Fen Line
Encyclopedia
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.
operate through services to London King's Cross (via the Hitchin-Cambridge Line). These services operate non-stop between London and Cambridge
for most of the day, as part of the half-hourly "Cambridge Cruiser" 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:
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
units. The section between Cambridge and Ely
is also used non-stop by CrossCountry
services to Stansted Airport
, and by National Express East Anglia services between Cambridge and Norwich
(via the Breckland Line
).
Signal boxes controlling the line are;
The signalling system is Track circuit
block with multiple aspect colour light signals- with the exception of:
for electric trains is provided by 25 kV AC
OHLE controlled by Romford Electrical Control Room. 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.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that runs between the cities of Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
and King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
; the line is so called because it runs through The Fens
The Fens
The Fens, also known as the , are a naturally marshy region in eastern England. Most of the fens were drained several centuries ago, resulting in a flat, damp, low-lying agricultural region....
. The line is part of the Network Rail Strategic Route 5
Network Rail Route 5 (West Anglia)
Strategic Route 5 - West Anglia is the designation given by Network Rail to a grouping of railway lines in the East of England that encompasses the West Anglia Main Line and its various branch lines...
and comprises SRS 05.06 and part of 05.05. It is classified as a secondary line except between Cambridge and Ely
Ely, Cambridgeshire
Ely is a cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, England, 14 miles north-northeast of Cambridge and about by road from London. It is built on a Lower Greensand island, which at a maximum elevation of is the highest land in the Fens...
which is classified as a London and South East commuter line.
First Capital Connect
First Capital ConnectFirst Capital Connect
First Capital Connect is a passenger train operating company in England that began operations on the National Rail network on 1 April 2006...
operate through services to London King's Cross (via the Hitchin-Cambridge Line). These services operate non-stop between London and Cambridge
Cambridge railway station
Cambridge railway station is a railway station serving the city of Cambridge in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located at the end of Station Road, off Hills Road, 1 mile south-east of the city centre...
for most of the day, as part of the half-hourly "Cambridge Cruiser" service. One train an hour is extended beyond Cambridge to serve most or all stations to King's Lynn
King's Lynn railway station
King's Lynn railway station serves the town of King's Lynn in Norfolk. The station is the terminus of the Fen Line from Cambridge, which is electrified at 25 kV AC overhead...
.
These services usually use Class 365
British Rail Class 365
The British Rail Class 365 "Networker Express" are dual-voltage 25 kV AC and 750 V DC) electric multiple units built by ABB at York from 1994 to 1995. These were the last units to be built at the York factory before it closed...
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)InterCity (British Rail)InterCity was introduced by British Rail in 1966 as a brand-name for its long-haul express passenger services ....
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.
National Express East Anglia
National Express East Anglia operate some direct services from London Liverpool StreetLiverpool Street station
Liverpool Street railway station, also known as London Liverpool Street or simply Liverpool Street, is both a central London railway terminus and a connected London Underground station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, England...
to King's Lynn (via the West Anglia Main Line
West Anglia Main Line
The West Anglia Main Line is one of the two main lines which run from London Liverpool Street, the other being the Great Eastern Main Line. It runs generally north from London, through the towns of Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Harlow, Bishop's Stortford and Audley End station before reaching Cambridge,...
). These services operate only during the morning and evening peaks, and use Class 317
British Rail Class 317
The British Rail Class 317 alternating current electric multiple units were built by BREL York in two batches, from 1981-82 and 1985-87. They were the first of several classes of British Rail EMU to be based on the all-steel Mark 3 bodyshell, departing from the "PEP"-aluminium design which had...
and Class 379
British Rail Class 379
The Class 379 Electrostar is a British electric multiple-unit train type ordered in April 2009 for Stansted Express services operated by National Express East Anglia . The trains will also be used on services between , and...
units. The section between Cambridge and Ely
Railways in Ely
The Railways in Ely are an important interchange point between several routes in England. There are junctions north and south of the town where rail routes from Suffolk and Norfolk connect with routes to London, the Midlands, the north of England, and Scotland...
is also used non-stop by CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
services to Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport railway station
Stansted Airport railway station serves London Stansted Airport in Essex, England.It is situated at the end of a short branch from the West Anglia Main Line. The branch was constructed at a cost of £44 million and opened in 1991, to coincide with the completion of the airport's new terminal building...
, and by National Express East Anglia services between Cambridge and Norwich
Norwich railway station
Norwich is a railway station serving the city of Norwich in the English county of Norfolk. The station is the northern terminus of the Great Eastern Main Line from London Liverpool Street. It is also the terminus of railway lines from Ely, Sheringham, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.-History:At one...
(via the Breckland Line
Breckland Line
The Breckland Line runs from Cambridge in Cambridgeshire to Norwich in Norfolk, in East Anglia, England. It is so called because it runs through the Breckland region of Norfolk. The line also passes through Thetford Forest. The line is part of the Network Rail Strategic Route 5, SRS 05.09 and part...
).
Signalling
The line is double tracked except between Littleport and Downham Market and between Watlington and Kings 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)
- Kings Lynn
The signalling system is Track circuit
Track circuit
A track circuit is a simple electrical device used to detect the absence of a train on rail tracks, used to inform signallers and control relevant signals.- Principles and operation :...
block with multiple aspect colour light signals- with the exception of:
- one semaphore signal at Kings Lynn which controls entry to the One Train In Secton freight-only line from Kings Lynn to Middleton TowersMiddleton Towers railway stationMiddleton Towers railway station was a station in Middleton, Norfolk. It was on the line between Swaffham and King's Lynn, and closed along with the rest of the line in 1968....
- two semaphore shunt signals at Downham MarketDownham Market railway stationDownham Market railway station serves the town of Downham Market in the English county of Norfolk. The station lies on Fen Line from Cambridge to King's Lynn, which is electrified at 25 kV AC overhead...
station
Infrastructure
Traction currentRailway electrification in Great Britain
Railway electrification in Great Britain started towards of the 19th century. A great range of voltages have been used in the intervening period using both overhead lines and third rails, however the most common standard for mainline services is now 25 kV AC using overhead lines and the...
for electric trains is provided by 25 kV AC
25 kV AC
The 25 kV Alternating current railway electrification system is commonly used in railways worldwide, especially for high-speed rail.-Overview:This electrification system is ideal for railways that cover long distances and/or carry heavy traffic...
OHLE controlled by Romford Electrical Control Room. The line has a loading gauge of W8 except for the section connecting the Ipswich to Ely Line
Ipswich to Ely Line
The Ipswich to Ely Line is a railway line linking East Anglia to the English Midlands via Ely. There is also a branch line to . Passenger services are operated by National Express East Anglia...
to the Ely to Peterborough Line
Ely to Peterborough Line
The Ely to Peterborough Line is a railway line in England, linking East Anglia to the Midlands. It is a part of the Network Rail Strategic Route 5, SRS 05.07 and is classified as a secondary line.-Service:...
which is W10.