Northern Trains

This article is about the current operator of the Northern franchise. For the previous operator of the Northern franchise, see Arriva Rail North.

Northern Trains, branded as Northern, (legally Northern Trains Limited^[4]) is a publicly owned train operating company in England. It is owned by DfT OLR Holdings for the Department for Transport (DfT), after the previous operator Arriva Rail North had its franchise terminated at the end of February 2020.

Northern

Class 195 in May 2021 in Northern Trains livery at Liverpool Lime Street
Overview
Franchise(s)	Northern
Main region(s)	North East North West Yorkshire and the Humber
Other region(s)	East Midlands West Midlands
Fleet size	345^[3]
Parent company	DfT OLR Holdings
Headquarters	York^[2]
Reporting mark	NT^[1]
Dates of operation	1 March 2020 (2020-03-01) – present
Predecessor	Arriva Rail North
Other
Website	www.northernrailway.co.uk

Northern Trains commenced operating the Northern franchise on 1 March 2020, taking over from Arriva Rail North. The prior operator had its franchise terminated early by the DfT in January 2020 amid widespread dissatisfaction over its performance, particularly in respect to poorly-implemented timetable changes. The DfT had opted to hand the operation of the franchise over to the operator of last resort. At the commencement of operations, Northern Trains publicly stated that its immediate aims were to improve service reliability and to proceed with the introduction of new rolling stock. For the latter, both the Class 195 diesel multiple units and Class 331 electric multiple units were brought into service fully during December 2020.

Services have been disrupted by wider events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. Northern Trains is also being impacted by the 2022 United Kingdom railway strike, the largest national rail strike in the UK in three decades.

History

Background

In December 2015, the Department for Transport (DfT) awarded Arriva a contract to operate the Northern franchise as Arriva Rail North. It commenced in April 2016 and was originally scheduled to run until March 2025.^[5][6] Within two years, the franchise was being widely criticised, in particular for troubled implementation of a new timetable in May 2018 that resulted in widespread delays and cancellations.^[7][8] Later in 2018 performance continued to suffer, with many passengers protesting and a reduced service on Saturdays due to industrial action.^{[9][10][11][12]} By November 2018, Arriva were re-evaluating their future involvement in the franchise due to a combination of declining passenger numbers as a result of the chaotic May 2018 timetable change and increasing compensation claims as a result of falling punctuality.^[13]

In June 2019, the DfT's operator of last resort, DfT OLR Holdings, conducted due diligence into the franchise believing the both operational and financial performance to be "unsustainable".^[14] In October 2019, the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, issued a request for proposals to incumbent operator Arriva and the operator of last resort, which would result in termination of the franchise with either Arriva to be awarded a short-term management contract or the operator of last resort to take over.^[15] In January 2020, Shapps publicly criticised Arriva's operation of the Northern franchise and suggested that the Government may step in to revoke its franchise agreement, bluntly referring to the service as "completely unacceptable".^[16]

On 29 January 2020, the DfT announced its decision to terminate Arriva Northern's franchise and that the operator of last resort would take over.^[17][18][19] This was the first time that a franchise has been removed from a train operating company due to poor performance since Connex South Eastern in 2003. On 1 March 2020, the franchise became directly operated by DfT OLR Holdings for the DfT, adopting the brand name 'Northern Trains, with the stated objective to "stabilise performance and restore reliability for passengers".^[20][21]

Changes and events

By mid-2020, Northern Trains had considerably curtailed its services in response to the significant decline of passenger travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.^[22][23] From 15 June 2020, both passengers and staff on public transport in England, including Northern Trains services, were required to wear face coverings while travelling, and that anyone failing to do so would be liable to be refused travel or fined.^[24][25]

Northern Trains is one of several train operators impacted by the 2022 United Kingdom railway strike, which was the first national rail strike in the UK for three decades.^[26] Its workers are amongst those who voted to take industrial action due a dispute over pay and working conditions.^[27] Northern Trains urged the travelling public to avoid travelling on its services on any of the planned dates for the strikes, being only capable of operating a minimal timetable due to the number of staff involved.^[28][29]

In 2021 Northern Trains was given a contract by the Department for Transport to run services for 3 years with an optional extension of a further 2 years.^[30]

Services

Northern took over all the services operated by Arriva Rail North on 1 March 2020.

Table of off-peak services

Below is a simplified list of frequent Monday to Saturday off-peak services, per December 2022 timetables.^[31] Due to the extensive nature of the network, it has been split by region, then majority rail line.

