station was rebuilt in 1909, and was extensively redeveloped in the 1980s. The Grade-II-listed Old Station House still stands at 147A St Albans Road, a rare surviving example of architecture from the beginning of the railway age; today, the building is occupied by a second-hand car dealership.<ref name=WBC-listed>{{cite web|title=Nationally Listed Buildings in Watford|url=http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/download/asset/?asset_id=30425112|publisher=Watford Borough Council|access-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306223404/http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/download/asset/?asset_id=19342003|archive-date=6 March 2012 |page=103}}</ref>

In 1862, the [[Watford and Rickmansworth Railway]] opened a route from Watford to [[Rickmansworth (Church Street) railway station|Rickmansworth (Church Street)]]. Now mostly closed, this route began by running south and west to a more central station on [[Watford High Street station|Watford's High Street]], which remains in use.

From 1846, the L&BR was absorbed into the [[London and North Western Railway]] (LNWR) and Watford Junction was now run by this large, ambitious company. Seeking to compete with local buses and trams, the LNWR built an additional suburban line from Euston to Watford in the early years of the 20th century, known as the [[Watford DC line]]. This veered away from the main line at Bushey to loop around Watford to pass through the High Street station. A second suburban branch line was also built from High Street west towards [[Croxley Green]] to serve new housing developments in that area. Both branches were later electrified as part of this improvement plan, on the same DC three-rail system. The Rickmansworth branch was connected to the Main Line, via two through platforms, with a junction to the north; these platforms have since been partly built over and their remaining southern sections form part of the present DC lines terminus. At one time, tube-style trains were used on the branches to counter the low voltage caused by the lack of a sub-station near Rickmansworth.

The [[Bakerloo line]] was extended to Watford Junction in 1917, giving a shared service north of Willesden Junction with the main line electric trains which served {{rws|Euston}} and [[Broad Street railway station (London)|Broad Street]] stations. However, since 1982<ref name="tfl_blf">{{cite web | url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/modesoftransport/tube/linefacts/?line=bakerloo | title=Bakerloo Line Facts | publisher=Transport for London | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502153508/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/modesoftransport/tube/linefacts/?line=bakerloo | archive-date=2 May 2007 | url-status=dead }}</ref> the line north of {{stl|London Underground|Harrow & Wealdstone}} has only been served by what is now the [[London Overground]] service from Euston station; this service uses these DC lines for its all-stations local service.

[[Oyster card]] capability was extended to this station on 11 November 2007 on both the London Overground and [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]]; it was extended to [[London Midland]] services on 18 November 2007. However, the station is outside London fare zones 1–9 and special fares apply.

With the electrification of the entire [[West London line]] in the 1990s, it became practical to run services from Watford Junction to Clapham Junction, allowing passengers to cross London without changing trains. Southern operated an hourly service from Milton Keynes, now starting from Watford Junction, to [[East Croydon railway station|East Croydon]] with connections to [[Brighton]] and [[Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]].

There is a well-known expression, ''North of Watford'', which is used to mean the north of England, especially a place remote from London.<ref>Longman Dictionary https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/north-of-watford {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023102546/https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/north-of-watford |date=23 October 2019 }}</ref> An alternative variant phrase, ''North of Watford Junction'', was used with similar meaning in the past, referring to Watford Junction railway station.<ref>Birmingham Daily Post, 8 May 1967</ref><ref>Birmingham Daily Post, 29 December 1970</ref><ref>Liverpool Echo, 1 January 1972</ref> The expression reflects the station's position as the last urban stop on the main railway line out of London to the north of England. In more recent years, it has been suggested that the phrase references [[Watford Gap services]] on the M1,<ref>Brandon Robshaw,"North of Watford Gap" 2017 https://brandonrobshaw.wordpress.com/2017/08/07/north-of-watford-gap/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021164130/https://brandonrobshaw.wordpress.com/2017/08/07/north-of-watford-gap/ |date=21 October 2019 }}</ref> however the original saying was in existence well before its opening in 1959.<ref>Manchester Evening News, 23 May 1949</ref><ref>Staffordshire Sentinel, 7 November 1950</ref><ref>Birmingham Daily Gazette, 4 February 1953</ref>

===Motive power depot===
[[File:Watford Locomotive Depot 2088484 51f4ba15.jpg|thumb|left|Watford Locomotive Depot on 27 January 1951.]]

