Merseyrail

Merseyrail is a British train operating company and commuter rail network, centred on the city of Liverpool. The network is largely electric, with diesel trains running only on the City Line. Two City Line branches are currently being electrified on the overhead AC system with completion planned for 2016, which will give an almost completely electric network. The third-rail electrified DC section of the network has 67 stations spread across 75 miles of route, of which 6.5 miles are underground. Carrying over 100,000 passengers each day, it is one the most heavily used railway networks in the UK outside London. The Merseyrail brand was established in 1969. Separate rail lines were physically integrated into one network in 1977 with the construction of new tunnels under Liverpool City Centre and Birkenhead, connecting previously separate routes. This created a large, comprehensive urban railway network. Although financial constraints prevented some of the earlier plans being realised, the original 1970s network has been extended, with additional extensions proposed.

The Merseyrail name became the official brand for the network in the days of British Rail, surviving several franchise holders, although the name was not used by Arriva when holding the franchise. Despite this, Merseytravel continued the Merseyrail branding at stations, allowing the name to be adopted colloquially. Merseyrail is referred to as "Merseyrail Electrics" by National Rail Enquiries, and as "Serco/Abellio Merseyrail" by Merseytravel.