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((short description|Line part of the Merseyrail network))
((other uses|Northern line (disambiguation)))
((Use dmy dates|date=February 2017))
((Use British English|date=February 2017))
((refimprove|date = August 2010))
((Infobox rail line
|box_width   = auto
|name        = Northern line
|color       = ((Merseyrail colour|Northern))
|logo        = Merseyrail_Icon.svg
|logo_width  = 70px
|logo_alt    = A yellow "M" over a grey circle.
|logo2       = Merseyrail_Northern_Line_Signage_Logo.svg
|logo_width2 = 200px
|logo_alt2   = The words "Northern Line" in white over a green background.
|image       = 507024 Central.jpg
|image_width = 321px
|caption     = A Northern line [[British Rail Class 507|Class 507]] at [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]]
|type        = [[Commuter rail]]
|system      = [[National Rail]]
|status      = Operational
|locale      = [[Liverpool]]<br>[[North West England]]
|start       = ((rws|Southport)), ((rws|Ormskirk)), ((rws|Headbolt Lane))
|end         = ((rws|Hunts Cross)), [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]]
|stations    = 36
|routes      = 
|daily_ridership = 
|close       = 
|owner       = [[Network Rail]]
|operator    = [[Merseyrail]]<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.merseyrail.org/about-us.html |title=Merseyrail - About Merseyrail |publisher=Merseyrail |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-date=16 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116031617/http://www.merseyrail.org/about-us.html |url-status=dead ))</ref>
|character   = 
|depot       = [[Kirkdale TMD]]
|stock       = ((brc|777))<br>((brc|507))
|linelength  = 
|tracks      = Two
|gauge       = ((track gauge|uksg|allk=on))
|electrification          = ((750 V DC|conductor=y))<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/merseyside/appendices/appendix%20b%20-%20%20baseline%20information/04%20-%20current%20capability.pdf |title=04 - Current Capability |date=1 August 2008 |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118053256/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/merseyside/appendices/appendix%20b%20-%20%20baseline%20information/04%20-%20current%20capability.pdf |archive-date=18 January 2016 |url-status=dead ))</ref>
|speed       = ((convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on)) maximum<ref name="Merseyside RUS 09">((Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/merseyside/merseyside%20rus%20.pdf |title=Merseyside Route Utilisation Strategy |date=25 March 2009 |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407121607/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/merseyside/merseyside%20rus%20.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2009 |url-status=dead ))</ref><ref name="LNW BD">((Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/baseline%20capability/track%20and%20route%20mileage,%20permissible%20line%20speeds/table%20a_track_and_route%20miles_linespeed_lnw_%20n%20route.pdf |title=Network Capability – Baseline Declaration : (1) Line-speeds : (2) London North Western Route (North) |date=31 March 2009 |publisher=[[Network Rail]] |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118053107/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/baseline%20capability/track%20and%20route%20mileage,%20permissible%20line%20speeds/table%20a_track_and_route%20miles_linespeed_lnw_%20n%20route.pdf |archive-date=18 January 2016 |url-status=dead ))</ref>
|elevation   = 
|map         = [[File:Northern line (Merseyrail).png|321px]]<br>([[:commons:File:Northern line (Merseyrail).png|Click to expand]])
|map_state   = uncollapsed
))
((Northern Line diagram|collapse=y))
The '''Northern line''' is one of two [[Commuter rail in the United Kingdom|commuter rail routes]] operated by [[Merseyrail]]  and centred on [[Merseyside]], England,<ref>((Citation | url = http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/pdf/history_Merseyrail.pdf | title = Merseyrail - A brief History | access-date = 2009-01-04 | publisher = merseytravel.gov.uk | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060928012917/http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/pdf/history_Merseyrail.pdf | archive-date = 28 September 2006 | df = dmy-all ))</ref> the other being the [[Wirral line]]. The [[Cross-city route|cross-city]] route runs from ((stnlnk|Hunts Cross)) in south [[Liverpool]] then (by way of an underground section through Liverpool's city centre) branches in the north to terminate at ((stnlnk|Southport)), ((stnlnk|Headbolt Lane)) (both [[Merseyside]]) and ((stnlnk|Ormskirk)) ([[Lancashire]]).