The LNWR built a [[motive power depot|locomotive depot]] at the station in 1856, which was replaced by a larger building in 1872 and was further enlarged in 1890. It was closed by [[British Rail]]ways in March 1965.<ref name="griffiths">{{cite book | last1=Griffiths | first1=Roger | last2=Smith | first2=Paul | title=The directory of British engine Sheds and Principal Locomotive Servicing Points: 1. | publisher=Oxford Publishing Co. | year=1999 | location=Oxford | page=106 | isbn=0-86093-542-6 }}</ref>

===Redevelopment===
[[File:A stranger at Watford Junction - geograph.org.uk - 1321400.jpg|thumb|right|Watford Junction station in 1956, before rebuilding]]
In 1984, the Victorian station buildings were demolished and the station was rebuilt in a [[Brutalist architecture|modern architectural style]]; there is a travel centre and a large office block above the station which is occupied by the lorry and bus manufacturing company [[Iveco]]. Some 19th-century waiting rooms survived, but were finally demolished in 1987.<ref name="watfordjunction">{{cite web | url=http://www.watfordjunction.org.uk/page_id__7_path__0p2p7p.aspx | title=Railway | publisher=Watford Museum | work=Watford Junction community website | access-date=28 January 2014 | archive-date=2 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202195702/http://www.watfordjunction.org.uk/page_id__7_path__0p2p7p.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref> To enlarge the car park and provide more space, the St. Albans branch line was realigned northwards, with the original St. Albans platforms becoming a single terminating bay now mostly used by Southern services.

The station forecourt was extensively remodelled in 2013; the horseshoe-shaped taxi rank was moved to the side of the building, creating a larger pedestrian area in front of the station entrance, and the bus station enlarged. Due to problems with the road layout, buses were unable to gain access to the bus station, and there were problems with access to the relocated car park. London Northwestern Railway are considering revising the design.<ref name="wo_forecourt">{{cite news | url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/10966596.Rail_bosses_to_rethink_Watford_Junction_revamp_after_drop_off_zone_complaints/ | title=London Midland to rethink Watford Junction revamp after drop-off zone complaints | work=Watford Observer | date=27 January 2014 | access-date=28 January 2014 | author=Wright, Mike | archive-date=2 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202093150/http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/10966596.Rail_bosses_to_rethink_Watford_Junction_revamp_after_drop_off_zone_complaints/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Further redevelopment of the station and its surroundings is planned for the next 10 years. They may be delayed because the redevelopment of Watford Junction has been placed within the pre-qualification pool of proposed schemes by the [[Department for Transport]].

===Accidents and incidents===

====1954 accident====
{{Infobox public transit accident
| name                = 1954 Watford Junction derailment
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|td=yes|Accident summary}}
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| date                = 3 February 1954
| time                = 
| location            = Watford Junction railway station
| location_dir        = 
| location_city       = 
| location_dist_km    = 
| location_dist_mi    = 
| country             = England
| line                = West Coast Main Line
| operator            = British Railways
| owner               = 
| service             = 
| type                = Derailment
| cause               = Broken rail
<!-- Statistics     -->
| bus                 = 
| trains              = 2
| vehicles            = 
| passengers          = 
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| pedestrians         = 
| deaths              = 
| injuries            = 15
| damage              = 
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<!-- Footnotes      -->
| footnotes           = [[List of rail accidents in the United Kingdom|List of UK rail accidents by year]]
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
}}

On 3 February 1954, an express passenger train became derailed in Watford Tunnel due to a broken rail. The last three carriages became divided from the train as it entered the station. One of them ended up on the platform. A passing express passenger train grazed the wreckage but only received minor damage. Fifteen people were injured.<ref name=Earnshaw7>{{cite book |last=Earnshaw |first=Alan |title=Trains in Trouble: Vol. 7 |year=1991 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=Penryn |isbn=0-906899-50-8 |page=34 }}</ref>

