Mersey Rail
Merseyrail is the name given to the electric and diesel commuter rail network, centred on Liverpool and Birkenhead in the metropolitan county of Merseyside in England. The network is predominately electric with the City Line running diesel trains. The network has 67 stations spread across 75 miles of track, running underground and overground, carrying over 100,000 passengers each day. The network is one of the most heavily used railway systems in the United Kingdom, outside of London. In February 2010, Merseyrail were named the most reliable operator of trains in the UK, with a reliability average of 96.33% during 2009-2010, the highest ever achieved by any UK train operator.
Merseyrail was established in the 1970s, when new tunnel sections were constructed under Liverpool's city centre and Birkenhead, connecting previously unconnected urban railway routes creating one large comprehensive urban railway network. Some of the earlier plans were not completed, due to financial constraints, although some extensions of the 1970s Merseyrail have been added, with other new works proposed.
The Merseyrail name became the official brand for the network in the days of British Rail, and has survived through several franchise holders, although it was not used by Arriva when it held the franchise. Merseyrail is referred to as "Merseyrail Electrics" by National Rail Enquiries, and as "Serco/Ned Railways Merseyrail" by Merseytravel.
Network
The system is one of the busiest British commuter systems outside London, transporting over 100,000 passengers a day. Train services run on two lines, the Northern Line and Wirral Line, and cover the Liverpool suburban area and greater Merseyside. The total track length is 75 miles (121 km), and there are 67 stations.
The Northern Line links Liverpool city centre with Southport, Ormskirk and Kirkby to the north, and Hunts Cross. The Wirral Line, extending under the River Mersey, links Liverpool with New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester and Ellesmere Port. The two lines are entirely electrified, using a 750 V DC third-rail.
The City Line is not part of the dedicated Merseyrail electrified system, but the term covers local services that run through Merseyside and receive funding from Merseytravel, and on which ticketing arrangements are integrated within Merseyrail. Trains on the City Line are less frequent than those on the Northern or Wirral Lines.
Performance
Operating as a self-contained network there are relatively few problems because of less conflict with other train operating companies. Merseyrail has publicly committed to aiming to be the best train operating company in the UK. The latest figures released by the Office of Rail Regulation report that Merseyrail's PPM is 95.5% and the MAA is 96.3%. This makes Merseyrail the second best performing operator of the third quarter of the financial year 2009/10 - one of three train operating companies to achieve over 95% PPM for the quarter.
Rollingstock
Services on the Merseyrail network are operated by the 1978-built Class 507 and 1979-built Class 508 Electric multiple units. These replaced pre-war Class 502 (originally constructed by the LMS) and almost identical Class 503 Electric multiple units. There are a total of 59 trains in service on the network. Twelve 508s were transferred to Connex South Eastern in 1996, a further three were transferred to Silverlink to supplement their fleet of Class 313 electric multiple units in North London. One unit (507022) was scrapped after a collision with 507004 in 1991 and another (508118) has been withdrawn after having been gutted by fire in an arson attack.
The fleet is maintained and stabled at either Kirkdale TMD or Birkenhead North TMD, the two depots on the network. Minor repair works and stock cleaning takes place at Kirkdale, while overhauls are completed at Birkenhead. Other depots at Hall Road and Birkenhead Central have since been closed, and the former was demolished in April 2009.
The fleet was fully refurbished during 2003-05, a process involving trainsets being transported to and from Eastleigh works behind Class 67 locomotives. An assessment is currently taking place as to whether it would be viable to reopen the Birkenhead Central depot, which would increase the efficiency of Merseyrail services. The Merseyrail fleet is due for renewal in 2013.
To celebrate Liverpool's successful 2008 European Capital of Culture bid, Merseyrail named one of their train sets (508136) 'Capital of Culture'. A press ceremony took place at Kirkdale TMD where Cherie Blair, the wife of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, named 508143 Capital of Culture. This nameplate was removed during mid-2009. In February 2008 the first of four sets in a special Capital of Culture promotional livery was released. Set no. 508134 was emblazoned in a purple livery showcasing the "creative" element of the city. Three more followed in blue "maritime", green "heritage" and red "sport" colours, however were removed in November 2009.
From July 2008, four trains were named after true Merseyside icons following a poll in local newspaper, the Liverpool Echo. The first, named 'Red Rum', was unveiled at Southport on 14 July 2008 by Ginger McCain. Three more have followed, named 'Bob Paisley', 'Dixie Dean' and 'John Peel'.
Future
There have been various suggestions for ways to enlarge the Merseyrail network. Some would extend beyond the current area, whilst others would use former existing lines or track beds. In approximately 2013 the current Merseyrail fleet is scheduled to be replaced, if trains capable of use beyond the third rail DC network are selected as replacements then various expansions can be achieved without electrification of the entire new route.