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Arriva Rail North

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This article is about the current Northern train operating company. For the former train operating company, see Northern Rail (Serco-Abellio).

Northern
Class 156 Super Sprinter at Liverpool Lime Street in 2018
Franchise(s)Northern
1 April 2016 – 31 March 2025
Main Region(s)North West
North East
Yorkshire and the Humber
Other Region(s)East Midlands
Staffordshire
Fleet size393 units[nb 1]
Stations called at528
Stations operated476
Parent companyArriva UK Trains
Other
Websitewww.northernrailway.co.uk

Northern is a train operating company in Northern England. A subsidiary of Arriva UK Trains, it began operating the Northern franchise on 1 April 2016 and inherited units from the previous operator Northern Rail.

The franchise will introduce 101 new-built units – the Class 195 and 331 – and retire all Pacer trains by the end of 2019.[1] It is planned that a franchise sub-brand, known as Northern Connect, will provide inter-urban routes between major cities and towns in Northern England. The franchise will run to 2025 with an option for an additional year[2] which is dependent on performance.[3]

However since the franchise began in April 2016, it has been beset by falling punctuality,[4][5] poor customer service,[6] and continued industrial action by staff.[7] Despite passenger growth at the vast majority of train operating companies in the United Kingdom, the number of passengers carried by Northern since the franchise commenced in 2016 has declined and has been attributed to worsening performance.[8][9]

History

In August 2014, the Department for Transport announced that Abellio, Arriva and Govia had been shortlisted to bid for the next Northern franchise.[10][11] The franchise was awarded to Arriva in December 2015.[12]

In May 2016, the Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into the transport department's decision to award the Northern network to Arriva.[13] Arriva operated the CrossCountry franchise and owned many bus companies in the Northern trains operating area in which 'a significant overlap occurs without competition from other service providers.'[14]

A penalty fare scheme started in April 2018.

In May 2018 the Mayor of Greater Manchester contacted Transport for the North (TfN) requesting an investigation into service and passenger conditions since the franchise was taken over.[15]

May 2018 timetable recast

Passenger journeys on Northern, 2010/11 to Q1 2017/18 (in millions, annual rolling average)[16][17]
Northern Rail performance from commencement of franchise in April 2016 to April 2018. Graph generated from published period performance data by Arriva Rail North.[18]

The franchise was widely criticised for implementing a new timetable in May 2018 which resulted in widespread delays and cancellations.[19][20] Network Rail and Northern announced an independent inquiry to learn lessons and identify route alterations in readiness for the next timetable change in December 2018.[21] In an attempt to counter operational problems, Northern implemented an emergency timetable on 4 June 2018[22] – it stemmed some delays and cancellations but was still problematic compared with performance before the timetable change.

Punctuality was particularly bad in the North West due to the delay in the Blackpool-Preston electrification scheme and the number of trains per hour through Manchester increased with more services utilising the Ordsall Chord which became operational in December 2017. Network Rail only informed train operating companies in January 2018 that the electrification scheme would be delayed until November – Northern had planned for the scheme to be complete as scheduled by May and had trained drivers to operate new routes with electric rolling stock. Consequently, an alternative timetable had to be drafted up and many train drivers were not sufficiently trained to drive the existing diesel rolling stock which resulted in widespread cancellations.[23] Furthermore, the additional services through the Manchester corridor resulted in increased congestion and which had a knock-on effect.[24] Performance statistics published by the Office of Rail and Road in October 2018 showed that from April to June 2018, the franchise recorded the lowest PPM – measured by train service departing within 5 minutes of its scheduled time – of any quarter since punctuality records began on the Northern franchise in 2009.[25]

Performance towards the latter half of the 2018 continued to be poor with many passengers protesting and the network beset by a reduced service on Saturdays due to industrial action.[26][27] In October 2018 it was announced that Manchester Oxford Road station, the busiest station managed by Northern with over 8 million passengers, was the most delayed station in the United Kingdom in 2018 – this was attributed to the chaos following the May 2018 timetable.[28][29] Between 14 October and 10 November 2018, Northern recorded the worst monthly performance on record with more trains late than on time. Less than 40% of services arrived on time (defined as services arriving within 59 seconds of the planned arrival time) and only 71.9% departed within 5 minutes of the scheduled departure time.[30]

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.[31] Both have pushed the franchise into a loss-making entity and face a £282 million government subsidy shortfall which was due to be passed onto the franchise.[9] Since the franchise commenced in April 2016 and despite an increase of 1,500 more weekly services transferred to Northern's operational remit, Northern has achieved no growth in passenger numbers.[32] Between April and June 2018, the franchise suffered a 2.4% decline in passenger numbers compared with the previous year. Of the twenty two train operating companies in the United Kingdom to record a fall in passengers, Northern were one of only three franchises to record an annual drop in passenger numbers in 2017–18.[33]

