Midland Main Line upgrade

The Midland Main Line (MML), a major railway line in the United Kingdom, has undergone various upgrades between 2015 and 2025. The current programme of upgrades began in 2012, although electrification was proposed a number of times previously. The programme includes electrification of the railway line between Bedford, Wellingborough, Corby, Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield. The routes between Nottingham and Sheffield and the Erewash Valley line were not included at this time, only the line between Derby and Sheffield. The upgrade was part of the HLOS (High Level Output Specification) for Control Period 5 published by the UK Government in 2012.

To obtain all the benefits of using electric traction, the line from Bedford to St Pancras is also being upgraded which includes boosting the power supply. Parts of the line have been classed as having congested infrastructure. This is another reason for the upgrade.

The upgrading of the overhead line equipment (OLE) south of Bedford is underway to allow 125 mph (201 km/h) running and is due for completion in late 2025. The Kettering to South Wigston stretch was energised in July 2024. Further electrification on the line was paused in July 2025.

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