West Coast Main Line

File:Lune Gorge - geograph.org.uk - 600047.jpg in Cumbria alongside the M6 ]]

The spine between London Euston and {{stn|Glasgow Central}} is {{convert|399|mi|km|0|adj=off}} long,{{cite web|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/virgin/ |title=West Coast Main Line Pendolino Tilting Trains, United Kingdom |publisher=railway-technology.com |access-date=1 December 2010}} with principal InterCity stations at {{rws|Watford Junction}}, {{rws|Milton Keynes Central}}, {{rws|Rugby}}, {{rws|Stafford}}, {{rws|Crewe}}, {{rws|Warrington Bank Quay}}, {{rws|Wigan North Western}}, {{rws|Preston}}, {{rws|Lancaster}}, {{rws|Oxenholme Lake District}}, {{rws|Penrith}} and {{rws|Carlisle}}.

The spine{{cite web |publisher=British Railways Board |date=1974 |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRLM_Elec002.pdf |title=Electric All The Way - Information booklet}} has bypasses serving the major towns and cities of Northampton, Coventry, Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Spurs serve Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield, Stockport, Manchester, Runcorn and Liverpool. There is also a branch to Edinburgh, at Carstairs in Scotland, although this is not the most direct route between London and Edinburgh.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015164053/http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?Articleid=311 |url=http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?Articleid=311 |title=History of the West Coast Main Line |publisher=Virgin Trains |date=2 July 2004 |archive-date=15 October 2007 |url-status=dead}} It provides a direct connection between the WCML and the East Coast Main Line.

Originally, the lines between {{rws|Rugby}}, {{rws|Birmingham|New Street}} and {{rws|Stafford}} were part of the main spine, until the Trent Valley Line was built in 1847. This line formed a direct connection between Rugby and Stafford becoming the a part of the spine. South of Rugby, there is a bypass loop that serves {{rws|Northampton}}. There is a spur at Weaver Junction north of {{rws|Crewe}} to {{rws|Liverpool|Lime Street}}. Weaver Junction on this branch is the oldest flyover-type junction in Britain. A spur branches off from Crewe to serve Manchester. There is also a spur between Colwich Junction in the Trent Valley, south of Stafford to Stoke-on-Trent, with another spur north of Stafford, also to Stoke-on-Trent.{{Cn|date=March 2024}}

The geography of the route was determined by avoiding large estates and hilly areas, such as the Chilterns (Tring Cutting); the Watford Gap and Northampton uplands, followed by the Trent Valley; the mountains of Cumbria, with a summit at Shap; and Beattock Summit in South Lanarkshire. This legacy means the WCML has limitations as a long-distance main line, with lower maximum speeds than the East Coast Main Line (ECML) route, the other main line between London and Scotland. The principal solution has been the adoption of tilting trains, initially with British Rail's APT and latterly the {{brc|390}} Pendolino trains constructed by Alstom and introduced by Virgin Trains in 2003. A 'conventional' attempt to raise line speeds as part of the InterCity 250 upgrade in the 1990s would have relaxed maximum cant levels on curves and seen some track realignments; this scheme faltered for lack of funding in the economic climate of the time.{{cn|date=May 2022}}

The early history of the WCML is complex, as it was not originally conceived as a single trunk route, but was built as a patchwork of separate lines by different companies, mostly during the 1830s and 1840s, but some parts were opened as late as the 1880s. After the completion of the pioneering Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830, schemes were mooted to build more inter-city lines. The business practice of the early railway era was for companies to promote individual lines between two destinations, rather than to plan grand networks of lines, as it was considered easier to obtain backing from investors.

File:HLB Lok 2.jpg, an early LNWR express locomotive (built 1847, as pictured circa 1890)]]

The first stretch of what is now the WCML was the Grand Junction Railway connecting the Liverpool and Manchester Railway to Birmingham, via {{rws|Warrington|Bank Quay}}, {{rws|Crewe}}, {{rws|Stafford}} and {{rws|Wolverhampton}}, opening in 1837. The following year the London and Birmingham Railway was completed, connecting to the capital via {{rws|Coventry}}, {{rws|Rugby}} and the Watford Gap. The Grand Junction and London and Birmingham railways shared a Birmingham terminus at Curzon Street station, so that it was now possible to travel by train between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.{{cite web |url=http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/3%20Grand%20Junction%20D.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622194148/http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/3%20Grand%20Junction%20D.pdf |title=Grand Junction Railway: History of the West Coast Main line |publisher=Virgin Trains |date=2004 |archive-date=22 June 2006 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622194141/http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/2%20LondonBirmingham%20D.pdf |title=London and Birmingham Railway: History of the West Coast Main line |publisher=Virgin Trains |date=2004 |url=http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/2%20LondonBirmingham%20D.pdf |archive-date=22 June 2006}} These lines, together with the Trent Valley Railway (between Rugby and Stafford, avoiding Birmingham) and the Manchester and Birmingham Railway (Crewe–Manchester), amalgamated operations in 1846 to form the London and North Western Railway (LNWR). Three other companies, the North Union Railway (Parkside–Wigan–Preston), the Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway and the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway, completed a through route to {{rws|Carlisle}} by the end of 1846, these were later absorbed by the LNWR.{{cite book |last1=Talbot |first1=Edward |title=The London & North Western Railway |date=1996 |publisher=Silver Link Publishing Ltd |isbn=1-85794-086-5 |pages=7–9}}

North of Carlisle, the Caledonian Railway remained independent, and opened its main line from Carlisle to {{rws|Beattock}} on 10 September 1847, connecting to Edinburgh in February 1848, and to Glasgow in November 1849.{{cite book |last=Awdry |first=Christopher |year=1990 |title=Encyclopaedia of British Railway Companies |location=Sparkford |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |isbn=1-85260-049-7 |oclc=19514063}} The route to Scotland was marketed by the LNWR as 'The Premier Line'. Because the cross-border trains ran over the LNWR and Caledonian Railway, through trains consisted of jointly owned "West Coast Joint Stock" to simplify operations.{{cite web |title=West Coast Joint Stock Railway |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp32125/west-coast-joint-stock-railway |publisher=Science Museum Group |access-date=29 April 2024}} The first direct London to Glasgow trains in the 1850s took 12.5{{nbsp}}hours to complete the {{convert|400|mi|km|adj=on}} journey.{{cite book |first=John |last=Thomas |year=1971 |title=A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain. Volume VI Scotland: The Lowlands and the Borders (1st ed.) |location= Newton Abbot |publisher= David & Charles |oclc=650446341}}

