List of railway lines in Great Britain

This is a list of railway lines in Great Britain that are currently in operation, split by country and region.

Railway lines in England and Wales, as of 2010

There are a limited number of main inter-regional lines, with all but one entering Greater London.[1] The line from London to the Channel Tunnel is the only line designated 'high speed', although the other main routes also operate limited-stop express services.

The bulk of the secondary network is concentrated in London and the surrounding East and South East regions; an area marketed by National Rail as London and the South East. The majority of these lines are radial to London.[2] There is a further concentration of routes around Birmingham in the West Midlands[3] and in the urbanised part of northern England that stretches from Liverpool in the west, via Greater Manchester to Leeds in the east.[4]

Some areas, such as Wales and Scotland, have relatively sparse railway provision.[1] There are local lines throughout all areas of Great Britain with some services designated as community railways.

England

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London

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Most main UK routes terminate in London and there is an extensive suburban network[2][5]

This is a list of routes entirely contained within Greater London.[5]

Name Route, or previous name Opened Regions Electrified
Acton–Northolt line formerly "New North Main Line" 1903 London
Bromley North Line Grove Park to Bromley North 1878 London Third rail750 V DC
Catford Loop Line Brixton to Shortlands 1892 London Third rail750 V DC
Chessington branch line Raynes Park to Chessington South 1938–1939 London Third rail750 V DC
Chingford branch line Clapton to Chingford 1873 London OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crystal Palace line Balham Junction to Beckenham Junction 1856–1858 London Third rail750 V DC
Dudding Hill line Acton to Cricklewood 1875 London
East London line Highbury & Islington to West Croydon 1869–2010 London Third rail750 V DC
Holborn Viaduct–Herne Hill line 1863–1866 London Third rail750 V DC
Gospel Oak to Barking line 1894–1868 London OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Greenford branch line GWML to Greenford 1903 London
Greenwich line North Kent East junction to Charlton Junction 1836 London Third rail750 V DC
Mid-Kent line Lewisham to Hayes 1857–1882 London Third rail750 V DC
Hounslow Loop Line Barnes Junction to Feltham Junction 1850 London Third rail750 V DC
South London line 1886 London Third rail750 V DC
Sutton Loop line Streatham South Junction to Sutton 1864-1929 London Third rail750 V DC
Kingston loop line Twickenham to New Maldon 1863–1869 London Third rail750 V DC
North London line Richmond to Stratford 1846–1869 London
Northern City Line Moorgate to Finsbury Park 1904 London
Greenwich Park branch line Nunhead to Lewisham 1929 London Third rail750 V DC
Romford–Upminster line 1893 London OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
West London line Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction 1844 London

Terminus

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Name End and major calling points Countries and regions Category
Chiltern Main Line London, High Wycombe, Bicester, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Solihull, Birmingham England: London, South East, West Midlands Main Line 100 mph
East Coast Main Line London, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh England: East, East Midlands, London, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber; Scotland High Speed Main Line 125 mph
Great Eastern Main Line London, Ipswich, Norwich England: East, London Main Line 100 mph
Great Western Main Line London, Bristol England: London, South East, South West High Speed Main Line 125 mph
High Speed 1 London, Channel Tunnel England: East, London, South East.

Continental Europe: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany

High Speed Line 186 mph
Midland Main Line London, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield England: East, East Midlands, London, Yorkshire and the Humber High Speed Main Line 125 mph
South West Main Line London, Southampton, Bournemouth, Weymouth England: London, South East, South West Main Line 100 mph
West Coast Main Line London, Glasgow with spurs to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Holyhead and Edinburgh England: London, North West, South East, West Midlands; Scotland; North Wales High Speed Main Line 125 mph

South East England

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The commuter network stretches from London to the coast and there is a connection to France through the Channel Tunnel[2][5]

This is a list of all routes that enter the South East England region.

