Northern Rail
Encyclopedia
Northern Rail is a British train operating company
that has operated local passenger services in Northern England
since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio
(formerly NedRailways, the British unit of ) and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems. When it won the Northern England franchise
, the consortium had already secured the contract to operate north-west England's Merseyrail
network in 2003. The current managing Director of Northern Rail is Ian Bevan.
on 1 July 2004, and signed the agreement to operate the franchise on 19 October 2004. However, the new operator did not actually take over from the previous operator (First North Western
and Arriva Trains Northern
) until 12 December 2004. This was because Serco-Abellio assumed that some Pacer trains would be freed up in the near future when Manchester Metrolink
services started between Manchester
and Oldham
. Due to a substantial delay in extending the Metrolink, it became clear that this was not going to be the case.
Northern runs a mix of commuter routes, rural routes and some longer-distance services around Cheshire
, Co. Durham
, Cumbria
, Greater Manchester
, Lancashire
, Merseyside
, Northumberland
, Teesside
, Tyne and Wear
and Yorkshire
. Northern's services also extend to the north Midland counties of Derbyshire
, Lincolnshire
, Nottinghamshire
and Staffordshire
. Some services are supported by passenger transport executive
s. In December 2008 the operator started an express service from to calling at , , , , , , and .
The franchise was planned to run for a maximum of eight years and nine months, the final two years being subject to performance targets being achieved. It was announced in May 2010 that Northern had beaten these targets and the two-year extension was granted. This means that the franchise will end on 15 September 2013. The franchise does not require the company to purchase or lease new trains.
Northern Rail won Public Transport Operator of the Year 2007 at the National Transport Awards and was praised by the judges for attracting 20% more passengers since 2004. When the extension of its franchise was announced, Northern stated that it had improved punctuality from 83.7% in the 12 months to December 2004 to 91.6% in the 12 months to May 2010, meaning that around 200 more trains per day were on time than in 2004.
The franchise agreement commits to a 15% reduction in delays in the first five years and to a new 'incentive/penalty regime' and a more 'local focus on performance'.
The latest official figures released by the ORR rate punctuality (PPM) at 92.1% and an MAA of 90.8% for the fourth quarter of financial year 2010/11 and the 12 months up to 31 March 2011.
to Rochdale
East Junction via Oldham, known as the Oldham Loop Line, ceased on 3 October 2009. The line is currently being converted to Metrolink
operation.
Northern Rail also has a Depot Access Agreement (DAA) with West Coast Traincare to undertake Level 1 to 4 maintenance at its Manchester Traincare Centre (Longsight LO) on the Northern-Rail-operated Class 323 EMUs and servicing on its Class 142 and Class 15x DMUs.
A further DAA covers servicing of its Class 142 and Class 15x DMUs at West Coast Traincare's Liverpool Traincare Centre (Edge Hill CS).
Northern are currently in the process of receiving additional cascaded 2 car class 150 trains from London Midland
in 2011
In January 2008, as part of the Government's rolling stock plan, the Department for Transport
(DfT) announced that the fleet of Class 323
trains currently in operation on services in South and East Manchester would be transferred to London Midland
, where the rest of the Class 323 trains are based, in order to form a uniform fleet. Northern was due to receive 24 new-build or cascaded EMU vehicles to allow for this and provide additional capacity. This now looks unlikely to be implemented. The original plan also stated that further DMU
stock was due to be transferred to Northern from London Midland and London Overground
. A presentation by the DfT, also in January 2008, indicated that this could include Class 150 units from London Midland.
On 22 December 2008 the Department for Transport announced that it had issued an invitation to tender for 200 new carriages to form diesel multiple units, some of which were intended for Northern Rail. The Contract Notice specifies that those parties expressing in an interest must have the ability to design and manufacture DMUs 23 metres in length, capable of a maximum speed of 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h), formed of 2, 3, and/or 4 cars, capable of operation in multiple, and gangwayed throughout, both within units and units in multiple. The order was postponed in July 2009, following the announcement of the electrification of Liverpool to Manchester via Newton-le-Willows. Northern will now get ex-Thameslink
EMUs (most likely British Rail Class 319
s) to run Liverpool to Manchester services, allowing the diesel units currently used on that route to be cascaded to other lines.
As part of a trial of the feasibility of the tram-train
concept, Northern will operate newly built electric tram-train units between Rotherham
and Sheffield
after plans for a diesel tram-train trial between Huddersfield
and Sheffield
were deemed not to be economically viable for a trial.
areas adds to criticism about what some called life-expired trains being used.
