Northern Rail, branded as Northern, was an English train operating company owned by Serco-Abellio that operated the Northern Rail franchise from 2004 until 2016. It was the primary passenger train operator in Northern England, and operated the most stations of any train operating company in the United Kingdom. Northern Rail was replaced on 1 April 2016 by Arriva Rail North.
Class 142 Pacer at Castleton East Junction in 2008
Image: 142066 Castleton East Junction
Image: 150277 Northern Rail Castleton East Jcn
Image: 158755 Castleton East Junction
Serco-Abellio is a joint venture between Serco and Transport UK Group, each owning 50%. The joint venture is the train operating company of the Merseyrail franchise since July 2003 in the Liverpool City Region. It previously operated the Northern Rail franchise in Northern England from December 2004 until March 2016.
Merseyrail Class 507
Northern Rail Class 158