North East

Tyne Valley, Durham Coast, Esk Valley Lines and East Coast Main Line
Route	tph	Calling at
Carlisle to Newcastle	1	Haltwhistle, Hexham, Prudhoe, MetroCentre
Carlisle to Morpeth	1	Wetheral, Brampton (1tp2h), Haltwhistle, Bardon Mill (1tp2h), Haydon Bridge, Hexham, Prudhoe, MetroCentre, Newcastle, Manors, Cramlington Trains either serve Brampton, or Bardon Mill 2 trains per day continue to Chathill, calling at Pegswood, Widdrington, Acklington and Alnmouth
Hexham to Nunthorpe	1	Corbridge, Riding Mill, Stocksfield, Prudhoe, Wylam, Blaydon, MetroCentre, Dunston, Newcastle, Heworth, Sunderland, Seaham, Horden, Hartlepool, Seaton Carew, Billingham, Stockton, Thornaby, Middlesbrough, James Cook University Hospital, Marton, Gypsy Lane
Middlesbrough to Whitby	1⁄4	James Cook University Hospital, Marton, Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe, Great Ayton, Battersby, Kildale, Commondale, Castleton Moor, Danby, Lealholm, Glaisdale, Egton, Grosmont, Sleights, Ruswarp
Darlington to Newcastle	1tpd	Durham, Chester-le-Street
Tees Valley Line
Route	tph	Calling at
Saltburn to Darlington	1	Marske, Longbeck, Redcar East, Redcar Central, Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe, Allens West, Dinsdale
Saltburn to Bishop Auckland	1	Marske, Longbeck, Redcar East, Redcar Central, South Bank, Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe, Allens West, Dinsdale, Darlington, North Road, Heighington, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon

