British electrification OHL dates (mainly 25kV plus the most significant 1.5KV DC)

[Justin Smith]

I was doing a bit of research on British electrification OHL dates (mainly 25kV) so I would have all the info in the same place (and could put it in my Cobbs atlas).
If this has been done before and put on the internet I couldn't find it ( ! ) so I thought it might be useful, but, also, are there any errors in this ?
I have put it all on a colour coded database (different colours for WCML, MML, ECML etc) which I will put on once any errors have been pointed out.

Updated version (26 Sept 23) :

The original (colour coded for the main schemes) XLR Works database is on Dropbox, and a colour version to print out on two sheets of (landscape) A4 is on this post.

1908 Lancaster Green Ayre to Morecambe Midland 6.6kV 25Hz, conv to 50Hz 1953, closed 1966
1915 Shildon to Newport NER 1.5kV DC, de-electrified 1935
1930 Manchester London Rd (= Piccadilly) to Altrincham MSJ&AR 1.5kV DC to 25kV in 1971 to 750V DC (tram) in 1992
1949 Liverpool St to Shenfield GE 1.5kV DC to 6.25kV AC in 1960 to 25kV in 1976/80
1952 Wath to Dunford Bridge MSW 1.5kV DC, closed 1981 exc Barnsley J. to Penistone
1954 Manchester to Dunford Bridge & Penistone to Victoria MSW 1.5kV DC (to 25kV AC to Hadfield 1983, rest closed 1981)
1955 Victoria to Rotherwood MSW 1.5kV DC, de-electrified 1981
1956 Shenfield to Chelmsford & Southend Victoria GE + branch 1.5kV DC to 6.25kV AC in 1960 to 25kV in 1979
1958 Slade Jct to Wilmslow (Styal line) WCML (test scheme) First 25kV electrification in the UK
1959 Colchester to Clacton & Walton GE branch
1960 Airdrie to Helensburgh, incl Westerton loop, Milngavie & Balloch Pier Glasgow (N) Clyde Line to Balloch Pier shortened to Balloch in 1986
1960 Bellgrove to Springburn Glasgow (N) Clyde
1960 Crewe to Manchester WCML
1960 Liverpool St to B Stortford, Hertford E, Enfield & Chingford (via 7 Sisters) West Anglia Lea Valley lines
1961 Fenchurch St to Southend Central (via Laindon + via Tilbury loop) LT&S
1962 Crewe to Liverpool WCML
1962 Cathcart Circle, Neilston branch, Newton to Motherwell Glasgow (S) Cathcart
1962 Southend to Shoeburyness LT&S
1963 Crewe to Lichfield WCML
1962 Chelmsford to Colchester GE Completes Liverpool St to Clacton & Walton
1964 Lichfield to Rugby WCML
1965 Woodburn Jct to Tinsley MSW 1.5kV DC, de-electrified 1981
1965 Euston to Rugby (incl Northampton) + Cheadle Hulme to Macclesfield WCML
1966 Rugby > B/ham > Wolverhampton > Stafford (incl Bescot & Walsall) WCML Completes Euston to B/ham, Manchester & Liverpool
1966 Colwich > Stoke > Macclesfield WCML
1967 Glasgow C. to Paisley G St, Gourock, Port Glasgow & Wemyss B. Glasgow (W) Inverclyde
1969 Coppermill Jct to Cheshunt (via Tottenham Hale) West Anglia Lea Valley lines
1973 Weaver Junc to Preston WCML
1974 Preston to Glasgow, incl Lanark branch WCML Completes Euston to Glasgow
1974 Hamilton loop (to Motherwell) Glasgow (SE) Hamilton
1975 Larkfield Junc to Shields Junc etc (non passenger) Glasgow (S)
1976 Drayton Park to Welwyn and Hertford North ECML Also part of KX to Cambridge & Kings Lynn
1977 Braintree to Witham GE branch
1977 Kings X to Finsbury Park + Welwyn to Royston (via Hitchin) ECML & loop Also part of KX to Cambridge & Kings Lynn
1979 Hertford N to Stevenage ECML loop
1979 Rutherglen to Finneston Junc (Partick) via Glasgow Central LL Glasgow (N) Clyde