Statistics published in December 2018 showed that between April 2017 and March 2018, many Northern managed stations recorded a drop in passengers – this period did not include the May 2018 timetable change or increased level of Saturday strikes by conductors.[34] The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, also reported that the failing railways in the region was resulting in increased congestion on the roads and Metrolink system as passengers were abandoning the rail service due to increased level of unreliability in the area since May 2018.[35] To counter continuing poor performance and encourage improved punctuality, the window for which passengers can claim compensation for delayed services was reduced from 30 minutes to 15 minutes from 17 December 2018.[36]

Minor changes were implemented in the December 2018 timetable change. However Northern stated they did not expect a reliable service to be implemented until the May 2019 timetable change; it is expected by this time there will be new rolling stock in service with the Class 195 and Class 331, newly electrified lines operational which alleviates the shortage of diesel rolling stock in the Northern fleet and most notably operational flaws with the May 2018 timetable ironed out as part of better optimised timetable in May 2019.[37]

Services

Main article: List of Northern (train operating company) routes

Northern took over all the services operated by Northern Rail (also branded Northern) on 1 April 2016[38] and on the same date, services between Manchester Airport and Blackpool North, Manchester Airport and Barrow in Furness and Oxenholme to Windermere from First TransPennine Express.[39]

Northern took over responsibility for all the stations managed by Northern Rail, as well as Arnside, Barrow-in-Furness, Birchwood, Burneside, Carnforth, Grange-over-Sands, Kendal, Staveley, Ulverston, Warrington Central and Windermere from First TransPennine Express.[39] Northern will staff some currently unstaffed stations. The first stations to be staffed will be Baildon and Ben Rhydding,[40] both in West Yorkshire.

Northern has committed to introducing free Wi-Fi on trains, and new ticketing options including the ability for customers to print their own tickets.[41] Arriva will provide new services across the North of England.[42]

The Cleethorpes to Barton-on-Humber service was due to transfer to East Midlands Trains in October 2017, when its franchise was expected to expire. Hovever, as of November 2018, this has still not taken place due to extensions of the East Midlands franchise. It is expected to occur when the East Midlands franchise ends in August 2019.[39][43][needs update] The transfer would have included Barrow Haven, Barton upon Humber, Goxhill, Great Coates, Grimsby Docks, Habrough, Healing, New Clee, New Holland, Stallingborough, Thornton Abbey and Ulceby stations.

On 1 July 2016, the business was divided into four regions, each headed up by a regional director:[44]

  • Central – regional director based in Manchester
  • East – regional director based in Leeds
  • North East – regional director based in Newcastle upon Tyne
  • West – regional director based in Preston

Table of off-peak services

Below is a list of off-peak services, per the 20 May – 8 December 2018 timetables.[45] It has been slightly simplified due to some routes' irregular service pattern. Several routes which Northern run only have limited or peak service and are omitted.