Northern Rail has a tough approach on fare evasion and has been known to take passengers to court for underpaying by a matter of pence even where the company has no concrete proof. Northern Rail tried to prosecute one passenger who had actually tried to avoid paying part of his fare but the court case failed costing Northern over £2,000 in legal fees. The court case was believed to have failed as Northern require some passengers to carry special tickets saying which station they boarded at and tried to use that as evidence as a way of attempting to combat fare evasion by not having passengers paying for shorter journeys they then make. However, any such requirement to force a passenger to produce a special ticket to prove where they boarded would be a breach of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, which both passengers and rail operators are obliged to adhere to.
Due to increased passenger numbers, Northern has installed new ticket machines at some stations. However, these do not sell the full range of tickets, for instance they do not sell Cheap Evening Returns, so that in the evening passengers can pay double the fare that they need to pay for the journey they are making, if they purchase tickets from the machine.
|-
Train operating company
The term train operating company is used in the United Kingdom to describe the various businesses operating passenger trains on the railway system of Great Britain under the collective National Rail brand...
that has operated local passenger services in Northern England
Northern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio
Abellio (transport company)
Abellio is a public transit operator in Germany which operates both bus and rail networks. The headquarters of the company are in Essen. Abellio Germany is part of the Abellio Group , the international expansion arm of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen.-History:Abellio was formed by the Essen public...
(formerly NedRailways, the British unit of ) and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems. When it won the Northern England franchise
Rail franchising in Great Britain
Rail franchising in Great Britain was created by the Railways Act 1993. Passenger services are franchised, for a limited period, to train operating companies...
, the consortium had already secured the contract to operate north-west England's Merseyrail
Merseyrail
Merseyrail is a train operating company and commuter rail network in the United Kingdom, centred on Liverpool, Merseyside. The network is predominantly electric with diesel trains running on the City Line. Two City Line branches are currently being electrified on the overhead wire AC system with...
network in 2003. The current managing Director of Northern Rail is Ian Bevan.
Introduction
Serco-Abellio was announced as the 'preferred bidder' for the Northern franchise by the Strategic Rail AuthorityStrategic Rail Authority
In existence from 2001 to 2006, the Strategic Rail Authority was a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom set up under the Transport Act 2000 to provide strategic direction for the railway industry....
on 1 July 2004, and signed the agreement to operate the franchise on 19 October 2004. However, the new operator did not actually take over from the previous operator (First North Western
First North Western
First North Western was a train operating company in the United Kingdom serving North West England. It operated from 1997 to 2004.The company when first privatised was known as North Western Trains and was owned by Great Western Holdings, a partnership between Great Western's management, First...
and Arriva Trains Northern
Arriva Trains Northern
Arriva Trains Northern was a train operating company that operated passenger trains in Yorkshire and the North East of England. The company had previously been known as Northern Spirit before being taken over by Arriva....
) until 12 December 2004. This was because Serco-Abellio assumed that some Pacer trains would be freed up in the near future when Manchester Metrolink
Manchester Metrolink
Metrolink is a light rail system in Greater Manchester, England. It consists of four lines which converge in Manchester city centre and terminate in Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Chorlton-cum-Hardy. The system is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester and operated under contract by RATP Group...
services started between Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and Oldham
Oldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
. Due to a substantial delay in extending the Metrolink, it became clear that this was not going to be the case.
Northern runs a mix of commuter routes, rural routes and some longer-distance services around Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, Co. Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, Teesside
Teesside
Teesside is the name given to the conurbation in the north east of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, Billingham and surrounding settlements near the River Tees. It was also the name of a local government district between 1968 and 1974—the County Borough of...
, Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear is a metropolitan county in north east England around the mouths of the Rivers Tyne and Wear. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972...
and Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. Northern's services also extend to the north Midland counties of Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
and Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
. Some services are supported by passenger transport executive
Passenger Transport Executive
In the United Kingdom, passenger transport executives are local government bodies which are responsible for public transport within large urban areas...
s. In December 2008 the operator started an express service from to calling at , , , , , , and .
The franchise was planned to run for a maximum of eight years and nine months, the final two years being subject to performance targets being achieved. It was announced in May 2010 that Northern had beaten these targets and the two-year extension was granted. This means that the franchise will end on 15 September 2013. The franchise does not require the company to purchase or lease new trains.