Another important section, the North Staffordshire Railway (NSR), which opened its route in 1848 from {{rws|Macclesfield}} (connecting with the LNWR from Manchester) to Stafford and Colwich Junction via {{rws|Stoke-on-Trent}}, also remained independent. The NSR provided a useful alternative route to Manchester, however poor relations between the LNWR and the NSR meant that through trains did not run until 1867.{{cite web |url= http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/4%20Manchester%20D.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060622194051/http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/4%20Manchester%20D.pdf |title=The Manchester Lines: History of the West Coast Main line |publisher= Virgin Trains |year=2004 |archive-date=22 June 2006 |access-date=22 June 2006 |url-status=dead}}

The final sections of what is now the WCML were put in place over the following decades. A direct branch to {{rws|Liverpool|Lime Street}}, bypassing the earlier Liverpool and Manchester line, was opened in 1869, from Weaver Junction north of {{rws|Crewe}} to Ditton Junction via the Runcorn Railway Bridge over the River Mersey.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622194103/http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/5%20Lancashire%20D.pdf |url=http://virgintrainsmediaroom.com/media/adobepdf/5%20Lancashire%20D.pdf |title=Lines in Lancashire: History of the West Coast Main line |publisher=Virgin Trains |year=2004 |archive-date=22 June 2006 |url-status=dead}}

At the northern end, the Caledonian replaced its original {{rws|Southside}} terminus in Glasgow, with the much larger and better located {{rws|Glasgow Central}} in 1879.

To expand capacity, the line between London and Rugby was widened to four tracks in the 1870s. As part of this work, a new line, the Northampton Loop, was built, opening in 1881, connecting {{rws|Northampton}} before rejoining the main line at Rugby.

File:Coronation scot BNF.jpg in 1937, hauled by a streamlined Coronation Class locomotive]]

The entire route came under the control of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) on 1 January 1923 when the railway companies were grouped, under the Railways Act 1921.

The LMS competed fiercely with the rival LNER's East Coast Main Line for London to Scotland traffic (see Race to the North). Attempts were made to minimise end-to-end journey times for a small number of powerful lightweight trains that could be marketed as glamorous premium crack expresses, especially between London and Glasgow, such as the 1937–39 Coronation Scot, hauled by streamlined Princess Coronation Class locomotives, which made the journey in 6{{nbsp}}hours 30{{nbsp}}minutes,{{cite web |url=http://www.railalbum.co.uk/steam-locomotives/lms-coronation-streamlined-1.htm |title=Rail Album – LMS Steam Locos – Streamlined Princess Coronation Class Pacifics – Part 1 |work=railalbum.co.uk}} making it competitive with the rival East Coast Flying Scotsman (British Railways in the 1950s could not match this, but did achieve a London-Glasgow timing of 7{{nbsp}}hours 15{{nbsp}}minutes in the 1959–60 timetable by strictly limiting the number of coaches to eight and not stopping between London and Carlisle.{{cite news |title=The winter timetables of British Railways: The West Coast speed-up |work=Trains Illustrated |publisher=Ian Allan |location=Hampton Court |date=December 1959 |page=584}})

In 1948, following nationalisation, the line came under the control of British Railways' London Midland and Scottish Regions, when the term "West Coast Main Line" came into use officially,{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} although it had been used informally since at least 1912.{{cite news |title=Auction Announcements of Messrs. Knight, Frank, and Rutley |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=27 April 1912 |page=22 |quote="The Abington and Crawford Estates ... extending as they do for some 12 miles either side of the main road and the West Coast Main Line to the North, with Abington and Crawford Stations on the Estate.}}

File:Electric hauled train at Euston, 1966, geograph 6436599 by Alan Murray Rust.jpg

As part of the 1955 modernisation plan, British Rail carried out a large programme of modernisation of the WCML in stages between 1959 and 1974; the modernisation involved upgrading the track and signaling to allow higher speeds, rebuilding a number of stations, and electrification of the route with overhead line equipment. The first stretch to be upgraded and electrified was Crewe to Manchester, completed on 12 September 1960. This was followed by Crewe to Liverpool, completed on 1 January 1962. Electrification was then extended south to London. The first electric trains from London ran on 12 November 1965, with a full public service to Manchester and Liverpool launched on 18 April 1966. Electrification of both the Birmingham branch, and the routes to Manchester via {{rws|Stoke-on-Trent}} was completed on 6 March 1967, allowing electric services to commence to those destinations. In March 1970 the government approved electrification of the northern half of the WCML, between Weaver Junction (where the branch to Liverpool diverges) and Glasgow, and this was completed on 6 May 1974.{{cite book |title=The Guinness Book Of Rail Facts & Feats |last=Marshall |first=John |year=1979 |isbn=0-900424-56-7 |publisher=Guinness Superlatives |location=Enfield}}{{cite book |last1=Christiansen |first1=Rex |title=A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain, Volume 7 The West Midlands |date=1983 |publisher=David St John Thomas David and Charles|pages=45, 209 |isbn=0946537-00-3}} The announcement, after five years of uncertainty, was made 48{{nbsp}}hours before the writ was issued for a by-election in South Ayrshire.{{cite news |title=£25 million railway scheme shocks economists |newspaper=The Observer |pages=1 |date=1 March 1970 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/257798361/ |access-date=27 February 2019 |last1=Beloff |first1=Nora |author-link=Nora Beloff |last2=Eglin |first2=Roger |last3=Haworth |first3=David |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com}} The Observer commented that, if the £25 million decision was politically rather than financially motivated, it would have the makings of a major political scandal.