Passenger interchange to the Wirral line is available at [[Moorfields railway station|Moorfields]] and [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]], and to the separately-owned [[City Line (Merseytravel)|City Line]] at [[Hunts Cross railway station|Hunts Cross]] and [[Liverpool South Parkway railway station|Liverpool South Parkway]]. Liverpool South Parkway also allows interchange with regional and long-distance services, while connections to services operated by [[Northern Trains]] are possible at Headbolt Lane, Ormskirk and Southport.

== Description ==
((unreferenced|section|date=December 2022))
The line runs from [[Hunts Cross railway station|Hunts Cross]] in the south of Liverpool towards [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]]. [[Brunswick railway station|Brunswick]] station between ((stnlnk|St Michaels)) and Liverpool Central was added in 1998 to provide a connection to the Brunswick Business Park. In the tunnel just south of Liverpool Central, the line drops into a 1970s tunnel to a lower level into the underground [[Mersey Railway]] Liverpool Central (Low Level) station. North of Central the line uses the Mersey Railway tunnel for about half of the route to [[Moorfields railway station|Moorfields]], an underground station built in the 1970s to replace the surface-level [[Liverpool Exchange railway station|Liverpool Exchange]]. North of Moorfields, the route emerges from the tunnel to join the [[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]] lines from the former Exchange station.

After [[Sandhills railway station|Sandhills]], the former [[Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway]] branches off towards [[Southport railway station|Southport]], while the other routes continue to [[Kirkdale railway station|Kirkdale]] on what was a joint section of track between [[Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway]] and the [[Liverpool and Bury Railway]]. After Kirkdale, the [[Ormskirk]] and [[Headbolt Lane railway station|Headbolt Lane]] lines diverge.

Generally, trains from Hunts Cross continue to Southport, while trains to Ormskirk and Headbolt Lane start at Liverpool Central. Daytime trains operate every 15((nbsp))minutes on each of the three routes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 30((nbsp))minutes evenings and Sundays. Until 2017, summer Sunday frequencies on the Southport route were increased to every 15((nbsp))minutes. There are no peak hour frequency increases but trains on the Southport and Ormskirk routes are increased to six carriages, as are weekend services during the summer on the Southport route.<ref>((Cite web |title=6 and 4 Car Service Information |url=https://www.merseyrail.org/journey-planning/plan-your-journey/6-and-4-car-service-information/ |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=www.merseyrail.org |language=en-GB))</ref>

Special timetables are implemented for major events such as the [[Grand National]] meeting at [[Aintree Racecourse|Aintree]] and golf tournaments at [[Royal Birkdale Golf Club|Birkdale]]. These involve changing services on all branches and the closure of stations in anticipation of overcrowding risks.<ref>((Cite web |last=Thorp |first=Liam |date=2019-03-18 |title=Merseyrail releases timetables for Grand National Festival weekend |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/merseyrail-releases-train-timetables-grand-15980469 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en))</ref>

==Passenger volume==
Passengers from the year beginning April 2002 to the year beginning April 2022.

