Northern trains
The North of England's regional operator, running local and inter-urban services across a vast network with a mix of classic Sprinters and modern units.
About Northern
Northern runs the everyday local and regional services across the North of England, from the Pennines and the Lake District to the cities of Yorkshire, Lancashire and the North East. Its fleet mixes classic 1980s Sprinters with modern trains, so a Northern station often serves up plenty of variety.
Routes & network
- Regional and local services across Yorkshire, Lancashire, the North East, Cumbria and beyond
- Major hubs at Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and York
Fleet
- Class 150, 155, 156 and 158 ‘Sprinter’ units
- Class 195 (modern diesel units)
- Class 331 (modern electric units)
How to identify Northern trains
Look for the blue-and-white livery on everything from veteran Sprinters to brand-new units — the workhorses of the northern network.
Where to spot them
Crewe ★★★★★
One of Britain's most famous railway junctions — a classic West Coast Main Line spot with heavy passenger and freight variety.
Doncaster ★★★★★
A premier East Coast Main Line junction with fast expresses and heavy freight — long a favourite of British enthusiasts.
York ★★★★★
One of Britain's grandest stations and a superb East Coast Main Line spot — with the National Railway Museum right next door.
Log every operator you catch
Record the operators and units you spot with printable log sheets, and turn everyday spotting into a collection.
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