Liverpool to Wigan and Blackpool
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 and Bryn
Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North 1 Huyton, St Helens Central, Wigan North Western, Euxton, Leyland, Preston, Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton-le-Fylde
Liverpool to Warrington and Manchester
Route tph Calling at
Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport 1 Liverpool South Parkway, Warrington Central, Birchwood, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly, Mauldeth Road and East Didsbury
Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Oxford Road 1 Mossley Hill, West Allerton, Liverpool South Parkway, Hough Green, Widnes, Warrington Central, Padgate, Birchwood, Glazebrook, Irlam, Flixton, Chassen Road (1tp2h), Urmston and Deansgate
1 Edge Hill, Mossley Hill, West Allerton, Liverpool South Parkway, Hunts Cross, Halewood, Hough Green, Widnes, Sankey for Penketh, Warrington Central, Birchwood, Irlam, Urmston, Humphrey Park (1tp2h), Trafford Park (1tp2h) and Deansgate
Liverpool Lime Street to Warrington Bank Quay 1 Edge Hill, Wavertree Technology Park, Broad Green, Roby, Huyton, Whiston, Rainhill, Lea Green, St Helens Junction and Earlestown
Liverpool Lime Street to Crewe 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, Manchester Airport, Styal, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach
Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe
Route tph Calling at
Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe 1 Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Handforth, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Chelford, Goostrey, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach
Manchester Piccadilly to Stoke-on-Trent 1 Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, Poynton, Adlington, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Congleton and Kidsgrove
Mid-Cheshire Line
Route tph Calling at
Manchester Piccadilly to Chester 1 Stockport, Navigation Road, Altrincham, Hale, Ashley, Mobberley, Knutsford, Plumley, Lostock Gralam, Northwich, Greenbank, Cuddington, Delamere and Mouldsworth
Buxton Line
Route tph Calling at
Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton 1 Stockport, Davenport, Woodsmoor, Hazel Grove, Disley, New Mills Newtown, Whaley Bridge and Chapel-en-le-Frith
1 Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Davenport, Woodsmoor, Hazel Grove, Middlewood (1tp2h), Disley, New Mills Newtown, Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Dove Holes
Manchester Piccadilly to Hazel Grove 1 Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Davenport and 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 and Glossop
Manchester Piccadilly to Rose Hill Marple 2 Gorton, Fairfield (1tph), Guide Bridge, Hyde North (1tph), Hyde Central, Woodley and Romiley
Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills Central 1 Ashburys, Belle Vue (irregular), Ryder Brow, Reddish North, Brinnington, Bredbury, Romiley, Marple and Strines (1tp2h)
Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield 1 Reddish North, Brinnington, Bredbury, Romiley, Marple, New Mills Central, Chinley, Edale, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage, Grindleford and Dore & Totley
Manchester to Wigan and Preston
Route tph Calling at
Manchester Airport to Preston 1 Heald Green, Gatley, Burnage, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Horwich Parkway, Chorley and Buckshaw Parkway
some trains extend to/from Barrow-in-Furness, see below
Manchester Piccadilly to Blackpool North 1 Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Lostock, Horwich Parkway, Chorley, Buckshaw Parkway, Leyland, Preston and Poulton-le-Fylde
Manchester Victoria to Buckshaw Parkway 1 Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Lostock, Horwich Parkway, Blackrod, Adlington and Chorley
Manchester Airport to Blackpool North 1 Heald Green, East Didsbury, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Wigan North Western, Leyland, Preston, Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton-le-Flyde and Layton
Alderley Edge to Wigan North Western 1 Wilmslow, Handforth, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Westhoughton and Hindley.
Stalybridge to Wigan North Western 1 Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester Victoria, Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Kearsley, Farnworth, Moses Gate, Bolton, Westhoughton and Hindley
Stalybridge to Manchester Victoria 1 Ashton-under-Lyne
Manchester Victoria to Kirkby 1 Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Swinton, Moorside, Walkden, Atherton, Hag Fold, Daisy Hill, Hindley, Wigan Wallgate, Pemberton, Orrell, Upholland and Rainford
Manchester to Blackburn
Route tph Calling at
Rochdale to Blackburn (and Clitheroe) 2 Castleton, Mills Hill, Moston, Manchester Victoria, Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Hall I' Th' Wood, Bromley Cross, Entwistle and Darwen
1tph extends to/from Clitheroe, calling at Ramsgreave & Wilpshire, Langho and Whalley
Blackburn to Southport 1 Accrington, Rose Grove, Burnley Manchester Road, Todmorden, Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Manchester Victoria, Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Swinton, Walkden, Atherton, Daisy Hill, Hindley, Wigan Wallgate, Gathurst, Appley Bridge, Parbold, Hoscar (irregular), Burscough Bridge, New Lane (irregular), Bescar Lane (irregular) and Meols Cop
Huddersfield Line
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Southport 1 Cottingley, Morley, Dewsbury, Mirfield, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Walsden, Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Manchester Victoria, Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Walkden, Atherton, Daisy Hill, Wigan Wallgate, Gathurst, Appley Bridge, Parbold, Burscough Bridge and Meols Cop
Wakefield Kirkgate to Huddersfield 1 Mirfield, Deighton
Caldervale Line
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Preston 1 New Pudsey, Bradford Interchange, Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Burnley Manchester Road, Accrington and Blackburn
Leeds to Manchester Victoria 2 Bramley, New Pudsey, Bradford Interchange, Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Rochdale, Castleton (1tph), Mills Hill (1tph) and Moston (1tph)
Leeds-Bradford Lines
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Huddersfield 1 Bramley, New Pudsey, Bradford Interchange, Low Moor, Halifax and Brighouse
Leeds to Bradford Forster Square 2 Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge, Shipley and Frizinghall
Wharfedale Line
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Ilkley 2 Guiseley, Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ben Rhydding
Bradford Forster Square to Ilkley 2 Frizinghall, Shipley, Baildon, Guiseley, Menston, Burley-in-Wharfdale and Ben Rhydding
Airedale Line
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Skipton 2 Kirkstall Forge (limited), Apperley Bridge (limited), Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley, Crossflatts, Keighley, Steeton & Silsden, Cononley
Bradford Forster Square to Skipton 2 Frizinghall, Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley, Crossflats, Keighley, Steeton & Silsden and Cononley
'Little' North Western
