Liverpool to Wigan Line
Encyclopedia
The Liverpool to Wigan Line is a railway line in the north-west of England
, running between Liverpool Lime Street
and Wigan North Western
via St Helens Central
.
line up to Huyton Junction; where it deviates, routing via Prescot
and St Helens Central
to Ince Moss and St Helens Line Junctions. Here, the line joins the West Coast Main Line
near Springs Branch and runs onto Wigan North Western
.
The route sees service from three passenger trains per hour (tph) in both directions between Liverpool and Wigan, usually operated by Northern Rail
Class 142
, Class 150
, or Class 156
DMUs. The 3tph frequency includes two local stopping services and one longer distance express. The longer distance service usually continues to Blackpool North
and operates a limited stop service of Huyton
, St Helens Central
and Wigan
in the Liverpool to Wigan leg of its journey.
For local passenger transport, the route is branded as a significant section of one of Merseytravel's
City Line
routes.
Lord Adonis
, announced that the line between Huyton and St Helens Line Junctions will also be electrified along with the previously committed Edge Hill to Huyton Junction infill on the Liverpool to Manchester
line, as part of a £200 million rail electrification scheme.
Despite speculation that the electrification project would be shelved under the following coalition government's spending cuts
.
This work, in conjunction with the previously-announced Liverpool to Manchester
line electrification would electrify the entire Liverpool to Wigan route.
Additionally, considering currently-operated services; in conjunction with other infill electrification projects announced, this will allow electric trains to operate from Liverpool to St Helens, Wigan, Preston and Blackpool .
Merseytravel
(One of the two PTEs
on the route) had previously stated their aspirations for the St Helens infill electrification; considering it a necessary addition to the (then-proposed) Liverpool to Manchester
electrification, given the interworking of passenger services between the Chat Moss (Liverpool to Manchester
) and St Helens (Liverpool to Wigan) lines imposed by the December 2008 timetable .
, to Huyton Junction, near Huyton
.
{|{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 85%;"
|align=left|NW 2023
|width=50 align=right|M-Ch
|width=50 align=right|km
|-
|align=left|Springs Branch Junction
|align=right|0-00
|align=right|0.00
|-
|align=left|Ince Moss Junction
|align=right|0-44
|align=right|0.90
|-
|align=left|Bryn
|align=right|2-32
|align=right|3.85
|-
|align=left|Garswood
|align=right|3-56
|align=right|5.95
|-
|align=left|St Helens
|align=right|7-30
|align=right|11.85
|-
|align=left|St Helens Station Junction
|align=right|7-42
|align=right|12.10
|-
|align=left|Thatto Heath
|align=right|9-11
|align=right|14.70
|-
|align=left|Eccleston Park
|align=right|10-07
|align=right|16.25
|-
|align=left|Prescot
|align=right|10-77
|align=right|17.65
|-
|align=left|Huyton Junction
|align=right|12-69
|align=right|20.70
|}
using Class 142
, Class 150
, or Class 156
DMUs.
.
The Blackpool North
limited stop service calls only at Huyton
, St Helens Central
and Wigan
in the Liverpool to Wigan leg of its journey.
The service then calls at Euxton Balshaw Lane
, Leyland
and Preston
on the West Coast Main Line
, Kirkham and Wesham
on the Blackpool branch, terminating at Blackpool North
. Some peak time trains additionally call at Poulton-le-Fylde
before Blackpool
.
Morning and evening peaks see an increase in service frequency, including some services originating or terminating at St Helens Central
and some semi-fast services.
First service departs Liverpool for Wigan at around 0530. The first train from St Helens leaves for Liverpool just before 0600, and Wigan's first departure for Liverpool is a little later at approximately 0610.
Last departures from Wigan and Liverpool are around 2300, as of the December 2009 timetable.
timetable, to fit in with new increased-frequency services from Virgin Trains
.
Timings were altered on all services. Most Liverpool to Wigan daytime local stopping services had previously omitted Edge Hill
, but all stopping services on the route now call there.
December 2008 also marked the withdrawal of two relatively infrequent but notable services on this line:
and Blackpool North
calling at open stations en route.