Name Route, or previous name Opened Regions Electrified
Alton line Brookwood to Alton 1852 South East Third rail750 V DC
Arun Valley line Three Bridges to Arundel 1848–1863 South East Third rail750 V DC
Ascot–Ash Vale line South East Third rail750 V DC
Ashford to Ramsgate line 1846 South East Third rail750 V DC
Aylesbury–Princes Risborough line 1863 South East
Bexleyheath line Lewisham to Dartford 1895 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Brighton Main Line 1839–1941 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Caterham line Purley to Caterham 1856 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Chatham Main Line London Victoria to Dover Priory 1858–1926 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Chertsey branch line Staines to Weybridge 1849 South East Third rail750 V DC
Cherwell Valley line Banbury to Didcot Parkway 1844–1873 South East
Chiltern Main Line Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill 1852–1910 London, South East, West Midlands
Cotswold Line Oxford to Hereford 1851–1860 South East, South West, West Midlands
Dartford Loop Line Hither Green to Dartford 1866 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
East Coastway line Brighton to Hastings 1846–1871 South East Third rail750 V DC
Eastleigh–Fareham line 1841 South East Third rail750 V DC
Eastleigh–Romsey line 1847 South East
Elizabeth line Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Reading to Abbey Wood and Shenfield 2022 East, London, South East 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Epsom Downs Branch Sutton to Epsom Downs 1865 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Hampton Court branch line SWML to Hampton Court 1849 South East Third rail750 V DC
Hastings line Tonbridge to Hastings 1845–1852 South East Third rail750 V DC
Henley branch line Twyford to Henley-on-Thames 1857 South East
High Speed 1 London to Channel Tunnel 2003–2007 London, South East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Island Line Isle of Wight 1864 South East Third rail750 V DC
Kent Coast line Minster East Jn to Buckland Jn 1847 South East Third rail750 V DC
London–Aylesbury line 1868 and 1899 London, East Fourth rail, 750 V DC (partial)
Lymington branch line SWML to Lymington Pier 1858 South East Third rail750 V DC
Maidstone line Swanley to Ashford International 1874–1884 South East Third rail750 V DC
Marlow branch line Maidenhead to Marlow 1854 South East
Marshlink line Ashford International to Hastings 1851 South East
Marston Vale line Bletchley to Bedford 1845 East, South East
Medway Valley line Strood to SEML 1844–1856 South East Third rail750 V DC
New Guildford line Surbiton to Guildford 1885 South East Third rail750 V DC
North Downs Line Reading to Redhill 1849 South East Third rail750 V DC (partial)
North Kent Line London to Strood 1846–1849 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Oxford–Bicester line 1850 South East
Oxted line South Croydon to East Grinstead or Uckfield 1858–1888 London, South East Third rail750 V DC (Croydon–East Grinstead)
Portsmouth Direct line Woking to Portsmouth Harbour 1845–1858 South East Third rail750 V DC
Portsmouth line 1847–1868 South East Third rail750 V DC
Reading–Basingstoke line 1848 South East
Reading–Taunton line 1847–1906 South East, South West
Redhill–Tonbridge line 1884 South East Third rail750 V DC
Seaford branch line Lewes to Seaford 1864 South East Third rail750 V DC
Sheerness line Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea 1860 South East Third rail750 V DC
Shepperton branch line Kingston Loop to Shepperton 1864–1894 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Slough–Windsor & Eton line 1849 South East
South Eastern Main Line Cannon Street or Charing Cross to Dover Priory 1842–1871 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Staines–Windsor line 1848–1849 South East Third rail750 V DC
Sutton and Mole Valley lines 1847–1868 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Tattenham Corner line Purley to Tattenham Corner 1897–1901 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Waterloo–Reading line 1846–1856 London, South East Third rail750 V DC
Wessex Main Line Bristol Temple Meads to Southampton Central 1847–1856 South East, South West
West Coastway line Brighton to Southampton Central 1840–1889 South East Third rail750 V DC
West of England line Basingstoke to Exeter St Davids 1854–1860 South East, South West

South West

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There is a concentration of routes around Bristol and direct connections to Wales, London and other regions[6]

This is a list of all routes that enter the South West England region.

