Class 142 Pacer at Castleton East Junction in 2008 | |
Overview | |
---|---|
Franchise(s) | Northern 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 size | 333 [1] |
Stations called at | 526 |
Stations operated | 464 [1] |
Parent company | Serco-Abellio |
Reporting mark | NT |
Technical | |
Length | 2,695.7 |
Other | |
Website | www.northernrail.org |
Northern Rail [2] was an English train operating company owned by Serco-Abellio that operated the Northern franchise from 2004 until 2016. It was the primary 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.
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 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 franchise came to an end, unit 158906 received a refurbishment on one of its carriages which included free Wi-Fi, destination displays that tell the expect time of arrival and USB ports on each table. [18]
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]
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 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. [24] 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. [8]
In the period 15 October 2009 to 14 November 2009, Northern's punctuality was 91.1% and reliability was 92.2%. [25] Northern'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'. [26]
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. [27]
The annual report for 2012, published in March 2013, of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen [28] 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.
Northern Rail operated a large diesel fleet, which was used on most services. There were also a smaller electric fleet used on shorter distance services around Leeds and Manchester and on services between Liverpool and Manchester.
Northern inherited a fleet of Class 142, 144, 150, 153 155, 156, 158, 321. 323 and 333s from Arriva Trains Northern and First North Western.
In October 2006 Northern leased six former Central Trains Class 158s that had been on loan to First Great Western. [29]
In March 2007 Northern 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. [30] [31] Northern ended up only receiving 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. [32] [33] Twelve Class 142 Pacers were placed in store but reactivated by the end of 2008 when they were sublet to First Great Western from December 2008 and the balance returning to service with Northern.
In Autumn 2008 five Class 142 Pacers returned from First Great Western with the remaining seven following in Autumn 2011.
From December 2008 until December 2011 Northern leased three Class 180s for use on Blackpool North to Manchester Victoria and Hazel Grove services. [34]
From July 2011 Northern received 18 Class 150s from London Midland. From October 2011, five Class 322s from First ScotRail entered service. [35]
In March 2015 the first Class 319s entered service on the Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport service. [36]
Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Total | Routes | Built | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mph | km/h | ||||||
37 | Loco | 80 | 130 | 2 |
| 1960–5 | |
Mark 2 carriage | Coach | 6 | TBC | ||||
DBSO | 2 | 1974 | |||||
142 Pacer | DMU | 75 | 120 | 79 |
| 1985–7 | |
144 Pacer | 23 |
Also seen sometimes pulling Class 158s on the Caldervale line during peak time where extra capacity is needed. | 1986–7 | ||||
150/1 Sprinter | 30 |
| 1984–7 | ||||
150/2 Sprinter | 28 |
| |||||
153 Super Sprinter | 18 |
Also seen coupled to other trains for additional capacity, sometimes seen in South Yorkshire replacing services usually run by Pacers. | 1987–8 (Converted 1991-2) | ||||
155 Super Sprinter | 7 |
| 1988 | ||||
156 Super Sprinter | 42 |
| 1987–9 | ||||
158/0 Express Sprinter | 90 | 140 | 35 | Express services including:
Also occasionally seen on the Harrogate Line and other services as a replacement for booked Class 142/144/150s etc. | 1989–92 | ||
158/9 Express Sprinter | 10 | ||||||
319/3 | EMU | 100 | 161 | 20 | Electrified services out of Liverpool Lime Street:
| 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:
| 1992–3 | ||
333 | 100 | 160 | 16 |
| 2000 | ||
As of 2009, Northern Rail operated 471 stations; more than any other train operating company in the UK. [42] The number fell to 462 later in the same year [43] following closure of the Oldham Loop Line, and increased to 463 by 2013. [44] New stations include Buckshaw Parkway in 2011 and James Cook in 2014. As of 2013, trains operated by Northern Rail called at 526 stations. [44]
The depots used by Northern Rail were located at:
To run the Cleethorpes to Barton service, one class 153 is stabled at Cleethorpes overnight and is cleaned, the train crew which run the service were First TransPennine Express staff.
The use of older and poorly maintained rolling stock on busy commuter routes was a recurring criticism of Northern throughout its operation. [45]
High fares in non-PTE areas added to criticism about what some called life-expired trains being used. [46]
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. [47]
First ScotRail was a train operating company in Scotland owned by FirstGroup which operated the ScotRail franchise from October 2004 until March 2015. Prior to October 2004 trains were run by ScotRail. It was succeeded by Abellio ScotRail in March 2015.
Arriva Trains Northern was a train operating company in England owned by Arriva that operated the Regional Railways North East franchise from March 1997 until December 2004. Arriva resumed operating Northern train services again on 1 April 2016 under the Northern brand but ceased again on 29 February 2020.
Manchester Piccadilly is the principal railway station in Manchester, England. Opened as Store Street in 1842, it was renamed Manchester London Road in 1847 and became Manchester Piccadilly in 1960. Located to the south-east of Manchester city centre, it hosts long-distance intercity and cross-country services to national destinations including London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Reading, Southampton and Bournemouth; regional services to destinations in Northern England including Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and York; and local commuter services around Greater Manchester. It is one of 19 major stations managed by Network Rail. The station has 14 platforms: 12 terminal and 2 through platforms. Piccadilly is also a major interchange with the Metrolink light rail system with two tram platforms in its undercroft.