As of December 2009, Edge Hill
, Eccleston Park
and Bryn
do not have a regularly scheduled Sunday service.
Roby
used to be closed on Sundays but is now operational all week.
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, running between Liverpool Lime Street
Liverpool Lime Street railway station
Liverpool Lime Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool, England. The station lies on a branch of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, and on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network...
and Wigan North Western
Wigan North Western railway station
Wigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
via St Helens Central
St Helens Central railway station
St Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
.
Description
The route follows part of the Northern section of the Liverpool to ManchesterLiverpool to Manchester Lines
There are two Liverpool to Manchester railway lines between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester in the North West of England. The 'Northern Route' via and to either or follows the route of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
line up to Huyton Junction; where it deviates, routing via Prescot
Prescot railway station
Prescot railway station serves the town of Prescot, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail.-Services:...
and St Helens Central
St Helens Central railway station
St Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
to Ince Moss and St Helens Line Junctions. Here, the line joins the West Coast Main Line
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
near Springs Branch and runs onto Wigan North Western
Wigan North Western railway station
Wigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
.
The route sees service from three passenger trains per hour (tph) in both directions between Liverpool and Wigan, usually operated by Northern Rail
Northern Rail
Northern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
Class 142
British Rail Class 142
The British Rail Class 142 is a class of Pacer diesel multiple units used in the United Kingdom. 96 units were built by BREL in Derby between 1985 and 1987. They were a development of the earlier Class 141 which were introduced in 1984....
, Class 150
British Rail Class 150
The British Rail Class 150 "Sprinter" diesel multiple units were built by BREL from 1984-87. A total of 137 units were built in three main subclasses, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.- Background :...
, or Class 156
British Rail Class 156
The British Rail Class 156 Super Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train . 114 of these units were built from 1987 to 1989 by Metro-Cammell at its Washwood Heath Works in Birmingham...
DMUs. The 3tph frequency includes two local stopping services and one longer distance express. The longer distance service usually continues to Blackpool North
Blackpool North railway station
Blackpool North railway station is the main railway station serving the seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire, England. It is the terminus of the main Blackpool branch line from Preston....
and operates a limited stop service of Huyton
Huyton railway station
Huyton railway station serves the area of Huyton in Merseyside, England. The station acts as an interchange between the Liverpool-Wigan Line and the northern route of the Liverpool-Manchester Line which diverge soon after the station. It is one of the busier stations on these lines...
, St Helens Central
St Helens Central railway station
St Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
and Wigan
Wigan North Western railway station
Wigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
in the Liverpool to Wigan leg of its journey.
For local passenger transport, the route is branded as a significant section of one of Merseytravel's
Merseytravel
Merseytravel Merseytravel Merseytravel (MPTE, or Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive, is the Passenger Transport Executive responsible for the coordination of public transport in the metropolitan county of Merseyside, England...
City Line
City Line (Merseyrail)
The City Line is the name given to local rail routes out of Liverpool Lime Street station, Liverpool, Merseyside. It appears on maps of the Merseyrail network as red, and covers the Liverpool-Wigan Line as well as the two routes of the Liverpool-Manchester Line...
routes.
Future Electrification
In December 2009, the then Transport SecretarySecretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport is the member of the cabinet responsible for the British Department for Transport. The role has had a high turnover as new appointments are blamed for the failures of decades of their predecessors...
Lord Adonis
Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis
Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis is a British academic, journalist, Labour Party politician and Life Peer, who was Secretary of State for Transport between 2009-2010....
, announced that the line between Huyton and St Helens Line Junctions will also be electrified along with the previously committed Edge Hill to Huyton Junction infill on the Liverpool to Manchester
Liverpool to Manchester Lines
There are two Liverpool to Manchester railway lines between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester in the North West of England. The 'Northern Route' via and to either or follows the route of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
line, as part of a £200 million rail electrification scheme.
Despite speculation that the electrification project would be shelved under the following coalition government's spending cuts
- in October 2010, the coalition chancellor George OsborneGeorge OsborneGeorge Gideon Oliver Osborne, MP is a British Conservative politician. He is the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, a role to which he was appointed in May 2010, and has been the Member of Parliament for Tatton since 2001.Osborne is part of the old Anglo-Irish aristocracy, known in...
