The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway is a railway line in England linking Fenchurch Street railway station in the City of London with the northern Thames Gateway area of southern Essex. It is now known as the Essex Thameside Route by Network Rail and forms part of strategic route 6. It is classified as a London and South East commuter line. Passenger train services on the line form the Essex Thameside franchise that is operated by c2c, a train operating company and part of the National Express Group.