https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/news/l...lisle-line

Tornado is entering scheduled passenger service next month.

According to Bishop Trains Facebook page, Northern will start running an hourly service to Bishop Auckland from December 2017.

According to Bishop Trains Facebook page, Northern will start running an hourly service to Bishop Auckland from December 2017.

They indeed are, Been confirmed since the awarding of the franchise.

They indeed are, Been confirmed since the awarding of the franchise.

I've known about services to Bishop Auckland increasing to hourly for quite a while now, but I was uncertain as to when this would occur, I actually thought that it wouldn't be happening as soon as it is. I obviously am very much looking forward to this as the current two hourly service provided is not ideal.

Also intrigued as to what will replace the Class 142 Pacer's on this line, rumours I have heard have suggested either 150's or 156's although I don't think that the former would be able to be used on services to Hartlepool due to the positioning of the doors. Whilst the extra seating of a 150 may come in handy, I'd much rather have the 156's personally.

I've known about services to Bishop Auckland increasing to hourly for quite a while now, but I was uncertain as to when this would occur, I actually thought that it wouldn't be happening as soon as it is. I obviously am very much looking forward to this as the current two hourly service provided is not ideal.

Also intrigued as to what will replace the Class 142 Pacer's on this line, rumours I have heard have suggested either 150's or 156's although I don't think that the former would be able to be used on services to Hartlepool due to the positioning of the doors. Whilst the extra seating of a 150 may come in handy, I'd much rather have the 156's personally.

The first Major Timetable change for both Arriva Rail Northern and Transpennine Express ( First ) will both occur in December this year.

Bishop will indeed gain a hourly service from then, TPX will introduce a second train per hour between Newcastle and Manchester Victoria, One extending to Liverpool Lime Street like now and a Second to Manchester Airport via the Ordsall Chord, Calling at Manchester Oxford Road and Piccadilly.

I believe Newcastle - Carlisle also has the Hexham terminator extended at this point, Creating 2x Trains per hour, Though I'm not sure if this is set for this year.


150's are indeed not suitable for use at Hartlepool, Non-Gangway'd 150/1's even more so, So I'm expecting 156's to be moved onto local service's once the 158's move onto Northern Connect Middlesbourgh - Carlisle via Stillington, Some Allerton based 156's will be surplus to requirement's in the North West once new stock is in service, So id hint some of these will also move to Heaton to displace remaining 142's.

All the above cannot happen until new/cascaded rolling stock planned to replace them is in service, and with the deadine for removal of 142/144s being December 31st 2019, Id say that any rolling stock transfer's will not take place until atleast the middle of next year, So new timetables for the time being will be ran with 142's and 156's.

The first Major Timetable change for both Arriva Rail Northern and Transpennine Express ( First ) will both occur in December this year.

Bishop will indeed gain a hourly service from then, TPX will introduce a second train per hour between Newcastle and Manchester Victoria, One extending to Liverpool Lime Street like now and a Second to Manchester Airport via the Ordsall Chord, Calling at Manchester Oxford Road and Piccadilly.

I believe Newcastle - Carlisle also has the Hexham terminator extended at this point, Creating 2x Trains per hour, Though I'm not sure if this is set for this year.


150's are indeed not suitable for use at Hartlepool, Non-Gangway'd 150/1's even more so, So I'm expecting 156's to be moved onto local service's once the 158's move onto Northern Connect Middlesbourgh - Carlisle via Stillington, Some Allerton based 156's will be surplus to requirement's in the North West once new stock is in service, So id hint some of these will also move to Heaton to displace remaining 142's.

All the above cannot happen until new/cascaded rolling stock planned to replace them is in service, and with the deadine for removal of 142/144s being December 31st 2019, Id say that any rolling stock transfer's will not take place until atleast the middle of next year, So new timetables for the time being will be ran with 142's and 156's.

Thanks for the info, South Tyne Lad.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know which stations the new TransPennine Express runs between Newcastle and Manchester Airport will call at?

Thanks for the info, South Tyne Lad.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know which stations the new TransPennine Express runs between Newcastle and Manchester Airport will call at?

No bother

The Service itself is the extension of a Manchester Airport - York Service, So will probably call as follows ( going from info on them shorts )
Nothing has been confirmed anywhere so only a guess.