, confirmed the project would still go ahea
.
This work, in conjunction with the previously-announced Liverpool to Manchester
Liverpool to Manchester Lines
There are two Liverpool to Manchester railway lines between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester in the North West of England. The 'Northern Route' via and to either or follows the route of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
line electrification would electrify the entire Liverpool to Wigan route.
Additionally, considering currently-operated services; in conjunction with other infill electrification projects announced, this will allow electric trains to operate from Liverpool to St Helens, Wigan, Preston and Blackpool .
Merseytravel
Merseytravel
Merseytravel Merseytravel Merseytravel (MPTE, or Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive, is the Passenger Transport Executive responsible for the coordination of public transport in the metropolitan county of Merseyside, England...
(One of the two PTEs
Passenger Transport Executive
In the United Kingdom, passenger transport executives are local government bodies which are responsible for public transport within large urban areas...
on the route) had previously stated their aspirations for the St Helens infill electrification; considering it a necessary addition to the (then-proposed) Liverpool to Manchester
Liverpool to Manchester Lines
There are two Liverpool to Manchester railway lines between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester in the North West of England. The 'Northern Route' via and to either or follows the route of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
electrification, given the interworking of passenger services between the Chat Moss (Liverpool to Manchester
Liverpool to Manchester Lines
There are two Liverpool to Manchester railway lines between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester in the North West of England. The 'Northern Route' via and to either or follows the route of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
) and St Helens (Liverpool to Wigan) lines imposed by the December 2008 timetable .
Route
- Liverpool Lime StreetLiverpool Lime Street railway stationLiverpool Lime Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool, England. The station lies on a branch of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, and on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network...
, Western terminus, here it is possible to interchange onto services to the Wirral. On leaving Lime Street, the trains pass through the Lime Street tunnels - Edge HillEdge Hill railway stationEdge Hill railway station serves the district of Edge Hill in Liverpool, England.There have been two stations of that name. The first stood a short distance south-west of the present station and its remains are still visible, although the site is not open to the public.Edge Hill is the first...
, for inner city districts of Edge Hill, Kensington and Toxteth. - Here is Edge Hill Junction, where services to Manchester via Warrington Central split off
- Wavertree Technology ParkWavertree Technology Park railway stationWavertree Technology Park railway station is in the suburbs of Liverpool in the north west of England. The station, and all services calling there, are operated by Northern Rail...
, for Wavertree. Also, the express service to Manchester AirportManchester Airport railway stationManchester Airport railway station is the railway station that serves Manchester Airport and is built into the airport's terminal buildings. The station was opened together with the second airport terminal in 1993.- Description:... - Broad GreenBroad Green railway stationBroad Green railway station is situated in the Broadgreen district of Liverpool, England. It is the oldest used railway station in the world being a part of the original 1830 Liverpool and Manchester passenger railway....
, suburban station (for Broadgreen Hospital) - RobyRoby railway stationRoby railway station serves the village of Roby, Merseyside, England.-Services:During the daytime, Monday to Saturday, the station is served by 4 trains per hour in each direction...
, suburban station - HuytonHuyton railway stationHuyton railway station serves the area of Huyton in Merseyside, England. The station acts as an interchange between the Liverpool-Wigan Line and the northern route of the Liverpool-Manchester Line which diverge soon after the station. It is one of the busier stations on these lines...
for Huyton shopping centre and bus station. Also, change here for services to Warrington Bank QuayWarrington Bank Quay railway stationWarrington Bank Quay railway station is a mainline railway station serving the UK town of Warrington. The town centre has two stations on opposite sides of the main shopping area, Warrington Central operating a more frequent service to the neighbouring cities Liverpool and Manchester...
and Manchester Victoria - Here is Huyton Junction, where services towards Manchester Victoria and Warrington BQ split off
- PrescotPrescot railway stationPrescot railway station serves the town of Prescot, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail.-Services:...
, suburban station - Eccleston ParkEccleston Park railway stationEccleston Park railway station serves the Eccleston Park area of Prescot, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail...