====1962 accident====
On 16 October 1962 between Watford Junction and Watford High Street, a local passenger train running on the Watford DC line from Watford Junction to Euston collided with the rear of a stationary Bakerloo line train from Watford Junction to Elephant & Castle. In fog, the driver of the Euston train had passed a danger signal without stopping. This signal was provided with a subsidiary signal which authorised a train to proceed with caution provided that it had first stopped at the signal, and telephoned the signal box for permission to proceed. The collision occurred about {{convert|400|yard|m}} after the signal, at a speed of between {{convert|10|and|15|mph|km/h}}. Most of the damage occurred to the rear two cars of the seven-car Bakerloo train, and seven passengers were injured.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=536 |title=Report on the Collision that occurred on 16th October 1962 between Watford Junction and Watford High Street Stations in the London Midland Region British Railways |last=Reed |first=W.P. |date=18 February 1963 |via=The Railways Archive |accessdate=5 April 2025 }}</ref>

====1975 accident====
{{Infobox public transit accident
| name                = 1975 Watford Junction rail crash
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|td=yes|Accident summary}}
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| date                = 23 January 1975
| time                = 23:30
| location            = Watford Junction railway station
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| country             = England
| line                = West Coast Main Line
| operator            = British Rail
| owner               = 
| service             = 
| type                = 
| cause               = Obstruction on line
<!-- Statistics     -->
| bus                 = 
| trains              = 2
| vehicles            = 
| passengers          = 
| crew                = 
| pedestrians         = 
| deaths              = 1
| injuries            = 11
| damage              = 
| property            = 
<!-- Route map      -->
| route_map           = 
| route_map_state     = 
| route_map_name      = 
<!-- Footnotes      -->
| footnotes           = [[List of rail accidents in the United Kingdom|List of UK rail accidents by year]]
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
}}

On 23 January 1975, an express train from Manchester to Euston derailed just south of Watford Junction after striking some [[stillage]]s that had fallen on to the track. It then collided with a sleeper service from Euston to Glasgow. The driver of the Manchester train was killed, and eight passengers and three railway staff injured. The stillages had fallen from a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] company goods train that had passed the station a few minutes earlier, conveying car parts from [[Dagenham]] to [[Halewood]]. Although the wagons of the goods train were sealed on departure from Dagenham, three were found to have open doors when the train was inspected after the accident. The official enquiry ruled that the doors had been forced by thieves or vandals, probably when the train was standing at {{rws|Gospel Oak}}.<ref name="report1975">{{cite journal | last=McNaughton | first=Lt Col I K A | title=Report on the Derailment near Watford Junction | date=16 July 1975 | publisher=HMSO | url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoE_Watford1975.pdf | access-date=8 April 2009 | archive-date=20 August 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820051952/http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoE_Watford1975.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>

====1996 accident====
{{Main|Watford rail crash}}
In August 1996, a [[British Rail Class 321|Class 321]] passenger train, operated by [[Network SouthEast]], passed a signal at danger. An empty Class 321 coaching stock train collided with the stationary passenger train approximately 700 m south of Watford Junction.

====2014 incident====
On 26 October 2014, a [[British Rail Class 350|Class 350]] electric multiple unit on the 06:42 service from {{rws|Milton Keynes Central}} to London Euston, operated by [[London Midland]] struck the door of a lineside equipment cabinet and suffered damage to a set of doors; however, no one was killed or injured. The [[RAIB]] investigated the incident, and concluded that the lineside cabinet door had not been properly secured during maintenance work the previous night. The investigation also noted that the maintenance crew were likely suffering from fatigue due to a pattern of consistent night-shift work, regular overtime, and short-term sleep deprivation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/453169/R122015_150813_Watford_Tunnel.pdf |title=Train struck and damaged by equipment cabinet door in Watford Tunnel, 26 October 2014 |website=Rail Accident Investigation Branch |access-date=1 September 2017 |archive-date=9 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009071636/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/453169/R122015_150813_Watford_Tunnel.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2016 accident====
On 16 September 2016, [[British Rail Class 350|Class 350]] [[electric multiple unit]] 350 264 collided with a landslide, caused by heavy rain the previous night, at the entrance of the Watford Tunnel and derailed. Class 350 unit 350 233 then collided with the derailed train. Two injuries were reported, and trains were disrupted for three days.<ref name=BBC37382635>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-37382635 |title=Train derailed in 'landslide' near Watford Junction |access-date=16 September 2016 |publisher=BBC News |date=16 September 2016 |archive-date=16 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916141156/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-37382635 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=WO14747514>{{cite web |url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/14747514.Hundreds_rescued_and_four_injured_after_train_derails_near_Watford_Junction/ |title=Hundreds rescued after train derails at Hunton Bridge, near Watford Junction |first=Charlotte |last=Ikonen |work=Watford Observer |date=16 September 2016 |access-date=16 September 2016 |archive-date=17 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917132947/http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/14747514.Hundreds_rescued_and_four_injured_after_train_derails_near_Watford_Junction/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Services==
[[File:Watford railways.png|thumb|Map of railways around Watford town centre]]

