Introducing the new Great Northern Electric service

Abstract

The Great Northern Suburban Electrification, authorised in 1971, became a reality in 1978 with the introduction of Class 312 electric multiple units on Outer Suburban Services from Royston to London, Kings Cross. This event followed 15 months after the changeover from diesel to electric on the Inner Suburban Services operated from Welwyn Garden City and Hertford to Moorgate, London, by Class 313 electric multiple units since November 1976. From its inception to completion has taken 6 years and fulfils electrification proposals first conceived by the Great Northern Railway Company in 1903