Anyone who saw a Thameslink train visiting King's Lynn on November 4th might have wondered what it was doing there. Platforms 0 to 6 at King's Cross will be out of action for seven weeks next spring (see "ECML upgrade"), and the revised service pattern during that time may need some of the Fen Line services to be operated by Thameslink trains, so GTR are checking the class 700s can operate that far north. There are no plans to use them on the Fen Line apart from during those seven weeks. Pictures (20MB) here.
The project to allow 8-car trains to stop at all the Fen Line stations is now complete apart from a few "snagging" jobs, and the new timetable (from 13th December) is on the journey planners. An extra benefit for Waterbeach is that the Ely - King's Cross trains will stop there, giving the half-hourly service throughout the day that we would like to see for the whole line.
We've been asked why only some platforms are being lengthened; this is because "selective door opening" allows trains to stop with the front part in a shorter platform, but not if the back part would be across a level crossing. There are some pictures of the work at Waterbeach here.
As a result of the first consultation on Cambridge South station, option 1 (the northernmost location, nearest to the hospitals and the sixth form college) has been chosen. The new station, due to open in 2025, will give travellers from Fen Line stations direct access to Addenbrooke's and Papworth hospitals and to employment on the Biomedical Campus. A further consultation is now open, closing on 29th November; there is more detail on the project here.
Network Rail are undertaking some major works on the East Coast main line, including reconfiguring King's Cross station, replacing the 40-year-old signalling system, adding a new platform at Stevenage for the Hertford Loop trains, and building a grade separated junction north of Peterborough. There will be a reduced number of platforms in use at King's Cross throughout the spring of 2021, which will require a further change to the timetable. For more information see https://eastcoastupgrade.co.uk/.
Network Rail held a first round of public consultation on this important project, which is needed to allow a half-hourly service to run to King's Lynn, from 21st September to 1st November. More information here.
We have had several reports of people who have parked at King's Lynn station receiving penalty notices for non-payment two or three weeks later, by which time they had thrown the ticket away. So when parking at King's Lynn it's advisable to keep the ticket, also check your registration number is entered correctly when paying.
Last summer saw the 175th anniversary of the opening of the southern part of our line, and indeed of the whole route from Bishop's Stortford to Norwich, on 28th July 1845. Unfortunately it wasn't possible for us to hold an event to mark the occasion, but you can read about the original here (courtesy of the Cambridgeshire Collection) starting in the 4th column. In the 3rd column is a report of the first general meeting of the Lynn and Ely railway company, which built the northern part in stages over the next couple of years. The 1845 timetable is here.
We represent the interests of users of the Fen Line to the management of the franchise holders and Network Rail.
We monitor to ensure that services offered are maintained and improved.
We inform our members of the latest developments.
The AGM takes place each November. Representatives of the rail industry attend to give members the opportunity to raise issues with key staff from across the network.
The 2020 AGM was held on-line on Saturday 14th November. The minutes will be uploaded to the members' section in due course.
FLUA works to develop services between the Fen Line stations (King's Lynn, Watlington, Downham Market, Littleport, Ely, Waterbeach, and Cambridge North) and onwards to Cambridge and London.
We seek the best for users from the fast-changing railway scene by working with all parties in the rail industry and with other relevant bodies in the development of the Thameslink Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise on the Fen Line.
Our submission to the Passenger Benefit Fund is here.
Electric trains from Fen Line stations to Cambridge and London King's Cross are run by Great Northern for commuters, business and leisure users.
Greater Anglia operates electric trains from Fen Line stations to Cambridge and London Liverpool Street. These peak hour extras run Mondays-Fridays only.
Contact:
Secretary: fluasecretary@flua.org.uk
Webmaster: flua@ninetiles.com