Northern Trains facts for kids
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![]() A Northern Class 331 train in November 2023 at Stoke-on-Trent
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Overview | |||
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Franchise(s) | Northern | ||
Main region(s) | |||
Other region(s) | |||
Fleet size | 368 | ||
Stations called at | 474 | ||
Parent company | DfT OLR Holdings | ||
Headquarters | York | ||
Reporting mark | NT | ||
Dates of operation | 1 March 2020 | – 1 March 2025||
Predecessor | Arriva Rail North | ||
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Northern Trains, known simply as Northern, is a British train operating company. It is owned by DfT OLR Holdings, which is part of the UK government's Department for Transport (DfT). Northern took over running the trains in March 2020. This happened after the previous company, Arriva Rail North, had its contract ended.
The government decided to take over because people were very unhappy with Arriva Rail North's service. There were many delays and cancellations, especially after new timetables were introduced in May 2018. When Northern started, its main goals were to make services more reliable. They also wanted to bring in new trains. By December 2020, new Class 195 diesel trains and Class 331 electric trains were fully in use.
Train services have faced challenges since then. The COVID-19 pandemic caused big changes. More recently, the 2022–2024 United Kingdom railway strikes have also affected services. These strikes are the biggest national rail strikes in the UK in 30 years.
Contents
Northern's Journey: A Brief History
Why Northern Trains Took Over
In December 2015, the Department for Transport (DfT) gave a contract to Arriva to run the Northern train services. This new company was called Arriva Rail North. They started in April 2016 and were supposed to run trains until March 2025.
However, after only two years, many people were complaining. A new timetable in May 2018 caused huge problems. There were lots of delays and trains were cancelled often. Throughout 2018, performance stayed bad. Passengers protested, and some services were reduced on Saturdays due to industrial action (strikes). By November 2018, Arriva was even thinking about stopping their contract. This was because fewer people were travelling, and they had to pay out more money for delays.
In June 2019, the DfT's "operator of last resort" looked into the company's problems. An "operator of last resort" is a special company owned by the government. It steps in to run services if a private company can no longer do so. They thought Arriva Rail North's performance and money situation were "unsustainable."
In January 2020, the government announced its decision. They would end Arriva Rail North's contract. This was a big deal. It was the first time a train company had its contract removed because of poor service since 2003. On March 1, 2020, Northern Trains officially took over. Their main aim was to make train services reliable again for passengers.
Key Changes and Events
In mid-2020, Northern had to cut many of its services. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Far fewer people were travelling. From June 15, 2020, passengers and staff on public transport in England had to wear face coverings. This rule applied to Northern trains too.
In 2021, Northern received a new contract from the Department for Transport. This contract was for three years, with a chance to extend it for two more. In 2022, the contract was updated to run until March 1, 2025.
Northern is one of several train companies affected by the 2022–2024 United Kingdom railway strikes. Workers voted to strike over pay and working conditions. Northern has asked people to avoid travelling on strike days. This is because they can only run a very limited number of trains.
Northern Train Services: Where We Go
Northern took over all the train services that Arriva Rail North used to run on March 1, 2020. Our trains connect many towns and cities across the North of England.
Below is a simplified list of our regular Monday to Saturday services. Our network is very large, so we have divided it by region.
North East Routes
Northern trains serve many towns in the North East. Key lines include the Tyne Valley Line and the Durham Coast Line. For example, you can travel from Carlisle to Newcastle. Other routes connect places like Middlesbrough to Whitby. There are also services from Saltburn to Darlington and Bishop Auckland.
North West Routes
In the North West, Northern trains cover a wide area. Services run on lines like the Furness Line and the Windermere Line. You can travel from Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness. There are also routes connecting Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western and Blackpool North. Other important routes include services from Preston to Colne and Ormskirk. We also have many services connecting Liverpool and Manchester. Key routes in this area include services from Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe, Chester, Stoke-on-Trent, and Buxton. Trains also run from Manchester Piccadilly to Hadfield and New Mills Central. In the North West, you can also travel from Southport to Manchester Oxford Road and from Headbolt Lane to Blackburn.
Yorkshire and the Humber Routes
Northern trains are a big part of travel in Yorkshire and the Humber. Routes include the Huddersfield Line, Wharfedale Line, and Airedale Line. You can travel from Bradford Interchange to Huddersfield. There are also many services from Leeds to places like Ilkley, Skipton, and York via Harrogate.
Other routes connect Leeds to Knottingley and Doncaster. You can also travel from Sheffield to Huddersfield and Lincoln. Services also run from Doncaster to Scunthorpe and Hull Paragon. The scenic Settle-Carlisle line is also served by Northern, connecting Leeds to Carlisle. Finally, the Calder Valley line connects York to Blackpool North and Leeds to Manchester Victoria and Chester.
Special "Parliamentary" Services
Northern also runs some very special train services. These are called "parliamentary trains." They are usually very infrequent. They run just to keep a railway line officially open.
For example, twice a week on Saturday mornings, Northern runs a train between Stockport and Stalybridge. This train stops at Reddish South, Denton, and Guide Bridge. This service used to run only once a week from 1992 to 2018.
As of May 2023, there is also one train per day between Sheffield and Cleethorpes. This train runs on weekdays only. It goes via Gainsborough Central and Brigg. This service was stopped for a while in 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before May 2023, this service only ran on Saturdays.
