Wirral line
The Wirral line is one of two commuter rail routes operated by Merseyrail and centred on Merseyside, England, the other being the Northern line.
| Wirral line | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Status | Operational | ||
| Owner | Network Rail | ||
| Locale | Merseyside & Cheshire, North West England | ||
| Termini | Chester, Ellesmere Port, New Brighton, West Kirby | ||
| Stations | 34 | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | Commuter rail | ||
| System | National Rail | ||
| Operator(s) | Merseyrail | ||
| Depot(s) | Birkenhead North TMD | ||
| Rolling stock | Class 777 Class 507 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 33 miles 46 chains (54.0 km) | ||
| Number of tracks | Two (One through loop tunnel) | ||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||
| Loading gauge | W6 | ||
| Electrification | 750 V DC third rail | ||
| Operating speed | 70 mph (110 km/h) maximum | ||
| |||
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. Beneath Liverpool, the line follows a clockwise circular route in a single-track tunnel called the Loop, built in the early 1970s.
The Wirral line has carried its present name since the opening of the Merseyrail network by Queen Elizabeth II on 25 October 1978, during the British Rail period. The Wirral line is fully electrified with a DC third rail, and has existed in its current form since May 1994 with the start of electric services to Ellesmere Port. 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.