===London Overground===
{{Overground RDT}}

[[London Overground]] services at Watford Junction are operated using {{brc|710}} [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]].

The station is served by four trains per hour to and from [[Euston railway station|London Euston]], calling at all stations via the [[Lioness line]].<ref name=WFJtt>{{NRtimes|December 2023|60, 61, 65, 66, 67, 176}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/watford-junction-to-euston-london-overground-timetable-dec-to-june-2024.pdf|title=London Overground Timetable: Watford Junction to London Euston|work=[[Transport for London]]|access-date=29 January 2024}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===London Northwestern Railway===
[[West Midlands Trains|London Northwestern Railway]] services at Watford Junction are operated using {{brc|350}} and {{brc|730|n}} [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]].

The station is served by two stopping trains per hour in each direction between [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] and {{stnlnk|Tring}}, as well as two stopping trains per hour in each direction between London Euston and {{stnlnk|Milton Keynes Central}}. It is also served by an hourly semi-fast service between London Euston and {{stnlnk|Birmingham New Street}} via {{stnlnk|Northampton}} which runs non-stop to and from London Euston.<ref name=WFJtt/> Additional services call during the peak hours.

===Southern===
{{Watford Junction-East Croydon service RDT}}

[[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]] services at Watford Junction are operated using {{brc|377}} [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]].

The station is served by one train per hour to and from {{stn|East Croydon}} via {{stn|Kensington (Olympia)}}. 

===Avanti West Coast===
[[Avanti West Coast]] services at Watford Junction are operated using {{brc|390}} [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]], {{brc|805}} [[Bi-Mode Multiple Unit|BMUs]] and {{brc|807}} [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]].

Southbound services call to set down passengers only and northbound services call to pick up passengers only. This means that Avanti West Coast services cannot be used for travel to and from London Euston.

The station is served by one train per hour in each direction to and from [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] with northbound services generally alternating between running to {{stnlnk|Edinburgh Waverley}} or {{stnlnk|Glasgow Central}} every two hours. The station is served by two trains per day that run to and from {{stnlnk|Blackpool North}} instead of Glasgow Central. Additional services call during the peak hours.<ref name=WFJtt/>

===Caledonian Sleeper===
Watford Junction is also served in both directions by the [[Caledonian Sleeper#Lowland Sleeper|Lowland Caledonian Sleeper]] service between [[Euston railway station|London Euston]], {{stnlnk|Edinburgh Waverley}} and {{stnlnk|Glasgow Central}} which runs on Sunday-Friday nights.<ref name=WFJtt/>

The [[Caledonian Sleeper]] service also cannot be used for travel to and from London Euston. The [[Caledonian Sleeper#Highland Sleeper|Highland Caledonian Sleeper]] service does not call at Watford Junction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sleeper.scot/timetables/|title=Caledonian Sleeper Timetable|work=[[Caledonian Sleeper]]|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>

===RailAir===
Since 2003, [[FirstBus]] have operated a seven-day, hourly [[RailAir]] service from Watford Junction to [[Heathrow Airport]]. The RA3 service stops at [[Heathrow Terminal 2|Terminal 2]] and [[Heathrow Terminal 3|Terminal 3]], and passengers can reach [[Heathrow Terminal 4|Terminal 4]] and [[Heathrow Terminal 5|Terminal 5]] by changing onto the [[Elizabeth line]] or the [[London Underground]] [[Piccadilly line]] at no additional cost.<ref>{{cite web |title=New RailAir coach service links Watford to Heathrow |url=https://news-ssandsw.firstbus.co.uk/news/new-railair-watford-to-heathrow-coach-service-joins-growing-airport-operations |website=FirstBusS&SW News |access-date=17 September 2025 |date=13 September 2023}}</ref>


