Merseyrail

Commuter rail system in England

Merseyrail

A Class 777 in service on the Wirral line at Hooton

Overview
Owner| Merseytravel, Network Rail
Area served| Liverpool City Region and surrounding areas
Locale|

* Liverpool City Region (Merseyside and Halton)
* Cheshire
* Lancashire

Transit type| Commuter rail
Number of lines| 2 (plus main line commuter services)
Number of stations| 69 (67 managed[1][a])
Annual ridership| 28.3 million (2023/2024)[1]
Chief executive| Neil Grabham[4]
Headquarters| Rail House, Liverpool
Website| www.merseyrail.org
Operation
Began operation| 1886 as the Mersey Railway, 1977 as expanded Merseyrail
Operator(s)| Merseyrail Electrics 2002 (Serco and Transport UK Group)
Infrastructure manager(s)| Network Rail
Character| Commuter rail, Concession
Rolling stock| Class 777
Number of vehicles| 53
Train length| 4 cars, 8 cars during peak times
Headway| 15 minutes (general), 5 minutes (central sections), 30 minutes (Ellesmere Port branch, general in evenings and on Sundays)
Technical
System length| 122 km (76 miles)[1]
Track gauge| 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification| 750 V DC third rail
| System map

Merseyrail is a commuter rail network which serves the Liverpool City Region, and the surrounding areas, in the North West of England. Since 2003, the network has been ran as a concession, held by Serco and Transport UK Group.

It was established in 1977, when existing railway lines were connected by constructing new tunnels under Liverpool City Centre and Birkenhead. The network has since been expanded, with new stations built, and electrification of existing lines. Today, Merseyrail serves 69 stations, 67 of which it manages,[b] across two lines – the Northern line and the Wirral line. The network uses 750 V DC third rail electrified lines having 76 miles (122 km) of routes, of which 6.5 miles (10.5 km) are underground. The network uses the Class 777 trains based on the Stadler METRO platform. The network carried 28.3 million passengers in 2023/2024.

## Network

[edit]

Lime Street

South Parkway

Runcorn

Earlestown

Huyton

St Helens Central

Warrington Central

Warrington Bank Quay

Wigan North Western

West
Kirby

New Brighton

Ellesmere Port

Chester

Formby

Southport

Ormskirk

Headbolt Lane

Hunts Cross

class=notpageimage|

Geographic map of the Merseyrail network, City line, and minor routes.

Northern line

Wirral line

MT City Lines

Primary route

Secondary route

Rural route

Goods line

Disused line

The Merseyrail Network is a, primarily, self-contained network, and is operated by Merseyrail Electrics 2002, a Merseytravel concession, currently held as a 50:50 joint venture between Serco and Transport UK Group.[5][6] The concession was awarded to the venture by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and is overseen by Merseytravel, the passenger transport executive which co-ordinates public transport across the Liverpool City Region.[7] Prior to the concession starting in July 2003, the network was ran as Arriva Trains Merseyside.[8]

Merseyrail manages 67 station on the network.[1]

The network consists of two halves, the Northern line and the Wirral line, both of which are mainly third-rail, powered by 750 V DC third rail system, with a small portion from Fazakerley to Headbolt Lane being ran with BEMUs.[9] Each service on both lines, with the exception of the Ellesmere Port Branch, has service frequencies of 15 minutes, with the Ellesmere Port branch having a 30 minute frequency.[10] Trains on the Northern line and Wirral line cover the Liverpool City Region. The total route length of the two lines is 120.7 km (75.0 miles), accommodating 69 stations. The lines connect Liverpool city centre with cities and towns on the outer reaches of the city region, such as Southport, Chester and Ormskirk.

The City line, marked red on the network map, is operated by several other operators, such as Northern Trains, London Northwestern Railway, TransPennine Express, and others, with funding from Merseytravel. The City line is made up of several branches, which are mainly electrified with OHLE, with one branch, the Liverpool to Manchester line via Warrington, being operated by diesel trains.[11][12]

Merseyrail station sign at Eastham Rake station

The three lines interchange as follows:

* Northern and City line services interchange at Liverpool South Parkway and Hunts Cross in the south of the city.
* Wirral and City lines interchange at Lime Street in the city centre.
* Northern and Wirral lines interchange at Liverpool Central and Moorfields in the city centre.

