List of railway lines in Great Britain

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List of railway lines in Great Britain

This is a list of railway lines in Great Britain that are currently in operation, split by country and region.

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Railway lines in England and Wales, as of 2010

There are a limited number of main inter-regional lines, with all but one entering Greater London.[1] The line from London to the Channel Tunnel is the only line designated 'high speed', although the other main routes also operate limited-stop express services.

The bulk of the secondary network is concentrated in London and the surrounding East and South East regions; an area marketed by National Rail as London and the South East. The majority of these lines are radial to London.[2] There is a further concentration of routes around Birmingham in the West Midlands[3] and in the urbanised part of northern England that stretches from Liverpool in the west, via Greater Manchester to Leeds in the east.[4]

Some areas, such as Wales and Scotland, have relatively sparse railway provision.[1] There are local lines throughout all areas of Great Britain with some services designated as community railways.

England

Summarize
Perspective

London

Most main UK routes terminate in London and there is an extensive suburban network[2][5]

This is a list of routes entirely contained within Greater London.[5]

More information Name, Route, or previous name ...
NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Acton–Northolt lineformerly "New North Main Line"1903London
Bromley North LineGrove Park to Bromley North1878LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Catford Loop LineBrixton to Shortlands1892LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Chessington branch lineRaynes Park to Chessington South1938–1939LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Chingford branch lineClapton to Chingford1873LondonOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crystal Palace lineBalham Junction to Beckenham Junction1856–1858LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Dudding Hill lineActon to Cricklewood1875London
East London lineHighbury & Islington to West Croydon1869–2010LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Holborn Viaduct–Herne Hill line1863–1866LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Gospel Oak to Barking line1894–1868LondonOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Greenford branch lineGWML to Greenford1903London
Greenwich lineNorth Kent East junction to Charlton Junction1836LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Mid-Kent lineLewisham to Hayes1857–1882LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Hounslow Loop LineBarnes Junction to Feltham Junction1850LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
South London line1886LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Sutton Loop lineStreatham South Junction to Sutton1864-1929LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Kingston loop lineTwickenham to New Maldon1863–1869LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
North London lineRichmond to Stratford1846–1869London
Northern City LineMoorgate to Finsbury Park1904London
Greenwich Park branch lineNunhead to Lewisham1929LondonThird rail, 750 V DC
Romford–Upminster line1893LondonOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
West London lineClapham Junction to Willesden Junction1844London
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Terminus

More information Name, End and major calling points ...
NameEnd and major calling pointsCountries and regionsCategory
Chiltern Main LineLondon, High Wycombe, Bicester, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Solihull, BirminghamEngland: London, South East, West MidlandsMain Line 100 mph
East Coast Main LineLondon, Leeds, York, Newcastle, EdinburghEngland: East, East Midlands, London, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber; ScotlandHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
Great Eastern Main LineLondon, Ipswich, NorwichEngland: East, LondonMain Line 100 mph
Great Western Main LineLondon, BristolEngland: London, South East, South WestHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
High Speed 1London, Channel TunnelEngland: East, London, South East.

Continental Europe: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany

High Speed Line 186 mph
Midland Main LineLondon, Leicester, Nottingham, SheffieldEngland: East, East Midlands, London, Yorkshire and the HumberHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
South West Main LineLondon, Southampton, Bournemouth, WeymouthEngland: London, South East, South WestMain Line 100 mph
West Coast Main LineLondon, Glasgow with spurs to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Holyhead and EdinburghEngland: London, North West, South East, West Midlands; Scotland; North WalesHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
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South East England

The commuter network stretches from London to the coast and there is a connection to France through the Channel Tunnel[2][5]

This is a list of all routes that enter the South East England region.