Northern Rail won Public Transport Operator of the Year 2007 at the National Transport Awards and was praised by the judges for attracting 20% more passengers since 2004. When the extension of its franchise was announced, Northern stated that it had improved punctuality from 83.7% in the 12 months to December 2004 to 91.6% in the 12 months to May 2010, meaning that around 200 more trains per day were on time than in 2004.
Performance
In the period 15 October 2009 to 14 November 2009, Northern's punctuality was 91.1% and reliability was 92.2%. Northern's passenger charter targets are 91% for punctuality and 99% for reliability.The franchise agreement commits to a 15% reduction in delays in the first five years and to a new 'incentive/penalty regime' and a more 'local focus on performance'.
The latest official figures released by the ORR rate punctuality (PPM) at 92.1% and an MAA of 90.8% for the fourth quarter of financial year 2010/11 and the 12 months up to 31 March 2011.
Former routes
Services on the route from Thorpes Bridge Junction, Newton HeathNewton Heath
Newton Heath is an urban area of the city of Manchester, in Greater Manchester, England. It is east north east of Manchester city centre and has a population of 9,883....
to Rochdale
Rochdale
Rochdale is a large market town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the foothills of the Pennines on the River Roch, north-northwest of Oldham, and north-northeast of the city of Manchester. Rochdale is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan...
East Junction via Oldham, known as the Oldham Loop Line, ceased on 3 October 2009. The line is currently being converted to Metrolink
Manchester Metrolink
Metrolink is a light rail system in Greater Manchester, England. It consists of four lines which converge in Manchester city centre and terminate in Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Chorlton-cum-Hardy. The system is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester and operated under contract by RATP Group...
operation.
Depots
The Traincare depots for Northern Rail are at:- Hull Botanic Gardens (BG)
- Blackpool North LMD (BP)
- Barrow-in-Furness (BW)
- Heaton (Newcastle upon Tyne) (HT)
- Neville Hill (Leeds) (NL)
- Newton Heath (Manchester) (NH)
- Sheffield Station (SM)
- Workington (WK) (overnight cleaning for Cumbrian Coast)
- Buxton (BX) (Overnight Cleaning Depot)
- Allerton (To be reopened for Northern Rail, for the servicing of its 156 fleet & future 319 fleet)
Northern Rail also has a Depot Access Agreement (DAA) with West Coast Traincare to undertake Level 1 to 4 maintenance at its Manchester Traincare Centre (Longsight LO) on the Northern-Rail-operated Class 323 EMUs and servicing on its Class 142 and Class 15x DMUs.
A further DAA covers servicing of its Class 142 and Class 15x DMUs at West Coast Traincare's Liverpool Traincare Centre (Edge Hill CS).
Current fleet
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Class 142 Pacer British Rail Class 142 The British Rail Class 142 is a class of Pacer diesel multiple units used in the United Kingdom. 96 units were built by BREL in Derby between 1985 and 1987. They were a development of the earlier Class 141 which were introduced in 1984.... |
 |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 120 | 79 | Manchester Victoria/Airport - Wigan Wallgate/Southport/Kirkby; Chester - Manchester Piccadilly via Altrincham; Southport - Chester via Altrincham (Sundays only); Manchester Piccadilly - New Mills Central/Rose Hill Marple; Leeds - Morecambe/Lancaster/Sheffield/York; Liverpool Lime Street - Manchester Victoria/Manchester Oxford Road/Blackpool North/Warrington Bank Quay; Huddersfield - Manchester Victoria; Colne - Blackpool South; Cumbrian Coast; Newcastle - Hexham/Middlesbrough; Bishop Auckland/Darlington - Saltburn; Middlesbrough - Hexham; Peak time Crewe/Alderley Edge/Macclesfield-Manchester Piccadilly services; Metrocentre & Newcastle - Morpeth & Chathill | 1985–1987 |
| Class 144 Pacer British Rail Class 144 The British Rail Class 144 "Pacer" diesel multiple units were built by BREL Derby from 1986-1987. A total of 23 units were built, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.... |
 |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 120 | 23 | Leeds - Harrogate/York/Manchester Victoria (stopper)/Huddersfield/Goole/Sheffield/Morecambe; Sheffield/Wakefield Westgate - Huddersfield; Sheffield - Scunthorpe/Lincoln | 1986–1987 |
| Class 150/1 Sprinter British Rail Class 150 The British Rail Class 150 "Sprinter" diesel multiple units were built by BREL from 1984-87. A total of 137 units were built in three main subclasses, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.- Background :... |
 |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 120 | 26 (30 by December 2011) | Manchester Victoria - Clitheroe/Leeds; Colne - Blackpool South; Manchester Piccadilly - Buxton/Sheffield/Rose Hill Marple; Liverpool Lime Street - Blackpool North/Manchester Victoria; Manchester Victoria/Airport - Wigan Wallgate/Southport/Kirkby; Chester - Manchester Piccadilly via Altrincham; Southport - Chester via Altrincham (Sundays only); | 1984–1987 |