Name Route, or previous name Opened Regions Electrified
Atlantic Coast Line Par to Newquay 1874 South West
Avocet Line Exeter to Exmouth 1862 South West
Bristol–Exeter line 1841–1842 South West
Cornish Main Line Plymouth to Penzance 1867 South West
Cotswold Line Oxford to Hereford 1851–1860 South East, South West, West Midlands
Dartmoor line Exeter to Okehampton 1851–1871 South West
Exeter–Plymouth line 1846–1849 South West
Gloucester–Newport line 1850 South West
Golden Valley line Swindon to Cheltenham Spa 1845 South West
Heart of Wessex Line Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth 1857 South West
Looe Valley Line Liskeard to Looe 1860–1901 South West
Maritime Line Truro to Falmouth Docks 1863 South West
Reading–Taunton line 1847–1906 South East, South West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Riviera Line Exeter St Davids to Paignton 1846–1859 South West
Severn Beach line Bristol to Severn Beach 1840–1900 South West
South Wales Main Line Swindon to Swansea 1850–1903 South West, South Wales
St Ives Bay Line St Erth to St Ives 1877 South West
Tamar Valley Line Plymouth to Gunnislake 1890–1908 South West
Tarka Line Exeter to Barnstaple 1851–1854 South West
Wessex Main Line Bristol to Southampton 1847–1856 South East, South West
West of England line SWML to Exeter 1854–1860 South East, South West

Terminus

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Name End and major calling points Countries and regions Category
Cross Country Route Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, York England: East Midlands, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands High Speed Main Line 125 mph
South Wales Main Line Bristol, Swansea via Cardiff England: South West; Wales: South Main Line (100 mph)

North West England

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There is a significant concentration of routes around urbanised Liverpool and Manchester with the northern part of the region less well served[1][4]

This is a list of all routes that enter the North West England region.

Name Route, or previous name Opened Regions Electrified
Blackpool branch lines WCML to Blackpool North or South 1846–1865 North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Borderlands line Wrexham Central to Bidston 1887–1896 North West
Buxton line Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton 1863 East Midlands, North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Calder Valley line Blackpool North or Manchester Victoria to Leeds North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Chester–Birkenhead line 1840 North West Third rail750 V DC
Chester–Warrington line 1850 North West
Crewe–Liverpool line North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crewe–Manchester line 1841 North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Cumbrian Coast line Carlisle to Barrow-in-Furness 1844–1845 North West
East Lancashire line Preston to Colne 1846–1848 North West
Furness line Barrow-in-Furness to Carnforth 1846–1858 North West
Glossop line Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop or Hadfield 1842–1845 East Midlands, North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hooton–Helsby line 1863 North West
Hope Valley line Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield 1894 North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Huddersfield line Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria to Huddersfield 1849 North West, Yorkshire and the Humber Planned
Kirkby branch line Kirkby to Wigan Wallgate 1848 North West
Leeds–Morecambe line 1846–1864 North West, Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Liverpool–Manchester lines 1830 onwards North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Liverpool–Wigan line 1869–1871 North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Manchester–Preston line 1838–1841 North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Manchester–Southport line North West
Mid-Cheshire line Manchester Piccadilly to Chester 1855–1888 North West
Morecambe branch line Lancaster to Morecambe or Heysham Port 1864 North West
Ormskirk branch line Preston to Ormskirk 1848 North West
Ribble Valley line Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe 1845–1872 North West
Settle–Carlisle line 1875 North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Stafford–Manchester line 1848 North West, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stockport–Stalybridge line North West
Styal Line Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport or Wilmslow 1909 North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Tyne Valley line Newcastle to Carlisle 1834–1837 North East, North West
Windermere branch line Oxenholme Lake District to Windermere 1847 North West Proposed
Wirral line Chester, West Kirby, Elsemere, and New Brighton to Liverpool North West

West Midlands

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There is a concentration of routes around Birmingham and direct connections to London and other regions[3]

This is a list of all routes that enter the West Midlands region.

