The Abbey Railway is to be connected directly to a service out of central London for a one-way journey each evening from later this month.
Abbey Line is a single-lane line that ferries passengers daily between Watford and St. John’s. Albans via stations including Watford North, Garston, Park Street, How Wood and Bricket Wood.
It is not the most used route, but it is an important transportation link for those living in neighborhoods along the line; especially those commuting in and out of London.
This is because it takes passengers on a platform at Watford Junction, where they can switch to frequent services in and out of the capital.
However, there is a small but historic change on the horizon.
From Monday 13 December, every weekday at 21.10, you will be able to hop on a train at London Euston and travel all the way to St Albans Abbey station without getting off.
A sign for St Albans Abbey station
Rail operator London Northwestern says the service, which will be the last of the day to St Albans Abbey, will use a short 25 mph track at Watford Junction, which connects to the Abbey Line, which is normally outside the area.
The new journey is planned on the Trainline app, and it takes 37 minutes to get from Euston to St Albans Abbey.
According to the app, it will actually take exactly the same amount of time that the fastest journey from Euston to St Albans is currently taking via Watford Junction.
This is because the 21.10 service takes 21 minutes from Euston to Watford Junction, while normal services take 16 minutes.
You do not have to change at Watford Junction to enter the Abbey Line on your way back from London for the last service of the day. Credit: Watford Borough Council
In its entirety, and according to the Trainline app, the brand new 21.10 service will call at Watford Junction at. 21.29, in Watford North at. 21.33, Garston at. 21.36, Bricket Wood at. 21.39, How Wood at. 21.42, and Park Street at. 21.43, before ending at St Albans Abbey at. 21.47.
According to MyLondon, the 21.10 service is being introduced for operational reasons, associated with the replacement of older Class 319 trains with newer Class 350 trains used on the main line.
London Northwestern encourages people to check schedule changes for its services, introduced from Sunday 12 December, at www.lnr.uk/plan
Meanwhile, it was announced earlier this year that funds have been successfully sought to develop a business case for a passing loop on the Abbey line, potentially in the Bricket Wood area.
Abbey Flyer Users Group believes this will help improve the frequency of train travel on the line, which currently runs every 45 minutes.
Related: Big boost for Abbey Line and the idea of a ‘passing loop’
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