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Lancaster 0.5 Shipley, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, Gargrave, Hellifield, Long Preston, Giggleswick, Clapham, Bentham, Wennington and Carnforth
some trains continue to Bare Lane and Morecambe, providing additional service
Lancaster to Morecambe 1 Bare Lane. 1 train per day extends to/from Heysham Port.
Hourly service supplimented/modified by additional trains from Leeds.
Leeds to Carlisle 0.5 Shipley, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, Gargrave (irregular), Hellifield, Long Preston (irregular), Settle, Horton in Ribblesdale, Ribblehead, Dent, Garsdale, Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Langwathby, Lazonby & Kirkoswald and Armathwaite
Harrogate Line
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Knaresborough (and York) 2 Burley Park, Headingley, Horsforth, Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate and Starbeck.
1tph extends to/from York, calling at Cattal, Hammerton and Poppleton
Pontefract Line
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Knottingley 1 Woodlesford, Castleford, Glasshoughton and Pontefract Monkhill. 3tpd are extended to and from Goole calling at Whitley Bridge, Hensall, Snaith and Rawcliffe.
1 Wakefield Westgate, Wakefield Kirkgate, Streethouse, Featherstone, Pontefract Tanshelf and Pontefract Monkhill
Wakefield Line
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Doncaster 1 Outwood, Wakefield Westgate, Sandal & Agbrigg, Fitzwilliam, South Elmsall, Adwick and Bentley
Leeds to Sheffield 1 Outwood, Wakefield Westgate, Sandal & Agbrigg, Fitzwilliam, Moorthorpe, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Swinton, Rotherham Central and Meadowhall
Penistone Line
Route tph Calling at
Huddersfield to Sheffield 1 Lockwood, Berry Brow, Honley, Brockholes, Stocksmoor, Shepley, Denby Dale, Penistone, Silkstone Common, Dodworth, Barnsley, Wombwell, Elsecar, Chapeltown and Meadowhall, several services extended to Lincoln Central (3 trains per day) via Worksop (on Sundays several services are extended to Lincoln)
Hallam Line
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to Sheffield 1 Woodlesford, Castleford, Normanton, Wakefield Kirkgate, Darton, Barnsley, Wombwell, Elsecar, Chapletown and Meadowhall.
Leeds to Nottingham 1 Wakefield Kirkgate, Barnsley, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dronfield, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Langley Mill and Ilkeston.
Leeds to Lincoln Central 1 Wakefield Kirkgate, Barnsley, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Darnall, Woodhouse, Kiveton Bridge, Kiveton Park, Shireoaks, Worksop, Retford, Gainsborough Lea Road and Saxilby
York and Selby Lines and Dearne Valley Line.
Route tph Calling at
Leeds to York 1 Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth, Micklefield, Church Fenton and Ulleskelf (irregular).
Leeds to Selby 1 Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth, Micklefield and South Milford
York to Hull 0.5 Ulleskelf (irregular), Church Fenton, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Selby, Howden, Gilberdyke and Brough
0.5 Selby, Howden, Gilberdyke and Brough
York to Sheffield via Pontefract Baghill – Ulleskelf, Church Fenton, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Pontefract Baghill, Moorthorpe, Swinton, Rotherham Central and Meadowhall.
Limited service, only 4tpd.
Sheffield to Humberside
Route tph Calling at
Sheffield to Adwick 1 Meadowhall, Rotherham Central, Swinton, Mexborough, Conisbrough, Doncaster, Bentley
Sheffield to Hull 1 Meadowhall, Rotherham Central, Swinton, Mexborough, Conisbrough, Doncaster, Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne North, Goole, Saltmarshe (irregular), Gilberdyke, Broomfleet (irregular), Brough, Ferriby and Hessle
Sheffield to Bridlington 1 Meadowhall, Doncaster, Goole, Brough, Hull, Cottingham, Beverley, Arram (limited), Hutton Cranswick, Driffield and Nafferton
Hull to Bridlington (and Scarborough) 1 Cottingham, Beverley, Hutton Cranswick (irregular) and Driffield
1tp2h extends to Scarborough, calling at Bempton, Hunmanby, Filey and Seamer
Doncaster to Scunthorpe 1 Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne South, Crowle and Althorpe
Sheffield to Cleethorpes – Darnall, Kiveton Bridge, Kiveton Park, Shireoaks, Worksop, Retford, Gainsborough Central, Kirton Lindsey, Brigg, Barnetby, Habrough and Grimsby Town.
Limited service, only 4tpd on Saturdays only.
Barton Line
Route tph Calling at
Barton-on-Humber to Cleethorpes 0.5 Barrow Haven, New Holland, Goxhill, Thornton Abbey, Ulceby, Habrough, Stallingborough, Healing, Great Coates, Grimsby Town, Grimsby Docks and New Clee
Lancashire & Cumbria Coast
Route tph Calling at
Preston to Colne 1 Lostock Hall, Bamber Bridge, Pleasington, Cherry Tree, Mill Hill, Blackburn, Rishton, Church & Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Huncoat, Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley Barracks, Burnley Central, Brierfield and Nelson
Preston to Ormskirk 1 Croston, Rufford and Burscough Junction
Preston to Blackpool South 1 Kirkham & Wesham, Moss Side, Lytham, Ansdell & Fairhaven, St Annes-on-the-Sea, Squires Gate and Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Lancaster to Barrow-in-Furness 1 Carnforth, Silverdale (irregular), Arnside, Grange-over-Sands, Kents Bank (irregular), Cark (irregular), Ulverston and Dalton (irregular), Roose (irregular)
Some trains extend to/from Manchester Airport via Preston, see above. Some trains extend to/from Carlisle, see below
Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle 1 Askam, Kirkby-in-Furness, Foxfield, Green Road, Millom, Silecroft, Bootle, Ravenglass, Drigg, Seascale, Sellafield, St Bees, Corkickle, Whitehaven, Parton, Harrington, Workington, Flimby, Maryport, Aspatria, Wigton and Dalston
Some trains extend to/from Lancaster, see above
Oxenholme Lake District to Windermere 1 Kendal, Burneside and Staveley
some trains extend to/from Lancaster, Preston or Manchester Piccadilly
Northumberland
Route tph Calling at
Newcastle to Morpeth 1 Manors and Cramlington
Tyne Valley, Durham Coast and Esk Valley Lines
Route tph Calling at
Carlisle to Newcastle 1 Wetheral (1tp2h), Brampton (1tp2h), Haltwhistle, Bardon Mill (1tp2h), Haydon Bridge, Hexham, Prudhoe and MetroCentre
trains either serve Wetheral and Brampton, or Bardon Mill
Metrocentre to Newcastle 1 Dunston
Hexham to Nunthorpe 1 Corbridge, Riding Mill, Stocksfield, Prudhoe, Wylam, Blaydon, MetroCentre, Newcastle, Heworth, Sunderland, Seaham, Hartlepool, Seaton Carew, Billingham, Stockton, Thornaby, Middlesbrough, James Cook, Marton and Gypsy Lane
Some trains terminate at Middlesbrough, with Whitby services providing the hourly Middlesbrough-Nunthorpe service. Other trains extend to Battersby or Danby
Middlesbrough to Whitby – James Cook, Marton, Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe, Great Ayton, Battersby, Kildale, Commondale, Castleton Moor, Danby, Lealholm, Glaisdale, Egton, Grosmont, Sleights and Ruswarp
4 trains run each day, with an extra one in summer
Tees Valley Line
Route tph Calling at
Saltburn to Darlington (and Bishop Auckland) 2 Marske, Longbeck, Redcar East, Redcar Central, South Bank (1tph), Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe, Allens West and Dinsdale. 1tph extends to Bishops Auckland, calling at North Road, Heighington, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon

Rolling stock

Northern inherited the rolling stock operated by Northern Rail, namely Class 142, 144, 150, 153, 155, 156 and 158 diesel multiple units and Class 319, 321, 322, 323 and 333 electric multiple units. To operate services transferred from the TransPennine Express franchise, four Class 185 units were sublet from that franchise to Northern, with this later reducing to two units. To provide additional peak time capacity on the Calder Valley Line, one Class 180 unit is sublet from Grand Central to Northern per weekday.

Class 37/4 locomotives and Mark 2 carriages were hired from Direct Rail Services for Cumbrian Coast line services until December 2018.[39][46]

Current fleet

Class Image Type Top speed Carriages Number Routes Built
mph km/h
Diesel multiple units
205 series File:JR East 205-0 Musashino Line 20170116.jpg 100px DMU 75 121 2 79 Local and commuter services across the North 1985–87
144 Pacer 75 121 2 13 Local and commuter services in Yorkshire 1986–87
3 10
150/1 & 150/2 Sprinter 75 121 2 75 Local services across the North 1985–87
153 Super Sprinter 75 121 1 22 Local and commuter services across the North
Also used to boost capacity on peak time services 		1987–88
155 Super Sprinter 75 121 2 7
  • Manchester Victoria–Leeds
  • Local and commuter services across Yorkshire

 1987–88
156 Super Sprinter 75 121 2 47 Local, commuter and regional services across the North 1987–89
158/0 & 158/9
Express Sprinter 		90 140 2 45
  • Regional express and commuter services in West Yorkshire
  • Northern Connect services in the North East (from 2018)
  • Manchester Airport to Preston and Barrow-In-Furness
 1989–92
3 8
170/4 Turbostar File:Northern Class 170.png 100 161 3 16
  • Leeds–York via Harrogate
 2003–05
180 Adelante 125 201 5 1 Calder Valley Line peak time services[nb 2]
(Unit is subleased from Grand Central)[47] 		2000–01
185 Desiro 100 161 3 2 Services transferred from TransPennine Express[nb 3]
(Two units are subleased from TransPennine Express) 		2005–06
Electric multiple units
319/3 & 319/4 EMU 100 161 4 27[nb 4] Electrified commuter services in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and from Blackpool 1987–90
321/9 100 161 4 3 Electrified commuter services in West Yorkshire 1991
322 100 161 4 5 Electrified commuter services in West Yorkshire 1990
323 90 140 3 17 Electrified commuter services in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Merseyside 1992–93
333 100 161 4 16 Electrified commuter services in West Yorkshire 2000

Future fleet

Arriva Rail North Franchise Agreement Capacity Requirements[48]
City December 2017 Peak Capacity
(07:59–10:00, seats + standing) 		December 2019 Peak Capacity
(07:59–10:00, seats + standing)
Leeds 26,034 35,000
Liverpool 7,819 9,500
Manchester 45,840 52,200
Newcastle 2,440 3,100
Sheffield 6,420 10,000

The withdrawal of Class 142 and 144 trains, known commonly as Pacers, was scheduled to commence in November 2018, with the last to be removed from traffic in October 2019.[49] Other trains due to leave Northern's fleet are the Class 153 diesel multiple unit and Class 321, Class 322 and Class 323 electric multiple units.