### Northern line

[edit]

Main article: Northern line (Merseyrail)

The Northern line is shown in blue on the Merseyrail[13] and Merseytravel[14] maps and denoted by the above wordmark on underground stations. Services operate on three main routes: from Hunts Cross in the south of Liverpool to Southport via the Link tunnel from Brunswick station through central Liverpool, from Liverpool Central to Ormskirk, and from Liverpool Central to Headbolt lane via Kirkby. Each route operates a train every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday, giving a frequent interval between trains on the central section. Some additional trains run at peak hours on the Southport line.

On matchdays at Everton F.C.'s Goodison Park and Liverpool F.C.'s Anfield, Northern line services connect with the SoccerBus service at Sandhills station to transport fans to the stadia. Bus departures are at frequent intervals from Sandhills station with ticketing to combine both modes of travel. Kirkdale station is within walking distance of Goodison Park.

Connections to non-Merseyrail services are available at:

* Southport to Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Airport;
* Liverpool South Parkway for services operated by London Northwestern Railway, East Midlands Railway, TransPennine Express and Northern serving Birmingham New Street, Manchester Oxford Road, Blackpool North and various destinations within Yorkshire and the West Midlands;
* Hunts Cross to Warrington Central and Manchester Oxford Road;
* Ormskirk to Preston;
* Headbolt Lane to Blackburn via Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria.[15]

### Wirral line

[edit]

Main article: Wirral line

The Wirral line is shown in green on the Merseyrail[13] and Merseytravel[14] maps and denoted by the above wordmark on underground stations. Services operate from the four terminus stations of: Chester, Ellesmere Port, New Brighton and West Kirby. Each service from one of these the terminus stations runs through Birkenhead Hamilton Square underground station in Birkenhead, then through the Mersey Railway Tunnel, continuing around the single track underground loop tunnel under Liverpool's city centre. Trains head back into the Mersey Railway Tunnel to return to one of the four terminus stations.

Monday-Saturday services are every 15 minutes to/from Liverpool to Chester, New Brighton and West Kirby, and every 30 minutes to/from Ellesmere Port (Monday–Sunday). These combine to give a service at least every five minutes from Birkenhead Hamilton Square and around the loop under Liverpool's city centre.[15]

Connections to non-Merseyrail services are available at:

* Bidston on the West Kirby branch for the Borderlands line to Wrexham, operated by Transport for Wales;
* Chester to Crewe and London Euston, Wrexham and Shrewsbury, the North Wales Coast line to Llandudno and Holyhead, and to Manchester either via Warrington or via Northwich and Knutsford;
* Ellesmere Port for an infrequent service to and from Warrington;[15]
* Liverpool Lime Street for intercity and regional trains to London Euston, Manchester, Birmingham, Wigan, Scotland, the Midlands and Wales.

### City line

[edit]

Main article: City line (Merseytravel)

Thatto Heath station is branded Merseyrail with trains operated by Northern.

The City line is the brand name used by Merseytravel on services out of the mainline platforms of Liverpool Lime Street railway station to 26 stations on its sponsored network, and cross-boundary destinations outside of the Liverpool City Region. Merseytravel has policies in place to improve the service frequency, new services and to invest in the City line. Despite the City line being operated by other train operators than Merseyrail, it is marketed and branded as Merseyrail to meet the passenger transport executive's aims to provide the network with a local identity and shared fare and ticketing structures.[16][17][18] The line is depicted on signage and maps using the colour red and the above word mark.[13][14]

Unlike the Northern and Wirral lines, the City line is not operated by the Serco-Transport UK Group joint venture.[14][13]

The City line covers the Liverpool City Region sections of the Crewe–Liverpool line, the two Liverpool–Manchester lines, and the Liverpool–Wigan line.[18][19] Two services are not electrified, the Manchester via Warrington Central and Chester via Runcorn.

