West Anglia Great Northern
| Company type | Train operating company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | British Rail |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Prism Rail |
| Defunct | 2006 |
| Fate | Operations transferred to First Capital Connect |
| Successor | First Capital Connect |
| Headquarters | London , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | England (West Anglia and Great Northern routes) |
| Products | Passenger rail services |
| Owner | Prism Rail (1997–2000), National Express (2000–2006) |
| Parent | National Express (from 2000) |
West Anglia Great Northern, often abbreviated as WAGN, was a train operating company in England. It managed the West Anglia Great Northern franchise from January 1997 until March 2004, and subsequently operated the Great Northern franchise from April 2004 through March 2006. Initially under the ownership of Prism Rail, the company was later acquired by the British transportation group National Express.
The West Anglia Great Northern franchise was created during the privatisation of British Rail, with Prism Rail awarded a seven-year contract in December 1996, commencing operations on 5 January 1997. WAGN undertook upgrades to its inherited fleet, including electric multiple units such as the Class 313 and Class 317. By 1999, WAGN was recognized as one of the leading franchises based on performance metrics from the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising. However, its application to run open access services between Peterborough and Doncaster was declined by the Office of Rail Regulation due to limitations in route capacity.
In July 2000, Prism Rail and WAGN were purchased by National Express for £166 million. In January 2002, the Strategic Rail Authority announced plans to divide the franchise, integrating the West Anglia segment into the Greater Anglia franchise. On 10 May 2002, a derailment involving a northbound WAGN train occurred near Potters Bar, resulting in seven deaths and 76 injuries; this incident caused major service interruptions and prompted enhanced safety protocols. In December 2005, the Department for Transport awarded the Thameslink franchise to competitor FirstGroup, with WAGN's operations transferring to First Capital Connect on 1 April 2006.
History
In 1995, during the process of privatisation of British Rail, entrepreneurs from the bus sector established Prism Rail to compete for new rail franchises. Prism committed to a £24.8 million premium payment for the West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN) franchise due by 2004. In December 1996, Prism secured a seven-year contract to operate WAGN, marking its fourth passenger franchise award.
Operations commenced on 5 January 1997, taking over both services and rolling stock from British Rail. Prism sought permission to operate extended open access services between Peterborough and Doncaster; however, this request was denied due to route capacity restrictions.
By 1999, WAGN was ranked among the top-performing franchises, achieving a punctuality rating above 90% (graded B) and reliability exceeding 99%.
In July 2000, National Express acquired Prism Rail along with WAGN for £166 million. The company pledged an investment of £20.5 million and reported profitability specifically within the Great Northern sector.
A restructuring by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) in January 2002 resulted in splitting the franchise; West Anglia services were incorporated into the Greater Anglia franchise. In December 2003, National Express won the Greater Anglia franchise, leading to the transfer of West Anglia services to National Express East Anglia on 1 April 2004. WAGN received a two-year extension on its remaining operations and thereafter adopted branding solely as WAGN.
On 10 May 2002, a significant accident occurred near Potters Bar involving a northbound WAGN Class 365 train, which caused seven fatalities and injured 76 passengers. The derailment was attributed to track points shifting beneath the train while it was traveling at high speed. Following this event, services experienced substantial disruption and ran on a modified timetable. In April 2004, infrastructure firm Jarvis plc accepted responsibility for the crash.
Services
West Anglia Great Northern managed both all-stop and limited-stop West Anglia routes running from London Liverpool Street to destinations including Chingford, Enfield Town, Hertford East, Stansted Airport, and Cambridge. Additionally, it operated Great Northern services originating at London King's Cross heading towards Cambridge, King's Lynn, and Peterborough, covering the Hertford North loop line as well.
Rolling stock
The company took over a variety of rolling stock from British Rail, comprising Class 313, Class 315, Class 317, Class 322, and Class 365 electric multiple units.
Between 1997 and 1999, two out of the five Class 322 units were temporarily loaned to First North Western; subsequently, all five were reassigned to ScotRail in 2001.
The initial refurbishment program targeted twenty-four Class 317/2 trains, which were modified for longer-distance journeys by incorporating lower-density seating arrangements, upgraded first-class accommodations, carpeting, designated spaces for bicycles and wheelchairs, enhanced lighting systems, and a refreshed livery featuring white, grey, blue, and red tones.
Suburban rolling stock such as the Class 313 units underwent refurbishment at Railcare Wolverton to include higher-back seats, wheelchair accessibility improvements, and minor fixture enhancements. Initially coated with a plain white undercoat, these trains received a metallic purple paint scheme by 2001.
From 1999 through 2000, nine Class 317/1 units were refurbished specifically for the Stansted Express service and reclassified as Class 317/7. These units featured interior upgrades alongside a metallic blue exterior finish.
In 2004, sixteen Class 365 units were acquired from South Eastern Trains; prior to entering service with West Anglia Great Northern, their original DC shoe gear was replaced by pantographs.
| Class | Image | Type | Maximum speed | Quantity | Year built | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| 03 | Diesel–mechanical locomotive | 28.5 | 45.9 | 1 | 1962 | 03179 "Clive," shunter based at Hornsey TMD | |
| 313 | EMU | 75 | 120 | 41 | 1976–1977 | Services between Moorgate/London King's Cross and Hertford North, Letchworth Garden City, and Welwyn Garden City | |
| 315 | EMU | 75 | 120 | 18 | 1980–1981 | Routes from Liverpool Street to Chingford, Cheshunt, and Enfield Town; also peak periods and Sundays to Hertford East | |
| 317 | EMU | 100 | 160 | 72 | 1981–1982, 1985–1987 | Services linking London King's Cross with Cambridge; also from Liverpool Street to Cambridge, Hertford East, and Stansted Airport; plus from Stratford to Stansted Airport | |
| 365 | EMU | 100 | 160 | 40 | 1994–1995 | (Originally 25 units; one was lost in the Potters Bar incident) Operated on routes from London King's Cross to destinations such as Cambridge, King's Lynn, and Peterborough. An additional sixteen units were incorporated in 2004 and 2006 from South Eastern Trains. | |
Depots
Maintenance of West Anglia Great Northern’s rolling stock was conducted at depots located in Hornsey and Ilford.
Demise
As a result of the Strategic Rail Authority's franchise restructuring, Great Northern's operations were incorporated into the Thameslink franchise. In December 2005, the Department for Transport granted the Thameslink franchise to FirstGroup, leading to the transfer of West Anglia Great Northern services to First Capital Connect on 1 April 2006.
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