North’s ageing trains are a ‘laughing stock’

Commuters squeeze on to an ageing carriage at Harrogate Station

Decades of under-investment in trains have made the north a “laughing stock”, with a transport system not fit for a burgeoning economy, rail campaigners have said.

The average age of trains across the country is 20.2 years, but it is much higher in the north, with two of Yorkshire’s biggest operators, Virgin Rail East Coast and Northern Rail, averaging 29.3 and 26.3 years respectively, according to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Britain’s oldest trains listed (including the one you’re catching home)

Ed Cox, director at think-tank IPPR North, said: “Some of the North’s outdated train rolling stock could be considered more of a laughing stock, with carriages and overcrowding not fit for purpose for a burgeoning northern economy.

“Decades of chronic underinvestment in the North’s transport infrastructure has held back the region, with commuters and business frustrated by the poor service on offer.”

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators and Network Rail, said thousands of new carriages will be introduced in the next few years.

But Coun Keith Wakefield, chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s transport committee, said passengers needed assurances now that there would be significant improvements over the next few years in order to create a transport network that underpins economic growth.

He added: “Local passengers already know and have been telling us that despite paying more for their travel every year there aren’t enough trains to meet demand, and that a significant number of those that are available are long past their sell-by date.”

Rail campaigners have called for investment in trains that are "fit for this century" after new figures showed Britain's rolling stock is at its oldest age in 14 years.

Passenger groups and rail unions have called for a new strategy to improve trains across the country.

Martin Abrams of the Campaign for Better Transport said thousands of passengers are travelling on trains “simply not fit for purpose”, and urged the Government to come up with a plan to replace outdated rolling stock.