Silverlink
From Freepedia
| Image:Silverlink logo.gif | |
|---|---|
| Image:313114 arriving at Clapham Junction.JPG | |
| Franchise: | Silverlink |
| Main Region(s): | North London |
| Other Region(s): | Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire |
| Fleet size: | 67 |
| Stations: | 88 |
| Parent company: | National Express Group |
| Website: | www.silverlink-trains.com |
Silverlink is a regional franchise in the British railway system, with routes in north London and from London to Northampton. Silverlink is owned by National Express Group plc.
The company is divided into two main brands. The 'Silverlink Metro' brand is used for inner-suburban services around London. The 'Silverlink County' brand is used for longer distance and outer-suburban services.
Contents |
Silverlink Metro
The Silverlink Metro service has routes on several lines:
- North London Line, from Richmond to North Woolwich
- Watford DC Line, from London Euston to Watford Junction
- West London Line, from Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction - via Kensington (Olympia)
- The Gospel Oak to Barking line (the 'Goblin')
Stock
The Metro services are operated by Class 313 dual-voltage electrical multiple units on the electrified routes, and Class 150 Sprinter diesel multiple units on the non-electrified routes. Additionally, three Class 508/3 electric units are used exclusively on the Euston-Watford Junction service. The Sprinters replaced the elderly Class 117 and Class 121 units in 2000.
Silverlink County
The Silverlink County service has three branches:
- London to Northampton (Southern-end of West Coast Main Line)
- Watford Junction to St Albans (St Albans Branch Line, also known as 'The Abbey Flyer')
- Bletchley to Bedford (Marston Vale Line) (planned to be extended to Milton Keynes Central in 2007).
The stations on the main branch of the County service are:
- London Euston
- Wembley Central
- Harrow & Wealdstone
- Bushey
- Watford Junction
- Kings Langley
- Apsley
- Hemel Hempstead
- Berkhamsted
- Tring
- Cheddington
- Leighton Buzzard
- Bletchley
- Milton Keynes Central
- Wolverton
- Northampton
Prior to September 2004, Silverlink also served all stations from Northampton to Birmingham New Street. This service is now operated by Central Trains (with Virgin Trains calling at Birmingham International, Rugby and, intermittently, Northampton).
Stock
County services to Northampton are operated by Class 321/4 electrical multiple units introduced in 1989. They will shortly be joined by new Class 350/1 Desiro units built by Siemens AG.
Services on the St Albans Branch Line are operated by Class 313 electric units, whilst the Marston Vale Line uses Class 150 diesel units.
Future
It has been announced [1] that the Silverlink franchise will finish in 2007 as part of a franchise reshuffle in the Midlands - The new West Midlands franchise will include former Central Trains services around Birmingham and the West Midlands
External links
| British train operating companies | |
|---|---|
| InterCity: | Eurostar - First Great Western - First TransPennine Express - GNER - Hull Trains - Midland Mainline - one - Virgin Trains |
| London & South East: | c2c - Chiltern Railways - First Great Western Link - Gatwick Express - Heathrow Express - Island Line one - Silverlink - South Eastern Trains - South West Trains - Southern - Thameslink - WAGN |
| Regional: | Arriva Trains Wales - Central Trains - First ScotRail - Merseyrail - Northern Rail - Wessex Trains |