Northern mainly operate the City line with additional services operated by TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Transport for Wales, and West Midlands Trains.[14][19]

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of Merseyrail

The history of Merseyrail dates back to the 19th century, with the original formation of the Mersey Railway and the Mersey Railway Tunnel, among the first underground railway tunnels.[15] The modern Merseyrail network was developed in the 1970s from lines that were previously owned by several different railway companies. The Beeching axe during the early 1960s closed key routes in and around Liverpool, with the council proposing an alternate strategy and advocating the preservation of suburban services integrated into a new regional electrified rapid-transit network. The network underwent a period of electrification and expansion, becoming a single network in 1977, with a major project being the Loop and Link line, creating a continuous underground route through Liverpool city centre.[20]

Over the years, several new stations such as Conway Park in 1998 and Maghull North in 2017 have been added to the network. Most recently in 2023, Headbolt Lane has opened and is served on the network by battery-electric trains.[21] Various proposals have been suggested on how to further expand the network, including beyond the Liverpool City Region area. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority announced in August 2019 that it was planning to use part of a £172 million funding package to reopen St James Station in Liverpool City Centre,[22] officially confirmed as Liverpool Baltic station following a public vote in April 2022.[23]

## Services

[edit]

For City line services, see City line (Merseytravel) § Services.

Point-to-point or return tickets are purchased from staffed offices or ticket machines, but the system is tightly integrated with Merseytravel's City Region-wide pass system, which also encompasses the Mersey Ferries and city and regional bus networks. Merseytravel's smart ticketing is via the local MetroCard smartcard system, including Merseyrail travel.[24]

Typical weekday off-peak service on the Merseyrail-run Northern and Wirral lines, as of May 2025[update], is as follows:

Northern line

Route | tph | Calling at
Hunts Cross to Ormskirk | 4 |

* Liverpool South Parkway, Cressington, Aigburth, St Michaels, Brunswick, Liverpool Central, Moorfields, Sandhills,Kirkdale, Walton, Orrell Park, Aintree, Old Roan, Maghull, Maghull North, Town Green, Aughton Park

Liverpool Central to Southport | 4 |

* Moorfields, Sandhills, Bank Hall, Bootle Oriel Road, Bootle New Strand, Seaforth & Litherland, Waterloo, Blundellsands & Crosby, Hall Road, Hightown, Formby, Freshfield, Ainsdale, Hillside, Birkdale

Liverpool Central to Headbolt Lane | 4 |

* Moorfields, Sandhills, Kirkdale, Rice Lane, Fazakerley, Kirkby

Wirral line
Route | tph | Calling at
Liverpool Central to New Brighton | 4 |

* Liverpool Lime Street (Liverpool-bound only), Moorfields (Liverpool-bound only), Liverpool James Street, Birkenhead Hamilton Square, Conway Park, Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead North, Wallasey Village, Wallasey Grove Road

Liverpool Central to West Kirby | 4 |

* Liverpool Lime Street (Liverpool-bound only), Moorfields (Liverpool-bound only), Liverpool James Street, Birkenhead Hamilton Square, Conway Park, Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead North, Bidston, Leasowe, Moreton, Meols, Manor Road, Hoylake

Liverpool Central to Chester | 4 |

* Liverpool Lime Street (Liverpool-bound only), Moorfields (Liverpool-bound only), Liverpool James Street, Birkenhead Hamilton Square, Birkenhead Central, Green Lane, Rock Ferry, Bebington, Port Sunlight, Spital, Bromborough Rake, Bromborough, Eastham Rake, Hooton, Capenhurst (2tph), Bache

Liverpool Central to Ellesmere Port | 2 |

* Liverpool Lime Street (Liverpool-bound only), Moorfields (Liverpool-bound only), Liverpool James Street, Birkenhead Hamilton Square, Birkenhead Central, Green Lane, Rock Ferry, Bebington, Port Sunlight, Spital, Bromborough Rake, Bromborough, Eastham Rake, Hooton, Little Sutton, Overpool

## Fleet

[edit]