A new set of high-speed long-distance services was introduced in 1966, launching British Rail's highly successful "Inter-City" brand{{cite book |title=Fire and Steam, A New History of the Railways in Britain |last=Wolmar |first=Christian |author-link=Christian Wolmar |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-84354-629-0 |location=London |publisher=Atlantic}} (the hyphen was later dropped) and offering journey times as London to Birmingham in 1 hour 35 minutes, and London to Manchester or Liverpool in 2{{nbsp}}hours 40{{nbsp}}minutes (and even 2{{nbsp}}hours 30{{nbsp}}minutes for the twice-daily Manchester Pullman).{{cite book |title=Passenger Timetable 1 May 1972 to 6 May 1973 |publisher=British Railways Board, London Midland Region |pages=83, 06}} This represented a big improvement on the 3{{nbsp}}hours 30{{nbsp}}minutes to Manchester and Liverpool of the fastest steam service. A new feature was that these fast trains were offered on a regular-interval service throughout the day: initially hourly to Birmingham, two-hourly to Manchester, and so on.{{cite web |publisher=British Railways Board |date=April 1966 |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRB_YNR001.pdf |title=Your New Railway: London Midland Electrification - Information booklet}} The service proved to be so popular that in 1972 these InterCity service frequencies were doubled to deal with increased demand.{{cite book |last1=Christiansen |first1=Rex |title=A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain, Volume 7 The West Midlands |date=1983 |publisher=David St John Thomas David and Charles|page=246 |isbn=0946537-00-3}} With the completion of the northern electrification in 1974, London to Glasgow journey times were reduced from 6{{nbsp}}hours to 5. Along with electrification came modern coaches such as the Mark 2 and from 1974 the fully integral, air-conditioned Mark 3 design. These remained the mainstay of express services until the early 2000s. Line speeds were raised to a maximum {{cvt|110|mph|km/h}}, and these trains, hauled by {{brc|86}} and {{brc|87}} electric locomotives, came to be seen as BR's flagship passenger service. Passenger traffic on the WCML doubled between 1962 and 1975.{{cite book |first1=Stephen |last1=Potter |first2=Robin |last2=Roy |series=Design and Innovation, Block 3 |title=Research and development: British Rail's fast trains |location=Milton Keynes |publisher=Open University Press |year=1986 |page=12 |isbn=978-0-335-17273-3}}

The modernisation also saw the demolition and redevelopment of several of the key stations on the line: BR was keen to symbolise the coming of the "electric age" by replacing the Victorian-era buildings with new structures built from glass and concrete. Notable examples were {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}, {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, {{rws|Stafford}}, {{rws|Coventry}} and {{rws|London Euston}}. To enable the latter, the famous Doric Arch portal into the original Philip Hardwick-designed terminus was demolished in 1962 amid much public outcry.{{cite news |first=Gavin |last=Stamp |author-link=Gavin Stamp |title=Steam ahead: the proposed rebuilding of London's Euston station is an opportunity to atone for a great architectural crime |date=1 October 2007 |url=http://www.apollo-magazine.com/189416/steam-ahead.thtml |work=Apollo: the international magazine of art and antiques |access-date=9 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101082227/http://www.apollo-magazine.com/189416/steam-ahead.thtml |archive-date=1 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}

Electrification of the Edinburgh branch was carried out in the late 1980s as part of the East Coast Main Line electrification project in order to allow InterCity 225 sets to access Glasgow via Carstairs Junction.{{cite book |last=Semmens |first=Peter |year=1991 |title=Electrifying the East Coast Route |publisher=Patrick Stephens |isbn=0-85059-929-6}}

File:APT at Crewe.jpg, British Rail's ill-fated tilting train, seen here next to the WCML at Crewe Heritage Centre]]

Modernisation brought great improvements in speed and frequency. However some locations and lines were no longer served by through trains or through coaches from London, such as: {{rws|Windermere}}; {{rws|Barrow-in-Furness}}, {{rws|Whitehaven}} and {{rws|Workington}}; {{rws|Huddersfield}}, {{rws|Bradford Interchange}}, {{rws|Leeds}} and {{rws|Halifax|England}} (via Stockport); {{rws|Blackpool South}}; {{rws|Colne}} (via Stockport); {{rws|Morecambe}} and {{rws|Heysham}}; {{rws|Southport}} (via {{rws|Edge Hill}}); {{rws|Blackburn}} and {{rws|Stranraer Harbour}}. Notable also is the loss of through services between Liverpool and Scotland; however these were restored by TransPennine Express in 2019.{{Cite web |last1=Houghton |first1=Tom |edition=Updated |date=20 December 2019 |title=Direct trains launched between Liverpool Lime Street and Glasgow |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/transpennine-express-launches-direct-trains-17452626 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Liverpool Echo}}

British Rail introduced the Advanced Passenger Train APT project, which proved that London–Glasgow WCML journey times of less than 4{{nbsp}}hours were achievable and paved the way for the later tilting Virgin Pendolino trains.{{Cite web |url=http://www.apt-p.com/BenGoodwinDissertation.pdf |title='Queasy Rider:' The Failure of the Advanced Passenger Train.}} In the late 1980s, British Rail put forward a track realignment scheme to raise speeds on the WCML; a proposed project called InterCity 250, which entailed realigning parts of the line in order to increase curve radii and smooth gradients in order to facilitate higher-speed running. The scheme, which would have seen the introduction of new rolling stock derived from that developed for the East Coast electrification, was scrapped in 1992.

As part of the privatisation of British Rail in the 1990s, the infrastructure was taken over in 1994 by the private company Railtrack, which later collapsed in 2002, and was replaced by the not-for-profit company Network Rail. WCML's InterCity services became part of the InterCity West Coast franchise, which was won by Virgin Trains who took over in 1997.{{cite web |title=Railways: West Coast Main Line |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00364/SN00364.pdf |publisher=House of Commons Library |access-date=19 May 2024}} In 2019, Avanti West Coast won the new West Coast Partnership franchise, taking over from Virgin Trains.

{{main|West Coast Main Line route modernisation}}

File:Pendolino and Freight train.jpg Pendolino and EWS {{brc|66}} freight train on the WCML]]

By the dawn of the 1990s, it was clear that further modernisation was required. Initially this took the form of the InterCity 250 project. The modernisation plan unveiled by Virgin and the new infrastructure owner Railtrack involved the upgrade and renewal of the line to allow the use of tilting Pendolino trains with a maximum line speed of {{convert|140|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, in place of the previous maximum of {{convert|110|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. Railtrack estimated that this upgrade would cost £2 billion, be ready by 2005, and cut journey times to 1 hour for London to Birmingham and 1 hr 45 mins for London to Manchester.

