Northern Electrics

Northern Electrics is a brand of electric commuter rail services introduced in 2015, operated by Northern Trains. The services operate on the Liverpool to Manchester (via Chat Moss) and Liverpool to Wigan lines.

For the former name of railway services from Kings Cross and Moorgate, see Great Northern Route.

Northern Electrics
319363 at Liverpool Lime Street in 2015
Overview
Franchise(s)Northern
(1 March 2020 – present)
Fleet size22
Stations called at(Main)
Liverpool Lime Street
Manchester Airport
Manchester Victoria
Wigan North Western
Warrington Bank Quay
Preston
Blackpool North
Crewe
Parent companyNorthern Trains
Reporting markNT
Other
Websitewww.northernrailway.co.uk

As a result of complete electrification of these lines by state track operator Network Rail, they became capable of taking more trains at a higher speed, with raised punctuality, reliability and with considerably less pollution than diesel. The first complete day of Northern Electrics services was 22 May 2015.

Class 323s and Class 331s also operate on these services, but it is largely unknown if they are a part of Northern Electrics.

History

State rail infrastructure owner Network Rail began electrification of the lines between Manchester and Liverpool in 2013 as part of its Northern Hub upgrade programme.[1] The work was completed in February 2015.

The first electric services between Liverpool and Manchester commenced on 5 March 2015[2]—the first service operated by Northern Electrics being the Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport route.[3]

As part of Northern Rail's plans for operation of the newly electrified Liverpool to Manchester lines, an initial 20 Class 319/3 units were transferred from Thameslink following a repaint and internal refresh.[3] 12 units launched the services early in 2015, with the remaining 8 units due to enter traffic for Northern Electrics in September the same year.

The Class 319s have largely replaced Class 142 Pacer, Class 150 Sprinter and Class 156 Super Sprinter diesel multiple units that were once the mainstay of services between Liverpool and Manchester.

Several class 323 units started working on most Northern Electrics services from May 2018 after the Liverpool to Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport services as well as an extension to Crewe station from Manchester Airport station combined to make a new Liverpool Lime street to Crewe service.

In July 2019, Class 331s (alongside Class 195) were also introduced on Northern, operating most of the lines on Northern Electrics.

In August 2019, it was confirmed that all 319s would leave Northern to be replaced by 17 Class 323 units operated by West Midlands Trains. This is expected to occur once new rolling stock is in operation with West Midlands Trains in 2021.[4]

Branding

The Northern Electrics livery is different to the standard Northern Rail livery - featuring "Northern Electrics" logos and a different design which has a greater emphasis on purple.

Routes

As of December 2015, the routes operated by Northern Electrics are:[5]

When Northern Electrics was introduced, there were limited services to/from Blackpool North which were still DMUs and this route was not electrified at the time. On weekends, services between Liverpool and Warrington Bank Quay were still operated by Class 150s, Class 142s and Class 156 units as fewer class 319s operated on weekends. The 18:00 service from Liverpool Lime Street to Preston, the 06:44 service from Wigan North Western to Liverpool Lime Street, the 07:38 service from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool Lime Street and the 08:38 service from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool Lime Street were run by DMUs on Saturdays.

All diesel traction was gradually phased out after all class 319 units were delivered. Several class 323 units also started working on most Northern Electrics services from May 2018 after the Liverpool to Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Piccadilly services combined to make a new service. Class 331s also worked aside from the class 319s and class 323s from July 2019.

Further services between Liverpool/Manchester and Preston/Blackpool were added when Network Rail completed electrification of the Preston to Blackpool lines in 2018.[1]

Rolling stock
Fleet Image Type Top speed Number Routes operated Built
mph km/h
Class 319/3 & 319/4 EMU 100 161 24 (319/3), 8 (319/4)
  • Liverpool Lime Street–Manchester Airport
  • Liverpool Lime Street–Manchester Victoria
  • Liverpool Lime Street–Wigan North Western
  • Liverpool Lime Street-Warrington Bank Quay
  • Liverpool Lime Street/Liverpool South Parkway-Preston
  • Manchester Piccadilly-Manchester Airport
  • Liverpool Lime Street-Blackpool North
  • Liverpool Lime Street-Crewe

Further services between Liverpool/Manchester and Preston/Blackpool upon completion of electrification.

 1990 (319/3)

1987-88 (319/4)

  • 319363 at Liverpool Lime Street
  • Interior of 319363, near Newton-le-Willows
  • Side of Northern 319380
  • 319380 at Wigan North Western
  • 319363 at Manchester Oxford Road
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References
  1. "North West electrification". Retrieved 2 June 2015. Manchester to Liverpool, and Huyton to Wigan: by early 2015...Preston to Blackpool: by Winter 2016/17
  2. "Better rail services become a reality between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport station". Network Rail Media Centre. Network Rail. 5 March 2015. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  3. "Northern Launches New Look Electric Trains". Northern Rail. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015. Since taking ownership of the first of 20 trains in summer 2014, work to give them all a fresh and exciting new look has been ongoing. The trains will start running on the newly electrified line between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport once work on the route is complete, ... The Class 319 trains have had extensive cosmetic work done ahead of their maiden journeys with striking new look exterior paintwork, as well as refreshed and modernised interiors which include new paintwork and improved seating for a more comfortable journey.
  4. "Northern to retain 323s". Modern Railways. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  5. "Sitting Pretty in More Seats in Manchester and Liverpool Stations". Northern Rail. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
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