The railway line connecting Kettering in Northamptonshire to Wigston near Leicester has achieved a significant milestone, being officially certified as ready and safe for electric trains.
This 23-mile section's certification marks a major success in Network Rail’s Midland Main Line Electrification Programme, the most extensive upgrade to the line since its completion in 1870.
Electrification plays a crucial role in the Government’s goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It also offers a quieter experience for passengers and residents living near the railway.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has issued the Authorisation to Place into Service (APiS) for the Kettering to Wigston section. This includes a new substation at Braybrooke, near Market Harborough, to enhance power supply and network resilience.
The section between Kettering and Wigston was energized in the summer of 2024. Following this, various tests were conducted to ensure trains could draw power from the new infrastructure, providing the necessary data for the ORR to grant the APiS.
The testing phase also examined ways to make the Midland Main Line more efficient in the future, such as spacing masts further apart to reduce costs and construction time.
Additionally, seven bridges and four signal gantries on this section utilize voltage controlled clearance (VCC) technology. This innovative solution eliminates the need for bridge rebuilds and lengthy road closures.
Jorge Roque, Network Rail senior programme integration manager, said:
“This is a huge milestone for the Midland Main Line Electrification Programme. It was achieved on time and under budget, and builds on the previous completion of London to Corby, meaning electric trains are able to run on here in the future.
“The use of VCC on this Kettering to Wigston section has also saved time, money and avoided lengthy road closures. Where it can be used, it’s a much better solution for residents living nearby, and for this project it reduced more complex interventions such as bridge reconstructions.”
Network Rail worked with contractors to achieve a 12% increase in biodiversity along the Kettering-Wigston section.
Image credits: Network Rail