More information Name, Route, or previous name ...
NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Alton lineBrookwood to Alton1852South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Arun Valley lineThree Bridges to Arundel1848–1863South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Ascot–Ash Vale lineSouth EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Ashford to Ramsgate line1846South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Aylesbury–Princes Risborough line1863South East
Bexleyheath lineLewisham to Dartford1895London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Brighton Main Line1839–1941London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Caterham linePurley to Caterham1856London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Chatham Main LineLondon Victoria to Dover Priory1858–1926London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Chertsey branch lineStaines to Weybridge1849South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Cherwell Valley lineBanbury to Didcot Parkway1844–1873South East
Chiltern Main LineMarylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill1852–1910London, South East, West Midlands
Cotswold LineOxford to Hereford1851–1860South East, South West, West Midlands
Dartford Loop LineHither Green to Dartford1866London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
East Coastway lineBrighton to Hastings1846–1871South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Eastleigh–Fareham line1841South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Eastleigh–Romsey line1847South East
East West RailOxford to Bletchley2024South East EnglandNot initially
Elizabeth lineHeathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Reading to Abbey Wood and Shenfield2022East, London, South East25 kV 50 Hz AC
Epsom Downs BranchSutton to Epsom Downs1865London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Hampton Court branch lineSWML to Hampton Court1849South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Hastings lineTonbridge to Hastings1845–1852South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Henley branch lineTwyford to Henley-on-Thames1857South East
High Speed 1London to Channel Tunnel2003–2007London, South EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Island LineIsle of Wight1864South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Kent Coast lineMinster East Jn to Buckland Jn1847South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
London–Aylesbury line1868 and 1899London, EastFourth rail, 750 V DC (partial)
Lymington branch lineSWML to Lymington Pier1858South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Maidstone lineSwanley to Ashford International1874–1884South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Marlow branch lineMaidenhead to Marlow1854South East
Marshlink lineAshford International to Hastings1851South East
Marston Vale lineBletchley to Bedford1845East, South East
Medway Valley lineStrood to SEML1844–1856South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
New Guildford lineSurbiton to Guildford1885South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
North Downs LineReading to Redhill1849South EastThird rail, 750 V DC (partial)
North Kent LineLondon to Strood1846–1849London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Oxford–Bicester line1850South East
Oxted lineSouth Croydon to East Grinstead or Uckfield1858–1888London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC (Croydon–East Grinstead)
Portsmouth Direct lineWoking to Portsmouth Harbour1845–1858South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Portsmouth line1847–1868South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Reading–Basingstoke line1848South East
Reading–Taunton line1847–1906South East, South West
Redhill–Tonbridge line1884South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Seaford branch lineLewes to Seaford1864South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Sheerness lineSittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea1860South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Shepperton branch lineKingston Loop to Shepperton1864–1894London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Slough–Windsor & Eton line1849South East
South Eastern Main LineCannon Street or Charing Cross to Dover Priory1842–1871London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Staines–Windsor line1848–1849South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Sutton and Mole Valley lines1847–1868London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Tattenham Corner linePurley to Tattenham Corner1897–1901London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Waterloo–Reading line1846–1856London, South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
Wessex Main LineBristol Temple Meads to Southampton Central1847–1856South East, South West
West Coastway lineBrighton to Southampton Central1840–1889South EastThird rail, 750 V DC
West of England lineBasingstoke to Exeter St Davids1854–1860South East, South West
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South West

There is a concentration of routes around Bristol and direct connections to Wales, London and other regions[6]

This is a list of all routes that enter the South West England region.

More information Name, Route, or previous name ...
NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Atlantic Coast LinePar to Newquay1874South West
Avocet LineExeter to Exmouth1862South West
Bristol–Exeter line1841–1842South West
Cornish Main LinePlymouth to Penzance1867South West
Cotswold LineOxford to Hereford1851–1860South East, South West, West Midlands
Dartmoor lineExeter to Okehampton1851–1871South West
Exeter–Plymouth line1846–1849South West
Gloucester–Newport line1850South West
Golden Valley lineSwindon to Cheltenham Spa1845South West
Heart of Wessex LineBristol Temple Meads to Weymouth1857South West
Looe Valley LineLiskeard to Looe1860–1901South West
Maritime LineTruro to Falmouth Docks1863South West
Reading–Taunton line1847–1906South East, South WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Riviera LineExeter St Davids to Paignton1846–1859South West
Severn Beach lineBristol to Severn Beach1840–1900South West
South Wales Main LineSwindon to Swansea1850–1903South West, South Wales
St Ives Bay LineSt Erth to St Ives1877South West
Tamar Valley LinePlymouth to Gunnislake1890–1908South West
Tarka LineExeter to Barnstaple1851–1854South West
Wessex Main LineBristol to Southampton1847–1856South East, South West
West of England lineSWML to Exeter1854–1860South East, South West
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Terminus

More information Name, End and major calling points ...
NameEnd and major calling pointsCountries and regionsCategory
Cross Country RouteBristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, YorkEngland: East Midlands, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West MidlandsHigh Speed Main Line 125 mph
South Wales Main LineBristol, Swansea via CardiffEngland: South West; Wales: SouthMain Line (100 mph)
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North West England

There is a significant concentration of routes around urbanised Liverpool and Manchester with the northern part of the region less well served[1][4]

This is a list of all routes that enter the North West England region.