Merseyrail took over the fleet of Class 507 and 508 units from previous operator Arriva Trains Merseyside, all of which have since been withdrawn.[25][26] In 2020, rolling-stock manufacturer Stadler Rail delivered the first of a new fleet of 53 trains, designated Class 777, based on their Stadler METRO platform. Merseytravel has an option to purchase up to 60 additional units could be exercised if services are extended to new destinations such as Helsby, Skelmersdale or Wrexham.[27]

The first Class 777 unit entered into service on the Northern line on 23 January 2023.[28][29] Initially they were being used on the Kirkby route, followed by the Ormskirk route.[30] The trains were introduced to the Wirral line, Ormskirk, Southport and Hunts Cross routes in late 2023.[30] A small portion of the fleet are BEMUs, with these operating the services to Headbolt Lane station in Kirkby.[31]

Merseyrail's fleet are maintained and stabled at Kirkdale TMD, which is Stadler's United Kingdom Headquaters,[32] and additionally units are stabled at Birkenhead North TMD, and Southport Carriage Holding Sidings.[citation needed]

During Merseyrail's history, there were several other depots,[citation needed] such as Hall Road TMD and Birkenhead Central TMD.

### Current fleet

[edit]

Class  | Image  | Type  | Top speed  | Number  | Carriages  | Routes operated  | Built  | In service

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

mph |  km/h
777 METRO |  | EMU
BEMU | 75  | 120  | 53  | 4  |

* All Northern line services[33][34][35]
* All Wirral Line services[36]

| 2018–2021  | 2023–present

### Past fleet

[edit]

A Class 503 train on the Loop (Wirral) line. This train was one of the original batch built by the LMS in 1938

The original service on the Merseyrail lines was provided by the Class 502 on the Northern line and Class 503 on the Wirral line. The former was withdrawn by 1980 and the latter by 1985.[37][38]

Introduced from 1978 and 1979 respectively were 33 Class 507 and 43 Class 508 units. Since the 1990s, 15 Class 508 units have been withdrawn as surplus and have later transferred to other operators with 12 units being transferred to Connex South Eastern and three units being transferred to Silverlink. Three additional Class 507 and 508 units, including unit 507006 after a crash at Kirkby in March 2021,[39] were written off following their accidents. In 2023, further withdrawals of the trains began, having been replaced by the new Class 777.

In February 2024, the last Class 508 units were withdrawn, followed by the last Class 507 units in November.[25][26]

Class  | Image  | Type  | Top speed  | Carriages  | Number  | Routes operated  | Built  | Withdrawn

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

mph |  km/h
507 |  | EMU | 75  | 120  | 3  | 33[40] |

* All Northern line services
* All Wirral line services

| 1978–1980  | 2022–2024[26][41]
508 |  | EMU | 75  | 120  | 3  | 27  |

* All Northern line services
* All Wirral line services

| 1979–1980  | 2022-2024[25]
Modern departmental MPV at James Street – Unlike the London Underground and Tyne and Wear Metro, Merseyrail's track maintenance is the responsibility of Network Rail.

## Franchise and concession history

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

As a result of the privatisation of British Rail, the Northern and Wirral lines were brought together as the Mersey Rail Electrics passenger franchise, being sold on 19 January 1997. Although franchises are awarded and administered on a national level (initially through various independent bodies, and later the Department of Transport directly), under the original privatisation legislation of 1993, passenger transport executives (PTEs) were co-signatories of franchise agreements covering their areas – this role being later modified by the Railways Act 2005.[42]

The first train operating company awarded the Mersey Rail Electrics franchise contract was MTL. MTL was originally the operating arm of Merseytravel but had been privatised in 1985. The brand name Merseyrail Electrics was adopted by MTL.

The Merseyrail name became the official brand for the network in the days of British Rail, surviving several franchise holders, although the name was not used by Arriva when holding the franchise. Despite this, Merseytravel continued the Merseyrail branding at stations, allowing the name to be adopted colloquially. With acquisition by Arriva, the train operating company was rebranded Arriva Trains Merseyside from 27 April 2001. Merseyrail is referred to as "Merseyrail Electrics" by National Rail Enquiries, and as "Serco/Abellio Merseyrail" by Merseytravel.