North West

Furness, Windermere and Cumbrian Coast lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness	1	Gatley, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Bolton, Chorley, Preston, Lancaster, Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside, Grange-over-Sands, Kents Bank, Cark, Ulverston, Dalton, Roose 4 trains per day run as Manchester Airport to Windermere, and Lancaster to Carlisle, services instead.
Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle	1	Askam, Kirkby-in-Furness, Foxfield, Green Road, Millom, Silecroft, Bootle, Ravenglass, Drigg, Seascale, Sellafield, Braystones (limited), Nethertown (limited), St Bees, Corkickle, Whitehaven, Parton, Harrington, Workington, Flimby, Maryport, Aspatria, Wigton, Dalston Kirkby-in-Furness, Green Road, Silecroft, Bootle, Drigg, Braystones, Nethertown, Parton, and Flimby are served on request. 4 trains per day run as Lancaster to Carlisle services
Oxenholme Lake District to Windermere	1	Kendal, Burneside, Staveley 4 trains per day run as Manchester Airport to Windermere services
Morecambe branch line
Route	tph	Calling at
Lancaster to Morecambe	1	Bare Lane Hourly service supplemented/modified by additional trains from Leeds. 1 train per day extends to Heysham Port.
Liverpool–Wigan and Blackpool branch lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western	2	Edge Hill, Wavertree Technology Park, Broad Green, Roby, Huyton, Prescot, Eccleston Park, Thatto Heath, St Helens Central, Garswood, Bryn
Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North	1	Huyton, St Helens Central, Wigan North Western, Euxton Balshaw Lane, Leyland, Preston, Poulton-le-Fylde
Manchester Airport to Blackpool North	2	Heald Green (1tph), Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Lostock, Horwich Parkway, Blackrod (1tph), Adlington (1tph), Chorley, Buckshaw Parkway, Leyland, Preston, Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton-le-Fylde, Layton (1tph)
Preston to Blackpool South	1	Salwick (3tpd), Kirkham & Wesham, Moss Side, Lytham, Ansdell & Fairhaven, St Annes-on-the-Sea, Squires Gate, Blackpool Pleasure Beach
East Lancashire and Ormskirk branch lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Preston to Colne	1	Lostock Hall, Bamber Bridge, Pleasington (request stop), Cherry Tree, Mill Hill, Blackburn, Rishton, Church & Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Huncoat, Hapton (request stop), Rose Grove, Burnley Barracks (request stop), Burnley Central, Brierfield, Nelson
Ormskirk to Preston	1	Burscough Junction, Rufford, Croston
Liverpool–Manchester lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Oxford Road	1	Edge Hill, Mossley Hill, West Allerton, Liverpool South Parkway, Hough Green, Warrington West, Warrington Central, Padgate, Birchwood, Glazebrook (1tp2h), Irlam, Flixton, Chassen Road (1tp2h), Urmston, Humphrey Park (1tp2h), Trafford Park (1tp2h), Deansgate Most trains either call at Glazebrook and Chassen Road or Humphrey Park and Trafford Park.
Liverpool Lime Street to Warrington Central	1	Mossley Hill, West Allerton, Liverpool South Parkway, Hunts Cross, Halewood, Hough Green, Widnes, Sankey for Penketh (2tpd), Warrington West
Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport	1	Edge Hill, Wavertree Technology Park, Broad Green, Roby, Huyton, Whiston, Rainhill, Lea Green, St Helens Junction, Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows, Patricroft, Eccles, Deansgate, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly, Mauldeth Road, Burnage, East Didsbury, Gatley, Heald Green
Warrington Bank Quay to Liverpool Lime Street	1tpd	Earlestown, St Helens Junction, Lea Green, Rainhill, Whiston, Huyton, Roby, Broad Green, Wavertree Technology Park, Edge Hill westbound only
