Wirral line

Wirral line
A yellow "M" over a grey circle.The words "Wirral Line" in white over a green background.
A Merseyrail train painted with a black front and grey-yellow sides. It is preparing to depart from Chester station.
A Class 777 EMU on a Wirral line service preparing to depart Chester.
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
Locale
Termini
Stations34
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemNational Rail
Operator(s)Merseyrail[1]
Depot(s)Birkenhead North TMD
Rolling stockClass 777
Technical
Line length33 miles 46 chains (54.0 km)[2]
Number of tracksTwo (One through loop tunnel)[2]
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Loading gaugeW6[3]
Electrification750 V DC third rail[4]
Operating speed70 mph (110 km/h) maximum[2][3][5][6]
Route map

The Wirral line is one of two commuter rail routes operated by Merseyrail and centred on Merseyside,[7] England, the other being the Northern line.

The Wirral line connects Liverpool to the Wirral Peninsula via the Mersey Railway Tunnel, with branches to New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester and Ellesmere Port.[8][9] Beneath Liverpool, the line follows a clockwise circular route in a single-track tunnel called the Loop, built in the early 1970s.[8][10]

The Wirral line has carried its present name since the opening of the Merseyrail network by Queen Elizabeth II on 25 October 1978,[11] during the British Rail period. The Wirral line is fully electrified with a DC third rail,[8] and has existed in its current form since May 1994 with the start of electric services to Ellesmere Port.[12][13] A total of 34 stations are served, with connections available to mainline services at Liverpool Lime Street, Bidston, Ellesmere Port and Chester. The line also connects with the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network at Liverpool Central and Moorfields.[14]

  1. ^ "Merseyrail - About Merseyrail". Merseyrail. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Network Capability – Baseline Declaration : (1) Line-speeds : (2) London North Western Route (North)" (PDF). Network Rail. 31 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Merseyside Route Utilisation Strategy" (PDF). Network Rail. 25 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  4. ^ "04 - Current Capability" (PDF). Network Rail. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  5. ^ "Network Specification: London North West" (PDF). Route Plans. Network Rail. 13 June 2012. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Route Specifications: London North West" (PDF). Route Plans. Network Rail. 29 September 2011. p. 326. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Merseyrail A brief history" (PDF). Merseytravel. 25 November 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  8. ^ a b c "Merseyrail Trains". Rail Saver. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  9. ^ "Route Plan O - Merseyside" (PDF). Route Plans 2010. Network Rail. 30 March 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  10. ^ The Story of Merseyrail 1978, Construction.
  11. ^ The Story of Merseyrail 1978, Her Majesty The Queen officially opened Merseyrail on Wednesday 25 October 1978.
  12. ^ Wright, Paul (20 April 2010). "Hooton Station". Disused Stations. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  13. ^ "Merseyrail Electrics". Railway Britain. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  14. ^ Merseyrail (PDF) (Map) (PG258a (11-09KF) ed.). Merseytravel. 16 December 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.