Northern's new trains pull into Rochdale

Photo: Russell Clarke

Distinguished guests met at Manchester Victoria on 9 October for a return journey to Rochdale on one of the new trains, pictured here at Castleton

Northern’s new Class 195 trains will begin to operate via Rochdale from Monday 21 October on the Chester to Leeds route, calling at Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.

Distinguished guests, including Rochdale Mayor and Mayoress Billy and Lynn Sheerin, met at Manchester Victoria on 9 October for a return journey to Rochdale on one of the new trains.

The new diesel trains boast air conditioning, at seat power sockets, free wi-fi, and an electronic seat reservation system. All the new trains are fully accessible.

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “Our network is busier than it has been for a generation and we are transforming that network to meet the needs of our customers. The introduction of brand-new trains is at the heart of that transformation and, in a few short weeks, we will have 29 new trains carrying customers – with more to come throughout 2019 and into 2020.”

As part of a £500m investment in rail in the north, Northern has ordered 101 new trains.

There are already 20 new trains operating on a number of routes and the trains introduced on the Chester to Leeds route (via the Calder Valley) will see the overall number increase to 29.

The new trains are part of the largest modernisation programme in a generation that is transforming travel in the north of England. Northern is currently fully refurbishing its existing fleet of 243 trains, improving its stations and has introduced more than 2,000 extra services per week since 2016.