Northern Rail
Class 142 Pacer at Castleton East Junction in 2008
Overview
Franchise(s)Northern Rail
12 December 2004 – 31 March 2016
Main region(s)North West, North East,
Yorkshire and the Humber
Other region(s)East Midlands and Staffordshire
Fleet size333[1]
Stations called at526
Stations operated464[1]
Parent companySerco-Abellio
Reporting markNT
Predecessor
SuccessorArriva Rail North
Other
Websitewww.northernrail.org

Northern Rail,[2] branded as Northern, was an English train operating company owned by Serco-Abellio that operated the Northern Rail franchise from 2004 until 2016. It was the primary passenger train operator in Northern England, and operated the most stations of any train operating company in the United Kingdom. Northern Rail was replaced on 1 April 2016 by Arriva Rail North.

History

In 2000 the Strategic Rail Authority announced that it planned to reorganise the North West Regional Railways and Regional Railways North East franchises operated by First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern. A TransPennine Express franchise would be created for the long-distance regional services, with the remaining services to be operated by a new Northern Rail franchise.[3]

On 1 July 2004 the Strategic Rail Authority awarded the franchise to Serco-NedRailways, beating FirstGroup.[4][5][6] The franchise was awarded for six years and nine months, with a two-year extension subject to performance targets being achieved.

Serco-NedRailways' bid had assumed that some Class 142 Pacer trains would be released imminently 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.[7] As a result, the contract signing was delayed, and the services operated by First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern did not transfer to Northern until 12 December 2004.

In May 2010 the Department for Transport confirmed that Northern had met the performance targets, and the franchise was extended for two years until September 2013.[8][9] In May 2012 the Department for Transport granted Northern a six-month extension until 31 March 2014.[10][11][12] In March 2013 the Secretary of State for Transport announced the franchise would be further extended to February 2016.[13]

In August 2014, the Department for Transport announced Abellio, Arriva and Govia had been shortlisted to bid for the next franchise.[14]

On 9 December 2015, it was announced that Arriva trading as Arriva Rail North had been awarded a new franchise to run from 1 April 2016 through to March 2025.[15][16][17]

Before Abellio and Serco's Northern Rail franchise came to an end, unit 158906 received a refurbishment on one of its carriages which included free Wi-Fi, destination displays showing the expected time of arrival, and USB ports at each table.[18]

Services

Additional services

In December 2008 Northern Rail introduced an express service from Leeds to Nottingham calling at Wakefield Kirkgate, Barnsley, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dronfield, Chesterfield, Alfreton and Langley Mill[19][20] using a Class 158 unit. The 10:17 service from Sheffield on Sundays continues to Carlisle creating a direct train service between Sheffield and Carlisle for the first time since the demise of British Rail. The service returns from Carlisle at 15:10.

In May 2015 Northern Rail announced the re-introduction of a direct service between Blackburn and Manchester Victoria via Burnley following the reopening of the Todmorden Curve.[21] The service operates hourly, seven days a week.[22]

Former services

Services on the route from Thorpes Bridge Junction, Newton Heath to Rochdale East Junction via Oldham, known as the Oldham Loop Line, ceased on 3 October 2009. The line was subsequently converted for Manchester Metrolink operation and reopened as a Metrolink route in 2012.[23]

Northern Electrics was a brand offering electrified rail from Liverpool to Manchester.[24]

Performance

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.[25] When the extension of its franchise was announced, Northern Rail 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.[8]

In the period 15 October 2009 to 14 November 2009, Northern's punctuality was 91.1% and reliability was 92.2%.[26] Northern Rail's passenger charter targets were 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'.[27]

The latest official figures released by NR (Network Rail) rate punctuality (PPM) at 91.9% and an MAA of 90.7% for period 7 (2013/2014) and the 12 months up to 12 October 2013.[28]

The annual report for 2012, published in March 2013, of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen[29] stated that Northern Rail transported 263,000 passengers daily. The customer satisfaction decreased to 80%. In May 2011 Northern Rail received the "Sustainable Business of the Year" award.

Criticism

Approach to fare evasion

Northern Rail had a reputation for its rather tough approach on fare evasion, and was known to take passengers to court for underpaying by a matter of pence.[30][31]

Rolling stock

Northern Rail operated a large diesel fleet, which was used on most services. There was also a smaller electric fleet used on shorter distance services around Leeds and Manchester and on services between Liverpool and Manchester.