| Class 150/2 Sprinter British Rail Class 150 The British Rail Class 150 "Sprinter" diesel multiple units were built by BREL from 1984-87. A total of 137 units were built in three main subclasses, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.- Background :... |
 |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 120 | 26 (30 by December 2011) | Manchester Victoria - Clitheroe/Leeds; Colne - Blackpool South; Wakefield Kirkgate - Knottingley; Manchester Piccadilly - Buxton/Sheffield/Rose Hill Marple; Liverpool Lime Street - Blackpool North/Manchester Victoria; Manchester Victoria/Airport - Wigan Wallgate/Southport; Chester - Manchester Piccadilly via Altrincham; Southport - Chester via Altrincham (Sundays only); | 1984–1987 |
| Class 153 Super Sprinter British Rail Class 153 The British Rail Class 153 Super Sprinter is a single car diesel multiple unit converted from British Rail Class 155s.-Description:These units were originally built as two-car Class 155 units by British Leyland from 1987–88, but were converted by Hunslet-Barclay at Kilmarnock from 1991-92... |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 120 | 18 | Colne - Blackpool South, Preston - Ormskirk, Leeds - Knottingley, Wakefield Kirkgate - Knottingley, Cumbrian Coast Line Cumbrian Coast Line The Cumbrian Coast Line is a rail route in North West England, running from Carlisle to Barrow-in-Furness via Workington and Whitehaven. The line forms part of Network Rail route NW 4033, which continues via Ulverston and Grange-over-Sands to Carnforth, where it connects with the West Coast Main... . Also seen coupled to other trains for additional capacity; sometimes seen in South Yorkshire replacing services usually run by Pacers. |
1987–1988 (Converted 1991 - 1992) |
|
| Class 155 Super Sprinter British Rail Class 155 The British Rail Class 155 Super Sprinter is a diesel multiple unit. These DMUs were built by British Leyland at Workington between 1987 and 1988 as part of British Rail's replacement of its ageing diesel fleet which were First-Generation.- History and description :The Class 155 train is made up... |
 |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 120 | 7 | Caldervale Line Caldervale Line The Caldervale Line is a railway route in Northern England between the cities of Leeds and Manchester as well as the seaside resort of Blackpool... , Harrogate line Harrogate Line The Harrogate Line is the name given to a passenger rail service through parts of North Yorkshire and the West Yorkshire Metro area of northern England connecting Leeds to York by way of Harrogate and Knaresborough. The service is operated by Northern Rail, with a few additional workings by East... |
1987–1988 |
| Class 156 Super Sprinter British Rail Class 156 The British Rail Class 156 Super Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train . 114 of these units were built from 1987 to 1989 by Metro-Cammell at its Washwood Heath Works in Birmingham... |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 120 | 42 | Colne - Blackpool South (Usually on Sundays only); Cumbrian Coast; Newcastle - Carlisle; Blackpool North - Manchester Victoria; Preston - Hazel Grove; Manchester Airport/Oxford Road - Liverpool Lime Street; Manchester Piccadilly - Rose Hill Marple/Buxton/Sheffield; Helsby - Ellsemere Port; Manchester Victoria/Airport - Wigan Wallgate/Southport/Kirkby; Chester - Manchester Piccadilly via Altrincham; Southport - Chester via Altrincham (Sundays only); Nunthorpe to Hexham (Select journeys only); | 1987–1989 | |
| Class 158 Express Sprinter British Rail Class 158 British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train, built for British Rail between 1989 and 1992 by BREL at its Derby Works. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, and allowed cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs... |
 |
Diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
90 | 140 | 46 | Express services including York - Blackpool North, Sheffield - Leeds via Barnsley, Sheffield/Hull -Bridlington/Scarborough, Leeds - Carlisle, Leeds-Bradford-Manchester Victoria, Nottingham - Leeds | 1989–1992 |
 |
|||||||
| Class 180 Adelante British Rail Class 180 The Class 180 is a type of British diesel multiple unit train built by Alstom between 2000 and 2001 for use on then-new express services by First Great Western . They were built at Washwood Heath in Birmingham and are part of the Coradia 1000 family along with the Class 175. FGW stopped using the... |
diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
125 | 200 | 3 (until December 2011) | Cascaded from First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales.... . Blackpool North - Manchester Victoria and Hazel Grove - Preston/Blackpool. Being sub-leased from East Coast East Coast (train operating company) East Coast is a British train operating company running high-speed passenger services on the East Coast Main Line between London, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland... . |
2000–2001 | |
| Class 321/9 British Rail Class 321 The British Rail Class 321 alternating current electric multiple units were built by BREL York in three batches from 1988-91. The design was successful and led to the development of the similar Class 320 and Class 322 units for use by Strathclyde PTE and Stansted Express respectively... |
 |
Electric multiple unit Electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages... |