1981 Stockport to Hazel Grove MSJ&AR ext
1983 St Pancras to Bedford + Dock Jct to Moorgate MML Dock Jct to Moorgate closed 2009
1984 Shields Jct to Corkerhill depot (extended to Paisley Canal 2012) Glasgow (SW) Ayrshire
1985 Colchester to Ipswich GE
1986 Manningtree to Harwich GE branch
1986 Wickford to Southminster & Romford to Upminster GE branch
1986 Paisley G St to Ayr & Ardrossan Glasgow (SW) Ayrshire
1987 Hitchin to Peterborough ECML
1987 Bishops Stortford to Cambridge West Anglia
1987 Ipswich to Norwich GE Completes Liverpool St to Norwich
1987 Ardrossan to Ardrossan Harbour & Largs Glasgow (W) Ayrshire
1988 St Albans Abbey to Watford Junction Abbey line
1988 Camden to Stratford North London Completed in stages from 1986 to 1988
1988 Royston to Shepreth Jct ECML branch Also part of KX to Cambridge & Kings Lynn
1989 Peterborough to York & Leeds ECML
1989 Airdrie to Drumgelloch (line reopened, extended to Haymarket 2010) Glasgow (N) Clyde
1989 Stratford to Copper Mill Jct West Anglia Lea Valley lines
1990 Stansted Jcts to Stanstead Airport West Anglia
1990 York to Newcastle ECML
1991 Newcastle to Edinburgh (incl N. Berwick line) + Edinburgh to Carstairs ECML Completes KX to Edinburgh then Glasgow
1992 Cambridge to Kings Lynn West Anglia Completes KX to Kings Lynn
1993 Lichfield TV to Redditch B/Ham cross city
1993 Manchester Airport spur WCML branch
1994 Leeds to Skipton W Yorks (Airedale)
1994 Shipley to Bradford Foster Square W Yorks (Airedale)
1995 Ilkley branch W Yorks (Wharfdale)
1996 Camden to Acton Central North London
1998 Paddington to Heathrow GWML
2003 Crewe to Kidsgrove WCML diversionary
2003 Channel tunnel to Southfleet Jct HS1
2005 Haughhead Jn to Larkhall (line reopened) Glasgow (SE) Hamilton
2007 Southfleet Jct to St Pancras HS1
2010 Haymarket to Drumgelloch (incl Bathgate to Airdrie reopened) E/B > Bathgate > G.
2012 Corkerhill (depot) to Paisley Canal Scotland (Ayrshire C.)
2013 Castlefield Jct to Newton le Willows NW Electrification
2014 Springburn to Cumbernauld (extended to Polmont Jct 2018) Scotland (NE Glasgow)
2014 Rutherglen to Whifflet Scotland (E Glasgow)
2015 Newton le W. to Edge Hill + Huyton to Wigan + Victoria to Ordsall Lane J. NW Electrification Completes Victoria to Liverpool (via Rainhill)
2016 Didcot to Reading GWML
2017 Heathrow Jct to Reading GWML
2017 Glasgow Queen St > Falkirk High > Newbridge Jct Main Glasgow to E/B line
2018 Gospel Oak to Barking Goblin line
2018 Didcot to Bristol Parkway & Reading to Newbury GWML
2018 Preston to Blackpool WCML branch
2018 Cumbernauld > Falkirk Grahamston > Polmont Jct Scotland central belt
2018 Carmuirs Jcts (Falkirk) > Stirling > Dunblane > Alloa Scotland
2018 Barnt Green to Bromsgrove B/Ham cross city
2019 Windsor Bridge Jct to Euxton Jct (via Bolton) NW Electrification Completes Manchester to Preston (via Bolton)
2019 Walsall to Rugeley B/Ham Chase line
2019 Holytown > Shotts > Midcalder Jct 4th G. to EB line
2019 Wootton Basset Jct to Chippenham GWML Not to Bath or Temple Meads
2019 Bristol Parkway to Cardiff (Severn tunnel 2020) GWML
2020 Bedford to Corby (St Pancras to Bedford 1983) MML
2022 Riverside Jct to Barking Riverside Riverside branch
2022 Westbourne Prk Jct to Abbeywood & Pudding Mill Lane Jct Crossrail Via Paddington
2023 Cardiff to Radyr (via Waun-gron Park) Welsh Vallys
2023 Muirhouse Jct (Glasgow) to Barrhead Scotland (SW Glasgow)

