Type Commuter rail Status Operational Services 4 Rolling stock South African Class 5M2 | System Metrorail Western Cape Stations 48 Electrification Overhead line Terminis Cape Town, Strand | |
Locale Cape Town, South Africa Owner Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa | ||
The Northern Line is a commuter rail service in and around Cape Town, South Africa operated by Metrorail Western Cape. Northern Line services operate from central Cape Town to Bellville, and then from Bellville along three different routes. The first route runs along the main Cape Town–De Aar railway line to Paarl and Wellington. The second route passes through Stellenbosch to terminate at Muldersvlei station on the main line, while the third also passes through Somerset West to terminate in Strand.
Contents
Route
Most Northern Line trains travel from Cape Town station along the old main line through Salt River, Maitland, Goodwood and Parow to Bellville station. Trains on the Wellington route continue from Bellville along the main line through Brackenfell and Kraaifontein, and then through the farmland outside the city to reach the towns of Paarl and Wellington.
Other trains branch south-east after Bellville, passing through Kuils River to Eerste River; From there, some turn north to pass through Stellenbosch and terminate at Muldersvlei station on the main line, while others continue south-east through Somerset West along the line towards Caledon. Shortly after Somerset West they branch from this line to terminate at Strand on the False Bay coast.
The Northern Line also includes a service along the relief main line from Cape Town past Century City and Monte Vista to Bellville.
Station listing
The Northern line serves the following stations:
Operation
The line is made up of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) track, electrified with 3,000 V DC overhead catenary; most of the routes are at least double track, except for the Strand and Stellenbosch lines beyond Eerste River. Services are operated mostly by electric multiple units of Class 5M2.