Name Route, or previous name Opened Regions Electrified
Birmingham to Peterborough line 1840–1860 East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Birmingham to Worcester via Bromsgrove Line 1840–1879 West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster line 1852–1867 West Midlands
Camp Hill line 1840-1841 West Midlands
Chase Line Birmingham New Street to Walsall and Rugeley 1837–1859 (partly closed 1965, reopened 1989–1997) West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Chiltern Main Line Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill 1852–1910 London, South East, West Midlands
Cotswold Line Oxford to Hereford 1851–1860 South East, South West, West Midlands
Coventry–Leamington line 1851 West Midlands
Coventry–Nuneaton line 1850 West Midlands
Crewe–Derby line 1848 East Midlands, North West, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Cross-City Line Redditch or Bromsgrove to Lichfield 1837–1876 West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Cross Country Route 1948 East Midlands, North East, Scotland, South West, Wales, West Anglia, & West Midlands
Leamington–Stratford line 1860 West Midlands
Leicester–Burton upon Trent line 1832–1849 East Midlands, West Midlands
Northampton loop 1881 East Midlands, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
North Warwickshire Line Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford-upon-Avon 1908 West Midlands
Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line 1837 West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Shrewsbury–Chester line 1848 North West, West Midlands
Stafford–Manchester line 1848–1887 North West, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stone to Colwich Line 1849 West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stourbridge Town branch line 1879 West Midlands
Sutton Park line Walsall to Castle Bromwich and Water Orton 1879 West Midlands
Trent Valley line part of the West Coast Main Line 1847 West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Walsall–Wolverhampton line 1837 West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Welsh Marches line Newport to Shrewsbury 1852–1858
  • North West
  • West Midlands
  • Mid Wales
  • South Wales
Wolverhampton–Shrewsbury line 1848–1849 West Midlands

East of England

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Anglia

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A number of local lines branch from the main radial routes and closer to London are the outer terminals of the suburban network[2][5]

This is a list of all routes that enter the East of England region.

Name Route, or previous name Opened Regions Electrified
Abbey Line Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey 1858 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Birmingham–Peterborough line 1840–1860 East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Bittern Line Sheringham to Norwich 1874–1877 East
Braintree branch line Witham to Braintree 1848 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Breckland line Cambridge to Norwich 1845 East
Cambridge line Cambridge to ECML 1851 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crouch Valley line Wickford to Southminster 1889 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
East Suffolk line Ipswich to Lowestoft 1854 East
Ely–Peterborough line 1847 East
Felixstowe branch line Ipswich to Felixstowe 1877 East
Fen line Cambridge to King's Lynn 1846 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Gainsborough line Marks Tey to Sudbury 1865 East
Great Northern Route London Moorgate to King's Lynn London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hertford East branch line Hertford East to Broxbourne 1843 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hertford loop line Stevenage to Alexandra Palace 1871–1924 London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Ipswich–Ely line 1846–1851 East
Lea Valley lines 1840–1891 London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
London, Tilbury and Southend line Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness 1854–1888 London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Marston Vale line Bletchley to Bedford 1845 East, South East
Mayflower line Manningtree to Harwich Town 1854 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Peterborough–Lincoln line 1848–1882 East
Shenfield–Southend line 1892 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Sunshine Coast Line Colchester to Walton-on-the-Naze 1847–1882 East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Watford DC line Euston to Watford Junction 1862–1922 London, East Third rail750 V DC
West Anglia Main Line Liverpool Street to Cambridge or Stansted Airport 1840–1990 London, East OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Wherry Lines Norwich to Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft 1844–1882 East

East Midlands

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There are rail links to adjacent regions and direct services to London

This is a list of all routes that enter the East Midlands region.