However, these plans proved too ambitious and were subsequently scaled back. The upgrade was described as "a classic example of disastrous project management".{{cite web |title=West coast rail upgrade expected |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2221904.stm |publisher=BBC News |access-date=19 May 2024 |date=28 August 2002}} Central to the implementation of the plan was the adoption of moving block signalling, which had never been proven on anything more than simple metro lines and light rail systems – not on a complex high-speed heavy-rail network such as the WCML. Despite this, Railtrack made what would prove to be the fatal mistake of not properly assessing the technical viability and cost of implementing moving block prior to promising the speed increase to Virgin and the government. By 1999, with little headway on the modernisation project made, it became apparent to engineers that the technology was not mature enough to be used on the line.{{cite news |first=James |last=Meek |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/01/transport.politics1 |title=The £10bn Rail Crash |location=London |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 April 2004}} The bankruptcy of Railtrack in 2001 and its replacement by Network Rail following the Hatfield crash brought a reappraisal of the plans, while the cost of the upgrade soared. Following fears that cost overruns on the project would push the final price tag to £13 billion, the plans were scaled down, bringing the cost down to between £8 billion and £10 billion, to be ready by 2008, with a maximum speed for tilting trains of a more modest {{convert|125|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} – equalling the speeds available on the East Coast route, but some way short of the original target, and even further behind BR's original vision of {{convert|155|mph|km/h|-1|abbr=on}} speeds planned and achieved with the APT.{{cite web |title=West Coast Main Line |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/virgin/?cf-view |publisher=Railway Technology |access-date=19 May 2024}}

The first phase of the upgrade, south of Manchester, opened on 27 September 2004 with journey times of 1{{nbsp}}hour 21{{nbsp}}minutes for London to Birmingham and 2{{nbsp}}hours 6{{nbsp}}minutes for London to Manchester. The final phase, introducing {{convert|125|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} running along most of the line, was announced as opening on 12 December 2005, bringing the fastest journey between London and Glasgow to 4{{nbsp}}hours 25{{nbsp}}mins (down from 5{{nbsp}}hours 10{{nbsp}}minutes).{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4518282.stm |title=High-speed tilting train on track |work=BBC News |date=12 December 2005}} However, considerable work remained, such as the quadrupling of the track in the Trent Valley, upgrading the slow lines, the second phase of remodelling Nuneaton, and the remodelling of Stafford, Rugby, Milton Keynes and Coventry stations, and these were completed in late 2008. The upgrading of the Crewe–Manchester line via Wilmslow was completed in summer 2006.

In September 2006, a new speed record was set on the WCML – a Pendolino train completed the {{convert|401|mi|km|0|adj=on}} Glasgow Central – London Euston run in a record 3{{nbsp}}hours 55{{nbsp}}minutes, beating the APT's record of 4{{nbsp}}hours 15{{nbsp}}minutes, although the APT still holds the overall record on the northbound run.

The decade-long modernisation project was finally completed in December 2008.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7782085.stm |title=West Coast rail works completed |work=BBC News |date=14 December 2008}} This allowed Virgin's VHF (very high frequency) timetable to be progressively introduced through early 2009, the highlights of which are a three-trains-per-hour service to both Birmingham and Manchester during off-peak periods, and nearly all London-Scottish timings brought under the 4{{nbsp}}hours 30{{nbsp}}minutes barrier – with one service (calling only at Preston) achieving a London–Glasgow time of 4{{nbsp}}hours 8{{nbsp}}minutes.

Some projects that were removed from the modernisation as a result of the de-scoping, such as a flyover at Norton Bridge station, were later restarted. A £250{{nbsp}}million project to grade-separate the tracks at Norton Bridge that allowed for increased service frequency as well as improved line-speeds was completed in spring 2016.{{Cite web |url=https://alittlebitofstone.com/2016/03/29/norton-bridge-rail-flyover-opens/ |title=First trains use Norton Bridge rail flyover |date=29 March 2016 |website=A Little Bit of Stone}} Other projects such as the replacement of a weak bridge in Watford allowed line-speeds to be increased from {{convert|90|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|125|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, decreasing journey times.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/orphanage-road-bridge-to-be-replaced-as-work-to-upgrade-railway-at-watford-continues |title=Orphanage Road bridge to be replaced as work to upgrade railway at Watford continues |publisher= Network Rail |date=28 January 2015}}

File:Roade cutting.JPG cutting in Northamptonshire – lines have already divided south of here and diverge a little further north]]

The main spine of the WCML is quadruple track almost all of the route from London to south of Winsford. At Hanslope Junction (near Milton Keynes), the line divides with one pair going direct to {{rws|Rugby}} and the other pair diverting via {{rws|Northampton}} to rejoin at Rugby. The spine continues north in quadruple track until Brinklow, where it reduces to triple track. The line between Brinklow and Nuneaton has three tracks, with one northbound track and fast and slow southbound tracks. The line then reverts to quadruple track at Nuneaton. North of Rugeley, there is a short double track stretch through the {{convert|777|yd|adj=on}} Shugborough Tunnel. The line is then quadruple track most of the way to Acton Bridge railway station, except for a double track section between Winsford and Hartford. The line is double track from {{rws|Acton Bridge}} to Weaver Junction (where a double track spur to Liverpool branches off). The line is double track from Weaver Junction to {{rws|Warrington Bank Quay}}, but the line is quadruple track between Warrington Bank Quay to {{rws|Wigan North Western}}. At Newton-le-Willows, the slow lines join the Liverpool to Manchester line to pass through the centre of the town, while the fast lines take the direct route via the Golborne cut-off. There are two more stretches of quadruple track, otherwise the line is double track to Scotland. The first is from Euxton Balshaw Lane to Preston, and the second is between {{rws|Glasgow Central}} and {{rws|Rutherglen}}

The WCML is noted for the diversity of branches served from the spine, notably those to/from the West Midlands and North Wales, Greater Manchester, and Liverpool. These are detailed in the route diagram.