{{Adjacent stations|noclear=y
  |system1=National Rail
    |line1=London Northwestern Railway|type1=London - Birmingham|left1=Leighton Buzzard|right1=London Euston
    |line2=London Northwestern Railway|type2=London - Milton Keynes|left2=Kings Langley|right2=Bushey|to-left2=Milton Keynes Central
    |line3=London Northwestern Railway|type3=London - Milton Keynes|left3=Hemel Hempstead|right3=Harrow & Wealdstone|to-left3=Tring
    |line4=London Northwestern Railway|type4=Abbey Line|left4=Watford North|to-left4=St Albans Abbey<!-- Direction flipped -->
  |note-row5=
{{s-rail-national|next=Harrow & Wealdstone|toc=Southern|route={{smalldiv|[[West London line]]}}}}
{{rail line|rows2=2|previous={{stnlnk|Milton Keynes Central}}|next=[[Euston railway station|London Euston]]|route=[[Avanti West Coast]] <br/> {{smalldiv|[[West Coast Main Line]]}}|col={{AWC colour}} }}
{{rail line|hide2=yes|previous={{stnlnk|Carlisle}}|next=[[Euston railway station|London Euston]]|route=[[Caledonian Sleeper]] <br/> {{smalldiv|[[Caledonian Sleeper#Lowland Sleeper|Lowland Caledonian Sleeper]]}}|col={{CS colour}} }}
  |system9=London Overground
    |line9=Lioness|right9=Watford High Street
  |header10={{rint|gb|bus}} [[RailAir]]
{{rail line|next=[[Heathrow Central bus station]]|route=[[FirstBus]] <br/> {{smalldiv|Watford Junction-[[Heathrow Airport]]}}|col=#000 }}
{{s-note|text=Disused Railways}}
{{rail line|next={{stnlnk|Watford High Street}}|rows1=2|rows2=2|route=[[London Midland Region of British Railways|British Rail]] <br/> {{smalldiv|[[Watford and Rickmansworth Railway|Rickmansworth Branch]]}}|col={{BR(LM) colour}} }}
{{rail line|hide1=yes|hide2=yes|next={{stnlnk|Watford High Street}}|route=[[Network SouthEast]] <br/> {{smalldiv|[[Watford and Rickmansworth Railway|Croxley Green Branch]]}}|col={{NSE colour}} }}
{{s-note|text=Former services}}
{{s-rail|title=London Underground{{!}}LUL}}
{{rail line|next={{stnlnk|Watford High Street}} <br/> {{smalldiv|''towards {{lus|Elephant & Castle}}''}}|route=[[Bakerloo line]] <br/> {{smalldiv|(1917-1982)}}|col={{rcr|LUL|Bakerloo}} }}
{{s-note|text=Abandoned Plans}}
{{s-rail|title=London Underground{{!}}LUL}}
{{rail line|next={{stnlnk|Watford High Street}} <br/> {{smalldiv|''towards {{lus|Baker Street}} or {{lus|Aldgate}}''}}|route=[[Metropolitan line]] <br/> {{smalldiv|[[Croxley Rail Link]]}}|col={{rcr|LUL|Metropolitan}}}}
}}

==Platforms==
[[File:Watford Junction railway station MMB 20 390045 350252.jpg|thumb|Fast and slow lines at Watford Junction: a [[Virgin Trains]] Euston-Wolverhampton service & a [[London Midland]] stopping service]]
[[File:Watford Junction railway station MMB 29 378210.jpg|thumb|The terminus of the Lioness line at Watford Junction]]
Platform Usage:

