West Coast Main Line facts for kids

The West Coast Main Line (often called the WCML) is a very important railway line in the United Kingdom. It connects the big city of London in the south to Glasgow in Scotland. Many trains use this line every day, carrying people and goods across the country. Companies like Virgin Trains and CrossCountry run train services on this busy route.

Journey Along the Line

The West Coast Main Line stretches for about 400 miles (640 km). It passes through many different towns and cities, making it a key part of Britain's transport system. Let's look at some of the main places it stops:

• Starting point at London Euston
• Watford Junction
• Milton Keynes Central
• Rugby
• Nuneaton
• Tamworth
• Lichfield Trent Valley
• Stafford
• Crewe
• Warrington Bank Quay
• Wigan North Western
• Preston
• Lancaster
• Oxenholme Lake District
• Penrith
• Carlisle
• Lockerbie
• Carstairs
• Motherwell
• Finishing point at Glasgow Central

History of the Line

The West Coast Main Line wasn't built all at once. It was created by joining together many older railway lines that were built in the 1800s. These lines helped connect different parts of Britain during the time of the Industrial Revolution. Over the years, the line has been updated with new technology, like electric trains, to make journeys faster and smoother.

Trains on the WCML

Many different types of trains use the West Coast Main Line. You might see fast passenger trains, slower local trains, and even freight trains carrying goods. The line is very busy, and engineers work hard to keep everything running safely and on time.

Images for kids

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  The northern WCML as it weaves through the Lune Gorge in Cumbria alongside the M6

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  3020 Cornwall, an early LNWR express locomotive (built 1847, as running circa 1890)

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  The Coronation Scot in 1937, hauled by a streamlined Coronation Class locomotive

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  Quadruple track section of line at Roade cutting in Northamptonshire – lines have already divided south of here and diverge a little further north

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  Class 158 in the Transport for Wales livery

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  Northern Class 319

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  323 Northern By Arriva

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  Northern Class 331-1 w-pantograph

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  London Midland Class 350-2 3 w-pantograph

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  Southern Class 377-7

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  Scotrail Class 380 1 w-pantograph

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  Outline map of the possible future Crossrail extensions as recommended in the 2011 RUS, which include the WCML

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  Map of WCML

See also

In Spanish: West Coast Main Line para niños