Great Northern route

Great Northern
A Class 717 standing at Bowes Park in 2019
Overview
Franchise(s)
Main region(s)
Fleet
Stations called at54
Parent companyGovia Thameslink Railway
Reporting markGN
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification
Other
Websitewww.greatnorthernrail.com
Route map
Great Northern route
King's Lynn
Watlington
Downham Market
Littleport
Ely
Waterbeach
Cambridge North
Cambridge
Foxton
Shepreth
Peterborough
Meldreth
Huntingdon
Royston
St Neots
Ashwell & Morden
St Neots South/Tempsford
Sandy
Baldock
Biggleswade
Arlesey
Letchworth Garden City
Hitchin
Stevenage
Knebworth
Watton-at-Stone
Welwyn North
Hertford North
Welwyn Garden City
Bayford
Hatfield
Cuffley
Welham Green
Brookmans Park
Crews Hill
Potters Bar
Gordon Hill
Enfield Chase
Hadley Wood
Grange Park
New Barnet
Winchmore Hill
Oakleigh Park
Palmers Green
New Southgate
Bowes Park
Alexandra Palace
Hornsey
Harringay
Finsbury Park
London King's Cross
Drayton Park
London St Pancras International
Highbury & Islington
Essex Road
Old Street
Moorgate

The Great Northern route, formerly known as Great Northern Electrics, is a suburban rail route in London and the East of England. The route consists of services on the southern end of the East Coast Main Line, which is the main railway link between the cities of London and Edinburgh, as well as its associated branches, including the Cambridge line, Fen line, Hertford loop line, and Northern City Line.

The route is currently operated by Great Northern, which is one brand under the umbrella of Govia Thameslink Railway. Services originating at London King's Cross operate to Peterborough, Letchworth, Cambridge, Ely, and Kings Lynn, whereas services originating at Moorgate operate to Welwyn, Hertford North, Gordon Hill, and Stevenage.

The route forms a major commuter route into London from Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and eastern Bedfordshire: ridership has grown rapidly over recent years. In 2009, rolling stock was transferred from other lines to allow additional services and longer trains to be run. In early 2018, the line was connected to the Thameslink route via a junction just south of the High Speed 1 bridge, north of King's Cross, allowing through services to the south of London.

Since September 2014, the services have been operated by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). The Thameslink and Great Northern service brands were maintained and separated from each other.