Northern has ordered 101 brand new trains from Spanish rolling manufacturer CAF[50][51]. A total of 58 Class 195 diesel multiple units and 43 Class 331 electric multiple units are scheduled to enter service in 2019.

A number of other trains are to be cascaded to Northern from other operators. A total of 49 diesel trains are due to join the fleet from Great Western Railway, ScotRail and West Midlands Trains between 2017 and 2019[52]. An additional eighteen two car diesel units, comparable to a Class 170, are due to join the fleet by December 2022.

In 2018, five Class 153 units transferred from GWR on a short term basis to provide extra capacity.

An additional twelve Class 319 units have transferred from Thameslink, although eight of these are due to be converted to Class 769 bi mode multiple units.

There is an option for further Class 195 and Class 331 carriages in the future.[53]

Class Image Type Top speed Carriages Number Routes Built In Service
mph km/h
Diesel multiple units
150/1 Sprinter DMU 75 121 2 3[54] Commuter services across The North 1984–85[55] 2017–19
150/9 Sprinter DMU 75 121 3 12[nb 5] Services including:
  • Huddersfield–Sheffield
  • Leeds–Goole[56]
 1984–85[57] 2019
195/0 & 195/1 Civity DMU 100 161 2 25 Northern Connect services 2017–19 2019
3 33
TBC[nb 6] DMU 100 161 2 18 Services to be confirmed TBC 2022[nb 7]
Electric multiple units
331/0 & 331/1 Civity EMU 100 161 3 31 2017–19 2019
4 12
Bi-mode multiple units
769/4 Flex BMU TBC TBC 4 8
  • Wigan–Alderley Edge via Manchester Piccadilly
  • Wigan–Stalybridge via Manchester Victoria[58]
 2017–19[nb 8] 2019[59]

Northern Connect

Northern Connect logo
The logo for future Northern Connect express services

By December 2019, Northern plans to operate a network of twelve Northern Connect inter-urban express services – a franchise requirement. Most of these will be operated by brand-new Class 195 Civity diesel multiple units and Class 331 Civity electric multiple units, whilst the Middlesbrough to Carlisle via Newcastle route will be operated by refurbished Class 158 units. Electrification of the line between Oxenholme and Windermere was cancelled by the Government in 2017,[60] so the Manchester Airport to Windermere route will be operated initially by Class 769 Flex trains instead, with Class 195 Civity trains taking over by the end of 2019.[60]

Places that will be served by Northern Connect routes include Bradford, Chester, Halifax, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Newcastle, Preston, Sheffield, Barnsley, Lincoln, Wakefield, Wigan and York.

Northern Connect planned future routes and future rolling stock

Northern Connect
Colour Route [61] Via Rolling Stock
Blackpool North to Manchester Airport Preston, Chorley, Bolton, Salford Crescent and Manchester Piccadilly Class 331
Blackpool North to York Preston, Blackburn, Halifax, Bradford Interchange and Leeds Class 195
Liverpool Lime Street to Leeds Manchester Victoria, Rochdale, Halifax and Bradford Interchange Class 195
Chester to Leeds Warrington Bank Quay, Manchester Victoria, Rochdale, Halifax and Bradford Interchange Class 195
Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport Warrington Central and Manchester Piccadilly Class 195
Barrow-in-Furness/Windermere to Manchester Airport Lancaster, Preston, Wigan North Western and Manchester Piccadilly Class 195
Manchester Airport to Bradford Interchange Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Rochdale and Halifax Class 195
Carlisle to Middlesbrough Hexham, MetroCentre and Newcastle Class 158
Leeds to Lincoln Wakefield Kirkgate, Barnsley, Meadowhall Interchange and Sheffield Class 195
Sheffield to Hull Doncaster Class 158 and Class 195[62]
Bradford Interchange to Nottingham Leeds, Wakefield Westgate, Sheffield and Chesterfield Class 158 and Class 195[62]

Driver Controlled Operation

Main article: One-man operation

The Department of Transport and Rail North have specified that the franchise must ensure that at least 50% of the aggregate Train Mileage of Passenger Services provided in each Reporting Period is operated as Driver Controlled Operation (DCO).[63]

DCO is defined as "operation of a train by a driver alone without the need for a conductor (or any other Franchise Employee)." The franchise further specifies that "Where ... a Passenger Service is operated as Driver Controlled Operation the Franchisee shall ... plan for an additional Franchise Employee (that is, in addition to the driver) to be present on such Passenger Service."[56]