((GBsta-u|
((GBsta-u B|Southport branch))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Southport|u1=1,080,767|u2=1,549,576|u3=1,582,115|u4=1,669,056|u5=1,681,444|u6=3,094,576|u7=2,949,656|u8=2,886,448|u9=2,675,304|u10=2,496,384|u11=3,980,176|u12=4,129,340|u13=4,147,064|u14=4,240,372|u15=4,140,152|u16=4,271,792|u17=4,710,560|u18=1,266,712|u19=3,094,396|u20=3,339,582))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Birkdale|u1=164,753|u2=251,641|u3=256,424|u4=270,277|u5=289,106|u6=820,240|u7=783,066|u8=770,104|u9=734,950|u10=702,168|u11=915,232|u12=954,774|u13=999,758|u14=1,035,000|u15=1,051,252|u16=1,257,834|u17=1,361,614|u18=337,370|u19=851,710|u20=974,514))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Hillside|u1=125,031|u2=158,618|u3=178,252|u4=177,678|u5=180,744|u6=688,812|u7=579,460|u8=590,254|u9=579,538|u10=551,928|u11=552,272|u12=542,006|u13=521,616|u14=535,374|u15=638,996|u16=685,694|u17=761,684|u18=187,474|u19=474,834|u20=507,842))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Ainsdale|u1=210,317|u2=289,260|u3=322,911|u4=328,423|u5=345,791|u6=998,438|u7=955,328|u8=972,616|u9=960,772|u10=899,420|u11=956,960|u12=983,858|u13=1,004,554|u14=1,023,510|u15=928,028|u16=1,016,242|u17=1,127,850|u18=321,382|u19=768,028|u20=920,626))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Freshfield|u1=169,370|u2=249,567|u3=266,415|u4=277,933|u5=283,772|u6=827,718|u7=798,444|u8=795,312|u9=760,336|u10=715,288|u11=740,700|u12=771,648|u13=777,812|u14=773,750|u15=721,168|u16=712,078|u17=773,250|u18=205,926|u19=484,074|u20=498,888))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Formby|u1=279,822|u2=424,875|u3=482,312|u4=525,841|u5=553,546|u6=1,668,128|u7=1,576,974|u8=1,595,890|u9=1,513,544|u10=1,401,584|u11=1,282,716|u12=1,311,918|u13=1,385,228|u14=1,492,202|u15=1,476,462|u16=1,516,340|u17=1,547,950|u18=418,070|u19=995,964|u20=1,062,658))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Hightown|u1=84,188|u2=117,664|u3=133,241|u4=141,686|u5=150,991|u6=439,588|u7=409,956|u8=416,844|u9=408,562|u10=381,300|u11=312,412|u12=316,878|u13=314,282|u14=308,872|u15=311,404|u16=353,172|u17=394,406|u18=98,624|u19=248,152|u20=266,572))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Hall Road|u1=50,377|u2=69,251|u3=76,158|u4=88,355|u5=91,686|u6=288,584|u7=270,198|u8=269,744|u9=256,008|u10=240,056|u11=247,266|u12=259,738|u13=259,346|u14=263,248|u15=266,608|u16=460,036|u17=537,534|u18=131,668|u19=312,314|u20=331,508))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Blundellsands and Crosby|u1=296,685|u2=457,346|u3=518,823|u4=561,676|u5=599,071|u6=1,839,920|u7=1,717,962|u8=1,735,882|u9=1,643,472|u10=1,532,170|u11=1,324,328|u12=1,369,650|u13=1,411,140|u14=1,470,212|u15=1,437,202|u16=1,667,950|u17=1,829,110|u18=482,154|u19=1,196,618|u20=1,365,008))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Waterloo|stndab=Merseyside|u1=433,285|u2=601,447|u3=660,922|u4=669,416|u5=720,522|u6=1,136,872|u7=1,022,416|u8=1,014,942|u9=955,878|u10=856,588|u11=1,476,604|u12=1,510,596|u13=1,536,244|u14=1,578,018|u15=1,551,654|u16=1,683,954|u17=1,932,646|u18=553,012|u19=1,237,784|u20=1,324,016))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Seaforth and Litherland|u1=176,145|u2=300,292|u3=335,884|u4=337,209|u5=362,341|u6=832,894|u7=766,468|u8=789,156|u9=761,342|u10=684,324|u11=731,628|u12=750,192|u13=759,314|u14=764,674|u15=790,704|u16=871,670|u17=1,019,398|u18=351,030|u19=715,640|u20=880,034))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Bootle New Strand|u1=345,451|u2=415,685|u3=404,558|u4=348,458|u5=405,802|u6=977,696|u7=909,922|u8=931,806|u9=911,870|u10=842,682|u11=952,994|u12=974,574|u13=976,556|u14=982,592|u15=966,082|u16=1,026,300|u17=1,221,302|u18=398,572|u19=789,718|u20=747,492))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Bootle Oriel Road|u1=57,791|u2=155,295|u3=203,956|u4=249,030|u5=209,041|u6=523,944|u7=511,614|u8=521,576|u9=511,164|u10=475,814|u11=598,050|u12=617,332|u13=642,868|u14=637,608|u15=649,772|u16=787,114|u17=842,670|u18=224,108|u19=503,766|u20=584,074))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Bank Hall|u1=51,477|u2=71,052|u3=74,624|u4=62,692|u5=85,014|u6=197,086|u7=171,010|u8=172,426|u9=174,680|u10=160,480|u11=160,876|u12=159,438|u13=164,114|u14=168,450|u15=172,016|u16=257,006|u17=317,538|u18=93,466|u19=184,840|u20=211,188))
