Thameslink (train operating company, 1997–2006)

This article is about the former train operating company. For other uses of the name, see Thameslink (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with Thames Trains or Govia Thameslink Railway.

Thameslink^[1] was a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by Govia that operated the Thameslink franchise between March 1997 and March 2006.

Thameslink

Overview
Franchise(s)	Thameslink 2 March 1997 – 31 March 2006 (1997-03-02 – 2006-03-31)
Main station(s)	Bedford, King's Cross, Brighton
Other station(s)	Luton Airport, Blackfriars, London Bridge, Gatwick Airport, Wimbledon
Fleet	74 Class 319
Stations called at	56 (26 operated)
Parent company	Govia (Go-Ahead/Keolis)
Reporting mark	TR
Predecessor	Network SouthEast
Successor	First Capital Connect
Technical
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DC third rail (South of Farringdon) 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead (North of City Thameslink)

The franchise was originally due to end on 31 March 2004, however a two-year extension was awarded to Govia by the Strategic Rail Authority on 13 February 2004.^[2] In December 2005, the Department for Transport awarded the new franchise to FirstGroup; thus the services operated by Thameslink were transferred to First Capital Connect on 1 April 2006.

Services

Thameslink operated passenger services from Bedford via the Thameslink route to London Moorgate, Sutton, Wimbledon and Brighton.

Rolling stock

Thameslink inherited a fleet of 66 Class 319s from Network SouthEast.

During 2002, Thameslink hired two Class 317s from West Anglia Great Northern for services to Moorgate. Thameslink received some extra Class 319s from Southern in 2004.

Between September 2004 and May 2005, Class 317s were hired from West Anglia Great Northern to operate Bedford to St Pancras services while the Thameslink line was severed for six months for the new St Pancras station to be built.^{[3][full citation needed]}

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Built
			mph	km/h
317		electric multiple unit	100	160	7	1981–1982
319		electric multiple unit	100	160	74	1987–1988, 1990

Depots

Thameslink's fleet was originally maintained at Selhurst Depot under sub-contract by Connex South Central/Southern.^{[4][full citation needed]} With the Thameslink line to be severed for six months, Bedford Cauldwell depot was built in 2004. It progressively took over all work from Selhurst.^[5]

Demise

Original Thameslink signage is still visible on the Sutton Loop Line.

In April 2005, the Strategic Rail Authority announced the parties shortlisted to bid for the new Thameslink Great Northern franchise; Govia was not shortlisted.^[6] In December 2005, the Department for Transport awarded the new franchise to FirstGroup. Accordingly, the services that were operated by Thameslink were transferred to First Capital Connect on 1 April 2006.^[7] However, it was announced in May 2014 that Govia had reclaimed the Thameslink franchise, which started on 14 September 2014, thus ending the First Capital Connect franchise. Govia now operates Thameslink under Govia Thameslink Railway.

See also

• Thameslink (route)