MERSEYRAIL’S ONE-MILE extension from Kirkby to the brand-new station at Headbolt Lane was brought into use on October 5, using battery-powered trains instead of the third-rail electrification in use throughout the rest of the Merseyrail network.
Previously, two single platforms at Kirkby – separated by a road overbridge and buffer stops – were served by both Merseyrail and Northern services. Now, Merseyrail is the only operator to use Kirkby, with the new Class 777/1 bi-mode trains – officially termed as Independently Powered Electric Multiple Units (IPEMUs) – now operating on battery power between Kirby and Headbolt Lane.
Platforms 1 and 2 at Headbolt Lane are dedicated to Merseyrail services heading towards Liverpool Central, while Northern services operating to and from Manchester and Wigan use Platform 3, which is separated from Merseyrail services by a short linked walkway.
The station features a modern building complete with a ticket office, waiting area and toilets, while the platforms feature seating and waiting shelters and bicycle storage facilities. The entire station site is step-free and fully accessible.
Headbolt Lane also serves as an interchange facility with local bus services towards Skelmersdale and will eventually have a large park-and-ride car park; work on the car park was not completed when the station was first brought into use, and only fairly limited parking provision was available initially.
There are seven Class 777/1 IPEMUs in the Merseyrail fleet – 777140/142/144/146/148/150/152 – which are equipped with traction batteries, as well as the standard third-rail electric pick-up equipment fitted to the remaining Class 777/0 trains. It is the Class 777/1 trains which will see use on services between Liverpool Central and Headbolt Lane, as the Class 777/0s and the remaining Class 507/508s are unable to operate on the route beyond Kirkby.
An initial hourly service between Liverpool Central and Headbolt Lane has since been increased to half-hourly, the first weekday departure leaving the station at 05.40 and then every 30 minutes from 06.11 until the last departure from Headbolt Lane at 23.31. It is planned that four trains an hour will eventually operate on the line