Northern Rail inherited a fleet of Class 142, 144, 150, 153, 155, 156 and 158 diesel multiple units and Class 321, 323 and 333 electric multiple units from Arriva Trains Northern and First North Western.

In October 2006 Northern Rail leased six former Central Trains Class 158s that had been on loan to First Great Western.[32]

In March 2007 Northern Rail announced it would be acquiring a further 30 Class 158s from Arriva Trains Wales, Central Trains and First Great Western to replace 26 Class 142 Pacers.[33][34] In the event, Northern Rail received only 19 Class 158s, but did gain eight centre carriages from East Midlands Trains in 2008 that were inserted into Northern's ex-First North Western Class 158s.[35][36] Twelve of the Class 142s were placed in store, then sublet to First Great Western from late 2007; five were returned to Northern Rail in the autumn of 2008 with the remaining seven following in the autumn of 2011.

From December 2008 until December 2011 Northern Rail leased three Class 180s for use on Blackpool North to Manchester Victoria and Hazel Grove services.[37]

From July 2011 Northern Rail received 18 Class 150s from London Midland. In 2011, Northern Rail received the five former Stansted Express Class 322s from First ScotRail.[38]

In March 2015 the first Class 319s entered service on the Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport service.[39]

Fleet at end of franchise

Class Image Type Top speed Number Routes Built
mph km/h
37 Loco 80 130 2
  • Cumbrian Coast Line (Monday to Saturday only)[40]

Loco-hauled services were operated by Direct Rail Services on behalf of Northern Rail.[41]

 1960–1965
Mark 2 carriage Coach 6 1963–1975
DBSO 2 1974
142 Pacer DMU 75 120 79
  • Manchester Victoria – Southport/Kirkby
  • Chester – Manchester Piccadilly
  • Southport – Chester (Sundays only)
  • Manchester Piccadilly – New Mills/Rose Hill Marple/Sheffield
  • Leeds – Morecambe/Lancaster/Sheffield/York
  • Liverpool Lime St – Manchester Oxford Rd/Blackpool North
  • Huddersfield – Manchester Victoria
  • Colne – Blackpool South
  • Cumbrian Coast Line
  • Newcastle – Hexham/Middlesbrough
  • Bishop Auckland/Darlington – Saltburn
  • Middlesbrough – Hexham
  • Crewe/Alderley Edge/Macclesfield – Manchester Piccadilly
  • Stockport – Stalybridge (one train a week, northbound only)
  • MetroCentre & Newcastle – Morpeth & Chathill
  • Sheffield – Lincoln
  • Sheffield – Brigg – Cleethorpes (Saturdays only)
  • Hull – York
  • Blackburn – Manchester Victoria
 1985–1987
144 Pacer 23
  • Leeds – Harrogate/York/Manchester Victoria (stopper)/Huddersfield/Goole/Sheffield/Morecambe
  • Sheffield/Wakefield Westgate – Huddersfield
  • Sheffield – Scunthorpe/Lincoln
  • Sheffield – Brigg – Cleethorpes (Saturdays only)
  • Sheffield – Barnsley – Penistone – Huddersfield

Also seen sometimes pulling Class 158s on the Caldervale line during peak time.

 1986–1987
150/1 Sprinter 30
  • Manchester Victoria – Clitheroe/Leeds/Selby
  • Colne – Blackpool South
  • Manchester Piccadilly – Buxton/Sheffield/Rose Hill Marple
  • Liverpool Lime Street – Blackpool North/Manchester Oxford Rd
  • Manchester Victoria/Airport – Wigan Wallgate/Southport/Kirkby
  • Chester – Manchester Piccadilly
  • Southport – Altrincham – Chester (Sundays only)
  • Blackburn – Manchester Victoria
  • Huddersfield – Manchester Victoria
 1984–1987
150/2 Sprinter 28
  • Manchester Victoria – Clitheroe/Leeds
  • Huddersfield – Selby
  • Colne – Blackpool South
  • Wakefield Kirkgate – Knottingley
  • Manchester Piccadilly – Buxton/Sheffield/Rose Hill Marple
  • Liverpool Lime Street – Blackpool North/Manchester Oxford Rd
  • Manchester Victoria/Airport – Wigan Wallgate/Southport
  • Chester – Altrincham – Manchester Piccadilly
  • Southport – Altrincham – Chester (Sundays only)
  • Blackburn – Manchester Victoria
  • Huddersfield – Manchester Victoria
  • York – Knaresborough/Harrogate/Burley Park (Leeds)
  • Leeds – Harrogate/Knaresborough/Poppleton (York)
153 Super Sprinter 18
  • Manchester Victoria – Clitheroe
  • Colne – Blackpool South
  • Preston – Ormskirk
  • Leeds – Knottingley
  • Wakefield Kirkgate – Knottingley
  • Morecambe/Heysham Port/Lancaster – Barrow in Furness/Maryport/Carlisle (Cumbrian Coast Line)
  • Cleethorpes – Barton-on-Humber (Barton Line)