The City line was also privatised under the 1993 Act, but as part of a different, much larger North West Regional Railways (NWRR) franchise. Upon sale on 2 March 1997, the first train operating company awarded the NWRR franchise contract was North Western Trains (owned by Great Western Holdings). The train operating company was later bought by FirstGroup and rebranded First North Western.

The third-rail electric Northern and Wirral lines were largely isolated from the rest of the National Rail network with no through passenger services to or from outside the third-rail Merseyrail network. A decision was to transfer the network into exclusive Merseytravel control, being removed from the national franchising system. The Secretary of State exempted the two lines from being designated as a national railway franchise under the 1993 Act.[43]

When the Mersey Rail Electrics franchise was due for renewal, coming into force on 20 July 2003, Merseytravel contracted the operation of the two lines with a concession extending for up to 25 years. The first successful bidder was Merseyrail Electrics (2002) Ltd, a joint venture between Serco and NedRailways (renamed Abellio in 2009).[42]

The City line, which was largely diesel-operated at the time, was not included in 2003 franchise, continuing as a part of the nationally administered rail franchise system. From 11 December 2004, the NWRR franchise was merged into a new Northern franchise. The first train operating company awarded this franchise contract was Northern Rail, also owned by a Serco-NedRail (Abellio) joint venture. This franchise passed to Arriva Rail North on 1 April 2016 and then to Northern Trains on 1 March 2020.

Due to the isolation of the Northern and Wirral lines, Merseyrail Electrics (2002) Ltd are keen to adopt vertical integration – taking responsibility for maintenance of the track from Network Rail.

## Performance

[edit]

Merseyrail has publicly committed to aiming to be the best train operating company in the United Kingdom.[44][45]

In February 2010, Merseyrail was named the most reliable operator of trains in the United Kingdom, with a reliability average of 96.33% during 2009–2010, the highest ever achieved by any United Kingdom train operator.[46]

In 2023, Merseyrail was audited by the UK Government Office of Road & Rail; it found poor performance with 26.2% of trains being delayed by 4 or more minutes and a cancellation rate of 2.2%, an increase of 1.1% on the previous year.[47]

In the year from April 2023 to March 2024, the network carried 28.3 million passengers over 511 million passenger kilometres, lower than the pre-COVID-19 peak of 30.6 million passengers over 556 million passenger kilometres in the year 2019–2020.[1]

In 2025, Merseyrail became the "UK’s top train operator" after a survey gave the operator a overall satisfaction score of 93%.[48] Meanwhile their punctuality, at 89%, is the best in the country.[49]

## Accidents and incidents

[edit]

On 26 October 2005, a Merseyrail Class 508 train de-railed in a tunnel on the approach to Liverpool Central underground station. All 119 passengers and train crew were evacuated safely; only the guard was injured. The cause was determined to be rail gauge spread caused by poor maintenance.[50]

On 11 January 2007, a train ran through a buffer stop at West Kirby. Two people were injured.[51]

On 30 June 2009, a train ran away at Kirkdale, running through a buffer stop and colliding with a wall. A passenger train had passed the site of the accident less than 5 seconds earlier. Merseyrail was fined £85,000 plus costs of £20,970.15 for offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.[52]

On 22 October 2011, an intoxicated teenage girl died after falling between the train and platform at James Street station. The train guard, Christopher McGee, was subsequently convicted of her manslaughter by gross negligence and was jailed for five years.[53]

Main article: Kirkby train crash

On 13 March 2021, a Merseyrail Class 507 train collided with the buffer stop at Kirkby station. The cause was found to be that the driver of the train was using a mobile phone whilst driving. The distraction led him to enter the station at nearly three times the permitted speed. He was sacked and prosecuted, pleading guilty in February 2022 to a charge of endangering the safety of people on the railway.[54]

## See also

[edit]