Newcastle , Chester-Le-Street* , Durham , Darlington , Northallerton , Thirsk* , York , Garfoth ( Peak Hours ) , Leeds , Dewsbury* , Huddersfield , Stalybridge ( once or twice a day ) , Manchester Victoria , Manchester Oxford Road , Manchester Piccadilly , Manchester Airport.

* = Alternate Hours, 1 call every 2 hours.

No bother  

The Service itself is the extension of a Manchester Airport - York Service, So will probably call as follows ( going from info on them shorts )
Nothing has been confirmed anywhere so only a guess.

Newcastle , Chester-Le-Street* , Durham , Darlington , Northallerton , Thirsk* , York , Garfoth ( Peak Hours ) , Leeds , Dewsbury* , Huddersfield , Stalybridge ( once or twice a day ) , Manchester Victoria , Manchester Oxford Road , Manchester Piccadilly , Manchester Airport.

* = Alternate Hours, 1 call every 2 hours.

Whilst I like the idea and the flexibility of one train to various stations in Manchester, I can't think that it would be pain in the ar$e to have a tour of the city, when you just need to get to/from the airport.

I've known about services to Bishop Auckland increasing to hourly for quite a while now, but I was uncertain as to when this would occur, I actually thought that it wouldn't be happening as soon as it is. I obviously am very much looking forward to this as the current two hourly service provided is not ideal.

Also intrigued as to what will replace the Class 142 Pacer's on this line, rumours I have heard have suggested either 150's or 156's although I don't think that the former would be able to be used on services to Hartlepool due to the positioning of the doors. Whilst the extra seating of a 150 may come in handy, I'd much rather have the 156's personally.

I'll be missing something obvious I'm sure - but what restricts use at Hartlepool?

Currently the Man Airport - Newcastle services (which operate every 2 hours off-peak at the moment), have very limited calls north of York. I *think* northbound ones only call at Durham and southbound ones only at Darlington. This is due to pathing issues. Increasing to hourly is dependent on the new class 5 rolling stock being built and made available for usage. Eventually, the Newcastle services will all be operated by class 803s.

In terms of Newcastle - Carlisle, the northern connect Middlesbrough - Newcastle isn't due to start until December 2019. It was hoped to extend the Hexham terminators to Carlisle in December 2018 but this is all dependent on rolling stock being released from electrification in the North West (which is running behind schedule), the South West (which is also massively behind schedule) and Scotrail (they are expecting HSTs from GWR which will likely be delayed by the electrification issues down there).

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...e-12583072

Strike action ahead?

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...e-12583072

Strike action ahead?

"Safety Critical"  - I do wonder if Mike Cash has ever heard himself speak.

Northern are closer to getting their Customer Panel started.

1300 applications have been made by those interested in taking part, with Northern keen on making the groups smaller.

Sessions will be held in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Preston in March.

Dates have been confirmed.
The initial Newcastle session will be on the 8th March.

Currently the Man Airport - Newcastle services (which operate every 2 hours off-peak at the moment), have very limited calls north of York.  I *think* northbound ones only call at Durham and southbound ones only at Darlington.  This is due to pathing issues.  Increasing to hourly is dependent on the new class 5 rolling stock being built and made available for usage.  Eventually, the Newcastle services will all be operated by class 803s.

In terms of Newcastle - Carlisle, the northern connect Middlesbrough - Newcastle isn't due to start until December 2019.  It was hoped to extend the Hexham terminators to Carlisle in December 2018 but this is all dependent on rolling stock being released from electrification in the North West (which is running behind schedule), the South West (which is also massively behind schedule) and Scotrail (they are expecting HSTs from GWR which will likely be delayed by the electrification issues down there).

Is this the service which will stop at Sunderland too?

I don't really know the new routes, i don't really follow trains.

Is this the service which will stop at Sunderland too?

I don't really know the new routes, i don't really follow trains.

No, Northern Connect will be running Carlisle-Newcastle then ECML past Chester-Le-Street and Durham, Before diverging off at Ferryhill to get to Middlesbrough via the Stillington branch.

Sunderland should gain a second train an hour going by whats been laid down, The minimum has to be a additional Sunderland - Merocentre.

