Train operator Merseyrail will increase train frequencies during the three days of the Aintree Grand National meeting in April. Tony McDonough reports
Merseyrail says it will run a special timetable during the three days of the 2024 Aintree Grand National Festival.
This year’s meeting runs from Thursday, April 11, until Saturday, April 13. Trains on the Ormskirk line, which call at Aintree station, will run at a seven-and-a-half-minute frequency before the start and after the finish of the races each day.
These increased frequencies will run from Liverpool city centre to Aintree from approximately 11am to 1pm and then from Aintree to Liverpool city centre from approximately 4.30pm to 8.30pm. A 15-minute service will run at all other times.
On the Ormskirk line trains during the three days will run to a slightly amended 15-minute timetable. Stations between Liverpool city centre and Ormskirk will have a 15-minute service.
However, to enable extra trains to operate, Aughton Park station and Town Green station will be served by a 30-minute service.
Trains on the Southport will run to a slightly amended 15-minute timetable. Arrival and departure times will be different to the normal timetable.
On the Headbolt Lane lines services between 11am and 2pm and between 5pm and 9pm will start and terminate at Sandhills.
Customers for Moorfields or Liverpool Central, or those making the return journey to Rice Lane, Fazakerley, Kirkby, or Headbolt Lane will have to change at Sandhills during these times.
Wirral line services will run as normal and racegoers heading to Aintree are advised to change trains at Moorfields. Customers are strongly advised to buy tickets in advance to help reduce queuing time on the day.
These can be bought in advance from any staffed Merseyrail station, or a Day Saver can be purchased online via the Merseyrail website and emailed directly to you.
Any tickets bought via Trainline.com or any other train operating companies’ websites must be printed at a Merseyrail ticket office before travel.
A range of entertainment is planned to welcome those using the rail network to attend the event. Merseyrail staff will be there handing out their famous flip-flops to anyone with sore feet after a long day at the races.
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Suzanne Grant, chief commercial officer and deputy managing director at Merseyrail, said: “This is a huge event for Liverpool city region, and Merseyrail is proud to play such a vital role in ensuring people have a great day at the races.
“Not only are we providing a seven-and-a-half-minute service, but as usual we will have entertainment and fun at the main stations’ festival goers will travel through.”