*Platforms 1-4: Bay platforms for the four London Overground services ([[Lioness line]]) per hour to London Euston calling at all stations.
*Platform 5 was used by the Bakerloo line services of the London Underground but its use was discontinued on 16 September 1982.
*Platform 6 (Down Fast): For the hourly [[Avanti West Coast]] service to Birmingham New Street, hourly [[Avanti West Coast]] service to Glasgow Central or Edinburgh (alternating), and fast London Northwestern Railway services northbound.
*Platform 7 (Up Fast): For fast London Northwestern Railway services to London Euston and Avanti services only to set down.
*Platform 8 (Down Slow): For slow and semi-fast London Northwestern Railway services northbound and limited Southern services to Hemel Hempstead.
*Platform 9 (Up Slow): For slow, semi-fast and fast London Northwestern Railway services to London Euston, and Southern services to East Croydon via Kensington Olympia, Selhurst, Balham and Clapham Junction.
*Platform 10: For terminating Southern services to and from Kensington Olympia and Clapham Junction. There are additional terminating services to and from East Croydon, Balham, Selhurst and South Croydon on weekdays and Saturdays. London Northwestern Railway operate 2 trains on weekdays at 07:55 and 08:15 to London Euston in the morning, whilst one train terminates from London Euston at 17:55.
*Platform 11: Used for the hourly West Midlands Railway service to St Albans Abbey (1 every 45 minutes at peak time).

==Connections==
Local buses run to destinations including [[Heathrow Airport]], [[Stanmore]], [[Uxbridge]] and [[Brent Cross]] in London, [[Amersham]], [[Chesham]] and [[High Wycombe]] in [[Buckinghamshire]], [[Hatfield, Hertfordshire|Hatfield]], [[Harpenden]] and [[Hertford]] in [[Hertfordshire]], [[Luton Airport]] in [[Bedfordshire]] and [[Harlow]] in [[Essex]].

Specific routes include [[London Buses|London bus]] routes [[London Buses route 142|142]], [[London Buses route 258|258]] and non-London [[Arriva Shires & Essex]] routes 20, 320, 321, 322 and 725 as well as other [[Intalink]] routes 306 (school journeys), 328, 336, 352, 501, 635, W1, W2, W3, W4, W20 and W30.

The [[Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter]] shuttle bus route 311 also leaves from the station forecourt.

[[Green Line route 724]] stops in the station forecourt. It runs directly to [[St Albans]] and [[Harlow]] from stop 5 and to [[Heathrow Terminal 5]] via [[Heathrow Central bus station|Heathrow Central]] and [[Rickmansworth station]] from stop 2.

==Future developments==
=== Watford Junction station area improvements===
There are plans to upgrade the station and its access points. The scheme includes a new [[multi-storey car park]] and a new access road to the station, connecting the [[A412 road|A412]] to Colonial Way and thus to the [[A4008 road|A4008]] [[M1 motorway|M1]] link road.<ref name="WBC1">{{cite web | url=http://www.ldf.watford.gov.uk/portal/ldf/cs/cspo?pointId=1195909745407 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005185028/http://www.ldf.watford.gov.uk/portal/ldf/cs/cspo?pointId=1195909745407 | url-status=dead | archive-date=5 October 2011 | title=4.3 Watford Junction Area | publisher=[[Watford Borough Council]] | access-date=25 November 2008 }}</ref>

This scheme is currently in the Pre-Qualification pool, where to achieve funding a case for selection must be submitted and if successful the Watford Station redevelopments will be moved into the Development Pool where more than 24 transport projects will compete for about £600 million.<ref name="ltt_557">Local Transport Today, Issue 557, Page 7</ref>