, suburban station - Thatto HeathThatto Heath railway stationThatto Heath railway station is located in the Thatto Heath area of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail.-Services:...
, suburban station - St Helens CentralSt Helens Central railway stationSt Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
, for St Helens town centreSt Helens, MerseysideSt Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census...
and the World of Glass - GarswoodGarswood railway stationGarswood railway station serves the village of Garswood in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains calling there, are operated by Northern Rail.-Services:...
, suburban station, also the last stop within Merseytravel's ticket zone - BrynBryn railway stationBryn railway station is in Bryn, in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. It is the nearest station to Ashton-In-Makerfield. The station is situated on Liverpool to Wigan Line...
, suburban station (for Ashton-in-Makerfield) - Here is Ince Moss Junction where the Liverpool to Wigan line joins the West Coast Main Line
- Wigan North WesternWigan North Western railway stationWigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
, Eastern Terminus, Change here for Intercity trains to PrestonPreston railway stationPreston railway station serves the city of Preston in Lancashire, England and is a major station on the West Coast Main Line.It is served by Northern Rail, Virgin Trains, and TransPennine Express services, plus First ScotRail overnight sleeper services between London and Scotland.-Station layout...
and points North, Warrington Bank QuayWarrington Bank Quay railway stationWarrington Bank Quay railway station is a mainline railway station serving the UK town of Warrington. The town centre has two stations on opposite sides of the main shopping area, Warrington Central operating a more frequent service to the neighbouring cities Liverpool and Manchester...
and points South and for regional express services to Blackpool NorthBlackpool North railway stationBlackpool North railway station is the main railway station serving the seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire, England. It is the terminus of the main Blackpool branch line from Preston....
.
Technical Details
Network Rail's route NW 2023 runs for 20.7 kilometres (12.9 mi) from Springs Branch Junction, near WiganWigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
, to Huyton Junction, near Huyton
Huyton
Huyton is a suburb of Liverpool within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, with some parts belonging to the borough of Liverpool in Merseyside, England. It is part of the Liverpool Urban Area and has close associations with its neighbour, Roby, having both formerly been part of the Huyton with...
.
{|{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 85%;"
|align=left|NW 2023
|width=50 align=right|M-Ch
Chain (unit)
A chain is a unit of length; it measures 66 feet or 22 yards or 100 links . There are 10 chains in a furlong, and 80 chains in one statute mile. An acre is the area of 10 square chains...
|width=50 align=right|km
|-
|align=left|Springs Branch Junction
|align=right|0-00
|align=right|0.00
|-
|align=left|Ince Moss Junction
|align=right|0-44
|align=right|0.90
|-
|align=left|Bryn
Bryn railway station
Bryn railway station is in Bryn, in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. It is the nearest station to Ashton-In-Makerfield. The station is situated on Liverpool to Wigan Line...
|align=right|2-32
|align=right|3.85
|-
|align=left|Garswood
Garswood railway station
Garswood railway station serves the village of Garswood in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains calling there, are operated by Northern Rail.-Services:...
|align=right|3-56
|align=right|5.95
|-
|align=left|St Helens
St Helens Central railway station
St Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
|align=right|7-30
|align=right|11.85
|-
|align=left|St Helens Station Junction
|align=right|7-42
|align=right|12.10
|-
|align=left|Thatto Heath
Thatto Heath railway station
Thatto Heath railway station is located in the Thatto Heath area of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail.-Services:...
|align=right|9-11
|align=right|14.70
|-
|align=left|Eccleston Park
Eccleston Park railway station
Eccleston Park railway station serves the Eccleston Park area of Prescot, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail...
|align=right|10-07
|align=right|16.25
|-
|align=left|Prescot
Prescot railway station
Prescot railway station serves the town of Prescot, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail.-Services:...
|align=right|10-77
|align=right|17.65
|-
|align=left|Huyton Junction
|align=right|12-69
|align=right|20.70
|}
Services
All services on this route are operated by Northern RailNorthern Rail
Northern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
using Class 142
British Rail Class 142
The British Rail Class 142 is a class of Pacer diesel multiple units used in the United Kingdom. 96 units were built by BREL in Derby between 1985 and 1987. They were a development of the earlier Class 141 which were introduced in 1984....
