Northern Rail at York 2008

Northern Rail operated a lot of the local train services in most of the northern part of England in 2008.

Northern Rail took over from First North Western and Arriva Trains Western in December 2004. It had by then, already taken over Mersey Rail services in 2003.

Its trains run from Northumberland and Tyne and Wear in the North East down to Lincolnshie. In the North East it runs the local trains in Cumbria and Cheshire.Local services are run also in Grater Manchester and across the North of England.

The Northern Rail franchise owner was in 2008 Seco-NedRailways . This was made up of Seco who operates other transport systems round the world and in the UK. One of Secos transport systems is the Docklands Light Railway in London. This is is operated by Serco Docklands Ltd. This is a joint organisation of the former DLR management team and the Seco Group. The other part of Norther Rail Abelio, was Nedrailways. This is the UK part of Nederlands Spoorwegen.

Seco-NedRailways won its bid for the Northern franchise in July 2004. This was for 8 3/4 years with an option for 2 years more for good time keeping. This extra two years has aready been announced because of it good time keeping.

Things have changed since 2008. Northern was took back by Goverment in early 2020 ,who will now run these Northern services then self.

The Class 142 Pacer is a 2 car diesel-hydraulic multiple unit. The body was built by Leyland Bus Limited with under frame by British Rail Engineering Ltd at Derby between 1985 and 1987.

There are only two axles on each car and the long wheelbase gives a very poor ride, which has given them the nickname of "Skippers or Nodding Donkeys". The in town type of bus seating fitted is only good for short journeys, and not longer train journeys which these units often undertake. Of the many designs British Railways made, this is one of the worst!

These were to set all go be for 2020 as they do not comply with the Persons with Reduced Mobility but some are still running in early 2020 because new trains were not ready or drivers not trained.

Class 158753 in one of the bays at York with a train to Blackpool North station in 2008

The UKs National Railway Museum is at York next to the railway station

Page uploaded 07/4/2020

This website is Ukrailways1970tilltoday.me.uk it is a webe site on railways, but it is not just on trains, but all things railways, with photos, which I have taken from the 1970s till now. I take photos of all have to keep taking photos. I also take photos of preserved railways with steam diesel and electric trains.There is lots more to add and I keep taking More!