The RMT Union are unhappy about this change, as roles currently undertaken by guards would instead be undertaken by drivers (such as releasing the doors once the train has stopped at a station). Although Northern have said they would be willing to guarantee that a second member of staff would be on board, the use of DCO could theoretically make it possible to run a train without a guard, and as a result, the union have called industrial action over the change.[63][64]

On 28 November 2018, it was announced that Transport for the North is against support for the removal of an additional franchise employee on Northern services, and urged the RMT Union to suspend the current strike action.[65][66] On 29 November, RMT announced that it had offered to suspend industrial action under the condition that trains will never run without a guard on the train,[67] however, on 30 November, the union confirmed that it will continue industrial action as planned.[68]

On 7 February 2019, the RMT announced that it had suspended further industrial action on Northern, bringing an end to consecutive strikes on Saturdays since 25 August 2018. [69]

Depots

Northern's fleet is maintained at Allerton, Blackpool, Heaton, Newton Heath and Neville Hill depots.

In 2017, a new stabling depot opened at Blackburn King Street, with space for up to thirty diesel multiple units.[70]

A new depot will open in Wigan in December 2019, with space for 32 trains. The depot will be adapted from a freight yard at Springs Branch railway sidings in Ince-in-Makerfield and will cost £46 million.[71]

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

Notes

  1. ^ Two units are leased from TransPennine Express and one unit is leased from Grand Central
  2. ^ One morning peak time service from Hebden Bridge to Leeds, and one return trip in the evening peak, from Monday to Friday
  3. ^ The three services which transferred to the Northern franchise are Manchester Airport to Blackpool North, Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness and the Oxenholme to Windermere shuttle
  4. ^ The eight Class 319/4 units are to be converted to Class 769 bi-mode units
  5. ^ Eighteen units are to be converted into twelve three car Class 150/9 units
  6. ^ These must be DMUs which are at least an equivalent in performance and quality to 2-car Class 170 units
  7. ^ These units must be in service no later than December 2022.
  8. ^ Class 319/4 units were initially built between 1987 and 1988