* List of underground stations of the Merseyrail network

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Merseyrail managed 66 stations until 5 October 2023, when Headbolt Lane opened.[2][3]
2. ^ Chester station is owned by Network Rail and operated by Transport for Wales. Liverpool Lime Street is owned and managed by Network Rail, however Merseyrail operates the underground platforms.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e "Train Operating Company Key Statistics, April 2023 to March 2024: Merseyrail" (PDF). 30 July 2024.
2. ^ "Train Operating Company Key Statistics, April 2023 to March 2024: Merseyrail" (PDF). 30 July 2024.
3. ^ "Headbolt Lane Station In Kirkby Opens To Merseyrail Services". www.merseyrail.org. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
4. ^ "New Merseyrail Managing Director Named". Merseyrail. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
5. ^ "About". Transport UK. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
6. ^ "Serco and Transport UK". www.merseyrail.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
7. ^ ybnews (11 November 2024). "Special report: Mayor seeks more control of Merseyrail". Liverpool Business News. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
8. ^ "Local bus company MTL wins the Merseyrail Electrics franchise". Rail Magazine. No. 296\. 15 January 1997. p. 11.
9. ^ "New Merseyrail extension at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby opens to passengers". RailAdvent. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
10. ^ "Timetables". www.merseyrail.org. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
11. ^ "Northern Rail Electric". Northern Rail. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
12. ^ "Electrifying Liverpool-Manchester". The Rail Engineer. Ashby-de-la-Zouch. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 25 December 2013.
13. ^ a b c d "Merseyrail Network Map". Merseyrail.org. Merseyrail. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
14. ^ a b c d e "Local Rail Network Map - Merseytravel" (PDF). merseytravel.gov.uk. March 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
15. ^ a b c d "Merseyrail Trains History". Merseyrail. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
16. ^ "Memorandum by Merseytravel (RI 30)". UK Parliament \- House of Commons \- Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs - Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence. October 2000. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023. "Northern, Wirral and City lines, despite the existence of different operators are marketed and branded as the Merseyrail network serving Merseyside with local identity, fares and ticketing structures reflecting the PTEs policies."
17. ^ "Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study" (PDF). networkrail.co.uk. Network Rail. October 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022. "The 'City Lines', providing more frequent and longer-distance services from Liverpool Lime Street to the east."
18. ^ a b Nugent, Cherie (21 August 2018). "Merseyrail". Rail Professional. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
19. ^ a b "Timetables - Merseytravel". merseytravel.gov.uk. Merseytravel. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
20. ^ "The Story of Merseyrail | Edge Hill Station". edgehillstation.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2024.[permanent dead link]
21. ^ "UK's first battery-powered fleet hits the tracks". BBC News. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
22. ^ Tyrrell, Nick (30 August 2019). "Merseyside set to get two new train stations and replacement ferries". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
23. ^ Humphreys, David (12 April 2022). "Name revealed for new Baltic Triangle train station". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
24. ^ "MetroCard and Walrus". Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
25. ^ a b c Russell, David (March 2024). "Final Merseyrail Class 508 withdrawn". Units. Rail Express. No. 334\. p. 22.
26. ^ a b c "Merseyside's Royal Train Departs for Preservation". Class 507 Preservation Society. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
27. ^ "Merseyrail Class 777 arrives in Liverpool". Railway Gazette International. Archived from the original on 6 January 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
28. ^ "First new Merseyrail train joins network". BBC News. 23 January 2023. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
29. ^ Kirwin, Ellen; Thorp, Liam (23 January 2023). "Live updates as first new Merseyrail train finally welcomes passengers". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
30. ^ a b "Introduction of Merseyrail Class 777 EMUs 'just days away'". Railway Gazette. 18 January 2023. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023. "The Stadler EMUs will initially be used on the Kirkby line, followed by the Ormskirk line and then the Northern and Wirral lines later in the year."
31. ^ McDonough, Tony (15 July 2021). "Battery breakthrough will see Merseyrail network extended". Liverpool Business News. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
32. ^ McDonough, Tony (15 November 2019). "Depot undergoes £21m rebuild ahead of arrival of new Merseyrail trains". Liverpool Business News. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
33. ^ "Class 777 trains roll-out begins on Southport-Hunts Cross line". Railvolution. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
34. ^ "Timetables fully reinstated for Southport and Ormskirk lines on the Merseyrail Network". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
35. ^ Hamilton, Claire (17 January 2023). "Merseyrail: New trains to enter network on Monday". BBC News. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
36. ^ Booth, Janine (20 August 2023). "New trains on Merseyrail's Wirral lines from Monday". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
37. ^ Maund, T.B. (2009). The Wirral Railway and its Predecessors. Gloucestershire: Lightmoor Press. p. 214\. ISBN 978-1-899-88938-9. OCLC 604772937.
38. ^ "Class 503, a brief history". Andrew Phillips. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
39. ^ "RSS moves Merseyrail 507 unit to Newport for disposal". Rail UK. 21 September 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
40. ^ Butlin, Ashley (February 2025). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 171, no. 1487\. p. 88.
41. ^ Russell, David (January 2025). "Class 507". Units. Rail Express. No. 344\. p. 26.
42. ^ a b House of Common Briefing Paper SN6521 Railways: franchising policy, 30 September 2015, Louise Butcher
43. ^ "The Merseyrail Electrics Network Order 2002: Article 3", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 18 July 2002, SI 2002/1946  (art. 3), retrieved 13 November 2024
44. ^ Hodgson, Neil (4 December 2007). "We have taken the 'misery' out of Merseyrail". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
45. ^ Hodgson, Neil (14 December 2007). "Merseyrail trains in first place". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
46. ^ Weston, Alan (11 February 2010). "Merseyrail trains are most reliable in the UK". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
47. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
48. ^ "Merseyrail becomes UK's top train operator in latest survey". RailAdvent. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
49. ^ "Merseyrail reclaims spot as UK's top train operator for customer satisfaction". Wirral Globe. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
50. ^ "Derailment near Liverpool Central underground station 26 October 2005" (PDF). Rail Accident Investigation Branch. August 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
51. ^ "Driver hurt as train hits buffers". BBC News. 11 January 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
52. ^ Office of Rail and Road (29 May 2011). "Merseyrail operator fined £85,000 for runaway train incident" (PDF). Railways Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
53. ^ "Merseyrail must cut platform gaps after Georgia Varley death". BBC News. 27 November 2012. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
54. ^ "Train driver convicted after crashing train at nearly three times speed limit - Merseyside". British Transport Police. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Hilbert, Martyn (2016). Merseyrail Electric. Fonthill Media. ISBN 978-1-78155-513-2.
* Maund, T.B. (2001). Merseyrail Electrics: The Inside Story. NBC Books. ASIN B0047EA3HU. OCLC 655126526.
* Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (1978). The Story of Merseyrail. Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive. ASIN B000MAYEK0. OCLC 8740619.
* Rapson, David (August 1983). "The Mersey beat". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 26–31\. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Merseyrail.

