The Woodford to Ilford loop was largely integrated into the London Underground Central line as part of the London Passenger Transport Board's New Works Programme of 1935 - 1940, which saw an extension of electric tube services into north-east London. As part of this work the station closed on 29 November 1947.[7] Electric Underground trains served the station from 21 November 1948.[7]
From the mid-1960s until the early 1990s the Woodford-Hainault section was largely operated separately from the rest of the Central line, using four-car (later three-car) trains of 1960 Stock.[8] The three car units had a 1938 tube stock middle carriage. These trains were adapted for Automatic Train Operation (ATO): the Woodford-Hainault section became the testing ground for ATO on the Victoria line.[8] Some Victoria line (1967 Stock) trains were also used to operate this section[8] and named FACT, "Fully Automatic Controlled Train". The separate operation has now been abolished, the 1960 Stock has been withdrawn and through trains to Central London now operate via Hainault.[9] Because of this, it is normally quicker to travel to Woodford and change there,[8] as trains to central London run frequently from that point. At the buildup to the peak periods, some trains starting from Hainault depot operate to central London via Grange Hill, Chigwell, Roding Valley and Woodford.[9] This is done for operating convenience but passenger demand for these services is particularly high.
The station today
The tunnel between Chigwell and Grange Hill
The station went through refurbishment, which was completed in 2006.[10]
Services
In view of the rising passenger numbers, the train service on this branch was extended to midnight in 2006. (Previously it stopped at 20:00.) The typical off-peak service in trains per hour (tph) is:
London Bus routes 167 and school routes 667 serve the station.[12] Local Bus route 804 and Local School route 53 also serve the station.[citation needed]