Manchester Victoria station in Manchester, England is a combined mainline railway station and Metrolink tram stop. Situated to the north of the city centre on Hunts Bank, close to Manchester Cathedral, it adjoins Manchester Arena which was constructed on part of the former station site in the 1990s. Opened in 1844 and part of the Manchester station group, Victoria is Manchester's third busiest railway station after Piccadilly and Oxford Road and the second busiest station managed by Northern after Oxford Road.
Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) was a British train operating company owned by Arriva UK Trains that operated the Wales & Borders franchise. It ran urban and inter-urban passenger services to all railway stations in Wales, including Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Newport, Swansea, Wrexham General and Holyhead, as well as to certain stations in England such as Hereford, Shrewsbury, Chester, Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street.
FirstGroup plc is a British multi-national transport group, based in Aberdeen, Scotland. The company operates transport services in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and the United States. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
The British Rail Class 158Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit, built specifically for British Rail between 1989 and 1992 by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, and allowed cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs. The Class 159 DMUs are almost identical to the Class 158s, having been converted from Class 158 to Class 159 in two batches to operate express services from London Waterloo to the West of England.
The Class 175 Coradia is a type of diesel multiple unit passenger train used in the United Kingdom. The fleet of 27 sets were built from 1999 to 2001 by Alstom at Washwood Heath in Birmingham. They are part of the Coradia family of trains along with the Class 180. They are the basis of Transport for Wales' express fleet, but cannot operate on all lines.
The British Rail Class 185 Desiro units are a diesel multiple-unit (DMU) passenger train of the Desiro UK family built by Siemens in Germany for the train operating company First TransPennine Express. They are currently operated by TransPennine Express.
First North Western was a train operating company in England owned by FirstGroup, that operated the North West Regional Railways franchise from March 1997 until December 2004.
Manchester Airport station is a railway, tram, bus and coach station at Manchester Airport, England which opened at the same time as the second air terminal in 1993. The station is 9 3⁄4 miles (15.7 km) south of Manchester Piccadilly, situated at the end of a short branch from the Styal Line which is accessed via a triangular junction between Heald Green and Styal stations. Manchester Metrolink tram services were extended to the airport in November 2014 and operate to Manchester Victoria.
First TransPennine Express was a British train operating company jointly owned by FirstGroup and Keolis which operated the TransPennine Express franchise. First TransPennine Express ran regular Express regional railway services between the major cities of Northern England as well as Scotland.
Seamer railway station serves the village of Seamer in North Yorkshire, England. It lies near the end of the Scarborough branch on the TransPennine Express North TransPennine route, 39 miles (63 km) east of York at its junction with the northern end of the Yorkshire Coast Line. Seamer station is managed by TransPennine Express, with services being run by both Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.
The Chester–Manchester line is one of two lines which run between the cities of Chester and Manchester in North West England. It is the faster of the two lines, and runs via Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay. The other (slower) line is the Mid-Cheshire line.
Arriva UK Trains Limited is the company that oversees Arriva's train operating companies in the United Kingdom. It gained its first franchises in February 2000. These were later lost, though several others were gained. In January 2010, with the take-over of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn, Arriva UK Trains also took over the running of those formerly overseen by DB Regio UK Limited.
TransPennine Express (TPE) is a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that operates the TransPennine Express franchise. It runs regional and intercity rail services between the major cities of Northern England and Scotland.
Serco-Abellio is a joint venture between Serco and Abellio, each owning 50%. The joint venture formed and owns one train operating company in Northern England. It has operated the Merseyrail franchise since July 2003 and operated the Northern Rail franchise from December 2004 until March 2016.
Abellio is a public transport company that operates services in Europe, with both bus and rail networks. It was founded as NedRailways in 2001, before being renamed Abellio in October 2009. Abellio is wholly owned by the Dutch national rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen.
Arriva Rail North was a train operating company in Northern England which began operating the Northern franchise on 1 April 2016 and inherited units from the previous operator Northern Rail. A subsidiary of Arriva UK Trains, Northern was the largest train franchise in the United Kingdom in terms of the size of the network and the number of weekly services run. Its trains called at 528 stations, about a quarter of all stations in the country; of these stations 476 were operated by Northern. On 1 March 2020, Arriva Rail North Limited ceased to operate and all operations were handed to HM Government's Operator of Last Resort.
Northern Trains is a publicly owned train operating company in England which commenced operating the Northern franchise on 1 March 2020. It is operated by DfT OLR Holdings Limited, after the previous operator Arriva Rail North had its franchise terminated at the end of February 2020.
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.
Preceded by Arriva Trains Northern Regional Railways North East franchise | Operator of Northern franchise 2004–2016 | Succeeded by Arriva Rail North |
Preceded by First North Western North West Regional Railways franchise |