The complete route has been cleared for W10 loading gauge freight traffic, allowing use of higher {{convert|9|ft|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} hi-cube shipping containers.{{cite web |url=http://www.corusrail.com/en/design_and_innovation/case_studies/casestudy-westcoastmainlineupgrade |title=West coast main line upgrade |publisher=Corus rail |access-date=16 May 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/freight/freight%20rus.pdf |title=Freight Route Utilisation Strategy – March 2007 |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=25 November 2009 |archive-date=2 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302212305/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/freight/freight%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead}} The route passes through Nuneaton and the Midlands and this area has been called the "Golden Triangle of Logistics".{{cite web |title=The rise of the UK warehouse and the "golden logistics triangle" |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/articles/theriseoftheukwarehouseandthegoldenlogisticstriangle/2022-04-11 |website=Office for National Statistics |access-date=19 August 2022}}

Nearly all of the WCML is electrified with overhead line equipment at {{nowrap|25 kV AC}}.{{cite web |title=Railroad/Railway Electric Traction Systems |url=http://www.crbasic.info/railroad_electric_engr3.html |publisher=crbasic.info |access-date=30 August 2012}} Several of the formerly unelectrified branches of the WCML in the North West have recently been electrified such as the {{rws|Preston}} to {{rws|Blackpool North}} Line on which electric service commenced in May 2018 along with the Preston – {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}} line which saw electric service commence in February 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17426252.first-electric-passenger-trains-finally-entering-service-in-bolton/ |title=First electric passenger trains finally entering service in Bolton |last=McDonnell |first=S. |website=Bolton News |date=12 February 2019 |access-date=18 February 2019}} Wigan to Liverpool via St Helens Shaw Street and St Helens Junction were also electrified in the 2010-2017 timeframe.

The {{rws|Wigan North Western}} to {{rws|Lostock Parkway}} branch is also in the process of being electrified.{{cite web |title=North West electrification |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/North_West_electrification.aspx |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=30 August 2012}}

{{more citations needed section|date=March 2017}}

The majority of stock used on the West Coast Main Line is new-build, part of Virgin's initial franchise agreement having been a commitment to introduce a brand-new fleet of tilting Class 390 "Pendolino" trains for long-distance high-speed WCML services. The 53-strong Pendolino fleet, plus three tilting SuperVoyager diesel sets, were bought for use on these InterCity services. One Pendolino was written off in 2007 following the Grayrigg derailment. After the 2007 franchise "shake-up" in the Midlands, more SuperVoyagers were transferred to Virgin West Coast, instead of going to the new CrossCountry franchise. The SuperVoyagers are used on London–Chester and Holyhead services because the Chester/North Wales line is not electrified, so they run "under the wires" between London and Crewe. SuperVoyagers were also used on Virgin's London-Scotland via Birmingham services, even though this route is entirely electrified – this situation is, however, changing since the expansion of the Pendolino fleet; from 2013 onward Class 390 sets have been routinely deployed on Edinburgh/Glasgow–Birmingham services.

By 2012, the WCML Pendolino fleet was strengthened by the addition of two coaches to 31 of the 52 existing sets, thus turning them into 11-car trains. Four brand new 11-car sets are also part of this order, one of which replaced the set lost in the Grayrigg derailment. Although the new stock was supplied in Virgin livery, it was not expected to enter traffic before 31 March 2012, when the InterCity West Coast franchise was due to be re-let, though the date for the new franchise was later put back to December 2012,{{cite news |title=Virgin Rail Group welcomes West Coast franchise extension discussions |url=http://www.railnetwork.info/article.php?article_id=2866 |work=Rail Network |date=21 May 2011 |access-date=25 November 2011}} and any effect of this on the timetable for introducing the new coaches remains unclear.

Previous franchisees Central Trains and Silverlink (operating local and regional services partly over sections of the WCML) were given 30 new "Desiro" Class 350s, originally ordered for services in the south-east. Following Govia's successful bid for the West Midlands franchise in 2007, another 37 Class 350 units were ordered to replace its older fleet of {{brc|321}}s.

The older BR-vintage locomotive-hauled passenger rolling stock still has a limited role on the WCML, with the overnight Caledonian Sleeper services between London Euston and Scotland using Mark 3 and Mark 2 coaches until their replacement with Mark 5 stock in October 2019.{{cite magazine |title=The Sleepers are stirring |magazine=Rail |issue=756 |date=3 September 2014 |page=70}} Virgin also retained and refurbished one of the original Mark 3 rakes with a Driving Van Trailer and a {{brc|90}} locomotive as a standby set to cover for Pendolino breakdowns. This set was retired from service on 25 October{{Year missing|date=May 2022}} with a rail tour the following day. In November 2014, the "Pretendolino" was transferred to Norwich Crown Point depot to enter service with Abellio Greater Anglia having come to the end of its agreed lease to Virgin Trains.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

In September 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, locomotive hauled services returned briefly to the WCML once more when incumbent operator Avanti West Coast employed a rake of Mark 3 coaches (hauled by a Class 90 locomotive) to provide additional services to Euston for those wishing to travel to London for the Queen's lying-in-state and subsequent funeral.

The following table lists the rolling stock which forms the core passenger service pattern on the WCML serving its principal termini; it is not exhaustive as many other types use small sections of the WCML as part of other routes.

|-

|}

The current principal long distance train operating company on the West Coast Main Line is Avanti West Coast, which runs the majority of long-distance services under the West Coast Partnership rail franchise. In November 2016, the government announced that the (then named) InterCity West Coast franchise would be replaced by a new franchise called 'West Coast Partnership', which includes operating the planned High Speed 2 (HS2) service as well as the existing West Coast Main Line express services. In August 2019, the DfT announced that First Trenitalia West Coast Rail (trading as Avanti West Coast) was the successful bidder. Avanti West Coast commenced operating the franchise on 8 December 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/west-coast-marks-new-partnership-model-for-rail |title=West Coast marks new partnership model for rail |date=14 August 2019 |website=DfT |access-date=14 August 2019}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/27/west-coast-train-services-to-be-rebranded-with-avanti-logo |title=West coast train services to be rebranded with Avanti logo |newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 November 2019 |access-date=28 November 2019 |first=Gwyn |last=Topham}}

Avanti operates nine trains per hour on the WCML from {{rws|London Euston}}, with three trains per hour to {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, two trains per hour to {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}, one train per hour to each of {{rws|Chester}}, {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} and {{rws|Glasgow Central}} via the Trent Valley (one Birmingham New Street train per hour continues to Scotland via {{rws|Wolverhampton}} alternating between {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}} or {Glasgow Central), five trains on a weekday to {{rws|Holyhead}} and three trains on a weekday to {{rws|Bangor|Wales}}. There is also one weekday train in to/from {{rws|Wrexham General}}. Additional peak terminating services run between London Euston and {{rws|Preston}}, Wolverhampton, {{rws|Crewe}}, {{rws|Birmingham International}}, {{rws|Lancaster}} and {{rws|Carlisle}}. Additional trains during the early morning, late evening, rush hour and night that terminate or start at Birmingham. There are also three daily (Monday to Friday) services between London Euston and {{rws|Blackpool North}}.