===Previous proposals===

====Croxley Rail Link====
[[File:Croxley rail link map.png|thumb|Outline map of the abandonded Croxley Rail Link scheme]]
{{Main|Croxley Rail Link}}
The Croxley Rail Link (also called the Metropolitan Line Extension) was a scheme to extend the {{stl|London Underground|Watford}} branch of the [[London Underground]] [[Metropolitan line]] via the disused [[Croxley Green branch]] to terminate at Watford Junction. It was planned to open to passenger service in 2020,<ref name=crlu20141217>{{cite web|url=http://www.croxleyraillink.com/latest-news/croxley_rail_link_update_20141217.htm|title=Croxley Rail Link update|date=17 December 2014|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109010101/http://www.croxleyraillink.com/latest%2Dnews/croxley_rail_link_update_20141217.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> but due to funding issues, the project was abandonded.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/15158140.metropolitan-line-extension-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-project/|title=Metropolitan Line Extension: Everything you need to know about the project|website=Watford Observer|date=15 March 2017 |access-date=31 March 2019|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331135303/https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/15158140.metropolitan-line-extension-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-project/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====West London Line improvement====
The ''London and South East Route Utilisation Strategy'' document published by [[Network Rail]] in July 2011 examined ways to increase capacity at {{rws|London Euston}} in preparation for [[High Speed 2]]. The report recommended increased service frequency and longer trains on the [[West London line]] route from {{rws|Milton Keynes Central}} via Watford Junction and {{rws|Kensington Olympia}}.<ref name="RUS2011">{{cite web | url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/london%20and%20south%20east/london%20and%20south%20east%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf#page=140 | title=London and South East Route Utilisation Strategy Draft for Consultation | date=December 2010 – July 2011 | publisher=Network Rail |page=140|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127163741/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/london%20and%20south%20east/london%20and%20south%20east%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf#page=140 | archive-date=27 November 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Crossrail====
[[File:Crossrail extensions.png|thumb|Outline map of an abandoned proposal to extend the Elizabeth Line into Hertfordshire<ref name="RUS2011-crossrail" />]]
The 2011 ''London & South East Rail Utilisation Strategy'' report also made recommendations for the [[Crossrail]] lines which were then under construction in central London. It proposed an extension of what is now the [[Elizabeth line]] northwards into Hertfordshire  via a new tunnel near {{rws|Old Oak Common}} and Watford Junction, connecting the Crossrail route to the West Coast Main Line. Services would have run from stations in the [[West End of London]] via Watford Junction to terminate at Tring and Milton Keynes.<ref name="RUS2011-crossrail">{{cite web | url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/london%20and%20south%20east/london%20and%20south%20east%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf#page=149 | title=London and South East Route Utilisation Strategy Draft for Consultation | date=December 2010 – July 2011 | publisher=Network Rail |page=149|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127163741/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/london%20and%20south%20east/london%20and%20south%20east%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf#page=149 | archive-date=27 November 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> The new alignment would have alleviated congestion at Euston and resolved capacity constraints on the Elizabeth Line, allowing trains that terminate at {{rws|Paddington}} to continue east via the Hertfordshire branch.<ref name="guardian-crossrail-0814">{{cite news |last1=Topham |first1=Gwyn |date=7 August 2014 |title=New Crossrail route mooted from Hertfordshire into London |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/07/crossrail-hertfordshire-london-euston-tring-hemel-hempstead |url-status=live |access-date=12 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812212014/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/07/crossrail-hertfordshire-london-euston-tring-hemel-hempstead |archive-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> This proposal was abandoned in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/crossrail-off-the-tracks-as-plans-are-shelved-1-7513704 |title=Crossrail off the tracks as plans are shelved |work=Hemel Today |publisher=Johnston Publishing |access-date=6 August 2016 |date=5 August 2016}}</ref>

====London Euston/Watford-Aylesbury services====
The rail operator [[Chiltern Railways]] proposed in 2008 that a new east–west direct rail route from Watford Junction to {{rws|Aylesbury}} could be operated via the planned Croxley Rail Link and the northern section of the [[London to Aylesbury Line]].<ref name="railsaver">{{cite web | url=http://www.railsaver.co.uk/chilternrailway.htm | quote=If the Croxley Rail link gets the go ahead from Tfl and Hertfordshire County Council, direct services into Watford junction from Aylesbury will be likely... | title=Chiltern Railways | publisher=Rail Saver | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208121112/http://www.railsaver.co.uk/chilternrailway.htm | archive-date=8 February 2008 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="greengauge">{{cite web | url=http://www.greengauge21.net/wp-content/uploads/Capturing-the-benefits-update.pdf | title=Capturing the benefits of HS2 on existing lines | publisher=Greengauge21 | date=17 February 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313213750/http://www.greengauge21.net/wp-content/uploads/Capturing-the-benefits-update.pdf | archive-date=13 March 2012 | url-status=live }}</ref> A 2006 report by Hertfordshire County Council mentioned the possibility of a link running as far as {{stl|London Underground|Amersham}}.<ref name="hertstransportplan">{{cite web | date=March 2006 | url=http://www.hertsdirect.org/infobase/docs/pdfstore/ltp2railstrat.pdf | last=Wood | first=John | title=Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan 2006/07 – 2010/1 | page=22 | publisher=Hertfordshire County Council | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927050548/http://www.hertsdirect.org/infobase/docs/pdfstore/ltp2railstrat.pdf | archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