More information Name, Route, or previous name ...
NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Blackpool branch linesWCML to Blackpool North or South1846–1865North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Borderlands lineWrexham Central to Bidston1887–1896North West
Buxton lineManchester Piccadilly to Buxton1863East Midlands, North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Calder Valley lineBlackpool North or Manchester Victoria to LeedsNorth West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Chester–Birkenhead line1840North WestThird rail, 750 V DC
Chester–Warrington line1850North West
Crewe–Liverpool lineNorth WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crewe–Manchester line1841North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Cumbrian Coast lineCarlisle to Barrow-in-Furness1844–1845North West
East Lancashire linePreston to Colne1846–1848North West
Furness lineBarrow-in-Furness to Carnforth1846–1858North West
Glossop lineManchester Piccadilly to Glossop or Hadfield1842–1845East Midlands, North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hooton–Helsby line1863North West
Hope Valley lineManchester Piccadilly to Sheffield1894North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Huddersfield lineManchester Piccadilly or Victoria to Huddersfield1849North West, Yorkshire and the HumberPlanned
Kirkby branch lineKirkby to Wigan Wallgate1848North West
Leeds–Morecambe line1846–1864North West, Yorkshire and the HumberOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Liverpool–Manchester lines1830 onwardsNorth WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Liverpool–Wigan line1869–1871North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Manchester–Preston line1838–1841North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Manchester–Southport lineNorth West
Mid-Cheshire lineManchester Piccadilly to Chester1855–1888North West
Morecambe branch lineLancaster to Morecambe or Heysham Port1864North West
Ormskirk branch linePreston to Ormskirk1848North West
Ribble Valley lineManchester Victoria to Clitheroe1845–1872North West
Settle–Carlisle line1875North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Stafford–Manchester line1848North West, West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stockport–Stalybridge lineNorth West
Styal LineManchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport or Wilmslow1909North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Tyne Valley lineNewcastle to Carlisle1834–1837North East, North West
Windermere branch lineOxenholme Lake District to Windermere1847North WestProposed
Wirral line Chester, West Kirby, Elsemere, and New Brighton to Liverpool North West
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West Midlands

There is a concentration of routes around Birmingham and direct connections to London and other regions[3]

This is a list of all routes that enter the West Midlands region.

More information Name, Route, or previous name ...
NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Birmingham to Peterborough line1840–1860East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Birmingham to Worcester via Bromsgrove Line1840–1879West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster line1852–1867West Midlands
Camp Hill line1840-1841West Midlands
Chase LineBirmingham New Street to Walsall and Rugeley1837–1859 (partly closed 1965, reopened 1989–1997)West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Chiltern Main LineMarylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill1852–1910London, South East, West Midlands
Cotswold LineOxford to Hereford1851–1860South East, South West, West Midlands
Coventry–Leamington line1851West Midlands
Coventry–Nuneaton line1850West Midlands
Crewe–Derby line1848East Midlands, North West, West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Cross-City LineRedditch or Bromsgrove to Lichfield1837–1876West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Cross Country Route1948East Midlands, North East, Scotland, South West, Wales, West Anglia, & West Midlands
Leamington–Stratford line1860West Midlands
Leicester–Burton upon Trent line1832–1849East Midlands, West Midlands
Northampton loop1881East Midlands, West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
North Warwickshire LineBirmingham Snow Hill to Stratford-upon-Avon1908West Midlands
Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line1837West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Shrewsbury–Chester line1848North West, West Midlands
Stafford–Manchester line1848–1887North West, West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stone to Colwich Line1849West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Stourbridge Town branch line1879West Midlands
Sutton Park lineWalsall to Castle Bromwich and Water Orton1879West Midlands
Trent Valley linepart of the West Coast Main Line1847West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Walsall–Wolverhampton line1837West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Welsh Marches lineNewport to Shrewsbury1852–1858
  • North West
  • West Midlands
  • Mid Wales
  • South Wales
Wolverhampton–Shrewsbury line1848–1849West Midlands
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East of England

A number of local lines branch from the main radial routes and closer to London are the outer terminals of the suburban network[2][5]

This is a list of all routes that enter the East of England region.

More information Name, Route, or previous name ...
NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Abbey LineWatford Junction to St Albans Abbey1858EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Birmingham–Peterborough line1840–1860East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Bittern LineSheringham to Norwich1874–1877East
Braintree branch lineWitham to Braintree1848EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Breckland lineCambridge to Norwich1845East
Cambridge lineCambridge to ECML1851EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Crouch Valley lineWickford to Southminster1889EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
East Suffolk lineIpswich to Lowestoft1854East
Ely–Peterborough line1847East
Felixstowe branch lineIpswich to Felixstowe1877East
Fen lineCambridge to King's Lynn1846EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Gainsborough lineMarks Tey to Sudbury1865East
Great Northern RouteLondon Moorgate to King's LynnLondon, EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hertford East branch lineHertford East to Broxbourne1843EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hertford loop lineStevenage to Alexandra Palace1871–1924London, EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Ipswich–Ely line1846–1851East
Lea Valley lines1840–1891London, EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
London, Tilbury and Southend lineFenchurch Street to Shoeburyness1854–1888London, EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Marston Vale lineBletchley to Bedford1845East, South East
Mayflower lineManningtree to Harwich Town1854EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Peterborough–Lincoln line1848–1882East
Shenfield–Southend line1892EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Sunshine Coast LineColchester to Walton-on-the-Naze1847–1882EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Watford DC lineEuston to Watford Junction1862–1922London, EastThird rail, 750 V DC
West Anglia Main LineLiverpool Street to Cambridge or Stansted Airport1840–1990London, EastOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Wherry LinesNorwich to Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft1844–1882East
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East Midlands

