Plumstead is on the North Kent line and was opened 10 years after the line opened on 30 July 1859. The platforms are below road level: the gabled station buildings stand on an overbridge at the country end. Here there are sidings: the station used to be where the railway system operating within the Royal Arsenal connected with the main line. There were plans for the Docklands Light Railway to be extended to Plumstead Railway Station. However, Woolwich Arsenal station was chosen instead. The station is served by local bus routes 53, 96, 99, 122, 177, 180, 244, 380, 422, 469, 472, 672 & N1.