 

[GRALISTAIR]

In Garry Keenor's book OHL Electrification for Railways which I have hard copy of, there is a full appendix with all the data. It is available free online too. I will post a link in a bit.

He has promised an updated version very soon too.

EDIT
Don't forget also there is a Master pinned thread at the top of this page which has the reference too.
Electrification threads and resources index | RailUK Forums (railforums.co.uk)

EDIT
And here is the link to Garry's book Overhead Line Electrification for Railways – An approachable and comprehensive study of OLE for beginners and trainees (ocs4rail.com)

 

[DanNCL]

A few to add:
25kV AC overhead:
2008 Heathrow Central > Heathrow Terminal 5

1.5kV DC overhead:
2002 Pelaw > Sunderland > South Hylton

750v DC overhead:
2018 Tinsley/Meadowhall South > Rotherham Central > Parkgate

 

[snowball]

1993 Manchester airport spur (electrified at first construction)

southern curve at Heald Green a couple of years later?

2013 Manchester (Castlefield Junction) to Newton-le-Willows

2015 Huyton to Wigan

Hazel Grove is two words

 

[stuu]

Reading-Newbury 2018

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Appendix A page 240 in Garry's book

 

[The exile]

GN Inner Suburban (Moorgate to Hertford North and Welwyn) was 1976 - so only north from there to Royston in 1978. Not sure when FP - Kings Cross went live. Hertford - Stevenage saw no scheduled electrics till 1979 I think.

 

[Justin Smith]

Appendix A page 240 in Garry's book

I wish I'd had that when I was compiling my list !
It's a bit more detailed than I need though, I wanted to keep it as short as possible consistent with having pretty much all the routes on it.
As I said it is for printing out (in its colour coded form ! ) and inesrting into my Cobbs atlas.

Reading-Newbury 2018

Thanks for that I added it : Maidenhead to Didcot incl Reading to Didcot

GN Inner Suburban (Moorgate to Hertford North and Welwyn) was 1976 - so only north from there to Royston in 1978. Not sure when FP - Kings Cross went live. Hertford - Stevenage saw no scheduled electrics till 1979 I think.

The reference supplied by GRALISTAR says :

Drayton Park to Welwun & Hertford Nth = 1976
And
KX to FP and Welwyn to Royston = 1978
plus
Hertford N to Stevenage = 1979

Nothing on this scheme in 1977 ?

 

[snowball]

Metro extension to Newcastle airport 1991

 

[jp4712]

You’re missing the Midland Railway Lancaster - Morecambe scheme (1908) and the LBSCR London overhead lines that were later converted to third rail.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The first extension of electric service south of Crewe was to Nuneaton (1963/4?).
I don't remember a separate extension to Rugby - I think Nuneaton was the interchange until full opening to Euston.

Euston-Crewe-Manchester/Liverpool was fully opened in 1966.
Rugby-Birmingham-Wolverhampton-Stafford was 1967, as was Colwich/Norton Bridge-Stone-Stoke-Macclesfield-Cheadle Hulme.
Wolverhampton-Oxley also figured in 1967 (the first ex-GW infrastructure to be wired).

Crewe-Manchester via both Stockport and Styal was 1960.
Crewe-Liverpool was 1962.
The NLL east from Camden Jn also figures somewhere in the WCML list, can't remember the dates/extent.

Dollond's Moor-Channel Tunnel was wired for start of services in 1994, also the northern end of the WLL (North Pole-West London Jn).
The NLL via Willesden HL and Gospel Oak was wired c1996 for Eurostar Regional services, extending to Acton Central (mostly converted from 3rd rail DC).

