Electrification had been shelved prior to World War II as it was felt that little traffic would be generated. Non-electrified parts of the North Downs Line included Wokingham to Ash (Aldershot South Junction) and Shalford Junction to Reigate. In August 1981 Modern Railways magazine studied an electrification strategy for the then Southern Region of British Railways. The article saw potential on the route with the area having developed rapidly, and also with the prospect of Channel Tunnel traffic; cross-country passenger and freight workings might also be diverted along the route. Subsequently, some of the routes considered were electrified, including South Croydon - Oxted - East Grinstead (1987) Bournemouth - Weymouth (1988), Hilsea and Farlington Junction - St Denys and Eastleigh (1990) and Redhill - Tonbridge (1994). Until then, North Downs Line services continued from Redhill to Tonbridge.