First North Western - First North Western Rolling Stock - B

First North Western - B

First North Western Rolling Stock

First North Western inherited a fleet of Mark 2 carriages, Class 101, 142, 150, 153, 156 and 158 diesel multiple units, and Class 309 and 323 electric multiple units. The Mark 2 carriages were generally hauled by EWS Class 37 locomotives and were used on North Wales services.

To operate the Manchester Airport to London Euston services, two Class 322s were hired from West Anglia Great Northern.

First North Western ordered 11 two-carriage and 16 three-carriage Class 175 Coradia 1000s to replace the Mark 2 carriages, Class 101s and Class 309s. Originally some were to be Class 180 Adelantes, capable of running at 125 mph (201 km/h), but this was later changed to an all-Class 175 fleet.

Problems with the Class 175s saw locomotive-hauled trains reinstated on North Wales services from June 2002, with EWS Class 47s and First Great Western Mark 2 carriages.

In February 2004, Class 31 locomotives were hired from Fragonset to top and tail Mark 2 carriages on Blackpool to Chester services.

• 101   Diesel multiple unit

1956–1959

• 142 Pacer   Diesel multiple unit

1985–1987

• 150 Sprinter   Diesel multiple unit

1984–1987

• 153 Super Sprinter   Diesel multiple unit

1987–1988

• 156 Super Sprinter   Diesel multiple unit

1987–1989

• 158 Express Sprinter   Diesel multiple unit

1989–1992

• 175 Coradia 1000   Diesel multiple unit

1999–2001

• 309   Electric multiple unit

1962–1963

• 322   Electric multiple unit

1990

• 323   Electric multiple unit

1992–1995

First North Western Depots

North Western Trains liveried Class 153 at Carlisle station in August 2004
First North Western's diesel fleet was maintained at Newton Heath Depot, and the electric fleet at Longsight Depot. The Class 175s were maintained at a purpose built depot in Chester.

First North Western Demise

In 2000, the Strategic Rail Authority announced that it planned to create a new TransPennine Express franchise transferring First North Western's Barrow-in-Furness and Windermere services, with the North Wales Coast Line services transferred to a new Wales & Borders franchise and the remaining services combined with those of Arriva Trains Northern to form a new Northern Rail franchise.

On 28 September 2003, the North Wales Coast Line services transferred to Wales & Borders.

In July 2003, the Strategic Rail Authority awarded the TransPennine franchise to FirstGroup/Keolis with services operated by First North Western transferring to First TransPennine Express on 1 February 2004.

In July 2004, the Strategic Rail Authority awarded the Northern Rail franchise to Serco-NedRailways with the remaining services operated by First North Western transferring to Northern Rail on 12 December 2004.

First North Western Overview

First North Western Franchise(s): North West Regional Railways
2 March 1997 – 11 December 2004
First North Western Main Region(s): North West England
North Wales
First North Western Other Region(s): London
Birmingham
Yorkshire
First North Western Fleet Size: 184
First North Western Stations Called At: 247
First North Western Parent Company: FirstGroup
First North Western Reporting Mark: NW
First North Western Predecessor: Regional Railways
First North Western Successors:
First TransPennine Express
Northern Rail