West Midlands Trains is the current principal commuter and outer suburban operator on the route, and provides some long-distance services which terminate at London Euston. They are all operated under the London Northwestern Railway brand. There are two trains an hour from London to Birmingham; one calling at the majority of stations en route and one calling only at {{rws|Watford Junction}}, {{rws|Milton Keynes Central}}, {{rws|Northampton}}, {{rws|Rugby}}, {{rws|Coventry}}, {{rws|Canley}}, {{rws|Tile Hill}}, {{rws|Berkswell}}, {{rws|Hampton-in-Arden}}, Birmingham International and {{rws|Marston Green}}. There are two return trains per hour from Birmingham New Street to London Euston. These London–Birmingham stopping services are roughly one hour slower, end to end, than the Avanti West Coast fast service. There is also an hourly service from London Euston to Northampton calling at {{rws|Leighton Buzzard}}, {{rws|Bletchley}}, Milton Keynes Central and {{rws|Wolverton}}.

West Midlands Trains also operates an hourly service between London Euston and Crewe, serving Watford Junction, Milton Keynes Central, Rugby, {{rws|Nuneaton}}, {{rws|Atherstone}}, {{rws|Tamworth}}, {{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}}, {{rws|Rugeley Trent Valley}}, {{rws|Stafford}} and Crewe. Some services also call at {{rws|Hemel Hempstead}}, {{rws|Berkhamsted}}, {{rws|Tring}}, {{rws|Cheddington}}, Leighton Buzzard and Bletchley. Trains also call at {{rws|Long Buckby}} (Sundays only). This service was introduced in 2008 to coincide with the withdrawal of the similar Virgin Trains service. Under 'Project 110' this service was reconfigured in December 2012 and to operate 10 mph faster using enhanced British Rail Class 350/1 units.

A service to Tring is provided half-hourly from Euston; one calling at {{rws|Harrow & Wealdstone}}, {{rws|Bushey}}, Watford Junction, {{rws|Kings Langley}}, {{rws|Apsley}}, Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted and one calling at {{rws|Wembley Central}}, Harrow & Wealdstone, Bushey, Watford Junction, Kings Langley, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamstead. An hourly service operates to Milton Keynes Central calling at Watford Junction, Hemel Hempstead, {erkhamstead, Tring, Cheddington, Leighton Buzzard and Bletchley.

West Midlands Trains also operates an hourly stopping train on the Marston Vale Line from Bletchley to {{rws|Bedford}} as well as a 45-minute service on the Abbey Line to {{rws|St Albans Abbey}}. These are both local branches off the WCML and classified as part of it.

After the Central Trains franchise was revised, London Midland took over services running on the WCML between Birmingham and Liverpool. In August 2017, London Midland lost the West Midlands franchise; West Midlands Trains took over in December 2017. Services on the WCML are all branded London Northwestern Railway services, and all local services around Birmingham are branded West Midlands Railway services.

TransPennine Express provides services along the WCML between {{rws|Manchester Airport}} or Liverpool Lime Street, and Glasgow or Edinburgh (alternating serving each every 2{{nbsp}}hours).

Southern provides an hourly service between {{rws|East Croydon}} and Watford Junction, which calls at all stations on the West London Line, then {{rws|Wembley Central}}, Harrow & Wealdstone and Watford Junction.

CrossCountry operates services from {{rws|Plymouth}}, {{rws|Bournemouth}} and {{rws|Bristol Temple Meads}} to Manchester Piccadilly; these trains run along the West Coast Main Line between Coventry and Manchester Piccadilly. Some trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol Temple Meads are extended to {{rws|Paignton}} and Plymouth, and on summer weekends to {{rws|Penzance}} and {{rws|Newquay}}. CrossCountry services between {{rws|Reading}} and {{rws|Newcastle}} also use a small portion of the West Coast Main Line between Coventry and Birmingham New Street. CrossCountry also operates occasional services to/from Glasgow Central, which operate to either Penzance, Plymouth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Bristol Temple Meads or Birmingham New Street. On summer weekends trains from Glasgow Central also operate to Paignton, Penzance and Newquay. These services use the West Coast Main Line from Edinburgh to Glasgow Central.

ScotRail operates services on sections of the West Coast Main Line for example near Glasgow with Argyle Line trains running on the section from {{rws|Cambuslang}} to {{rws|Carluke}} before veering off on the short branch to {{rws|Lanark}} or continuing to {{rws|Carstairs}}. The North Berwick Line runs from Glasgow Central High Level via {{rws|Motherwell}} to Carstairs and on to {{rws|Haymarket}}, Edinburgh Waverley and {{rws|North Berwick}}.

At {{rws|Carlisle}} the Glasgow South Western Line runs for several miles before heading west towards {{rws|Dumfries}}, {{rws|Kilmarnock}}, {{rws|Ayr}} and {{rws|Stranraer}}.

Caledonian Sleeper operates services down the length of the West Coast Main Line, providing an overnight services each way between London and Scotland.

{{Main|Birmingham to Peterborough Line}}

A number of items of work are under way or proposed to accommodate additional freight traffic between the Haven ports and the Midlands including track dualling. The 'Nuneaton North Chord' was completed and opened on 15 November 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2012/november/Nuneaton-North-Chord-freight-line-now-open/ |title=Nuneaton North Chord freight line now open |date=15 November 2012 |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-date=6 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706021208/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2012/november/Nuneaton-North-Chord-freight-line-now-open/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine |title=Work starts on Nuneaton chord |magazine=Rail |location=Peterborough |page=20 |date=10 August 2011}} The chord will ease access for some trains between the Birmingham to Peterborough Line and the WCML. The Ipswich chord was opened at the end of March 2014 allowing trains to run without reversing from Felixstowe towards the Midlands.{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2014/mar/The-new-Ipswich-chord-will-ease-a-major-bottleneck-on-the-Great-Eastern-main-line/ |title=The new Ipswich chord will ease a major bottleneck on the Great Eastern main line |date=25 March 2014 |publisher=Network Rail}}