100 | 160 | 3 | Wakefield Line Wakefield Line The Wakefield line is the name given to one of the rail services in the West Yorkshire Metro/South Yorkshire P.T.E. area of northern England. The service connects Leeds and Wakefield with Sheffield and Doncaster. The section of the line between Leeds and Doncaster forms part of the East Coast Main... Leeds - Doncaster |
1991 |
| Class 322 British Rail Class 322 The British Rail Class 322 electric multiple units were built by BREL in 1990. Five 4-car units were built for the dedicated Stansted Express service from London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport. The units were then used by First ScotRail, operating on the North Berwick Branch Line, between /... |
Electric multiple unit Electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages... |
100 | 160 | 5 (expected in service December 2011) | Wakefield Line Wakefield Line The Wakefield line is the name given to one of the rail services in the West Yorkshire Metro/South Yorkshire P.T.E. area of northern England. The service connects Leeds and Wakefield with Sheffield and Doncaster. The section of the line between Leeds and Doncaster forms part of the East Coast Main... Leeds - Doncaster |
1990 | |
| Class 323 British Rail Class 323 The British Rail Class 323 electric multiple units were built by Hunslet TPL from 1992-93. Forty-three 3-car units were built for inner-suburban services around Birmingham and Manchester... |
.jpg) |
Electric multiple unit Electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages... |
90 | 140 | 17 | Electrified routes in and out of Manchester Piccadilly: Manchester Piccadilly - Alderley Edge/Crewe/Glossop/Hadfield/Hazel Grove/Macclesfield/ Manchester Airport/Stoke-on-Trent |
1992–1993 |
| Class 333 British Rail Class 333 The British Rail Class 333 electric multiple units were built by Siemens and CAF are based on the Class 332 trains operated by Heathrow Express.-Description:... |
Electric multiple unit Electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages... |
100 | 160 | 16 | Wharfedale Line Wharfedale Line The Wharfedale Line is the name given to one of the rail services in the West Yorkshire Metro area of northern England. The service connects Ilkley with Leeds and Bradford, and is operated by Northern Rail. West Yorkshire Metrocards are available for use on the line, covering Zones 3 - 5... Leeds and Bradford - Shipley - Ilkley Airedale Line Airedale Line The Airedale Line is the name given to one of the rail services in the Metro area of northern England. The service is operated by Northern Rail, on the route connecting Leeds and Bradford with Skipton in the North of England. Some services along the line continue to Morecambe or Carlisle... Leeds and Bradford - Shipley - Keighley - Skipton Leeds-Bradford line |
2000 | |
 |
|||||||
Northern are currently in the process of receiving additional cascaded 2 car class 150 trains from London Midland
London Midland
London Midland is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Legally named London and Birmingham Railway Ltd, it is a subsidiary of Govia, and has operated the West Midlands franchise since 11 November 2007....
in 2011
Future fleet
| Class | Type | Top speed | Number | Cars per set | Routes operated | In Service | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Class 319 British Rail Class 319 The British Rail Class 319 dual-voltage electric multiple units were built by BREL York in two batches in 1987–88 and 1990. The trains were introduced for new north-south cross-London services from Bedford to Brighton, and since privatisation these services have been operated by Thameslink and... |
electric multiple unit Electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages... |
100 | 161 | TBA | 4 | Lancashire electrified routes (Manchester to Liverpool, Preston and Blackpool) | 2015 |
| Class 322 British Rail Class 322 The British Rail Class 322 electric multiple units were built by BREL in 1990. Five 4-car units were built for the dedicated Stansted Express service from London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport. The units were then used by First ScotRail, operating on the North Berwick Branch Line, between /... |
electric multiple unit Electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages... |
100 | 161 | 5 | 4 | Leeds Leeds Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial... area |
2011 |
| tram-train units | electric multiple unit Electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages... |
TBA | TBA | 4 | 2 | Rotherham Rotherham Central railway station Rotherham Central railway station is in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The station was originally named "Rotherham", becoming "Rotherham and Masborough" in January 1889 and finally "Rotherham Central" on 25 September 1950... to Sheffield |
2014 |
In January 2008, as part of the Government's rolling stock plan, the Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
(DfT) announced that the fleet of Class 323
British Rail Class 323
The British Rail Class 323 electric multiple units were built by Hunslet TPL from 1992-93. Forty-three 3-car units were built for inner-suburban services around Birmingham and Manchester...