 

[InOban]

Most of the Helensburgh to Airdrie was 25kv from the start. Only the core from Partick(hill) to, I think Bellgrove was initially 6.25kv . I don't think the 6.25kv lasted more than a few years, but others will know.

 

[Justin Smith]

You’re missing the Midland Railway Lancaster - Morecambe scheme (1908) and the LBSCR London overhead lines that were later converted to third rail.

You are right of course, but, to try and keep it on two sheets of A4 I am only going for the main routes.....
Which is why I have also excluded trams.

 

[Ken H]

You’re missing the Midland Railway Lancaster - Morecambe scheme (1908) and the LBSCR London overhead lines that were later converted to third rail.

Really you should have Lancaster - Morecambe twice. Once for the original scheme, and again for the conversion to 25Kv as a test bed for the new voltage.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Manchester-Altrincham was electrified in 1931. Wolverhampton High Level to Oxley sidings was electrified in 1972.

 

[swt_passenger]

Should this entry for 1991 be:
“1991 Newcastle to Edinburgh (incl North Berwick branch) ECML”
as Berwick upon Tweed is on the main route.

 

[Journeyman]

You've missed NER Shildon to Newport in 1916, the UK's first 1500v electrification.

 

[Snow1964]

Bethnal Green - Hackney Downs - Clapton area was converted from 6.25kv in 1982 or 1983 (not by 1980). With a new substation near where the electrified Graham Road Curve was opened couple of years later (as part of diversion of Broad Street trains)

You can also add the 2 locations Southern Railway installed overhead for their electric locos in 1941, and the 12 locations with overhead wires as part of the Kent electrification. (They were recently in the Railway General knowledge thread)

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks for that I added it : Maidenhead to Didcot incl Reading to Didcot

That (a possible typo) still doesn’t include Newbury which is on a different branch?

 

[Justin Smith]

That (a possible typo) still doesn’t include Newbury which is on a different branch?

I have condensed the GWML to this, is it about right ? :

1998 - Paddington to Heathrow - GWML
2016 - Didcot to Reading - GWML
2017 - Heathrow Jct to Reading - GWML
2018 - Didcot to Bristol Parkway & Reading to Newbury - GWML - (not to Bath or Temple Meads)
2019 - Bristol Parkway to Cardiff (Severn tunnel 2020) - GWML

 

[Rail Ranger]

If it's not yet been mentioned, Cornbrook Junction to Trafford Park freightliner terminal and Trafford Park Sidings 1980.

 

[Justin Smith]

Bethnal Green - Hackney Downs - Clapton area was converted from 6.25kv in 1982 or 1983 (not by 1980). With a new substation near where the electrified Graham Road Curve was opened couple of years later (as part of diversion of Broad Street trains)

You can also add the 2 locations Southern Railway installed overhead for their electric locos in 1941, and the 12 locations with overhead wires as part of the Kent electrification. (They were recently in the Railway General knowledge thread)

I may delete the conversions from 6.25Kv to 25KV, it just complicates the issue......

You've missed NER Shildon to Newport in 1916, the UK's first 1500v electrification.

I'll add that, though I have 1915 (to de-electrified 1935).

Should this entry for 1991 be:
“1991 Newcastle to Edinburgh (incl North Berwick branch) ECML”
as Berwick upon Tweed is on the main route.

Berwick on Tweed isn't the same as North Berwick !

The first extension of electric service south of Crewe was to Nuneaton (1963/4?).
I don't remember a separate extension to Rugby - I think Nuneaton was the interchange until full opening to Euston.

Euston-Crewe-Manchester/Liverpool was fully opened in 1966.
Rugby-Birmingham-Wolverhampton-Stafford was 1967, as was Colwich/Norton Bridge-Stone-Stoke-Macclesfield-Cheadle Hulme.
Wolverhampton-Oxley also figured in 1967 (the first ex-GW infrastructure to be wired).

Crewe-Manchester via both Stockport and Styal was 1960.
Crewe-Liverpool was 1962.
The NLL east from Camden Jn also figures somewhere in the WCML list, can't remember the dates/extent.