A planned flying junction and {{convert|2.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} track diversion in the {{rws|Stafford}} – {{rws|Norton Bridge}} area. This replaced the previous level junction where the Stafford to Manchester via Stoke-on-Trent line diverges from the trunk route at Norton Bridge, avoiding conflicting train movements to enhance capacity and reduce journey times. This allowed two extra off-peak trains per hour from Euston to the North West, one extra train per hour from Manchester to Birmingham and one additional freight train per hour. Additional freight capacity was also provided around Stafford station. The resignalling work associated with this project was due to be completed in summer 2015 and the Norton Bridge work was complete in December 2016, followed by a new timetable introduced in December 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/stafford-crewe/ |title=Stafford – Crewe rail enhancements |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=17 August 2015}}

Re-signalling work the WCML spur track from Liverpool to Weaver Junction was underway in 2016. Signal control moved to the Manchester Rail Operating Centre removing five local signal boxes. The signalling improvements are intended to improve journey times on this section of line.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/gbp-340m-railway-upgrade-planned-for-liverpool-city-region |title=£340m railway upgrade planned for Liverpool City Region |publisher=Network Rail}}

File:Crossrail extensions.png

In 2007, Virgin Trains put forward plans to increase the line speed in places on the WCML – particularly along sections of the Trent Valley Line between Stafford and Rugby from {{cvt|125|to|135|mph}} after the quadrupling of track had been completed. This would permit faster services and possibly allow additional train paths. {{convert|135|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} was claimed to be achievable by Pendolino trains while using existing lineside signalling without the need for cab signalling via the use of the TASS system (Tilt Authorisation and Speed Supervision) to prevent overspeeding. In practice, regulations introduced by the HMRI (now ORR) at the time of the ECML high-speed test runs in 1991 are still in force prohibiting this. Network Rail was aware of Virgin Trains' aspirations;{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/3085.aspx |title=Business plan 2007 |publisher=Network Rail}} however, in November 2009 Chris Mole MP (then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Transport) announced that there were no plans for this to happen and thus for the foreseeable future the maximum speed will remain at {{convert|125|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm091104/text/91104w0004.htm |title=Hansard |publisher=House of Commons |date=4 November 2009}} In promoting this proposal, Virgin Trains reported that passenger numbers on Virgin West Coast increased from 13.6 million in 1997/98 to 18.7 million in 2005/6, while numbers on CrossCountry grew from 12.6 million to 20.4 million over the same period.{{cite news |first=Neil |last=Connor |title=We won't bid if rail link becomes a 'bus run' |date=25 April 2006 |url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/2006/04/25/we-won-t-bid-if-rail-link-becomes-a-bus-run-50002-16989620/ |work=icBirmingham.co.uk |access-date=25 June 2013}}

In the London & South East Rail Utilisation Strategy (RUS) document published by Network Rail in 2011, a proposal was put forward to extend the Crossrail lines, currently under construction in central London, along the West Coast Main Line as far as {{rws|Tring}} and {{rws|Milton Keynes Central}}. The scheme would involve the construction of a tunnel in the vicinity of the proposed new station at {{rws|Old Oak Common}} in West London connecting the Crossrail route to the WCML slow lines with a potential for interchange with the planned High Speed 2 line. Under current plans, a proportion of westbound Crossrail trains will terminate at {{rws|Paddington}} due to capacity limitations; the RUS recommends the WCML extension as it will enable these services to continue beyond Paddington, maximising the use of the central London tunnels. The RUS also notes that diversion of WCML regional rail services via Crossrail into central London would alleviate congestion at Euston station, and consequently reduce the need for infrastructure work on the London Underground network which would be required to accommodate HS2 passengers arriving at Euston. The Crossrail extension proposal has not been officially confirmed or funded.{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=4858#page=149 |publisher=Network Rail |title=8. Potential new lines |work=London and South East Route Utilisation Strategy |pages=149–153 |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=20 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314070733/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=4858#page=149 |archive-date=14 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} In August 2014, the government launched a study into the Crossrail extension.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-study-into-potential-crossrail-extension |title=Government launches study into potential Crossrail extension |website=GOV.UK}}

{{See also|List of rail accidents in the United Kingdom}}

{{more citations needed section|date=February 2025}}

{{Update section|date=May 2020|reason=Network Rail routes have changed hence mentions of routes are all out of date. All references about previous routes are dead}}

File:West Coast Main Line Map.png

{{see also|Trent Valley line}}

In June 2019 Network Rail formed five regions for helping to support Britain's railways.{{cite web |title=Our routes |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/ |website=Network Rail |access-date=13 May 2020}} In August and September 2019, 14 routes responsible for the operation, maintenance and renewal of infrastructure were assigned across these regions. The West Coast Main Line runs through two of these regions ("Scotland's Railway" and "North West and Central") and is a part of 3 routes ("Scotland", "North West" and "West Coast Mainline South").

The cities and towns served by the WCML are listed in the tables below. Stations on loops and branches are marked **. Those stations in italics are not served by inter-city services run by Avanti West Coast but only by local trains. Between Euston and Watford Junction the WCML is largely but not exactly paralleled by the operationally independent Watford DC Line, a local stopping service now part of London Overground, with 17 intermediate stations, including three with additional platforms on the WCML.

The final table retraces the route specifically to indicate the many loops, branches, junctions and interchange stations on the core of the WCML.

The North Wales Coast Line between Crewe and Holyhead is not electrified. Services between London, Chester and Holyhead are operated by Super Voyager tilting diesel trains. Formerly in the case of one of the Holyhead services, a Pendolino set was hauled from Crewe by a Class 57/3 diesel locomotive.

{{Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line}}

The WCML is noted for the diversity of branches served between the London and Glasgow main line. The adjacent diagram deals with the very complex network of lines in the West Midlands that link the old route via Birmingham with the new WCML route via the Trent Valley (i.e. 1830s versus 1840s).

