midland-main-line

Government plans to put backbone into Britain’s rail system

The Government has announced plans for a high-capacity “electric spine” rail route from the North of England to the South Coast. As well as electrifying the Midland Main Line from London through Leicester to Sheffield, the £9.4bn High Level Output Specification programme for 2014-2019 unveiled to the Cabinet on 16 July envisages replacement of the 750-volt 'third rail' electrification from Reading to Southampton with 25kV AC overhead electrification, giving much higher ... [+]