, Class 150
British Rail Class 150
The British Rail Class 150 "Sprinter" diesel multiple units were built by BREL from 1984-87. A total of 137 units were built in three main subclasses, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.- Background :...
, or Class 156
British Rail Class 156
The British Rail Class 156 Super Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train . 114 of these units were built from 1987 to 1989 by Metro-Cammell at its Washwood Heath Works in Birmingham...
DMUs.
Monday to Saturday
Daytime hours of operation typically see 3 tph each way between Liverpool and Wigan, consisting of local stopping services every 30 minutes and an hourly long distance express which continues to Blackpool NorthBlackpool North railway station
Blackpool North railway station is the main railway station serving the seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire, England. It is the terminus of the main Blackpool branch line from Preston....
.
The Blackpool North
Blackpool North railway station
Blackpool North railway station is the main railway station serving the seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire, England. It is the terminus of the main Blackpool branch line from Preston....
limited stop service calls only at Huyton
Huyton railway station
Huyton railway station serves the area of Huyton in Merseyside, England. The station acts as an interchange between the Liverpool-Wigan Line and the northern route of the Liverpool-Manchester Line which diverge soon after the station. It is one of the busier stations on these lines...
, St Helens Central
St Helens Central railway station
St Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
and Wigan
Wigan North Western railway station
Wigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
in the Liverpool to Wigan leg of its journey.
The service then calls at Euxton Balshaw Lane
Euxton Balshaw Lane railway station
Euxton Balshaw Lane is situated in the village of Euxton , Lancashire, England. It is a local station on the West Coast Main Line on the stretch between Wigan and .-History:...
, Leyland
Leyland railway station
Leyland railway station serves the town of Leyland in Lancashire, England. It was formerly "Golden Hill", the name of the street and area in which the station is based, but was re-named Leyland soon after opening...
and Preston
Preston railway station
Preston railway station serves the city of Preston in Lancashire, England and is a major station on the West Coast Main Line.It is served by Northern Rail, Virgin Trains, and TransPennine Express services, plus First ScotRail overnight sleeper services between London and Scotland.-Station layout...
on the West Coast Main Line
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
, Kirkham and Wesham
Kirkham and Wesham railway station
The Lancashire towns of Kirkham and Wesham, in England, are served by one railway station, Kirkham and Wesham. It is managed by Northern Rail, who operate most of the passenger services that call there .-Description:There are two platforms, and fairly obvious signs of the former size of the station...
on the Blackpool branch, terminating at Blackpool North
Blackpool North railway station
Blackpool North railway station is the main railway station serving the seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire, England. It is the terminus of the main Blackpool branch line from Preston....
. Some peak time trains additionally call at Poulton-le-Fylde
Poulton-le-Fylde railway station
Poulton-le-Fylde railway station serves the town of Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire, England. It is managed by Northern Rail, but also served by First TransPennine Express.-History:...
before Blackpool
Blackpool North railway station
Blackpool North railway station is the main railway station serving the seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire, England. It is the terminus of the main Blackpool branch line from Preston....
.
Morning and evening peaks see an increase in service frequency, including some services originating or terminating at St Helens Central
St Helens Central railway station
St Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
and some semi-fast services.
First service departs Liverpool for Wigan at around 0530. The first train from St Helens leaves for Liverpool just before 0600, and Wigan's first departure for Liverpool is a little later at approximately 0610.
Last departures from Wigan and Liverpool are around 2300, as of the December 2009 timetable.
The December 2008 timetable change
December 2008 is notable as it brought extensive changes to the Northern RailNorthern Rail
Northern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
timetable, to fit in with new increased-frequency services from Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
.
Timings were altered on all services. Most Liverpool to Wigan daytime local stopping services had previously omitted Edge Hill
Edge Hill railway station
Edge Hill railway station serves the district of Edge Hill in Liverpool, England.There have been two stations of that name. The first stood a short distance south-west of the present station and its remains are still visible, although the site is not open to the public.Edge Hill is the first...
, but all stopping services on the route now call there.