((GBsta-u B|Ormskirk branch))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Ormskirk|u1=726,015|u2=693,376|u3=716,362|u4=733,381|u5=770,621|u6=1,026,546|u7=998,858|u8=878,782|u9=715,490|u10=727,620|u11=2,058,604|u12=2,096,328|u13=2,163,374|u14=2,263,204|u15=2,006,936|u16=2,255,722|u17=2,409,296|u18=549,410|u19=1,664,370|u20=1,820,516))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Aughton Park|u1=95,060|u2=86,413|u3=83,012|u4=89,200|u5=85,699|u6=124,736|u7=109,592|u8=96,224|u9=78,530|u10=78,136|u11=179,740|u12=183,340|u13=187,670|u14=200,604|u15=180,544|u16=204,282|u17=218,496|u18=37,232|u19=112,192|u20=139,550))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Town Green|u1=188,160|u2=183,233|u3=203,324|u4=202,425|u5=206,180|u6=259,972|u7=239,100|u8=193,200|u9=149,408|u10=141,760|u11=337,112|u12=346,602|u13=365,836|u14=384,974|u15=338,544|u16=395,678|u17=435,124|u18=101,734|u19=290,144|u20=360,580))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Maghull|u1=394,191|u2=431,945|u3=502,020|u4=610,318|u5=696,791|u6=2,144,046|u7=1,999,436|u8=1,956,936|u9=1,863,098|u10=1,745,454|u11=1,765,756|u12=1,821,492|u13=1,812,534|u14=1,865,348|u15=1,870,086|u16=1,639,668|u17=1,789,936|u18=463,100|u19=1,106,204|u20=1,164,994))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Old Roan|u1=177,332|u2=260,871|u3=284,901|u4=305,589|u5=337,166|u6=918,262|u7=861,176|u8=863,568|u9=815,704|u10=748,070|u11=864,554|u12=896,562|u13=903,968|u14=921,306|u15=930,812|u16=1,006,706|u17=1,185,406|u18=320,184|u19=787,518|u20=847,726))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Aintree|u1=284,514|u2=388,230|u3=376,908|u4=412,132|u5=473,143|u6=1,251,404|u7=1,173,276|u8=1,197,258|u9=1,147,296|u10=1,078,704|u11=1,141,532|u12=1,084,348|u13=1,059,602|u14=1,048,614|u15=1,093,656|u16=1,175,920|u17=1,295,348|u18=301,632|u19=725,908|u20=841,662))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Orrell Park|u1=369,037|u2=452,889|u3=473,979|u4=469,256|u5=491,948|u6=1,257,746|u7=1,170,676|u8=1,192,140|u9=1,186,210|u10=1,088,622|u11=1,031,132|u12=1,040,358|u13=1,032,522|u14=1,057,416|u15=1,035,218|u16=1,124,446|u17=1,313,788|u18=355,900|u19=813,262|u20=1,052,986))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Walton|stndab=Merseyside|u1=65,155|u2=93,261|u3=110,471|u4=113,214|u5=113,131|u6=179,148|u7=162,612|u8=164,478|u9=159,384|u10=141,182|u11=269,260|u12=272,784|u13=271,828|u14=261,742|u15=248,896|u16=450,148|u17=571,226|u18=151,334|u19=334,012|u20=418,168))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Kirkdale|u1=299,396|u2=410,808|u3=452,155|u4=441,525|u5=479,342|u6=1,179,346|u7=1,085,418|u8=1,099,018|u9=1,084,206|u10=992,908|u11=854,320|u12=866,218|u13=869,870|u14=893,198|u15=884,302|u16=1,067,562|u17=1,272,022|u18=365,524|u19=850,892|u20=1,033,786))
((GBsta-u B|Kirkby branch))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Kirkby|u1=350,098|u2=516,007|u3=560,285|u4=639,337|u5=739,590|u6=2,191,476|u7=2,050,590|u8=2,006,486|u9=1,891,982|u10=1,750,270|u11=2,357,814|u12=2,408,810|u13=2,356,170|u14=2,428,340|u15=2,427,778|u16=2,488,916|u17=2,909,204|u18=877,884|u19=1,899,772|u20=2,060,974))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Fazakerley|u1=215,019|u2=300,552|u3=329,306|u4=318,664|u5=330,843|u6=889,816|u7=832,474|u8=864,108|u9=861,054|u10=789,698|u11=1,061,930|u12=1,088,202|u13=1,088,808|u14=1,108,962|u15=1,135,988|u16=1,250,320|u17=1,465,622|u18=413,542|u19=920,166|u20=899,436))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Rice