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Silverlink

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File:Silverlink logo.gif
Franchise(s)Silverlink
Main Region(s)North London
Other Region(s)Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire,
Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire
Fleet size67
Stations called at88
Parent companyNational Express Group
Other
Websitewww.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.

History

Silverlink was formed in early 1997, originally being called North London Railways. It was responsible for the running and maintenance of the North London Line, a circular route running from Richmond in West London through the North of London all the way to North Woolwich in the East of London. As the company expanded and also became responsible for the West London Line, the Watford DC Line and the London-Northampton line, the name was considered misrepresentative and the company was renamed Silverlink.

The company is divided into two main branches: 'Silverlink Metro' is used for inner-suburban services around London while 'Silverlink County' is used for longer distance and outer-suburban services.

North London Line

The stations on the North London Line are:

Watford DC Line

The stations on the Watford DC Line are:

West London Line

The stations on the West London Line are:

Two new stations are due to open later this year: Shepherds Bush and Imperial Wharf.

Gospel Oak to Barking Line

The stations on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line are:

Stock

Metro services are operated by Class 313 dual-voltage electric multiple units on the electrified routes, and Class 150 Sprinter diesel multiple units on the non-electrified Gospel Oak-Barking route. 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.

London to Northampton Line

The stations on the London to Northampton Line are:

Watford Junction to St. Albans Abbey Line

The stations on the Watford Junction to St. Albans Abbey Line are:

  • Watford Junction
  • Watford North
  • Garston
  • Bricket Wood
  • How Wood
  • Park Street
  • St. Albans Abbey

Bletchley to Bedford (Marston Vale) Line

The stations on the Bletchley to Bedford Marston Vale Line are:

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

File:Willesden junct'--2..jpg
A Silverlink Metro electrical multiple unit at Willesden Junction, London.

County services to Northampton are operated by Class 321/4 electrical multiple units introduced in 1989. They were joined by new Class 350/1 Desiro units built by Siemens AG in Summer 2005.

Services on the St Albans Abbey line were operated for many years by Class 313 electric multiple units, but are now usually operated by Class 321 units with drivers from Bletchley and guards from Watford.

The non-electrified 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. It is also known that Ken Livingstone the Mayor of London wants Silverlink Metro to come under the control of Transport for London.

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