The last ever Northern Rail train

[Springs Branch]

With the announcement regarding Arriva and the Northern franchise after 1 April 2016, which will be the very last Abellio-Serco Northern train in public service on 31 March - or most likely the early hours of Friday 1st April?

Either the latest to depart its point of origin or the latest to arrive at its terminus?

 

[jayalongtheway]

0044 Crewe-Manchester Piccadilly?

 

[Blindtraveler]

For me a sad day. Whilst the carry on with STM at various locations is deplorable I otherwise like Northern and what theyv done and I think we shouldnt forget that given they were awarded a no grothe franchise theyv done a lot with not a lot!

 

[Springs Branch]

0044 Crewe-Manchester Piccadilly?

Sounds a highly likely candidate, being the return working of the 2338 Manchester-Crewe. Arrival in Piccadilly scheduled for 0128.

I'd imagine the first public train of the new regime will be 1H40, the 0338 Liverpool Lime St - Manchester Airport on 1 April (not that I'd imagine a regular punter would spot any difference in the first instance).

So without any timetable changes in the meantime, any super-keen basher willing to sit at Piccadilly for a few hours in the middle of the night could ride the last "old" Northern and the first "new" Northern trains.

 

[yorksrob]

Yes, I think on the whole, I shall be sorry to see Northern go (even though they didn't give me a day rover for my last delay ).

They have had some good fares and offers if you know where to look. Will Arriva continue with these I wonder.

 

[onlinespotting]

Would it not be the first train after 0429? This being the cut-off point for a day return and the start of some peaks?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Or perhaps they will just become Arriva at midnight regardless of what time the service departs/arrives condering the staff will be TUPEd across anyway

 

[185143]

Yes, I think on the whole, I shall be sorry to see Northern go (even though they didn't give me a day rover for my last delay ).

They have had some good fares and offers if you know where to look. Will Arriva continue with these I wonder.

interesting you've said that as they didn't give me one either... A measly £2 RTV! Not the 50% they're obliged to provide either

 

[Blindtraveler]

Slightly off topic but what brand or TOC name will be used? Surely not a return to the Dreaded Arriva Trains Northern?

 

[sprinterguy]

Slihtly off topic but what brand or TOC name will be used? Surely not a return to the Dreaded Ariva Trains Northern?

Arriva Rail North Limited is the official name of the organisation, but their franchise announcement states that "Arriva will operate the franchise under a refreshed Northern brand", and the branding of the new website supports this claim.

 

[Darren R]

0044 Crewe-Manchester Piccadilly?

Wouldn't that be a contender for the first train run by Arriva? Logically (yes, I know, this is the DfT we're talking about! ) won't the new franchise start at midnight?

For me a sad day. Whilst the carry on with STM at various locations is deplorable I otherwise like Northern and what theyv done and I think we shouldnt forget that given they were awarded a no grothe franchise theyv done a lot with not a lot!

And here's me thinking I was the only one who thought that! Given that they've had to operate the franchise with one hand tied behind their collective back, I don't think they've done too badly. (I won't miss the livery though! )

 

[CyrusWuff]

Looking at a few earlier franchise agreements, the handover time tends to be 02:00 on the first day of the franchise, at which point the previous day's service has finished for most operators. There's no reason to assume that TPE and Northern will be any different.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Itl be interesting this one given that TPE run overnight, although really theres not so much change here as First are carrying on.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Not totally. First will be running it single handed as oposed to jv with keolis as now. Not that im aware of anything keolis contributed anyway from my point of view....

 

[backontrack]

Will the trains have a special announcement or something?

 

[rjholt]

I do hope Arriva don't waste thousands rebranding stations because the reality is Joe Public don't give two hoots

 

[73001]

Will the trains have a special announcement or something?

"Northern apologise for the cancellation of this train due to.... "

 

[Quakkerillo]

"This train will be delayed by approximately 15 minutes, due to promotional franchise handover photos being taken with this service"

But in all seriousness; apart from a small group of responsible people popping up at some point, I doubt much will be mentioned on stations/trains.

 

[Gathursty]

There will be a scene reminiscent of the last service through The Waverley Route, which needed the voice of an MP to let the crowd disperse and allow for closure to take it's course.... or not.

 

[507 001]

I do hope Arriva don't waste thousands rebranding stations because the reality is Joe Public don't give two hoots

I hope they do! The current branding is outdated and dull!

 

[455driver]

I do hope Arriva don't waste thousands rebranding stations because the reality is Joe Public don't give two hoots

Who gives a toss about the passengers, its all about corporate exposure these days! :roll:

 

[Bevan Price]

I hope they do! The current branding is outdated and dull!

So - you'd rather them give money to vinyl & paint suppliers instead of paying to keep the trains running and ensure they have enough train crews ?

 

[Starmill]

Not totally. First will be running it single handed as oposed to jv with keolis as now. Not that im aware of anything keolis contributed anyway from my point of view....

A very similar amount to what First contributed most likely! This isn't the sort of detail that often works its way out. I suppose you will be able to do more informed guessing once they're gone.

 

[185143]

Anyone for a forum meet on the last train?
(Serious suggestion)

 

[alexl92]

So - you'd rather them give money to vinyl & paint suppliers instead of paying to keep the trains running and ensure they have enough train crews ?

Well they'll put that money into the rebrand anyway so they might as well do a decent job. The current Northern brand is so tired and looks awful.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Anyone for a forum meet on the last train?
(Serious suggestion)

I am up for that...!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Well they'll put that money into the rebrand anyway so they might as well do a decent job. The current Northern brand is so tired and looks awful.

I think the rebranding will be quite subtle, at least until the new stock arrives. Just the current "a Serco & Abellio joint venture" branding will be replaced by "Operated by Arriva- a DB company" is my prediction. Repaints will happen when they're due, possibly switching from the standard Northern to the updated "Northern Electrics" version.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

That will do just as well

 

[DarloRich]

I don't understand the interest - nothing will change Cinderella like at midnight!

Press launch/pr will be on a morning service out of one of the big cities with the first units liveried overnight

 

[Blindtraveler]

Anyone for a forum meet on the last train?
(Serious suggestion)

Count me in!

 

[backontrack]

"Northern apologise for the cancellation of this train due to.... "