Porterbrook has signed an agreement to extend the leases for their rolling stock with train operator Northern Rail in line with the recent announcement by the Department for Transport to run a new short term franchise until February 2016.

As part of this, Porterbrook’s fleet with Northern Rail will also move to a soggy lease arrangement, whereby Porterbrook will take responsibility for all heavy maintenance on the vehicles throughout the franchise term.

In addition, to satisfy the Department for Transport’s challenge for the introduction of electric units for the North West Electrification project, Porterbrook has signed an agreement to introduce Class 319 Electric Multiple Units which will be cascaded from the current First Capital Connect franchise. These units will operate between Liverpool and Manchester via Newton le Willows on the newly electrified route.