Only a third of Northern trains running in Greater Manchester on Grand National day

Northern Rail say they expect to run 822 trains - around a third of their normal service on Grand National Day (Saturday 8th April.) Members of the RMT Union are taking strike action for 24 hours in a row over driver-only trains. It's one of the busiest days on the rail network in the North West as thousands will be heading to Aintree for the Grand National. Northern are running two trains an hour from Manchester and two trains an hour from Wigan to Liverpool before the race - there are no return services back to Greater Manchester on Northern Rail after the race though. There are also other sporting events happening on the same day as Manchester City take on Hull at the Etihad Stadium and the World Boxing Organisation title fight between Liam Smith vs Liam Williams is taking place at the Manchester Arena. Northern Rail has issued its timetable below: Two trains per hour from Manchester to Liverpool Lime Street (one per hour between Manchester Oxford Road – first train leaving at 8.44am – and Liverpool Lime Street, and one per hour between Manchester Victoria – first train leaving at 9.12am - and Liverpool Lime Street), with capacity doubled to four carriages. The last Northern train is scheduled to leave Liverpool Lime Street station at 6.30pm, before the Grand National event is over. Customers who want to travel by train after then will need to use other train operators’ services from Liverpool Lime Street or consider alternative forms of travel for their journey home. Paul Barnfield, Regional Director for Northern, said: “We are doing everything we can to keep customers on the move on Saturday 8 April. Unfortunately planned strike action will severely limit our services, with the majority of the trains that we do run operating between 9am and 5pm. “On Grand National day Northern usually provides additional train services to help as many people as possible into Liverpool to enjoy their day at Aintree. “Wherever possible we have provided extra carriages on the trains we are able to operate, but racegoers need to know Northern’s last train out of Liverpool Lime Street will leave at 6.30pm. To get a Northern train home, visitors will need to leave Aintree well before the last races.” “All of Northern’s services will be limited and we ask customers to plan their travel carefully.” TfGM’s Events and Operational Coordination Manager, John Fryer, said: “We are taking action to minimise the disruption to the transport network but we know there will still be problems, especially given the number of events taking place on Saturday. “To help minimise disruption and ensure a smoother journey, our advice is simple: plan ahead, be prepared, and think about all your travel choices. “There are numerous park and ride sites across Greater Manchester offering 100 or more spaces for public transport services, helping people to avoid congestion on the roads. “Metrolink tram stops provide access to key destinations across Greater Manchester, including Manchester Arena and Etihad Stadium. “We also strongly advise that people check the Northern and Merseyrail websites and social media channels for regular updates and information.” You can see the locations of the park and ride sites and help to plan your journey here. For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com.