Shenfield to Southend Line

The Shenfield to Southend (Victoria) Line is a railway line from Southend-on-Sea to Shenfield in Essex. Almost all trains continue through to London Liverpool Street along the Great Eastern Main Line. The line is part of the Network Rail Strategic Route 7, SRS 07.05 and is classified as a London and South East commuter line.

History
The line has been electrified at different times using three different systems, all of which used overhead lines to carry the electric current. The first system used was 1500 V d.c., commissioned in 1956, following the commissioning of the main line from London to Shenfield in 1949. This was to replace an intensive steam service. In the 1960s the line was converted to 6.25 kV, 50 Hz a.c. as part of the decision by the British Transport Commission to adopt 25 kV, 50 Hz a.c. electrification as the standard system rather than 1500 V d.c. electrification. The line did not immediately use 25 kV, due to problems with clearances under bridges. In 1979, the line was converted for a second time to 25 kV, 50 Hz a.c. following more research into the permissible clearances to structures.

Passenger services are currently operated by Greater Anglia. They took over from National Express East Anglia on 5 February 2012, who replaced previous operator First Great Eastern on 1 April 2004, when all the operators in East Anglia were merged into one new franchise.

Infrastructure
The line diverges from the Great Eastern Main Line at Shenfield, and is double track throughout. The line is electrified at 25 kV AC, has a loading gauge of W6, and a line speed of between 80-105 mph.

This route is normally operated by a Class 321, occasionally operated by a Class 315, not operated by a Class 360.

A journey from Shenfield to Southend Victoria takes 35 minutes