Lane|u1=64,677|u2=102,525|u3=116,590|u4=118,113|u5=133,723|u6=330,818|u7=307,116|u8=323,310|u9=289,968|u10=281,026|u11=297,262|u12=314,362|u13=315,126|u14=325,322|u15=324,336|u16=580,620|u17=723,792|u18=209,562|u19=416,686|u20=503,810))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Kirkdale|u1=See above|u2=See above|u3=See above|u4=See above|u5=See above|u6=See above|u7=See above|u8=See above|u9=See above|u10=See above|u11=See above|u12=See above|u13=See above|u14=See above|u15=See above|u16=See above|u17=See above|u18=See above|u19=See above|u20=See above))
((GBsta-u B|Bank Hall\Kirkdale to Hunts Cross))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Sandhills|u1=178,991|u2=272,009|u3=314,309|u4=306,134|u5=207,944|u6=390,346|u7=446,210|u8=495,458|u9=501,448|u10=471,804|u11=1,250,086|u12=1,324,068|u13=1,321,020|u14=1,323,174|u15=1,325,892|u16=1,088,132|u17=1,298,784|u18=341,714|u19=815,288|u20=778,764))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Moorfields|u1=339,533|u2=309,014|u3=383,815|u4=1,577,540|u5=2,141,398|u6=5,141,655|u7=4,445,984|u8=4,637,356|u9=6,363,434|u10=6,049,491|u11=6,541,235|u12=6,832,585|u13=6,996,347|u14=7,173,567|u15=7,365,918|u16=6,534,016|u17=7,361,420|u18=1,613,112|u19=4,807,882|u20=5,100,886))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Liverpool Central|u1=1,086,536|u2=982,498|u3=1,293,790|u4=7,169,618|u5=8,856,570|u6=19,635,814|u7=18,413,982|u8=17,958,028|u9=14,224,147|u10=13,522,391|u11=14,621,585|u12=15,272,837|u13=15,638,894|u14=16,035,031|u15=16,464,993|u16=14,605,446|u17=16,454,940|u18=3,605,780|u19=10,747,030|u20=11,401,980))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Brunswick|u1=224,476|u2=352,854|u3=407,134|u4=410,813|u5=442,711|u6=1,061,698|u7=979,312|u8=963,252|u9=1,007,874|u10=908,670|u11=829,356|u12=871,856|u13=929,958|u14=1,037,186|u15=1,032,192|u16=1,128,162|u17=1,273,262|u18=311,496|u19=696,788|u20=782,698))
((GBsta-u A|stn=St Michaels|u1=195,408|u2=289,183|u3=365,547|u4=360,976|u5=378,944|u6=562,860|u7=506,288|u8=469,570|u9=466,728|u10=387,532|u11=873,112|u12=936,740|u13=977,510|u14=1,006,394|u15=1,010,820|u16=1,128,708|u17=1,308,664|u18=349,670|u19=785,816|u20=950,870))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Aigburth|u1=146,283|u2=179,458|u3=241,063|u4=246,583|u5=265,442|u6=761,362|u7=696,992|u8=681,774|u9=702,378|u10=614,374|u11=686,496|u12=746,784|u13=833,452|u14=812,582|u15=743,410|u16=864,238|u17=974,200|u18=203,034|u19=483,488|u20=567,018))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Cressington|u1=74,789|u2=120,034|u3=152,383|u4=164,734|u5=170,409|u6=456,042|u7=424,174|u8=421,076|u9=427,480|u10=386,376|u11=463,148|u12=477,112|u13=476,636|u14=490,986|u15=517,108|u16=636,070|u17=750,210|u18=181,814|u19=432,612|u20=484,174))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Garston|stndab=Merseyside|u1=141,022|u2=190,778|u3=222,247|u4=42,886|u5=((n/a|Closed))|u6=((n/a|Closed))|u7=((n/a|Closed))|u8=((n/a|Closed))|u9=((n/a|Closed))|u10=((n/a|Closed))|u11=((n/a|Closed))|u12=((n/a|Closed))|u13=((n/a|Closed))|u14=((n/a|Closed))|u15=((n/a|Closed))|u16=((n/a|Closed))|u17=((n/a|Closed))|u18=((n/a|Closed))|u19=((n/a|Closed))|u20=((n/a|Closed))))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Liverpool South Parkway|u1=((n/a))|u2=((n/a))|u3=((n/a))|u4=288,845|u5=419,681|u6=568,822|u7=581,898|u8=641,662|u9=733,698|u10=740,414|u11=1,785,444|u12=1,803,308|u13=1,893,958|u14=1,983,726|u15=2,247,290|u16=2,745,588|u17=2,663,414|u18=573,572|u19=1,460,056|u20=1,812,630))
((GBsta-u A|stn=Hunts Cross|u1=277,961|u2=326,258|u3=443,837|u4=464,367|u5=503,426|u6=1,269,710|u7=1,190,934|u8=1,172,150|u9=1,160,738|u10=1,062,798|u11=1,289,590|u12=1,364,502|u13=1,410,366|u14=1,450,268|u15=1,446,138|u16=1,452,752|u17=1,827,454|u18=530,966|u19=1,155,580|u20=1,307,550))
))