December 2008 also marked the withdrawal of two relatively infrequent but notable services on this line:
- The long distance Express services used to run from LiverpoolLiverpool Lime Street railway stationLiverpool Lime Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool, England. The station lies on a branch of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, and on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network...
via St Helens CentralSt Helens Central railway stationSt Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
and WiganWigan North Western railway stationWigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
to either MorecambeMorecambe railway stationMorecambe railway station is a railway station that serves the town of Morecambe in Lancashire, England. It is located on the Morecambe Branch Line from to Heysham. The current truncated two-platform station was opened in 1994 to replace the Midland Railway's earlier terminus situated some...
, Blackpool NorthBlackpool North railway stationBlackpool North railway station is the main railway station serving the seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire, England. It is the terminus of the main Blackpool branch line from Preston....
, and/or BarrowBarrow-in-Furness railway stationBarrow-in-Furness railway station is a railway station that serves the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. It is located on the Furness Line to Lancaster and the Cumbrian Coast Line to Workington and Carlisle...
. Since December 2008, all Liverpool-Wigan line long distance services run to Blackpool only, necessitating a change at WiganWigan North Western railway stationWigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
or PrestonPreston railway stationPreston railway station serves the city of Preston in Lancashire, England and is a major station on the West Coast Main Line.It is served by Northern Rail, Virgin Trains, and TransPennine Express services, plus First ScotRail overnight sleeper services between London and Scotland.-Station layout...
for the previously-served destinations. - A small number of commuter-timed trains used to run Liverpool via Wigan to Manchester. They provided a route from LiverpoolLiverpool Lime Street railway stationLiverpool Lime Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool, England. The station lies on a branch of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, and on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network...
via St Helens CentralSt Helens Central railway stationSt Helens Central railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western...
, WiganWigan North Western railway stationWigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
, and BoltonBolton railway stationBolton Interchange is a transport interchange combining the railway station and a four stand bus station in the town of Bolton in Greater Manchester, England. The station is located on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line and is managed by Northern Rail...
to Manchester Victoria, though these were also withdrawn in the December 2008 timetable. Replicating this journey now necessitates a change at Wigan NWWigan North Western railway stationWigan North Western railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.It is a moderately-sized station on the West Coast Main Line. It is operated by Virgin Trains, and is also served by Northern Rail...
, usually involving a walk to nearby Wigan WallgateWigan Wallgate railway stationWigan Wallgate railway station is one of two main railway stations serving the town of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England. The station is on 2 lines, the Manchester-Southport Line and the Manchester-Kirkby Line. It is north west of Manchester Victoria...
.
Sunday
An hourly stopping service operates on the route in both directions between LiverpoolLiverpool Lime Street railway station
Liverpool Lime Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool, England. The station lies on a branch of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, and on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network...
and Blackpool North
Blackpool North railway station
Blackpool North railway station is the main railway station serving the seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire, England. It is the terminus of the main Blackpool branch line from Preston....
calling at open stations en route.
As of December 2009, Edge Hill
Edge Hill railway station
Edge Hill railway station serves the district of Edge Hill in Liverpool, England.There have been two stations of that name. The first stood a short distance south-west of the present station and its remains are still visible, although the site is not open to the public.Edge Hill is the first...
, Eccleston Park
Eccleston Park railway station
Eccleston Park railway station serves the Eccleston Park area of Prescot, Merseyside, England. It is situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail...
and Bryn
Bryn railway station
Bryn railway station is in Bryn, in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. It is the nearest station to Ashton-In-Makerfield. The station is situated on Liverpool to Wigan Line...
do not have a regularly scheduled Sunday service.
Roby
Roby railway station
Roby railway station serves the village of Roby, Merseyside, England.-Services:During the daytime, Monday to Saturday, the station is served by 4 trains per hour in each direction...
used to be closed on Sundays but is now operational all week.
History
The section of line from St Helens to Wigan was opened on 1 December 1869 by the Lancashire Union Railway, and the line from Huyton to St Helens was opened on 1 November 1871 by the London and North Western RailwayLondon and North Western Railway
The London and North Western Railway was a British railway company between 1846 and 1922. It was created by the merger of three companies – the Grand Junction Railway, the London and Birmingham Railway and the Manchester and Birmingham Railway...
.