In the following tables, related to the WCML branches, only the Intercity stations are recorded:

{{main|Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford Line}}

Major civil engineering structures on the West Coast Main Line include the following.{{NHLE |num=1329904 |desc=Primrose Hill Tunnels (eastern portals), Camden |access-date=5 September 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.crht1837.org/history/tunnel |title=Primrose Hill Tunnel – CRHT Web site |website=www.crht1837.org}}{{Cite web |url=http://onthehill.info/2015/11/keeping-track-primrose-hill-and-the-railway/ |title=Keeping Track: Primrose Hill and the railway |date=29 November 2015}}{{Cite book |title=Railway Track Diagrams Book 1: Scotland & Isle of Man |last=Brailsford |first=Martyn |publisher=Trackmaps |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-9549866-9-8 |location=Frome |pages=1, 7, 8, 10}}{{Cite book |title=Railway Track Diagrams Book 4 Midlands & North West |last=Bridge |first=Mike |publisher=Trackmaps |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-9549866-7-4 |location=Bradford on Avon |pages=1, 8–13, 26–29}} Many of the engineering features on the southern part of the route are original to the opening of the London and Birmingham Railway in the 1830s and are now listed buildings in recognition of their historic and engineering interest.

• Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway
• East Coast Main Line
• Great Central Main Line
• Highland Main Line
• Irish Sea tunnel
• Midland Main Line
• Midland Main Line railway upgrade
• Portpatrick Railway
• Rail transport in Great Britain
• West Coast Main Line route modernisation

{{clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Buck |first1=Martin |last2=Rawlinson |first2=Mark |year=2000 |title=Line By Line: The West Coast Main Line, London Euston to Glasgow Central |publisher=Swindon: Freightmaster Publishing |isbn=0-9537540-0-6}}
• {{cite journal |url=http://pcp.sagepub.com/content/181/6.toc |title=EUSTON MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION, A Technical Conference sponsored jointly by the British Railways Board and the Institutions of Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Locomotive, and Railway Signal Engineers, 25–26th October 1966 |publisher=Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMECH) |journal=Conference Proceedings |volume=181 |number=6 (Part 3F) |year=1966–1967}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Brentnall |first1=E. G. |title=Paper 2: Signalling and Telecommunications Works on the Euston Main Line Electrification |doi=10.1243/PIME_CONF_1966_181_108_02 |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Conference Proceedings |volume=181 |issue=36 |pages=65–86 |year=1966 }}
• {{cite journal |last1=Butland |first1=A. N. |title=Paper 3: Civil Engineering Works of the Euston Main Line Electrification Scheme |doi=10.1243/PIME_CONF_1966_181_107_02 |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Conference Proceedings |volume=181 |issue=36 |pages=51–64 |year=1966 }}
• {{cite journal |last1=Emerson |first1=A. H. |title=Paper 4: Electrification of the London Midland Main Line from Euston |doi=10.1243/PIME_CONF_1966_181_105_02 |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Conference Proceedings |volume=181 |issue=36 |pages=17–50 |year=1966 }}

• {{cite magazine |title=West Coast Signalling |first=David |last=Allen |pages=34–38 |issue=297 |date=29 January – 11 February 1997 |magazine=RAIL |publisher=EMAP Apex Publications |issn=0953-4563 |oclc=49953699}}
• {{cite book |title=The Colour of British Rail: West Coast Main Line |volume=2 |first=Hugh |last=Ballantyne |publisher=Atlantic Transport Publishers |year=1989 |isbn=9780906899328 |oclc=21600017}}
• {{cite book |title=Main Line Over Shap |first=David |last=Joy |publisher=Dalesman Publishing Co. Ltd. |year=1967 |isbn=9780852060636 |oclc=12273695}}
• {{cite book |title=Electric Locomotives of the West Coast Main Line |first=Roly |last=Longhurst |publisher=Bradford Barton |year=1979 |isbn=9780851533551 |oclc=16491712}}
• {{cite book |last=Nock |first=O. S. |title= Britain's new railway: Electrification of the London-Midland main lines from Euston to Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Liverpool and Manchester |publisher=Ian Allan |location = London |year=1965 |oclc=59003738}}
• {{cite book |last=Nock |first=O. S. |title=Electric Euston to Glasgow |publisher=Ian Allan |year=1974 |isbn=978-0711005303}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}

• [http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRLM_Elec002.pdf Electric All The Way] – 1974 British Rail information booklet about the completion of electrification to Glasgow.
• [http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/virgin/ Rail Industry www page which monitors the progress of the project]
• [http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/contentservertemplate/dft_index.hcst?n=16557&l=2 Department of Transport – 2006 – West Coast Main Line – Update Report]
• [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/3085.aspx Network Rail Business Plans and Reports]
• [http://www.britishrailways1960.co.uk/WLSEC01.html British Railways in 1960, Euston to Crewe]
• [http://www.britishrailways1960.co.uk/WLNCG01.html British Railways in 1960, Crewe to Carlisle]
• [http://www.britishrailways1960.co.uk/ScRWCC01.html British Railways in 1960, Carlisle to Carstairs]
• [http://www.britishrailways1960.co.uk/ScRWCG01.html British Railways in 1960, Carstairs to Glasgow]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7784179.stm London to Glasgow in five minutes] – BBC video, December 2008
• [http://www.scotcities.com/railways/southside.htm Origins of 1849 stretch of line from Glasgow to Carlisle]

{{Main inter-regional railway lines in Great Britain}}

{{Railway lines in London}}

{{Railway lines in North West England}}

{{Railway lines in South East England}}

{{Railway lines in the West Midlands}}

{{Railway lines in Scotland}}

{{Transport in Buckinghamshire}}

{{High-speed railway lines}}

{{Trans-European Transport Networks}}

Category:Main inter-regional railway lines in Great Britain

Category:Railway lines in London

Category:Railway lines in North West England

Category:Railway lines in South East England

Category:Railway lines in Scotland

Category:Railway lines in Wales

Category:Railway lines in the West Midlands (region)

Category:Rail transport in Bedfordshire

Category:Rail transport in Birmingham, West Midlands

Category:Rail transport in Buckinghamshire

Category:Rail transport in Cheshire

Category:Rail transport in Coventry

Category:Rail transport in Cumbria

Category:Rail transport in Greater Manchester

Category:Rail transport in Hertfordshire

Category:Rail transport in Lancashire

Category:Rail transport in Merseyside

Category:Rail transport in Northamptonshire

Category:Rail transport in Scotland

Category:Rail transport in Staffordshire

Category:Rail transport in Warwickshire

Category:Rail transport in the West Midlands (county)

Category:Rail transport in Wolverhampton

Category:Standard gauge railways in England

Category:Standard gauge railways in Scotland

Category:Transport in the London Borough of Brent

Category:Transport in the London Borough of Camden

Category:Transport in the London Borough of Harrow

Category:25 kV AC railway electrification