== Service pattern ==
There are a total of 11 trains per hour (tph) running on the central section between Sandhills and Liverpool Central. The service pattern is:<ref>((Cite web|date=2021-07-22|title=Merseyrail Northern Line Timetable|url=https://www.merseyrail.org/media/yfilg4rq/northern-line-10dec-2023.pdf|website=merseyrail.org))</ref> ''(Not all stops listed; trains call at every station on their route.)''

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4"  | Northern Line
|-
! rowspan="2" | Route
! colspan="2" | ((abbr|tph|trains per hour))
|-
! Mon.–Sat.
! Sun.
|-
| ((rws|Southport))–((rws|Formby))–((rws|Sandhills))–((rws|Liverpool Central))–((rws|Liverpool South Parkway))–((rws|Hunts Cross))|| 4 || 2
|-
| ((rws|Ormskirk))–((rws|Sandhills))–((rws|Liverpool Central)) || 4 || 2
|-
| ((rws|Headbolt Lane))–((rws|Sandhills))–((rws|Liverpool Central)) || 3 || 2
|}

==History ==
[[File:Liverpool RJD 42.jpg|thumb|left|1909 map showing former lines]]
The Northern Line was introduced in 1977.

In 2006, [[Garston railway station (Merseyside)|Garston station]] was replaced by [[Liverpool South Parkway railway station|Liverpool South Parkway station]].

=== Electrification ===
The line is [[Railway electrification in Great Britain|electrified]] using ((750 V DC|conductor=y)), identical to the third rail system present in southern England.

* Liverpool Exchange to Southport, [[Crossens railway station|Crossens]] and [[Meols Cop railway station|Meols Cop]] was the first section to be electrified, in 1904.
* The branch to [[Aintree railway station|Aintree]], on the Ormskirk branch, followed in 1906, extended to Ormskirk in 1913.
* The Headbolt Lane branch and the line south to [[Garston (Merseyside) railway station|Garston]] were electrified to create a north–south line through the Link Tunnel in 1978.
* Electrification was cut back to Southport in the north in 1964 as part of the Southport-Preston line closure, stations closing which previously had had electric services were St Lukes, Hesketh Park, Churchtown, and Crossens, electric services also ceased to Meols Cop station although the conductor rail remained until 1970 to serve the large depot at Meols Cop, and this station continues to serve trains on the Southport to Wigan/Manchester line.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/features/meols_cop_triangle/index.shtml|title = Disused Stations: Meols Cop Triangle & Electric Car Sheds))</ref>
* Garston to Hunts Cross was electrified in 1983.