So Sunderland will have two services : Newcastle* - Middlesbrough/Nunthorpe and a additional Sunderland - Metrocentre service.

* Could extend from Hexham/Carlisle, Which means 2x per hour Sunderland - Metrocentre

Nothing has been confirmed on where trains will be running too

No, Northern Connect will be running Carlisle-Newcastle then ECML past Chester-Le-Street and Durham, Before diverging off at Ferryhill to get to Middlesbrough via the Stillington branch.

Sunderland should gain a second train an hour going by whats been laid down, The minimum has to be a additional Sunderland - Merocentre.

So Sunderland will have two services : Newcastle* - Middlesbrough/Nunthorpe and a additional Sunderland - Metrocentre service.

* Could extend from Hexham/Carlisle, Which means 2x per hour Sunderland - Metrocentre

Nothing has been confirmed on where trains will be running too

Thanks South Tyne.

Be good if we had the proposed half hourly service, any idea when will the routes be confirmed, and what trains will be used om the route(s)?

I know CAT All Day Tickets can definitely be used on Northern Rail services between Sunderland and Newcastle, but I'm not sure when continuing to Metrocentre/Blaydon.

The NEXUS website states that: "The fare for a single journey on Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland and Metrocentre/Blaydon is 60p at any time, on any day if you have an Under 16 Pop Card", so I'm guessing that CAT tickets can be used as far as Blaydon?

yes they can I use to use mine when I had one and that was last year

I reminder that "Northern" are striking tomorrow, timetables can be found here: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/industrial-action

just a reminder limited trains are running today due to a strike

I noticed that the matrix signs on both the A19 and A1(M) had messages advising of the industrial action.

Finally, joined up thinking between two Government departments! Network Rail and Highways England must have spoken to each other...

A fresh strike has been announced. It will take place on 8th April to coincide with the Grand National. Merseyrail guards will also be on strike.

156471 in the new livery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3362...otostream/

There will only be Northern services on the following routes on 8th April (strike day)...

Middlesbrough- Newcastle

Darlington - Middlesbrough

There will only be Northern services on the following routes on 8th April (strike day)...

Middlesbrough- Newcastle

Darlington - Middlesbrough

http://e.northernrailway.co.uk/_act/link...5086384313&tId=121774039





Latest on strike action.

Does anybody know the workings of Northern trains ... e.g. like the running boards a bus uses.

Does a train for example ... Do toon to Boro then maybe back to Toon and then to Carlisle ... then do Carlisle to somewhere else down the west. Or does it just stay on a certain run all day???

Does anybody know the workings of Northern trains ... e.g. like the running  boards a bus uses.

Does a train for example ... Do toon to Boro then maybe back to Toon and then to Carlisle ... then do Carlisle to somewhere else down the west. Or does it just stay on a certain run all day???

Units will have their booked workings throughout the day (including train additions and divisions) so it is similar to the way buses go out with running boards.
Northern usually work their diagrams out based on mileage and maintenance; units can and often are shifted from depot/outstations to others by finishing at various places. For example, a unit from Heaton one morning could end up at Workington that evening, then run up and down the Cumbrian Coast before ending at Barrow, then Allerton etc.

Of course if disruption occurs, this can be thrown out the window.

Units will have their booked workings throughout the day (including train additions and divisions) so it is similar to the way buses go out with running boards.
Northern usually work their diagrams out based on mileage and maintenance; units can and often are shifted from depot/outstations to others by finishing at various places. For example, a unit from Heaton one morning could end up at Workington that evening, then run up and down the Cumbrian Coast before ending at Barrow, then Allerton etc.

Of course if disruption occurs, this can be thrown out the window.

Cheers for the info

Does anybody know the workings of Northern trains ... e.g. like the running  boards a bus uses.

Does a train for example ... Do toon to Boro then maybe back to Toon and then to Carlisle ... then do Carlisle to somewhere else down the west. Or does it just stay on a certain run all day???

Tyresmoke did a 'running board' for a number of units a while back - think it is in this thread. It may be out of date, but it gives a good idea.

Tyresmoke did a 'running board' for a number of units a while back - think it is in this thread. It may be out of date, but it gives a good idea.

It's on page 8 of this thread if anyone is interested

Northern also on strike on 28th April.