Moorgate Line (Northern City)
The Moorgate Line — also called the Northern City Line — is the underground spine that takes Great Northern suburban trains from Moorgate in the City, via Old Street, Essex Road, Highbury & Islington and Drayton Park, onto the East Coast Main Line at Finsbury Park.
About the Moorgate Line (Northern City)
Originally a Great Northern & City Railway tube (1904), it was reincorporated into National Rail in 1976 and now hosts Class 717 trains running to Welwyn Garden City, Hertford North and (peak only) Stevenage.
All stations between Moorgate and Drayton Park are tube-tunnel and fully accessible via lifts; Old Street and Highbury & Islington offer Tube/Overground interchange.
Key stations on the Moorgate Line (Northern City)
- MoorgateElizabeth, Northern, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan
- Old StreetNorthern line, Tech City
- Essex RoadIslington
- Highbury & IslingtonVictoria line, Overground
- Drayton ParkTunnel ↔ surface transition
- Finsbury ParkECML interchange, Piccadilly + Victoria
FAQs about the Moorgate Line (Northern City)
Is the Moorgate Line the same as the Northern City Line?
Yes — Northern City is the historic name; today it is officially the Moorgate Line, operated by Great Northern.
Why are the trains tube-sized?
South of Drayton Park the line runs in 16-foot tube tunnels built in 1904 — only special small-profile Class 717 stock can operate there.
Does Moorgate Line connect to Crossrail?
Yes — Elizabeth line at Moorgate (Liverpool Street complex).