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)
155 Super Sprinter 7
  • Leeds – Harrogate/Knaresborough/Poppleton (York)
  • York – Knaresborough/Harrogate/Burley Park (Leeds)
  • Leeds – Bradford – Manchester Victoria
  • Leeds – Brighouse – Manchester Victoria (Mondays to Saturdays only)
 1988
156 Super Sprinter 42
  • Colne – Blackpool South (Sundays only)
  • Cumbrian Coast Line
  • Newcastle – Carlisle
  • Blackpool North – Manchester Victoria
  • Preston – Hazel Grove
  • Liverpool Lime Street – Blackpool North/Manchester Oxford Road
  • Manchester Piccadilly – Rose Hill Marple/Buxton/Sheffield
  • Helsby – Ellesmere Port/Warrington Bank Quay
  • Manchester Victoria/Airport – Wigan Wallgate/Southport/Kirkby
  • Chester – Manchester Piccadilly
  • Southport – Altrincham – Chester (Sundays only)
  • Nunthorpe – Hexham (select journeys only)
  • Middlesbrough – Whitby
  • Middlesbrough – Carlisle (select journeys only; 2 were transferred to East Midlands Trains 2012 to 2013)
 1987–1989
158/7 Express Sprinter 90 140 35 Express services including:
  • York – Blackpool North
  • Nottingham – Sheffield – Barnsley – Leeds
  • Hull – York
  • Sheffield/Hull – Bridlington/Scarborough
  • Leeds – Carlisle
  • Leeds – Brighouse – Manchester Victoria (Mondays to Saturdays only)
  • Leeds – Bradford – Manchester Victoria[42]

Also occasionally seen on the Harrogate Line and other services as a replacement for booked Class 142/144/150s etc.

 1989–1992
158/9 Express Sprinter 10
319/3 EMU 100 161 20 Electrified services out of Liverpool Lime Street:
  • Liverpool Lime Street – Manchester Airport/Manchester Victoria/Warrington Bank Quay
  • Liverpool Lime Street – Wigan North Western
  • Liverpool Lime Street/Liverpool South Parkway – Preston
  • Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport
 1990
321/9 EMU 100 160 3

Also used on peak-time weekday services on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines.

 1991
322 5 1990
323 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/Manchester United Football Ground (selected matchdays only)
 1992–1995
333 100 160 16
2000–2003

Stations

In 2009, Northern Rail operated 471 stations; more than any other train operating company in the UK.[44] The number fell to 462 later in the same year following closure of the Oldham Loop Line,[45] and increased to 463 by 2013.[46] New stations include Buckshaw Parkway in 2011, and James Cook in 2014. By 2013, trains operated by Northern Rail called at 526 stations.[46]

Depots

The maintenance depots used by Northern Rail were located at:

The train crew depots were located at:

  • Leeds
  • York
  • Newcastle
  • Darlington (Driver only)
  • Middlesbrough (guard only)
  • Carlisle
  • Workington
  • Blackpool North
  • Liverpool Lime Street
  • Wigan Wallgate
  • Manchester Victoria
  • Manchester Piccadilly
  • Buxton
  • Sheffield
  • Skipton
  • Huddersfield
  • Harrogate
  • Hull Paragon
  • Barrow-in-Furness
  • Doncaster

To run the Cleethorpes to Barton service, one class 153 was stabled at Cleethorpes overnight and was cleaned, the train crew which ran the service were First TransPennine Express staff.