There are rail links to adjacent regions and direct services to London

This is a list of all routes that enter the East Midlands region.

More information Name, Route, or previous name ...
NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Barton lineBarton-on-Humber to Cleethorpes1848East Midlands
Birmingham–Peterborough line1840–1860East, East Midlands, West Midlands
Buxton lineManchester Piccadilly to Buxton1863East Midlands, North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Crewe–Derby line1848East Midlands, North West, West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Derwent Valley lineDerby to Matlock1839–1849East Midlands
Doncaster–Lincoln line1849East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Glossop lineManchester Piccadilly to Glossop or Hadfield1844East Midlands, North WestOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Ivanhoe linepart of the Midland Main Line1840 or 1993East Midlands
Leicester–Burton upon Trent line1832–1849East Midlands
Northampton loop1881East Midlands, West MidlandsOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Nottingham–Grantham line1850East Midlands
Nottingham–Lincoln line1846East Midlands
Oakham–Kettering line1879East Midlands
Poacher LineGrantham to Skegness1848–1873East Midlands
Robin Hood LineNottingham to Worksop1848 (reopened 1993–1998)East Midlands
Sheffield–Lincoln line1849East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Erewash Valley Line1844–1862East Midlands
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Yorkshire and North East

There is a concentration of commuter services around Newcastle, Sheffield and Leeds with a number of direct routes to London, Scotland and other regions.[7][4]

This is a list of all routes that enter the Yorkshire and the Humber and North East England regions.

More information Name, Route, or previous name ...
NameRoute, or previous nameOpenedRegionsElectrified
Durham Coast LineNewcastle to Middlesbrough1833–1905North EastOverhead line, 1,500 V DC (partial)
Esk Valley lineMiddlesbrough to Whitby1835–54North East, Yorkshire and the Humber
Tyne Valley lineNewcastle to Carlisle1834–1837North East, North West
Northallerton–Eaglescliffe line1852North East, Yorkshire and the Humber
Tees Valley lineBishop Auckland to Saltburn1825–1887North East
Airedale lineLeeds to Skipton1846Yorkshire and the HumberOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Askern branch lineKnottingley to Doncaster1848Yorkshire and the Humber
Calder Valley lineBlackpool North or Manchester Victoria to Leeds1840sNorth West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Dearne Valley lineSheffield to York1839–40Yorkshire and the Humber
Doncaster–Lincoln line1849East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Hallam LineSheffield to LeedsYorkshire and the Humber
Harrogate lineLeeds to York1848Yorkshire and the Humber
Hope Valley lineManchester Piccadilly to Sheffield1894North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Huddersfield lineManchester Piccadilly or Victoria to Huddersfield1849North West, Yorkshire and the HumberPlanned
Hull to York Line1840Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds–Morecambe line1846–50North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds–Bradford linesYorkshire and the HumberOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Penistone LineHuddersfield to Sheffield1845–50Yorkshire and the Humber
Pontefract lineLeeds to Goole1848Yorkshire and the Humber
Selby LineLeeds to Hull1834Yorkshire and the HumberOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Settle–Carlisle line1875North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Sheffield–Lincoln line1849East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
South Humberside Main LineDoncaster to Cleethorpes1848Yorkshire and the Humber
Swinton–Doncaster lineSouth Yorkshire
Wakefield lineLeeds to SheffieldYorkshire and the HumberOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC (partial)
Wharfedale lineLeeds to Bradford Forster Square or Ilkley1865Yorkshire and the HumberOHLE, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Hull–Scarborough lineHull to Scarborough1845–46Yorkshire and the Humber
York–Scarborough line1845Yorkshire and the Humber
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Scotland

Thumb
Railway lines in Scotland

Scotrail Intercity lines

Glasgow commuter lines

Edinburgh commuter lines

Rural lines and Great Scenic Railways

Wales

Main lines

Cardiff commuter lines

Rural lines

Lines under construction

More information Name, Between ...
NameBetweenOpeningRegionsElectrification
High Speed 2London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Streetc.2030South East England25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line
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References

See also

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