trains currently in operation on services in South and East Manchester would be transferred to London Midland
London Midland
London Midland is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Legally named London and Birmingham Railway Ltd, it is a subsidiary of Govia, and has operated the West Midlands franchise since 11 November 2007....
, where the rest of the Class 323 trains are based, in order to form a uniform fleet. Northern was due to receive 24 new-build or cascaded EMU vehicles to allow for this and provide additional capacity. This now looks unlikely to be implemented. The original plan also stated that further DMU
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
stock was due to be transferred to Northern from London Midland and London Overground
London Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
. A presentation by the DfT, also in January 2008, indicated that this could include Class 150 units from London Midland.
On 22 December 2008 the Department for Transport announced that it had issued an invitation to tender for 200 new carriages to form diesel multiple units, some of which were intended for Northern Rail. The Contract Notice specifies that those parties expressing in an interest must have the ability to design and manufacture DMUs 23 metres in length, capable of a maximum speed of 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h), formed of 2, 3, and/or 4 cars, capable of operation in multiple, and gangwayed throughout, both within units and units in multiple. The order was postponed in July 2009, following the announcement of the electrification of Liverpool to Manchester via Newton-le-Willows. Northern will now get ex-Thameslink
Thameslink
Thameslink is a fifty-station main-line route in the British railway system running north to south through London from Bedford to Brighton, serving both London Gatwick Airport and London Luton Airport. It opened as a through service in 1988 and by 1998 was severely overcrowded, carrying more than...
EMUs (most likely British Rail Class 319
British Rail Class 319
The British Rail Class 319 dual-voltage electric multiple units were built by BREL York in two batches in 1987–88 and 1990. The trains were introduced for new north-south cross-London services from Bedford to Brighton, and since privatisation these services have been operated by Thameslink and...
s) to run Liverpool to Manchester services, allowing the diesel units currently used on that route to be cascaded to other lines.
As part of a trial of the feasibility of the tram-train
Tram-train
A tram-train is a light-rail public transport system where trams run both on an urban tramway network and on main-line railways to combine the tram's flexibility and availability and the train's greater speed...
concept, Northern will operate newly built electric tram-train units between Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
and Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
after plans for a diesel tram-train trial between Huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
and Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
were deemed not to be economically viable for a trial.
Criticism
Northern Rail operates just over 100 Pacer trains. These were built on a low budget during the 1980s recession and the upper body is based on a British Leyland bus. Many passengers are unhappy with the ride quality of these trains, noting that they provide an uncomfortable ride, are very noisy when going around bends, and are far too small for the number of passengers travelling today. Some critics even say they are not safe to still be in use. High fares in non-PTEPTE
PTE may refer to:*CVH-PTE Engine, an engine produced by the Ford Motor Company*Partido de los Trabajadores de Ecuador, the Workers' Party of Ecuador*Partido del Trabajo de España, the Party of Labour of Spain...
areas adds to criticism about what some called life-expired trains being used.
Northern Rail has a tough approach on fare evasion and has been known to take passengers to court for underpaying by a matter of pence even where the company has no concrete proof. Northern Rail tried to prosecute one passenger who had actually tried to avoid paying part of his fare but the court case failed costing Northern over £2,000 in legal fees. The court case was believed to have failed as Northern require some passengers to carry special tickets saying which station they boarded at and tried to use that as evidence as a way of attempting to combat fare evasion by not having passengers paying for shorter journeys they then make. However, any such requirement to force a passenger to produce a special ticket to prove where they boarded would be a breach of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, which both passengers and rail operators are obliged to adhere to.
Due to increased passenger numbers, Northern has installed new ticket machines at some stations. However, these do not sell the full range of tickets, for instance they do not sell Cheap Evening Returns, so that in the evening passengers can pay double the fare that they need to pay for the journey they are making, if they purchase tickets from the machine.
External links
|-