The Builders' Railway
They built a railway from Mitcham Station ....
Erecting 9.000 houses needed a lot of materials. In common with previous LCC building projects, the builders (C.J. Wills and Sons) decided that the most economic way of getting what was required to the site was by private railway. This joined the estate to Mitcham Junction Station, crossing The Wandle by a bridge of around 30 feet span. The track was flat-bottomed and ballasted by cinders. Other than the portion which led to the station itself, the tracks were continually moved to reach whichever part of the estate was being developed. They crossed the main roads by level crossings. (A large map at Morden Library shows the position of some of these lines.)
Six locomotives were used, all of the 0-6-0 saddle tank variety with inside cylinders. The oldest had been built in 1888 and the newest in 1926. They pulled both open wagons and covered vans.*