Ellesmere Port to Helsby	2tpd	Ince & Elton 1 train per day continues to Warrington Bank Quay, calling at Frodsham and Runcorn East.
Crewe-Manchester, Mid-Cheshire, Stafford–Manchester, and Buxton lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe	1	Mauldeth Road, Burnage, East Didsbury, Gatley, Heald Green, Manchester Airport, Styal, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach
	1	Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Handforth, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Chelford, Goostrey, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach
Manchester Piccadilly to Alderley Edge	1	Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Handforth, Wilmslow
Manchester Piccadilly to Chester	1	Stockport, Navigation Road, Altrincham, Hale, Ashley, Mobberley, Knutsford, Plumley, Lostock Gralam, Northwich, Greenbank, Cuddington, Delamere, Mouldsworth
Manchester Piccadilly to Stoke-on-Trent	1	Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, Poynton, Adlington, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Congleton, Kidsgrove, Longport (limited)
Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton	1	Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Davenport, Woodsmoor, Hazel Grove, Middlewood (1tp2h), Disley, New Mills Newtown, Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Dove Holes (1tp2h) Services either call at Middlewood or Dove Holes.
Manchester Piccadilly to Hazel Grove	1	Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Davenport, Woodsmoor
Glossop and Hope Valley lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Manchester Piccadilly to Hadfield	2	Ashburys, Guide Bridge, Flowery Field, Newton for Hyde, Godley, Hattersley, Broadbottom, Dinting, Glossop
Manchester Piccadilly to Rose Hill Marple	4⁄3	Gorton, Fairfield, Guide Bridge, Hyde North, Hyde Central, Woodley, Romiley
Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills Central	1	Ardwick (1tpd eastbound only), Ashburys, Belle Vue, Ryder Brow, Reddish North, Brinnington, Bredbury, Romiley, Marple, Strines
Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield	1	Reddish North, Brinnington, Bredbury, Romiley, Marple, New Mills Central, Chinley, Edale, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage, Grindleford, Dore & Totley
Manchester–Southport and Kirkby branch lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Southport to Manchester Oxford Road	1	Meols Cop, Burscough Bridge, Parbold, Appley Bridge, Gathurst, Wigan Wallgate, Hindley, Westhoughton, Bolton, Salford Crescent, Deansgate
Southport to Stalybridge	1	Meols Cop, Bescar Lane (1tp2h), New Lane (1tp2h), Burscough Bridge, Hoscar (1tp2h), Parbold, Appley Bridge, Gathurst, Wigan Wallgate, Hindley, Westhoughton, Bolton, Moses Gate, Farnworth, Kearsley, Clifton (1tpd), Salford Crescent, Salford Central, Manchester Victoria, Ashton-under-Lyne
Kirkby to Blackburn	1	Rainford, Upholland, Orrell, Pemberton, Wigan Wallgate, Hindley, Daisy Hill, Hag Fold, Atherton, Walkden, Swinton, Salford Crescent, Salford Central, Manchester Victoria, Rochdale, Smithy Bridge, Littleborough, Todmorden, Burnley Manchester Road, Rose Grove, Accrington This route is expected to terminate at Headbolt Lane instead of Kirkby when the former station opens in 2023.^[32]
Ribble Valley line
Route	tph	Calling at
Blackburn to Rochdale	1	Darwen, Bromley Cross, Hall i' th' Wood, Bolton, Salford Crescent, Salford Central, Manchester Victoria, Moston, Mills Hill, Castleton
Clitheroe to Rochdale	1	Whalley, Langho, Ramsgreave & Wilpshire, Blackburn, Darwen, Entwistle (request stop), Bromley Cross, Hall i' th' Wood, Bolton, Salford Crescent, Salford Central, Manchester Victoria, Moston, Mills Hill, Castleton