References

  1. ^ "We are modernising". Arriva Rail North. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  2. ^ "Rail franchising: Northern and TransPennine Express franchises". GOV.UK. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Northern Connect". Arriva Rail North. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  4. ^ Topham, Gwyn (6 December 2018). "Train performance this summer the worst for 20 years, figures show". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2018. Northern's punctuality and reliability hit an all-time low for the July–September period, according to industry regulator the Office of Rail and Road
  5. ^ "Most overcrowded services revealed as passenger numbers plummet". Rail Technology Magazine. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018. Users of rail networks in several major cities across England have fallen. Passengers of services to Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Cardiff have suffered the largest decline, with many citing chaotic delays and cancellations as a number of reasons for no longer frequently using rail network.
  6. ^ "Complaints about complaints: train passengers fed up with how they're treated". Which?. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018. Northern had the lowest satisfaction rate for politeness out of all train companies in the survey; in fact, it came last or in the bottom three of the 18 train companies in every aspect of the complaints process that passengers were asked about.
  7. ^ "Further disruption on Northern Rail as union members begin 38th day of strike action". ITV News. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  8. ^ Topham, Gwyn (14 June 2018). "Fall in UK rail passenger numbers casts doubt on viability of franchises". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2018. Questions have been raised by MPs over whether Abellio overbid for Greater Anglia, which suffered a further 2% decline in passengers last quarter, or Arriva for Northern, where customer numbers fell 9% in a strike-hit period.
  9. ^ a b "Northern Rail and German owner in crisis talks with government over risk of £282m bailout". Railway Technology Magazine. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  10. ^ Shortlist for Northern and TransPennine operators revealed Department for Transport 19 August 2014
  11. ^ Transformation of rail in the north Northern 27 February 2015
  12. ^ DVV Media International Ltd. "Northern and TransPennine Express franchises awarded". Railway Gazette. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  13. ^ Lea, Robert (21 May 2016). "Arriva faces northern exposure amid franchise victory enquiry". The Times. No. 71916. p. 51.
  14. ^ Clinnick, Richard (17 May 2015). "Arriva faces possible investigation over competition concerns". Rail. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  15. ^ Pilling, Kim (16 May 2018). "Andy Burnham calls for investigation into Northern Rail". men. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Display Report | Office of Rail Regulation – National Rail Trends Portal". Dataportal.orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  17. ^ "Display Report | Office of Rail Regulation – National Rail Trends Portal". Dataportal.orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  18. ^ "Northern Rail – Performance". Arriva Rail North. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "'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.
  21. ^ "Northern rail to commission independent report into train disruption". BBC News. 25 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Temporary timetables | Northern". www.northernrailway.co.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  23. ^ "Reality Check: Is a driver shortage messing up Northern trains?". BBC News. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  24. ^ "A big chunk of Northern's timetable is back on Monday – but not for many Greater Manchester passengers". Manchester Evening News. 29 July 2018. As an industry we are really sorry for the impact that this has had on customers. Congestion on the network within the Manchester area has been a factor in the disruption and as all our services run through this corridor this caused a knock-on effect on our services across the North.
  25. ^ "Passenger Rail Service Complaints – 2018–19 Q1 Statistical Release" (PDF). Office of Rail and Road. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  26. ^ "Northern is a disaster. Why have commuters been left to face it alone?". The Guardian. 21 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Rail network 'crippling the North': Leeds commuter's angry open letter about life as a Northern passenger". Yorkshire Post. 14 October 2018.
  28. ^ Paton, Graeme (16 October 2018). "Manchester Oxford Road station is worst for delays". The Times.
  29. ^ "UK's railway stations with most train delays revealed". BBC News. 16 October 2018.
  30. ^ "14 October to 10 November 2018" (PDF). Arriva Rail North. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ "Passenger journeys by train operating company – Table 12.12". Office for Rail and Road. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  33. ^ "Passenger Rail Usage – 2018–19 Q1 Statistical Release" (PDF). Office of Rail and Road. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  34. ^ "Estimates of station usage". Office of Rail and Road. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  35. ^ "Northern tells rail passengers disruption will continue until May". The Guardian. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  36. ^ "More compensation for delay-hit Northern rail passengers". BBC News. 13 September 2018.
  37. ^ Coffey, Helen (12 December 2018). "Northern Rail delays and cancellations likely to continue until May 2019 while fares increase by 3.2%". The Independent. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  38. ^ Transformation of rail travel in the north Department for Transport 27 February 2015
  39. ^ a b c d Stakeholder Briefing Document and Consultation Response Department for Transport 27 February 2015
  40. ^ "Proud to be Northern – April 2016".
  41. ^ "Arriva chosen to run and expand Northern franchise from next year". Rail Technology Magazine. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  42. ^ "Massive boost to rail services brings Northern Powerhouse to life".
  43. ^ "Rail Franchise Schedule" (PDF). UK Department of Transport.
  44. ^ "Northern launches new business regions – Northern".
  45. ^ "Northern Rail – Timetables". northern by arriva. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  46. ^ "Special Cumbrian service to commemorate Class 37s". Northern. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  47. ^ "Connecting People Through News". PressReader.com. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  48. ^ "Northern 2015: Train Service Requirements". Department for Transport (DfT). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  49. ^ "Northern announces dates for rundown of Pacer fleet" Rail Express issue 244 September 2016 page 11
  50. ^ "Arriva signs £490m rolling stock contract to replace Northern's Pacers". Rail Technology Magazine. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  51. ^ "UK railway news round-up". Railway Gazette. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  52. ^ Barrow, Keith (11 December 2015). "Arriva confirms Northern rolling stock plans". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  53. ^ Fender, Keith. "CAF presents first Civity EMU for Northern". International Railway Journal. International Railway Journal. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  54. ^ "Northern 2015 rail franchise agreement". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  55. ^ "Regional Passenger Trains | Angel Trains". www.angeltrains.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  56. ^ a b "Northern Franchise Agreement" (PDF). Gov.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  57. ^ "Regional Passenger Trains". www.angeltrains.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  58. ^ https://www.greatermanchesterca.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/2167/item_09_may_2018_rail_timetable_consultation
  59. ^ Clinnick, Richard (23 October 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: Northern to introduce converted bi-modes next year". Rail Magazine. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  60. ^ a b "Bi-mode Class 319s for Lakes Line". RailStaff. Coalville: Rail Media. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  61. ^ https://be803fe5c416e39d38ae-aa21086260d3bd4e072d597fe09c2e80.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/images/maps/2016-07/NorthernConnectMap_July16.pdf
  62. ^ a b Department for Transport. "Northern franchise improvements". Maps.dft.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  63. ^ a b "Northern offers reassurance to RMT over DCO". Railtechnologymagazine.com. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  64. ^ "RMT announces further strike action on Arriva Rail North". rmt. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  65. ^ "Rail strikes: Transport for the North calls on Northern and RMT union to resume talks in row over train guards".
  66. ^ Pidd, Helen (28 November 2018). "Northern rail plan to remove train guards faces statutory opposition". the Guardian.
  67. ^ "RMT offers to suspend Northern Rail action". RMT.
  68. ^ "RMT Northern Rail action goes ahead this weekend". RMT.
  69. ^ "RMT suspends Northern strike action". RMT.
  70. ^ "Northern opens £23m Blackburn depot as part of Great North Rail Project". Rail Technology Magazine. Rail Technology Magazine. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  71. ^ Stuart Greer (24 April 2018). "New £46m train depot in Wigan will create 20 new jobs". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 28 November 2018.

Media related to Arriva Rail North at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Northern franchise 		Operator of Northern franchise
2016–2025 		Succeeded by
incumbent
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