References

  1. 1 2 "About Northern: Facts and Figures". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Companies House extract company no 4619954 Northern Rail Limited
  3. ↑ "The Trans-Pennine Express rail franchise" (PDF). Yorkshire & The Humber Transport Activist's Roundtable Briefing Note. October 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2004.
  4. ↑ "Serco-NedRailways Announced as Preferred Bidder for new Northern Rail Franchise" (PDF) (Press release). Strategic Rail Authority. 1 July 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "Rail Report No.62" (PDF). Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association. December 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  6. ↑ "Serco/NED Rail is poised to secure Northern franchise". Rail Magazine. No. 492. Peterborough. 21 July 2004. p. 14.
  7. ↑ "Rail Report No.61" (PDF). Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association. Autumn 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2009.
  8. 1 2 "Northern Secures Two Year Franchise Extension" (Press release). Northern Rail. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
  9. ↑ "Stock Exchange Announcement" (PDF). Serco. 13 May 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "Northern Rail granted franchise continuation". Rail.co. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  11. ↑ "Franchise Continuation for Northern Rail" (Press release). Northern Rail. 9 May 2012.
  12. ↑ "Contract News Update 14" (PDF). Serco. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  13. ↑ "Railway plan puts new focus on passengers". Secretary of State for Transport statement 26 March 2013.
  14. ↑ "Shortlist for Northern and TransPennine operators revealed" (Press release). Department for Transport. 19 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "Northern franchise awarded to Arriva" (Press release). Arriva. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "Massive boost to rail services brings Northern Powerhouse to life" (Press release). Department for Transport. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "Northern and TransPennine Express franchises awarded". Railway Gazette International. London. 9 December 2015.
  18. ↑ "158 STAY CONNECTED (CONCEPT)". Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  19. ↑ "Extra Leeds Nottingham Train Services Announced" (Press release). Northern Rail. 22 November 2006.
  20. ↑ "Northern Introduces New Nottingham-Leeds Service" (Press release). Northern Rail. 12 December 2008.
  21. ↑ "Celebrate The Curve As East Lancashire To Manchester Services Return" (Press release). Northern Rail. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  22. ↑ "Todmorden Curve". Northern Rail. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  23. ↑ "Oldham Loop rail line closure" (PDF). GMPTE information poster. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  24. ↑ Chambers, Bradd; Journalism, J. M. U. "First journey for revitalised train service". Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  25. ↑ "Northern Rail Wins Public Transport Operator of the Year" (Press release). Northern Rail. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2008. The judges praised the company, which runs local and regional trains across the north of England, for its success in attracting 20% more passengers since it started in 2004.
  26. ↑ Performance figures, Northern Rail.
  27. ↑ "New Northern Rail Franchise Signed" (PDF) (Press release). Strategic Rail Authority. 19 October 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  28. ↑ "Rail performance results period 7". Network Rail. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  29. ↑ "Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  30. ↑ "Law student gets £1,000 bill". Yorkshire Post. Leeds. 9 March 2006. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  31. ↑ Thorp, Liam (2 June 2015). "Businessman furious over '£80 fine for 70p mistake' on morning train". The Bolton News. Newsquest Media Group. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  32. ↑ "158 Reshuffle Boosts Fleet". Rail. No. 551. 25 October 2006. p. 55.
  33. ↑ "Angel Trains Leases 30 Class 158 Diesel Multiple Units to Northern Rail". Northern Rail. 13 March 2007. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "30 Class 158's Bound for Northern by the End of 2007". Rail. No. 562. 28 March 2007. p. 17.
  35. ↑ "December Timetable Triggers DMU Cascade". Rail. No. 580. 5 December 2007. p. 12.
  36. ↑ "Train Operator's Fluctuating Fleets". Rail. No. 583. 16 January 2008. p. 45.
  37. ↑ "Third Adelante for Northern". Rail. No. 606. 3 December 2008. p. 69.
  38. ↑ "Northern to get Class 322 boost from December". Rail News. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  39. ↑ "Better Rail Services Between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport" (Press release). Northern Rail. 5 March 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  40. ↑ "Loco-hauled services to return to the Cumbrian coast". Railway Herald. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  41. ↑ "Bigger Trains and Changes Ahead For Cumbria's Coastal Rail Route" (Press release). Northern Rail. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  42. ↑ "Northern launches first regular direct service between Nottingham and Leeds for 25 years" (Press release). Northern Rail. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  43. ↑ "Yorkshire and Humber Route Utilisation Strategy Draft" (PDF). Network Rail. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  44. ↑ "Better Rail Stations – Part B" (PDF). Department for Transport. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2014.
  45. ↑ Action stations booklet Archived 14 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Network Rail, 2009
  46. 1 2 Transformation in Partnership – Northern Prospectus, Department for Transport, June 2014
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