UK Transport Wiki
Advertisement
Fen Line
Template:Px

365537 passing through Runcton Holme, Norfolk

Overview
TypeHeavy rail
SystemNational Rail
StatusOperational
LocaleEast of England
TerminiCambridge
King's Lynn
Stations7
Operation
OwnerNetwork Rail
Operator(s)First Capital Connect
Greater Anglia
CharacterRural
Rolling stockClass 317
Class 365 "Networker"
Class 379 "Electrostar"[1]
Technical
No. of tracksOne - Two
Track gauge{{#switch:sg
|3mm=3 mm (0.118 in)
|4mm=4 mm (0.157 in)
|4.5mm=4.5 mm (0.177 in)
|4.8mm=4.8 mm (0.189 in)
|6.5mm=6.5 mm (0.256 in)
|6.53mm=6.53 mm (0.257 in)
|8mm=8 mm (0.315 in)
|8.97mm=8.97 mm (0.353 in)
|9mm=9 mm (0.354 in)
|9.42mm=9.42 mm (0.371 in)
|10.5mm=10.5 mm (0.413 in)
|11.94mm=11.94 mm (0.470 in)
|12mm=12 mm (0.472 in)
|12.7mm=12.7 mm (0.5 in)
|13mm=13 mm (0.512 in)
|13.5mm=13.5 mm (0.531 in)
|14mm=14 mm (0.551 in)
|14.125mm=14.125 mm (0.556 in)
|14.2mm=14.2 mm (0.559 in)
|14.28mm=14.28 mm (0.562 in)
|14.3mm=14.3 mm (0.563 in)
|15.76mm=15.76 mm (0.620 in)
Electrification25 kV AC OHLE
Operating speed90 mph (Template:Convert/outsep) maximum[2]

Template:Fen Line RDT

The Fen Line is a railway in the United Kingdom that runs between the cities of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and King's Lynn, Norfolk; the line is so called because it runs through The Fens. The line is part of the Network Rail Strategic Route 5 and comprises SRS 05.06 and part of 05.05. It is classified as a secondary line except between Cambridge and Ely which is classified as a London and South East commuter line.[3]

Services[]

First Capital Connect[]

First Capital Connect operate through services to London King's Cross (via the Cambridge Line). These services operate non-stop between London and Cambridge for most of the day, as part of the half-hourly "Cambridge Express" service. One train an hour is extended beyond Cambridge to serve most or all stations to King's Lynn.

These services usually use Class 365 electrical multiple units. Three Class 365 EMUs have received names associated with the line:

  • The Fenman (365 518) - previously a "named train" that used to operate on this line, consisting of locomotive-hauled InterCity (British Rail) trains;
  • Robert Stripe Passengers' Champion (365 527) was named on 10 March 2006, after the 21st Anniversary of the Fen Line Users Association;
  • Nelson's County (365 531) had a special livery applied to the outside which shows various scenes of West Norfolk.

Greater Anglia[]

Greater Anglia operate some direct services from London Liverpool Street to King's Lynn (via the West Anglia Main Line). These services operate only during the morning and evening peaks, and use Class 317 and Class 379[1] units. The section between Cambridge and Ely is also used non-stop by CrossCountry services to Stansted Airport, and by Greater Anglia services between Cambridge and Norwich (via the Breckland Line).

Signalling[]

The line is double tracked except between Littleport and Downham Market and between Watlington and King's Lynn where it is bi-directionally signalled single track. In the Down direction, the entrance to the single line sections is protected additionally by SPAD indicators.

Signal boxes controlling the line are;

  • Cambridge power box
  • Littleport
  • Downham Market
  • Magdalen Road (Watlington)
  • King's Lynn

The signalling system is Track circuit block with multiple aspect colour light signals- with the exception of:

  • one semaphore signal at King's Lynn[4] which controls entry to the One Train In Section freight-only line from King's Lynn to Middleton Towers
  • two semaphore shunt signals at Downham Market station

Infrastructure[]

Traction current for electric trains is provided by 25 kV AC OHLE controlled by Romford Electrical Control Room.[5] There are Neutral Sections at Shepreth Branch junction, Milton Fen and just north of Littleport bypass. The line has a loading gauge of W8 except for the section connecting the Ipswich to Ely Line to the Ely to Peterborough Line which is W10.[3]

Passenger volume[]

These are the statistics of the numbers of passengers on the line from the year beginning April 2002 to the year beginning April 2010. Comparing each station between the first and last years, King's Lynn has increased by 38%, Watlington by 78%, Downham Market by 64%, Littleport by 89%, Ely by 67%, Waterbeach by 71% and Cambridge by 51%.[6]

Template:GBsta-u

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "{{{title}}}" (June 29 - July 12 2011). Rail Magazine 673 Page 37. 
  2. Network Rail (August 2006). East Anglia Route Sectional Appendix Module EA, 109 LOR EA1162 Seq007. NR30018/02. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Route 5 - West Anglia. Network Rail. Retrieved on 2009-05-22.
  4. Network Rail (August 2006). East Anglia Route Sectional Appendix Module EA, 110 LOR EA1270 Seq001. NR30018/02. 
  5. Network Rail (August 2006). East Anglia Route Sectional Appendix Module EA, 110 LOR EA1161 Seq008. NR30018/02. 
  6. Station Usage. Rail Statistics. Office of Rail Regulation. Retrieved on 3rd January 2013.

External links[]

Template:Commonscat-inline

Template:Railway lines in the East of England

Advertisement