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West Coast main line

West Coast Main Line
WCML and M1.jpg
The WCML running alongside the M1 at Watford Gap
Overview
Type Commuter rail, Intercity rail
High Speed Rail, Heavy rail
System National Rail
Status Operational
Locale Greater London
South East England
West Midlands
North West England
Scotland
Termini London Euston
51°31′43″N 0°08′07″W / 51.5285°N 0.1353°W / 51.5285; -0.1353 (London terminus)
Liverpool Lime Street
53°24′27″N 2°58′42″W / 53.4075°N 2.9784°W / 53.4075; -2.9784 (Liverpool terminus)
Manchester Piccadilly
53°28′37″N 2°13′48″W / 53.477°N 2.230°W / 53.477; -2.230 (North West terminus)
Edinburgh Waverley
55°57′08″N 3°11′21″W / 55.9521°N 3.1893°W / 55.9521; -3.1893 (Scottish terminus)
Glasgow Central
55°51′31″N 4°15′28″W / 55.8585°N 4.2579°W / 55.8585; -4.2579 (Scottish terminus)
Stations 51
Operation
Owner Network Rail
Operator(s) Passenger:
Abellio ScotRail
Arriva Trains Wales
Caledonian Sleeper
CrossCountry
London Midland
Northern
Southern
TransPennine Express
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains East Coast
Freight:
DB Schenker Rail (UK)
Direct Rail Services Ltd (DRS)
Freightliner Ltd
GB Railfreight
Rolling stock Class 86
Class 87
Class 90
Class 91
Class 92
Class 142 Pacer
Class 150 Sprinter
Class 153
Class 156 SuperSprinter
Class 175 Coradia
Class 185 Pennine
Class 220 Voyager
Class 221 Super Voyager
Class 318
Class 319
Class 334 Juniper
Class 350 Desiro
Class 377 Electrostar
Class 380 Desiro
Class 390 Pendolino
Technical
Line length 399 mi (642 km)
Number of tracks Double track, Quadruple track
& Sextuple track
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
Loading gauge W10
Electrification Mk1 and UK1 25 kV 50 Hz AC OHLE
Operating speed 125 mph (201 km/h) EPS maximum
Route map
West Coast Main Line map.png
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The West Coast Main Line (WCML) is the most important intercity rail passenger route in the United Kingdom, connecting the major cities of London, Birmingham, Coventry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. which have a combined metropolitan population of over 24 million people. In addition, several sections of the WCML form part of the suburban railway systems in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, with many more smaller commuter stations, as well as providing links to more rural towns. In 2008 the WCML handled 75 million passenger journeys.

It is one of the busiest freight routes in Europe, carrying 43% of all UK rail freight traffic. The line is the principal rail freight corridor linking the European mainland (via the Channel Tunnel) through London and South East England to the West Midlands, North West England and Scotland. The line has been declared a strategic European route and designated a priority Trans-European Networks (TENS) route.

Much of the line has a maximum speed of 125 mph (201 km/h), meeting the European Union's definition of an upgraded high-speed line, although only Class 390 Pendolinos and Class 221 Super Voyagers with tilting mechanisms operated by Virgin Trains travel at that speed. Other traffic is limited to 110 mph (177 km/h).

The core section between London Euston and Glasgow Central is 399-mile (642 km) long with principal InterCity stations at Milton Keynes Central, Rugby, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan, Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle. The length of the core section is nominally quoted as 401.25 miles (645.75 km). This is the distance between the midpoint of Platform 18 of London Euston to that of Platform 1 of Glasgow Central, and historically is the distance used in official calculations during speed record attempts.


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Wikipedia

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