The route is not electrified, but has been widened to two tracks.

A few local routes were electrified, but most local services were not.

The route was electrified between 1991 and 6 June 1993.

In the same year, a route was electrified in the Heaton area.

The route through the station was electrified in 1968.

The Government announced on 29 November 2011 that this route will be electrified in the near future.

The route is double track throughout and has been fully electrified since 15 March 1965.

Prior to 1922, at which time the entire route was finally electrified, services were steam operated.

The route is duplicated and has been electrified since 1975.

The route is electrified and can be operated at up to 160 km/h.