== Connections ==
[[Image:Merseyrail Map.svg|right|thumb|300px|Merseyrail service map, with the Northern line in blue]]
Interchange with the [[Wirral line]] is available at ((stnlnk|Liverpool Central)) and ((stnlnk|Moorfields)). As the Northern line does not pass through ((stnlnk|Liverpool Lime Street)), passengers from other rail networks must use the Wirral line as a connection. As there is only a direct escalator down to the Wirral line towards Birkenhead at Liverpool Central and given the short distance between Central and Lime Street most passengers prefer to walk rather than use the several escalators necessary to travel between the two stations.

Liverpool city centre stations have lifts for wheelchairs buggies and heavy luggage but they are small.

Interchange with other National Rail services can be made at Southport, Ormskirk, Headbolt Lane, Liverpool South Parkway and Hunts Cross.

[[Liverpool South Parkway railway station|Liverpool South Parkway]] opened on 11 June 2006, replacing Garston and providing connections to the City Line formerly available at ((stnlnk|Allerton)).

==Future==
Plans to re-open [[Saint James railway station, Liverpool|St James]] station have been proposed. Merseytravel agreed to work with Liverpool Vision in March 2014 to investigate the cost of re-opening the station and its projected usage.<ref>((cite web|last1=Thomas|first1=JoeJoe|title=Merseytravel plan St James station re-opening study in next financial year|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/merseytravel-plan-st-james-station-8488358|website=liverpoolecho|access-date=20 September 2017|date=21 January 2015))</ref> Merseytravel listed the re-opening of St James station as a 'top rail project' on a Rail Development and Delivery Committee report in 2016.<ref>((cite web|title=Merseytravel Committee Rail Development and Delivery|url=http://moderngov.merseytravel.uk.net/documents/s18865/Presentation.pdf|website=Merseytravel|access-date=7 September 2017|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220082707/http://moderngov.merseytravel.uk.net/documents/s18865/Presentation.pdf|url-status=dead))</ref>

As part of Lancashire County Council's plans to build a [[Skelmersdale railway station|new railway station]] in [[Skelmersdale]], they proposed an extension to the Northern Line that would change the terminus of the Kirkby branch of the line from Kirkby (now Headbolt Lane) to Skelmersdale. The proposals could see Merseyrail services also passing through [[Rainford railway station]]. By September 2017, Merseytravel and Lancashire County Council had committed £5((nbsp))million of funding to the scheme. Merseytravel believe the scheme could cost around £300((nbsp))million to develop and could be ready in a decade.<ref>((cite web|last1=Houghton|first1=Alistair|title=Skelmersdale rail link moves step closer as £5m funding revealed|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/skelmersdale-rail-link-moves-step-13639557|website=Liverpool Echo|access-date=21 September 2017|date=18 September 2017))</ref>

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Long Term Rail Strategy document of October 2017, page 37, states a review in 2020 to introduce new Merseyrail battery trains will be undertaken, in view to put Preston onto the Merseyrail network by extending the Merseyrail Northern Line from Ormskirk to [[Preston railway station|Preston]]. The aim is to have Preston one of the terminals of the Northern Line. The document states, "The potential use of battery powered Merseyrail units may improve the business case".<ref>((Cite web |url=http://moderngov.merseytravel.uk.net/documents/s21686/Enc.%201%20for%20Updated%20Long%20term%20Rail%20Strategy.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021632/http://moderngov.merseytravel.uk.net/documents/s21686/Enc.%201%20for%20Updated%20Long%20term%20Rail%20Strategy.pdf |archive-date=7 November 2017 |url-status=dead ))</ref>

==See also==

*[[LYR electric units]]
*[[A59 road]], which follows the same route.

==References==
((reflist))

== External links ==
*((commons category inline|Northern Line (Merseyrail)))

((Railway lines in North West England))

((coord|53.4045|-2.9798|region:GB-LIV_type:railwaystation|display=title))

[[Category:Rail transport in Liverpool]]
[[Category:Railway lines in North West England]]
[[Category:Standard gauge railways in England]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Merseyside]]

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