Yorkshire and the Humber

Huddersfield Line
Route	tph	Calling at
Castleford to Huddersfield	4tpd	Normanton, Wakefield Kirkgate, Mirfield, Deighton
Bradford Interchange to Huddersfield	1⁄2	Low Moor, Halifax, Brighouse
Wharfdale and Airedale lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Leeds to Bradford Forster Square	2	Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge, Shipley, Frizinghall
Leeds to Ilkley	2	Guiseley, Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ben Rhydding
Bradford Forster Square to Ilkley	2	Frizinghall, Shipley, Baildon, Guiseley, Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ben Rhydding
Leeds to Skipton	2	Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley, Crossflatts, Keighley, Steeton & Silsden, Cononley
Bradford Forster Square to Skipton	2	Frizinghall, Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley, Crossflatts, Keighley, Steeton & Silsden, Cononley
Harrogate Line
Route	tph	Calling at
Leeds to York via Harrogate	2	Burley Park, Headingley, Horsforth, Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, Starbeck, Knaresborough, Cattal, Hammerton, Poppleton
Pontefract Line
Route	tph	Calling at
Leeds to Knottingley via Castleford	1	Woodlesford, Castleford, Glasshoughton, Pontefract Monkhill 2 trains per day extend to Goole, calling at Whitley Bridge, Hensall, Snaith and Rawcliffe.
Leeds to Knottingley via Streethouse	1	Wakefield Westgate, Wakefield Kirkgate, Streethouse, Featherstone, Pontefract Tanshelf, Pontefract Monkhill
Wakefield Line
Route	tph	Calling at
Leeds to Doncaster	1	Outwood, Wakefield Westgate, Sandal & Agbrigg, Fitzwilliam, South Elmsall, Adwick, Bentley
Leeds to Sheffield via Wakefield Westgate	1	Outwood, Wakefield Westgate, Sandal & Agbrigg, Fitzwilliam, Moorthorpe, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Swinton, Rotherham Central, Meadowhall
Penistone Line
Route	tph	Calling at
Sheffield to Huddersfield	1	Meadowhall, Chapeltown, Elsecar, Wombwell, Barnsley, Dodworth, Silkstone Common, Penistone, Denby Dale, Shepley, Stocksmoor, Brockholes, Honley, Berry Brow, Lockwood
Hallam Line
Route	tph	Calling at
Leeds to Sheffield via Castleford	1	Woodlesford, Castleford, Normanton, Wakefield Kirkgate, Darton, Barnsley, Wombwell, Elsecar, Chapeltown, Meadowhall
Leeds to Nottingham	1	Wakefield Kirkgate, Barnsley, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dronfield, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Langley Mill, Ilkeston
Sheffield–Lincoln line
Route	tph	Calling at
Leeds to Lincoln	1	Wakefield Kirkgate, Barnsley, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Darnall, Woodhouse, Kiveton Bridge, Kiveton Park, Shireoaks, Worksop, Retford, Gainsborough Lea Road, Saxilby
Sheffield to Gainsborough Central	4tpd	Darnall, Woodhouse, Kiveton Bridge, Kiveton Park, Shireoaks, Worksop, Retford Three additional trains on Saturday extend to Cleethorpes, calling at Kirton Lindsey, Brigg, Barnetby, Habrough and Grimsby Town. See #Parliamentary services below for more.
York and Selby Lines
Route	tph	Calling at
Leeds to York via Cross Gates	1	Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth, Micklefield, Church Fenton (limited), Ulleskelf (limited)
Halifax to Hull	1	Bradford Interchange, New Pudsey, Bramley, Leeds, Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth, Micklefield, South Milford, Selby, Brough
South Humberside Main Line, Dearne Valley Line and Yorkshire Coast line
Route	tph	Calling at
Doncaster to Scunthorpe	1⁄2	Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne South, Crowle, Althorpe
Sheffield to Adwick	1	Meadowhall, Rotherham Central, Swinton, Mexborough, Conisbrough, Doncaster, Bentley
Sheffield to York	3tpd	Meadowhall, Rotherham Central, Swinton, Moorthorpe, Pontefract Baghill, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Church Fenton, Ulleskelf
Doncaster to Hull	1	Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne North, Goole, Saltmarshe (1tp2h), Gilberdyke, Broomfleet (1tp2h), Brough, Ferriby, Hessle Most services either call at Saltmarshe or call at Broomfleet.
Sheffield to Scarborough	1	Meadowhall, Doncaster, Goole, Brough, Hull, Cottingham, Beverley, Driffield, Bridlington, Bempton, Hunmanby, Filey, Seamer
Bridlington to York	1	Nafferton, Driffield, Hutton Cranswick, Arram (limited), Beverley, Cottingham, Hull, Brough, Gilberdyke, Eastrington (limited), Howden, Wressle (limited), Selby, Sherburn-in-Elmet (1tp2h), Church Fenton (1tp2h), Ulleskelf (limited)
Settle to Carlisle and Leeds to Morecambe
Route	tph	Calling at
Leeds to Carlisle	1⁄2	Shipley, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, Gargrave (irregular), Hellifield, Long Preston (irregular), Settle, Horton in Ribblesdale, Ribblehead, Dent, Garsdale, Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Langwathby, Lazonby & Kirkoswald, Armathwaite
Leeds to Morecambe	1⁄2	Shipley, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, Gargrave, Hellifield, Long Preston, Giggleswick, Clapham, Bentham, Wennington, Carnforth, Lancaster, Bare Lane
Calder Valley line
Route	tph	Calling at
York to Blackpool North	1	Church Fenton, Garforth, Leeds, New Pudsey, Bradford Interchange, Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge, Burnley Manchester Road, Accrington, Blackburn, Preston, Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton-le-Fylde
Leeds to Manchester Victoria	1	Bramley, New Pudsey, Bradford Interchange, Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Rochdale
Leeds to Wigan Wallgate	1	Morley, Batley, Dewsbury, Ravensthorpe, Mirfield, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Walsden, Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Manchester Victoria, Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Swinton, Moorside, Walkden, Atherton, Hag Fold, Daisy Hill, Hindley, Ince
Leeds to Chester	1	Bramley, New Pudsey, Bradford Interchange, Low Moor, Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Rochdale, Manchester Victoria, Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown, Warrington Bank Quay

