would be electrified and all integrated into Merseyrail by 1991. This meant that trains from Wigan theoretically could directly access West Kirby on the Wirral via Liverpool city centre's underground stations creating an east-west crossrail using the 1890 to Liverpool James Street tunnel, which is currently used as a shunting tunnel. This never transpired, even though tunnelling work had commenced on the Edge Hill Spur section. Wigan was not incorporated into the Merseyrail electric network, with the Wigan line remaining a diesel service and operated as part of the Merseytravel diesel-operated City Line, although branded as Merseyrail. However, the current Network Rail electrification project would give fast electric train access from Wigan to Liverpool's high-level Lime Street railway station. If the mothballed Edge Hill Spur project were to be completed, it was thought trains from Wigan could access the stations in Liverpool city centre's underground section. However a major concern was whether or not the Class 319 EMUs offered, because of their build and four carriage configuration, would be able to negotiate the Merseyrail tunnel system safely. The December 2008 timetable change December 2008 is notable as it brought extensive changes to the then Northern Rail timetable, to fit in with new increased-frequency services from Virgin Trains. Timings were altered on all services. Most Liverpool to Wigan daytime local stopping services had previously omitted Edge Hill, but all stopping services on the route now call there. December 2008 also marked the withdrawal of two relatively infrequent but notable services on this line: The long distance Express services used to run from Liverpool Lime Street via St Helens Central and Wigan North Western to either Blackpool North, Morecambe and/or Barrow. Since December 2008, all Liverpool–Wigan line long distance services run to Blackpool only, necessitating a change at Wigan North Western or Preston for the previously-served destinations. A small number of commuter-timed trains used to run Liverpool via Wigan to Manchester. They provided a route from Liverpool via St Helens Central, Wigan, and Bolton to Manchester Victoria, though these were also withdrawn in the December 2008 timetable. Replicating this journey now necessitates a change at Wigan North Western, usually involving a walk to nearby Wigan Wallgate. References External links A brief history of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Newton-le-Willows.com Lancashire Triangle Electrification Scheme 2013-18 Flickr Rail transport in Liverpool Rail transport in Merseyside Rail transport in Greater Manchester Railway lines in North