Name Route, or previous name Opened Regions Electrified
Barton line Barton-on-Humber to Cleethorpes 1848 East Midlands
Birmingham–Peterborough line 1840–1860 East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Buxton line Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton 1863 East Midlands, North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Crewe–Derby line 1848 East Midlands, North West, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Derwent Valley line Derby to Matlock 1839–1849 East Midlands
Doncaster–Lincoln line 1849 East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Glossop line Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop or Hadfield 1844 East Midlands, North West OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Ivanhoe line part of the Midland Main Line 1840 or 1993 East Midlands
Leicester–Burton upon Trent line 1832–1849 East Midlands
Northampton loop 1881 East Midlands, West Midlands OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Nottingham–Grantham line 1850 East Midlands
Nottingham–Lincoln line 1846 East Midlands
Oakham–Kettering line 1879 East Midlands
Poacher Line Grantham to Skegness 1848–1873 East Midlands
Robin Hood Line Nottingham to Worksop 1848 (reopened 1993–1998) East Midlands
Sheffield–Lincoln line 1849 East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Erewash Valley Line 1844–1862 East Midlands

North Eastern

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There is a concentration of commuter services around Newcastle, Sheffield and Leeds with a number of direct routes to London, Scotland and other regions.[7][4]

This is a list of all routes that enter the Yorkshire and the Humber and North East England region.

Name Route, or previous name Opened Regions Electrified
Durham Coast Line Newcastle to Middlesbrough 1833–1905 North East Overhead line1,500 V DC (partial)
Esk Valley line Middlesbrough to Whitby 1835–54 North East, Yorkshire and the Humber
Tyne Valley line Newcastle to Carlisle 1834–1837 North East, North West
Northallerton–Eaglescliffe line 1852 North East, Yorkshire and the Humber
Tees Valley line Bishop Auckland to Saltburn 1825–1887 North East
Airedale line Leeds to Skipton 1846 Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Askern branch line Knottingley to Doncaster 1848 Yorkshire and the Humber
Calder Valley line Blackpool North or Manchester Victoria to Leeds 1840s North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Dearne Valley line Sheffield to York 1839–40 Yorkshire and the Humber
Doncaster–Lincoln line 1849 East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Hallam Line Sheffield to Leeds Yorkshire and the Humber
Harrogate line Leeds to York 1848 Yorkshire and the Humber
Hope Valley line Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield 1894 North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Huddersfield line Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria to Huddersfield 1849 North West, Yorkshire and the Humber Planned
Hull to York Line 1840 Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds–Morecambe line 1846–50 North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds–Bradford lines Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Penistone Line Huddersfield to Sheffield 1845–50 Yorkshire and the Humber
Pontefract line Leeds to Goole 1848 Yorkshire and the Humber
Selby Line Leeds to Hull 1834 Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Settle–Carlisle line 1875 North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Sheffield–Lincoln line 1849 East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
South Humberside Main Line Doncaster to Cleethorpes 1848 Yorkshire and the Humber
Swinton–Doncaster line South Yorkshire
Wakefield line Leeds to Sheffield Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Wharfedale line Leeds to Bradford Forster Square or Ilkley 1865 Yorkshire and the Humber OHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hull–Scarborough line Hull to Scarborough 1845–46 Yorkshire and the Humber
York–Scarborough line 1845 Yorkshire and the Humber

Scotland

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Railway lines in Scotland

Scotrail Intercity lines

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Glasgow commuter lines

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Edinburgh commuter lines

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Rural lines and Great Scenic Railways

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Wales

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Main lines

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Cardiff commuter lines

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Rural lines

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Lines under construction

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Name Between Opening Regions Electrification
East West Rail Bicester Village to Bletchley 2023 South East England Not initially
High Speed 2 London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street ~2030 South East England 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line

References

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Note: many maps cited are dead links as of 2016. Current maps are on the National Rail Enquiries - Maps of the UK National Rail Network Web site.[8]

  1. ^ a b c "National Rail Timetable Map" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d "London and the South East Rail Services" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. 17 May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  3. ^ a b "Birmingham West Midlands" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  4. ^ a b c "Liverpool Leeds Manchester Sheffield" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d "London Connections Rail Services" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. 17 May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  6. ^ "Cardiff Bristol" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  7. ^ "Newcastle" (PDF). Association of Train Operating Companies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  8. ^ "National Rail Enquiries - Maps of the UK National Rail Network". Nationalrail.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2016.

See also

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