Parliamentary services

Main article: Parliamentary train

Twice weekly on Saturday mornings, once in each direction, Northern operates a parliamentary train on the Stockport–Stalybridge line between Stockport and Stalybridge calling at Reddish South, Denton, and Guide Bridge.^[33][34] From 1992 until 2018, this service ran once weekly.^[35]

Multiple campaigns were conducted to request increase in services to the line,^[36] but in 2022, Transport for Greater Manchester published two surveys in relation to the line.^[37]

Since 1993, three trains from Sheffield every Saturday extend beyond Gainsborough Central and terminate at Cleethorpes, and vice versa.^[38] The service was suspended between January and October 2022 due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[39]

Rolling stock

Northern Trains took over all of the rolling stock operated by its predecessor, namely Class 142, 144, 150, 153, 155, 156, 158, 170 and 195 diesel multiple units and Class 319, 321, 322, 323, 331 and 333 electric multiple units. All Class 321 and 322s were withdrawn in mid-2020 and moved to Greater Anglia.^[40] All Class 153s were sent to storage by December 2021.^[41]

Current fleet

Family	Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Carriages	Routes	Built
				mph	km/h
Diesel multiple units
Sprinter	150/0		DMU	75	121	6	3	Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, West Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire^[42]	1984–1987
	150/1					46	2		1985–1986
	150/2					26			1986–1987
	155 Super Sprinter					7	2	York, Leeds, Hull and Scarborough^[42]	1987–1988
	156 Super Sprinter					56	2	North East, Cumbrian Coast, Lancashire and Cumbria, Merseyside and Cheshire^[42]	1987–1989
	158/0 & 158/9 Express Sprinter			90	145	45	2	South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Fylde Coast, North Yorkshire and the North East^[42]	1990–1992
						8	3
Bombardier Turbostar	170/4			100	161	16	3	Scarborough - Sheffield, Leeds - York via Harrogate^[42]	2003–2005
CAF Civity	195/0					25	2	Manchester - Derbyshire, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds and Barrow in Furness, York - Blackpool, Windermere and Chester - Leeds^[42]	2017–2020
	195/1					33	3
	Electric multiple units
BR Second Generation (Mark 3)	319/3		EMU	100	161	12^[43]	4	Manchester - Crewe, Liverpool, Blackpool and Liverpool - Wigan.^[42]	1990
Hunslet Transportation Projects/Holec^[44]	323			90	145	17	3	Manchester-Hadfield, Manchester-Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester-Crewe, and Liverpool-Crewe^[42]	1992–1995
CAF Civity	331/0			100	161	31	3	Blackpool North - Hazel Grove, Liverpool, Leeds - Skipton, Bradford Forster Square, Doncaster, Ilkley, Bradford Forster Square - Skipton^[42]	2017–2020
	331/1					12	4
CAF/Siemens Transportation Systems	333					16	4	Skipton - Bradford Forster Square, Leeds - Ilkley^[42]	2000–2003
	Bi-mode multiple units
BR Second Generation (Mark 3)	769/4 Flex		BMU	100	161	8^[45]	4	Southport - Manchester Oxford Road	2017–2020 (1987–1988 as Class 319)

Future fleet

17 Class 323s are to be transferred from West Midlands Trains.^[46][47] This will result in the withdrawal of all Class 319 units.^[48] 15 Class 156s are to transfer from East Midlands Railway, which includes the 9 Class 156/9s formerly used by Greater Anglia,^[49] although they will be renumbered back to 156/4s before they are transferred.^[50] For the December timetable change in 2022, five more Class 156 units were transferred.^[51] The transferral of these units is already underway, with more to follow.^[50]

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Carriages	Routes	Built	In service
			mph	km/h
Diesel multiple units
150/2 Sprinter		DMU	75	121	3	2	Local services across the North	1986–1987	TBA
156 Super Sprinter			75	121	6	2	Local, commuter and regional services across the North	1987–1989	2021-2023
Electric multiple units
323^[52]		EMU	90	145	17	3	Electrified commuter services in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Merseyside	1992–1995	2024^[53]

Past fleet

Former train types operated by Northern Trains include:

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Carriages	Routes	Notes	Built	Left fleet
			mph	km/h
142 Pacer		DMU	75	121	79	2	Local and commuter services across the North	Replaced by Class 150, Class 156, Class 158, Class 170, and Class 195 units.	1985–1987	2020
144 Pacer					23				1986–1987
153 Super Sprinter					17	1		Replaced by Class 150 units, later sent to storage^[41]	1987–1988	2020–2021
321/9		EMU	100	161	3	4	Electrified commuter services in West Yorkshire	Replaced by Class 331 units	1991	2020
322					5				1990

Depots

Northern Trains currently has depots for its train crew at Barrow-in-Furness, Blackburn, Blackpool North, Buxton, Carlisle, Darlington (drivers), Doncaster, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Hull, Liverpool Lime Street, Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Middlesbrough (conductors), Newcastle, Sheffield, Skipton, Wigan Wallgate, Workington and York.

Northern Trains' fleet is maintained at depots listed in the table below:

Depot	Picture	Allocation	Nearest station
Allerton TMD		150, 156, 195, 319, 323,^[54] 331, 769	Liverpool South Parkway
Blackburn King Street TMD		150, 156, 195	Blackburn
Botanic Gardens TMD		08, 155, 158, 170	Hull Paragon
Heaton TMD		156, 158	Manors
Newton Heath TMD		150, 156, 158, 195	Moston
Neville Hill TMD		155, 158, 170, 331, 333	Leeds
Wigan Springs Branch TMD		158, 195, 319, 331, 769	Wigan North Western

