St Albans Branch Line
From Freepedia
| St Albans Abbey Branch Line |
| Stations Watford Junction |
The St Albans Abbey Branch Line is a railway line from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey railway station. The route is often referred to as the "Abbey Flyer", after St Albans Abbey. It has been selected as a Community Rail line by the Strategic Rail Authority - see Association of Community Rail Partnerships for more information.
The 6.5-mile route was electrified at 25 kV AC overhead in 1987-1988, and is single track throughout. The line connects with the West Coast Main Line at Watford Junction.
Passenger services are currently operated by Silverlink under the "Silverlink County" brand, using a 25kV AC/750V DC dual-voltage Class 313 electric multiple unit, or a 25kV Class 321/4 if a 313 is not available. On rare occasions a Class 150 diesel multiple unit has been substituted.
Signalling on the line is simple - the line is operated under "One Train With Train Staff" rules, where only one train is allowed on the line at a time. Trains can be taken off the line into Watford Junction yard when required using a manual process, which takes some time.
There is an AHB level crossing outside Watford North, operated by a treadle and a manual plunger at Watford North for trains towards St Albans, and by a treadle for trains towards Watford Junction.
The service is a pay train and all stations between Watford North and St Albans are unstaffed, so any ticket can be bought on the train. If joining at Watford Junction, you will require a ticket before you join the train, otherwise you will have to pay full fare.
External links
| Railway lines in London: | |
|---|---|
| North London: | Gospel Oak-Barking Line North London Line Northern City Line Lea Valley Lines Watford Junction-St Albans Line |
| East London: | Romford-Upminster Line |
| South London: | Bexleyheath Line Catford Loop Line Dartford Loop Line Hayes Line Hounslow Loop Line South London Line Tattenham Corner Line |
| West London: | West London Line |
