St Albans Branch Line
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| St Albans Abbey Branch Line |
| Stations Watford Junction Watford North Garston Bricket Wood How Wood Park Street St Albans Abbey |
The St Albans Abbey Branch Line is a railway line from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey railway station. In its short 6.5 miles, the [route] goes through town and countryside. The train is often referred to as the "Abbey Flyer", after St Albans Abbey.
The line has been selected as one of Britain's first "Community Railways" by the Strategic Rail Authority - see the [Abbeyline Community Rail Partnership] website 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 voltage Class 321/4 electric multiple unit, or a 25kV Class 313 if a 321/4 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 (automatic half-barrier) level crossing outside Watford North operated by a treadle and a manual plunger 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 Abbey 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.
Since 1995, ABFLY - [the Abbey Flyers Users Group] has been campaigning to secure the future of the line and encourage its growth as an important transport link.
External links
| Railway lines in London:''' | |
|---|---|
| North London: | Gospel Oak-Barking Line North London Line Northern City Line Lea Valley Lines Watford DC Line |
| East London: | Romford-Upminster Line |
| South London: | Bexleyheath Line Bromley North Line Catford Loop Line Dartford Loop Line Hayes Line Hounslow Loop Line South London Line Tattenham Corner Line |
| West London: | West London Line |
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