References

1. "National Rail Enquiries - Northern". www.nationalrail.co.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
2. "About Northern". www.northernrailway.co.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
3. "Northern's first 'intelligent' train enters trial service". The Railway Magazine. No. 1461. December 2022. p. 88.
4. "Northern Trains Limited". Companies House. from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
5. "Northern and TransPennine Express franchises awarded". Railway Gazette International. 9 December 2015.
6. "Arriva and First win franchises with 500 new carriages promise". The Railway Magazine. No. 1378. January 2016. p. 6.
7. Calder, Simon (21 May 2018). "Passenger fury at Northern Rail as train chaos hits Blackpool, Bolton and Manchester Airport on first day of new timetable". The Independent. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
8. "'Unacceptable #NorthernFail' – the travel chaos passengers faced on first working day of new Northern timetable". Manchester Evening News. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
9. "Northern is a disaster. Why have commuters been left to face it alone?". The Guardian. 21 September 2018.
10. "Rail network 'crippling the North': Leeds commuter's angry open letter about life as a Northern passenger". Yorkshire Post. 14 October 2018.
11. Paton, Graeme (16 October 2018). "Manchester Oxford Road station is worst for delays". The Times.
12. "UK's railway stations with most train delays revealed". BBC News. 16 October 2018.
13. Gill, Oliver (4 November 2018). "German rail giant seeks help to prop up UK arm that owns Northern franchise". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
14. "Northern rail operator faces end of the line". The Times. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
15. Northern franchise to end within months Modern Railways issue 857 February 2020 page 8
16. Syal, Rajeev; Topham, Gwyn (2 January 2020). "Northern rail to be stripped of franchise, says Grant Shapps". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
17. "Northern rail to be stripped of franchise, says Grant Shapps". The Guardian. 2 January 2020.
18. "Northern rail to be renationalised – and some Beeching closures could reopen". The Guardian. 27 January 2020.
19. "Ministers set to renationalise failed Northern rail franchise". Financial Times. 28 January 2020.
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21. . Northern OLR Holdings. 30 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020. Q: What are Northern Trains Limited's plans for the franchise? Our initial priority is to continue to stabilise performance across the region and restore reliability for customers. We will then explore opportunities to improve the experience for customers.
22. "Coronavirus: Rail franchise agreements suspended to avoid company collapses". Sky News. 23 March 2020. from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
23. Osborne, Samuel (27 December 2021). "COVID-19: Christmas travel disruption as Omicron hits rail and airline staffing". news.sky.com.
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26. "Rail strike: RMT union votes for national action". BBC News. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
27. "The dates of the train, Tube and bus strikes this week, and how services will be affected". inews.co.uk. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
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29. Clark, Kevin (13 June 2022). "RAIL STRIKE: Northern Rail urges customers NOT to travel during week of RMT action". sunderlandecho.com.
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32. "Work begins on construction of new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby". Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
33. Halle-Richards, Sophie (16 July 2022). "Greater Manchester town with gridlocked traffic and trains only twice a week". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
34. Wilkinson, Damon (3 December 2022). "Greater Manchester 'ghost station' has only ONE passenger a week". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
35. News, Manchester Evening (15 February 2007). "Ghost train in reverse gear". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 December 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
36. Kirby, Dean (30 April 2013). "'We won't give up the ghost' on Denton station with 30 passengers a year". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
37. "New surveys launched in bid to help improve local rail connections". Quest Media Network. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
38. "The ghost trains of northern England that refuse to die". The Independent. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
39. "Brigg rail service from Sheffield to Cleethorpes makes comeback after outcry". GrimsbyLive. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
40. "Northern finishes with Dusty Bins". Railways Illustrated. July 2020. p. 16.
41. "Northern and East Midlands Railway Class 153 fleets stood down". Rail Express. No. February 2022. p. 26.
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43. "Northern looks to the future". Modern Railways. 20 May 2021. from the original on 3 April 2022.
44. "Hunslet has had enough of 'misery line' battles". Birmingham Post. 23 March 1994. p. 3. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
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46. "Class 323 EMUs to remain in traffic with Northern". Rail. No. 886. 28 August 2019. p. 30.
47. "First refurbished Class 323 for Northern". Railways Illustrated. January 2020. p. 9.
48. "Class 323s to remain with Northern in favour of 319s". Today's Railways UK. No. 214. October 2019. p. 69.
49. "More 156s for Northern". Modern Railways. No. 870. March 2021. p. 87.
50. "Fleet Analysis (Northern)". Railways Illustrated. No. 230. April 2022. p. 50.
51. "Units (Class 156 'Super Sprinter')". Rail Express. No. 319. December 2022. P. 27.
52. "Northern to retain 323s". Modern Railways. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
53. "West Midlands Trains turns back the clock with retro repaint for Class 323". Today's Railways Uk. No. 252. February 2023. p. 55.
54. "Class 323 EMUs to remain in traffic with Northern". Rail. No. 886. August 2019. p. 30.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Northern Trains.

• Official website  

Preceded by Arriva Rail North

Operator of Northern franchise 2020 -

Succeeded by Incumbent