This post covers the final branch of the Merseyrail network, running from Kirkdale to Ormskirk on the Northern Line. The original line extended from Liverpool Exchange station, which closed in 1977, and continued towards Preston. Additionally, there was a direct service from Exchange station to Glasgow.

As I leave Kirkdale, I head to my first stop, Orrell Park. The other Orrell station is on the line from Wigan Wallgate to Headbolt Lane, which I covered in a previous post. From Orrell Park, we return down the line towards Walton Station, another station I enjoy because it is within a one-minute walk of Rice Lane.

From Walton we had up the line towards Maghul which in October 2024 won the World Cup of Stations award by the Rail Delivery Group. I remember this taking place and I also voted for the station as it happens to be one of my favourites on the line it’s self. Until 2018, this was the only station on the line called Maghull when Maghull North opened this changed.

From Maghull station I head to Aintree the home of Aintree Race Course which I attended my self back in April 2024 for a Stag Do for my now brother in law. I have to say it was an experience and drinks were rather expensive. From Aintree I head up the line once again towards Ormskirk getting off at Maghull North station the newest on the line opening in 2018.

From Maghull North we head to Old Roan which is a rather interesting station being on an embankment and being quite high up compared to the rest of the line being on flat and inline with the roads for example at Maghull Station where there is a level crossing. However I do rather like Old Roan station it also has rather quirky lifts too.

From Old Roan, my next station is also one of my favourites: Aughton Park. For a while, it was the least used station on the Merseyrail network. From Aughton Park, I head to my penultimate station on the line, Town Green station. It is also quite an interesting station, still retaining its original station building, and is very similar to that at Ormskirk itself.

Finally, arriving at Ormskirk Station, if you’re interested in learning more, please visit my previous post where I explored stations between Preston and Ormskirk. Ormskirk is a rather quirky station, akin to Headbolt Lane/Kirkby, where Northern trains meet Merseyrail. It was once a through station to Preston and was much grander back then.

In the 1970s, the line was divided into two, with Merseyrail operating services on the 3rd Rail. Regular services have traditionally been hauled by steam or diesel locomotives, and more recently, multiple units like the Class 150/156 United, operated by Northern Trains. The line also used to extend towards Rainford and onward to St Helens, but unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

We have officially completed the Merseyrail Network, covering New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Southport, Headbolt Lane, and Ormskirk. The only line remaining for me to revisit is the one from Hunts Cross to Liverpool Central, which was once part of the Cheshire Line Committee, extending to Warrington and Manchester.