====Watford to St Albans Busway (Abbey Busway)====
A Draft Rail Strategy consultation published by Hertfordshire County Council in June 2015 again considered options for reconfiguring the Abbey Line, either as a [[light rail]] route or converting it to a [[guided busway]].<ref name=WO-12072015>{{cite news|last1=Ikonen|first1=Charlotte|title=Direct rail link between Watford and St Albans could be ripped up and converted into busway|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/13363964.Direct_rail_link_between_Watford_and_St_Albans_could_be_ripped_up_and_converted_into_busway|access-date=12 July 2015|work=Watford Observer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713194243/http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/13363964.Direct_rail_link_between_Watford_and_St_Albans_could_be_ripped_up_and_converted_into_busway/|archive-date=13 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=herts-consultation-072015>{{cite web|title=Hertfordshire Rail Strategy Draft Rail Strategy consultation|publisher=Hertfordshire County Council/Arup|access-date=12 July 2015|url=http://www.hertsdirect.org/docs/doc/r/railstratdraftdoc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712124907/http://www.hertsdirect.org/docs/doc/r/railstratdraftdoc|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 July 2015|pages=65–67|date=10 June 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{stl|London Underground|Watford}} Underground station (Metropolitan line)
* {{stnlnk|Watford High Street}} ([[Lioness line]])
* [[Abbey Line|St Albans Branch Line]]
* [[West Coast Main Line route modernisation]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{Butt-Stations}}
* {{Jowett-Atlas}}

===Further reading===
* {{cite book | last=Nock | first=O.S.| title= Britain's new railway: Electrification of the London-Midland main lines from Euston to Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Liverpool and Manchester| publisher=Ian Allan | location = London| year=1965|oclc=59003738}}
* {{Cite book|last=Nock|first=O.S.|title=Electric Euston to Glasgow|publisher=Ian Allan|year=1974|isbn=978-0711005303}}
* {{Cite book |last=WOLMAR |first=CHRISTIAN |title=BRITISH RAIL-A new History |date=2022 |publisher=MICHAEL JOSEPH |isbn=978-0-241-45620-0 |location=[S.l.] |oclc=1246353492}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Watford Junction railway station }}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.watfordlocoshed.co.uk/ | title=Watford Locomotive Shed}}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/content/planning-and-development/watford-junction-development-brief.en | title=Redevelopment plans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117082448/http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/content/planning-and-development/watford-junction-development-brief.en | archive-date=17 January 2016 }}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.abbeyline.org.uk/ | title=Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership}}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/transport-and-streets/public-transport/ | title=Public transport in Watford | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928091624/http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/transport-and-streets/public-transport/ | archive-date=28 September 2007 }}
* {{cite web | url=https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/ldbboard/dep/WFJ | title=Watford Junction at Live departures board}}

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{Hertfordshire railway stations}}
{{Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast}}
{{Railway stations served by Caledonian Sleeper}}
{{Railway stations served by West Midlands Trains}}
{{London Overground navbox|Serving=y|Watford=y}}
{{TSGN and SE Stations|West London=y|FCC None=y|SE None=y}}
{{Watford}}
{{Bakerloo line navbox}}
{{Metropolitan line navbox}}
{{Closed London Underground stations}}
}}

[[Category:Railway stations in Watford]]
[[Category:DfT Category B stations]]
[[Category:Former London and North Western Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1858]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Caledonian Sleeper]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by West Midlands Trains]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by London Overground]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Govia Thameslink Railway]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast]]
[[Category:Proposed London Underground stations]]
[[Category:Croxley Rail Link]]
[[Category:John William Livock buildings]]
[[Category:Stations on the West Coast Main Line]]
[[Category:Lioness line stations]]