* Official website

Preceded by

Arriva Trains Merseyside

|  Operator of Merseyrail franchise
2003–2028  | Incumbent

|
|

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Train operating companies in the United Kingdom

* Rail transport in Great Britain
* Rail transport in Northern Ireland
* Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain

Current

| National|

* Arriva Rail London
* Avanti West Coast
* c2c1
* Caledonian Sleeper4
* Chiltern Railways
* CrossCountry
* East Midlands Railway
* Govia Thameslink Railway
* Grand Central2
* Greater Anglia
* Great Western Railway
* GTS Rail Operations
* Heathrow Express2
* Hull Trains2
* London North Eastern Railway1
* Lumo2
* Merseyrail
* NI Railways3
* Northern1
* ScotRail4
* Southeastern1
* South Western Railway1
* TransPennine Express1
* Transport for Wales5
* West Midlands Trains

|

International|

* Enterprise3
* Eurostar

Sub-brands|

* Gatwick Express
* Great Northern
* Island Line1
* London Northwestern Railway
* Night Riviera
* Southern
* Stansted Express
* Thameslink
* West Midlands Railway

Operators not subject to franchising or concession:

* 1 Owned by the UK Government
* 2 Open-access operator
* 3 Operates on the Irish railway network and state-owned
* 4 Owned by the Scottish Government
* 5 Owned by the Welsh Government

Defunct (since 1994)