Northern's Train Fleet: What We Ride
Northern took over all the trains from the previous operator, Arriva Rail North. These included many different types of diesel and electric trains. Some older trains, like the Class 321 and 322 units, were moved to other companies in 2020. All Class 153s were put into storage by December 2021. Northern also received 23 Class 156 trains from East Midlands Railway. The Class 319 trains were removed from service on January 2, 2024.
Current Trains We Use
Northern uses a mix of diesel and electric trains. Here are some of the main types you might see:
Family | Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Carriages | Routes | Built | |
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mph | km/h | ||||||||
Diesel trains (DMUs) | |||||||||
Sprinter | 150 | ![]() |
DMU | 75 | 121 | 6 | 3 | Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, West Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire | 1984–1987 |
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72 | 2 | 1985–1987 | ||||||
155 Super Sprinter | 7 | 2 | York, Leeds, Hull Paragon and Scarborough | 1987–1988 | |||||
156 Super Sprinter | ![]() |
66 | 2 | North East, Cumbrian Coast, Lancashire and Cumbria, Merseyside and Cheshire | 1987–1989 | ||||
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158 Express Sprinter | ![]() |
90 | 145 | 45 | 2 | South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Fylde Coast, North Yorkshire and the North East | 1990–1992 | ||
8 | 3 | ||||||||
Bombardier Turbostar | 170 | 100 | 161 | 16 | 3 | Scarborough - Sheffield, Leeds - York via Harrogate | 2003–2005 | ||
CAF Civity | 195 | ![]() |
25 | 2 | Manchester - Derbyshire, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds and Barrow in Furness, York - Blackpool, Windermere and Chester - Leeds | 2017–2020 | |||
33 | 3 | ||||||||
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Electric trains (EMUs) | |||||||||
Hunslet Transportation Projects/Holec | 323 | ![]() |
EMU | 90 | 145 | 17 | 3 | Manchester-Hadfield, Manchester-Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester-Crewe, and Liverpool-Manchester Airport | 1992–1995 |
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CAF Civity | 331 | ![]() |
100 | 161 | 31 | 3 | Blackpool North - Manchester Airport, Liverpool, Leeds - Skipton, Bradford Forster Square, Doncaster, Ilkley, Bradford Forster Square - Skipton, Ilkley | 2017–2020 | |
12 | 4 | Electric services in the North West. | |||||||
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CAF/Siemens Transportation Systems | 333 | ![]() |
16 | 4 | Leeds - Bradford Forster Square, Skipton, Ilkley, Bradford Forster Square - Skipton, Ilkley |
2000–2003 | |||
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Bi-mode trains (BMUs) | |||||||||
BR Second Generation (Mark 3) | 769 Flex | BMU | 100 | 161 | 8 | 4 | Southport - Manchester Oxford Road and Stalybridge | 2017–2020 (originally 1987–1988 as Class 319) | |
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Future Trains for Northern
Northern is planning to get even more new trains. In August 2023, they started looking for a company to build up to 450 new trains. These new trains will replace some of the older ones in their current fleet.
Also, 17 Class 323 electric trains will be transferred to Northern from West Midlands Trains. These trains are expected to start service in 2024.
Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Carriages | Routes | Built | In service | |
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mph | km/h | ||||||||
Electric trains (EMUs) | |||||||||
323 | ![]() |
EMU | 90 | 145 | 17 | 3 | Electrified commuter services in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Merseyside | 1992–1995 | 2024 |
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Past Trains Northern Used to Run
Northern has used several types of trains that are no longer part of its fleet. These include the "Pacer" trains, which were older and less comfortable.
Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Carriages | Routes | Notes | Built | Left fleet | |
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mph | km/h | |||||||||
142 Pacer | DMU | 75 | 121 | 79 | 2 | Local and commuter
services across the North |
Replaced by newer trains like Class 150, 156, 158, 170, and 195 units. |
1985–1987 | 2020 | |
144 Pacer | ![]() |
23 | 1986–1987 | |||||||
153 Super Sprinter | ![]() |
17 | 1 | Replaced by Class 150 units, later sent to storage | 1987–1988 | 2020–2021 | ||||
Class 319/3 | ![]() |
EMU | 100 | 161 | 19 | 4 | Electrified commuter
services in the North West |
Replaced by Class 331 units. | 1990 | 2024 |
321 | 3 | Electrified commuter
services in West Yorkshire |
Replaced by Class 331 units | 1991 | 2020 | |||||
322 | ![]() |
5 | 1990 |
Northern's Depots: Where Trains Are Kept and Fixed
Northern has many locations where its train staff are based. These are called depots. They are found in towns like Barrow-in-Furness, Blackburn, Carlisle, Doncaster, Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly, Newcastle, Sheffield, and York.
Northern's trains are also maintained and repaired at special depots. Here's a list of these maintenance depots:
Depot | Trains Kept Here | Trains Serviced Here | Nearest Station |
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Allerton TMD | 08, 323, 331, 769 | 150, 156, 195 | Liverpool South Parkway |
Blackburn King Street TMD | None | 150, 156, 195 | Blackburn |
Botanic Gardens TMD | 170 | 155, 158 | Hull Paragon |
Heaton TMD | 156, 158 | Manors | |
Holbeck TMD | None | 150,158, 195 | Leeds |
Newton Heath TMD | 150, 156, 195 | 158, 769 | Moston |
Neville Hill TMD | 08, 150, 155, 158, 170, 331, 333 | 195 | Leeds |
Wigan Springs Branch TMD | None | 158, 195, 331, 769 | Wigan North Western |