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Northern
Northern Trains.svg
331002 SOT.jpg
A Northern Class 331 train in November 2023 at Stoke-on-Trent
Overview
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 (2020-03-01) – 1 March 2025 (2025-03-01)
Predecessor Arriva Rail North
Route map
Northern Trains network.svg

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.

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
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
72 2 1985–1987
155 Super Sprinter 7 2 York, Leeds, Hull Paragon and Scarborough 1987–1988
Class 155 Arriva Northern Diagram.png
156 Super Sprinter 66 2 North East, Cumbrian Coast, Lancashire and Cumbria, Merseyside and Cheshire 1987–1989
158 Express Sprinter 90 145 45 2 South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Fylde Coast, North Yorkshire and the North East 1990–1992
8 3
Class 158 Arriva Northern 2 Car.png
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
Northern Class 195-0.png
Northern Class 195-1.png
Electric trains (EMUs)
Hunslet Transportation Projects/Holec 323 323231 of Northern Trains at Lime Street.jpg EMU 90 145 17 3 Manchester-Hadfield, Manchester-Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester-Crewe, and Liverpool-Manchester Airport 1992–1995
323 Northern By Arriva.png
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.
Northern Class 331-0 w-pantograph.png
Northern Class 331-1 w-pantograph.png
CAF/Siemens Transportation Systems 333 16 4 Leeds - Bradford Forster Square, Skipton, Ilkley,
Bradford Forster Square - Skipton, Ilkley
2000–2003
Class 333 Arriva Northern Diagram with Pantograph.png
Bi-mode trains (BMUs)
BR Second Generation (Mark 3) 769 Flex
769448 at Manchester Piccadilly.jpg
BMU 100 161 8 4 Southport - Manchester Oxford Road and Stalybridge 2017–2020 (originally 1987–1988 as Class 319)
Northern Class 769.png

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
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
323 Northern By Arriva.png

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
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 144013 at Morecambe.jpg 23 1986–1987
153 Super Sprinter Northern Rail Class 153, 153352, platform 5, Lancaster railway station (geograph 4499685).jpg 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 322485 Leeds.jpg 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
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
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