Date/Time
Date(s) - 17 June 2026
2:00 pm
Categories
Join the North West and Wales Area Council, for an opportunity to visit Sandhills Railway Operations Centre.
Sandhills Railway Operations Centre is situated close to Sandills railway station on the DC Merseyrail network.
Sandhills IECC has long been the nerve centre of Merseyrail, looking after the bulk of Liverpool’s suburban railway day in, day out. On paper its Network Rail territory, but it runs as a selfcontained metro. The 750V DC third rail – the only one of its kind outside the South East – and the tight clearances through the city centre tubes see to that, keeping outside influences on a minimum. The network naturally divides into the Northern and Wirral lines, both fanning out from the underground core to the surrounding towns. There’s just the one connecting line between them, really only there to shuffle stock back and forth when needed.
Traffic-wise, it’s passenger railway through and through, with a near clockface 15 minute service on most routes forming the bread and butter of the job. That said, there’s always a bit more going on than the public sees. We’ve got Northern and Transport for Wales services poking their noses in at Southport and Bidston, and the odd freight working heading to or from the docks that briefly comes under Sandhills’ watch. On top of that, the base timetable allows for railhead treatment trains roaming the system in season, plus a steady trickle of daytime ECS moves between the Northern and Wirral lines. All of it has to be threaded through an already busy metro service – just another day’s work if you’ve been around here long enough.
The itinerary will include a chance to visit the operations and simulator rooms.
Please note that is a CIRO members only event as visitor numbers are limited. Registering your interest does not guarantee a place.
Register your interest by 3rd June and ensure that you are free to attend. If the event is oversubscribed, attendees will be selected via a draw conducted the week before the visit, and those successful will be contacted directly.
Any questions, contact Liz Walker at events@railwayoperators.co.uk