* Abellio ScotRail
* Anglia Railways
* Arriva Rail North
* Arriva Trains Merseyside
* Arriva Trains Northern
* Arriva Trains Wales
* c2c
* Central Trains
* Connex South Central
* Connex South Eastern
* East Coast5
* East Midlands Trains
* First Capital Connect
* First Great Eastern
* First Great Western Link
* First North Western
* First ScotRail
* First TransPennine Express
* Gatwick Express1
* Great North Eastern Railway
* Heathrow Connect
* Island Line2
* KeolisAmey Wales
* London Midland
* London Overground Rail Operations
* Midland Mainline
* MTR Crossrail
* National Express East Anglia
* National Express East Coast
* Northern Rail
* ScotRail (National Express)
* Silverlink
* South Eastern Trains5
* Southeastern
* South Western Railway
* South West Trains
* TfL Rail
* Thameslink3
* Thames Trains
* TransPennine Express
* Valley Lines
* Virgin CrossCountry
* Virgin Trains East Coast
* Virgin Trains West Coast
* Wales and Borders
* Wales & West
* Wessex Trains
* West Anglia Great Northern
* Wrexham & Shropshire4

* 1 Separate franchise until 2008; now a sub-brand of Govia Thameslink Railway
* 2 Separate franchise until 2007, now a sub-brand of South Western Railway
* 3 Separate franchise until 2006; later reintroduced as a sub-brand of Govia Thameslink Railway
* 4 Open-access operator
* 5 Operator of last resort

Future

| Future operators|

* Greater Anglia

|

Prospective operators|

* Go-op
* Virgin Trains
* International
* Open Access
* Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway

* Category
* Commons
* Maps

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Local rail transport in the United Kingdom

Metros|

* Docklands Light Railway (London)
* Glasgow Subway
* London Underground
* Night Tube
* Tyne and Wear Metro

Tramways|

* Blackpool
* Edinburgh
* Greater Manchester
* Nottingham
* South Yorkshire
* South London
* West Midlands

Mainline railways|

* Belfast
* Birmingham
* Bristol
* Cardiff
* Edinburgh
* Exeter
* Glasgow
* Leeds and Bradford
* Liverpool
* London
* London Overground
* Elizabeth line
* Manchester

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Abellio

Germany|

* Abellio Deutschland
* WestfalenBahn

Former operations|

* Abellio London
* Abellio Surrey
* Abellio ScotRail
* East Midlands Railway
* Greater Anglia (60%)
* Qbuzz
* Serco-Abellio (50%)
* Merseyrail
* Northern Rail
* Syntus (50%)
* West Midlands Trains (70%)

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Railway stations served by Merseyrail

Northern line|

* Aigburth
* Ainsdale
* Aintree
* Aughton Park
* Bank Hall
* Birkdale
* Blundellsands & Crosby
* Bootle New Strand
* Bootle Oriel Road
* Brunswick
* Cressington
* Fazakerley
* Formby
* Freshfield
* Hall Road
* Headbolt Lane
* Hightown
* Hillside
* Hunts Cross
* Kirkby
* Kirkdale
* Liverpool Central
* Liverpool South Parkway
* Maghull
* Maghull North
* Moorfields
* Old Roan
* Ormskirk
* Orrell Park
* Rice Lane
* St Michaels
* Sandhills
* Seaforth & Litherland
* Southport
* Town Green
* Walton
* Waterloo

Wirral line|

* Bache
* Bebington
* Bidston
* Birkenhead Central
* Birkenhead Hamilton Square
* Birkenhead North
* Birkenhead Park
* Bromborough
* Bromborough Rake
* Capenhurst
* Chester
* Conway Park
* Eastham Rake
* Ellesmere Port
* Green Lane
* Hooton
* Hoylake
* Leasowe
* Little Sutton
* Liverpool Central
* Liverpool James Street
* Liverpool Lime Street
* Manor Road
* Meols
* Moorfields
* Moreton
* New Brighton
* Overpool
* Port Sunlight
* Rock Ferry
* Spital
* Wallasey Grove Road
* Wallasey Village
* West Kirby

Rail transport in the United Kingdom
*[tph]: trains per hour
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