Dollond's Moor-Channel Tunnel was wired for start of services in 1994, also the northern end of the WLL (North Pole-West London Jn).
The NLL via Willesden HL and Gospel Oak was wired c1996 for Eurostar Regional services, extending to Acton Central (mostly converted from 3rd rail DC).

I have condensed the WCML electrification to :

1960 Crewe to Manchester WCML
1962 Crewe to Liverpool WCML
1964 Lichfield to Rugby WCML
1965 Crewe to Lichfield WCML
1966 Euston to Birmingham + Stoke on Trent loop WCML (= Euston to Rugby to Lichfield to Crewe to Manchester & Liverpool)

1973 Weaver Junc to Preston WCML
1974 Preston to Glasgow, incl Lanark branch WCML

 

[swt_passenger]

Berwick on Tweed isn't the same as North Berwick !

Exactly. But what did you actually mean by “Berwick line”?

 

[Justin Smith]

1993 Manchester airport spur (electrified at first construction)

southern curve at Heald Green a couple of years later?

2013 Manchester (Castlefield Junction) to Newton-le-Willows

2015 Huyton to Wigan

Hazel Grove is two words

I have condensed the NW electrification to :

2013 Manchester Victoria to Newton le Willows NW Electrification
2015 Newton le Willows to Edge Hill + Huyton to Wigan via St Helens NW Electrification Completed Victoria to Liverpool (via Rainhill)

There is some confusion as to when exactly the line from Victoria to Ordsall Lane Jct was electrified. Was it 2013 or 2015 ?

https://www.ocs4rail.com/wp-content...-Electrification-for-Railways-5th-edition.pdf (p240) gives both dates !

Exactly. But what did you actually mean by “Berwick line”?

The branch to North Berwick.

 

[martinsh]

Chase Line details in a mess

1966 (?) Birmingham - Walsall (via two routes)
Delete the 2017 Birmingham - Rugeley entry

1974 Weaver Jcn - Glasgow included via Earlestown / Newton-le-Willows

 

[MadMac]

Couple of notes:

Preston-Glasgow included Law-Mossend via Holytown. Holytown station had wires but no electric passenger service for years.
I don’t think Mossend-Gartsherrie (1982?) has been mentioned.
Coatbridge Sunnyside-Whifflet was wired to assist with diversions for Newton remodelling in about 1990.

There are diagrams showing the original Glasgow Suburban Electrification with the 25kV to 6.25 kV changeovers at http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/page/Glasgow+Suburban+Electrification+1960 (free membership required)

 

[Grumpy]

Wasn't Leeds to Neville Hill done as a separate project in 1993?

 

[Justin Smith]

Couple of notes:

Preston-Glasgow included Law-Mossend via Holytown. Holytown station had wires but no electric passenger service for years.
I don’t think Mossend-Gartsherrie (1982?) has been mentioned.
Coatbridge Sunnyside-Whifflet was wired to assist with diversions for Newton remodelling in about 1990.

There are diagrams showing the original Glasgow Suburban Electrification with the 25kV to 6.25 kV changeovers at http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/page/Glasgow+Suburban+Electrification+1960 (free membership required)

Thanks for that, the problem, as with much of this, I am trying to keep it simple, to print out of 2 sides of A4 !

The updated (so far) colour version to 23 Jun 21 @), it will print out on two sheets of A4 (landscape). The original is on a Microsoft Works Spreadsheet XLR file is available on Dropbox. :

2023 version see here

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There is some confusion as to when exactly the line from Victoria to Ordsall Lane Jct was electrified. Was it 2013 or 2015 ?

2015.

 

[snowball]

There is some confusion as to when exactly the line from Victoria to Ordsall Lane Jct was electrified. Was it 2013 or 2015 ?

It was definitely 2015. It was phase 2c of the NW electrification.

Phase 1 was at the end of 2013 and was Castlefield to Newton-le-W. Phase 2 was divided into 2a Edge Hill to N-leW, 2b Huyton to Wigan, and 2c Ordsall to Victoria, all of which were completed in the early months of 2015.

"Berwick" without further qualification normally means Berwick upon Tweed, not North Berwick.