First Great Eastern: former routes and current operators
First Great Eastern operated the former Great Eastern suburban and regional franchise from London Liverpool Street. It is an important predecessor of both today’s Greater Anglia network and the eastern part of the Elizabeth line.
Reviewed 6 November 2026.
Operator history and changes
The Great Eastern franchise began in 1997 and was operated by FirstGroup. First Great Eastern was distinct from Anglia Railways: the two companies shared the Liverpool Street approach, but their service responsibilities were not identical. The Great Eastern business concentrated on commuter and regional trains through Essex, including the Shenfield corridor and branches beyond the main line.
In 2004 its services were brought into the new Greater Anglia franchise alongside Anglia Railways and WAGN’s West Anglia services. The successor first traded as one, then National Express East Anglia, before Greater Anglia took over in 2012. A further important change came in 2015, when the stopping Liverpool Street–Shenfield service moved to TfL Rail. That service is now part of the Elizabeth line, so a single modern successor name does not describe the whole former First Great Eastern network.
Former routes and principal stations
Historical Essex main line and branches
The former network included commuter and regional travel from Liverpool Street through Essex. These are representative historical destinations rather than a complete calling pattern.
Travelling on these routes today
Use Greater Anglia for most former outer-suburban and regional destinations, and the Elizabeth line for the former Shenfield stopping corridor. At Liverpool Street, confirm whether your itinerary uses the main-line platforms or Elizabeth line platforms. A fast train and a stopping train may serve different stations even where the two routes appear together on a regional map.
Tickets and journey choices
Treat First Great Eastern fares and offers as archived material. For current travel, compare the itinerary and ticket restrictions as well as the price. Do not assume that contactless payment covers every destination on the former network; check the current payment area for the station and route you intend to use.
Accessibility and assistance
Consult the present station operator and train operator for access information. The transition from a historic surface-terminal service to the Elizabeth line does not make every possible interchange equally accessible. Allow for the route through Liverpool Street or Stratford, check lifts before departure and request assistance where helpful.
Sources and further information
Use the current operator's information to check the latest timetable, disruption and assistance arrangements for your travel date.