ABFLY was set up quickly and became the focus for wide protests. On 4th May 1995, at a crowded public meeting addressed by two MPs, the Director of North London Railways (the operator at the time) announced that he had cancelled the plan for diesels; the electrified service would continue. However, the missing five daily trains have yet to be reinstated.

Since 1995, ABFLY has met rail managers regularly and continued to seek improvements. ABFLY continues to watch for, and challenge, any lowering of standards, and aims to keep the branch line alive and thriving as an increasingly useful part of the public transport network. Our aims are as follows:

• Smarter and cleaner stations and trains

• Retention of electric traction

• Better information at stations especially ‘real-time’ at times of disruption

• Continuation and improvement of the Sunday service

• Retention of regular ticket sales so that no fares are lost

• Effective marketing and promotion of the line to increase its use

• Rebuilding of a passing loop to enable trains to run at higher frequency

• Restoration of late night trains

• Through trains on to the mainline

• Better integration with bus services

• Re-routing of branch back into old platform 10/11 at Watford Junction

• Maintenance of good links with the TOC and the CRP