| Cambridge Line | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | Heavy rail |
| System | National Rail |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | East of England |
| Termini | Hitchin Cambridge |
| Stations | 7 |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1851 |
| Owner | Network Rail |
| Operator(s) | First Capital Connect |
| Rolling stock | Class 313 Class 317 Class 321 Class 365 "Networker" |
| Technical | |
| No. of tracks | Double track throughout |
| Track gauge | Standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 25 kV AC OHLE |
| Operating speed | 90mph max |
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Legend
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The Cambridge Line [1][2] runs from Cambridge junction on the East Coast Main Line to Shepreth Branch junction on the West Anglia Main Line and forms part of the route between London King's Cross and East Anglia. The line is part of the Network Rail Strategic Route 5, SRS 05.05 and is classified as a London and South East Commuter line.[3]
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Plans for a line between Hitchin and Royston were placed before Parliament in 1846 by the Royston and Hitchin Railway company. [4] The line was initially planned to be a single track spur from Hitchin, but during debate in the Lords it was recommended that the line be two track in the view of its possible later use as part of a route from Cambridge to Bedford although this was later superseded by the Varsity Line via Sandy. [5] The line was opened in 1851 then extended to Cambridge although this was resisted by the company already operating a service from Liverpool Street via the West Anglia Main Line. [5] The line was then leased by the Great Northern [6] in 1850 and subsequently purchased in 1898 [7] and through services run from London King's Cross to Cambridge.
As part of the Great Northern Route electrification in the mid 70's, the through service was severed by the need to switch from the electrified service to Royston to a DMU stopping at all stations to Cambridge. The electrification was extended to Cambridge in the mid 80's and the track improved to increase speed. Occasional services are run by 12 car trains [8] allowing them to stop only at Royston where the platform is long enough to accommodate them.
The flat junction at Hitchin has always been an issue with conflicting train movements, but is being replaced by a viaduct to the north of the existing junction to carry north-bound services up and over the East Coast Main Line.[9]
Services on the line are run by First Capital Connect as part of their Great Northern Route. [8] A mix of Express, Fast and Stopping services are provided on the line. An alternative route via the West Anglia Main Line links Liverpool Street to Cambridge but now provides stopping services only.
The line is double track throughout. Traction current is supplied at 25 kV AC using overhead line equipment overseen by York Electrical Control Room, with Neutral Sections at Cambridge junction, Litlington and Shepreth Branch junction. It has a loading gauge of W8[3] and a maximum line speed of 90 mph.[3]
In order from southwest to north. [10]
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