Merseyrail get on board the Eurovision stage with their very own song, Train Of Love!

TRAIN operator Merseyrail is getting into the Eurovision Party mood by releasing its very own song, the:- 'Train of Love' with an accompanying pop video.

The catchy, disco number has been getting passengers and staff dancing in the stations and on the carriages as the City Region gears up to host the international music festival.

Written and produced by Al Stirling, media and creative content designer, the song will help promote the train services as well as the song contest itself.

Suzanne Grant, Merseyrail's Commercial Director, said:- "In the spirit of Eurovision, we're hoping that Train of Love will help to play a part in uniting people across the Merseyrail network through music. Creating the song and the video has certainly made us smile and we're hoping to see people from across the City Region recreating the Train of Love dance moves during the Eurovision Festival. To help people enjoy as much of the Eurovision festivities as possible, we're running late night trains on:- Sunday, 7 May and Saturday, 13 May 2023, so to quote our song:- 'Get on the Train of Love!'"

Producer Al Stirling said:- "People are really getting into the joyful spirit of Eurovision, and it's great that Merseyrail is joining in with the fantastic celebrations we are seeing across the City. Liverpool knows how to throw a party, and the Merseyrail stations and trains will be making sure everyone gets in the mood."

Staff and passengers star in the video of the song, dancing in the stations, trains, and some passengers even sent in footage of themselves dancing to the song from home. The video and song are being launched across social media platforms and music streaming services.

On the night of the Eurovision Grand Final, Saturday, 13 May 2023, trains will run well into the early hours of:- Sunday, 14 May 2023. Last train services will be departing City Centre stations after 2am. Full details of the services and times can be found on:- Merseyrail.Org.

As part of the Eurovision festival, Merseyrail are hosting live acts at Liverpool Central station throughout the week, as well as raising charity collections for Ukraine and providing spaces for 'virtual' Ukrainian buskers.

Passengers Liverpool's City Centre stations will be able to enjoy authentic Ukrainian music recorded by buskers in Ukraine who are unable to perform in Kyiv due to the ongoing war. QR codes will be available for passers by to scan and find out more about the stories of the musicians and donate to the cause, with all proceeds going directly to Supplies for Ukraine C.I.C.

Al Stirling said:- "It's going to be a fantastic week for Liverpool and Ukraine, and even better if everyone gets on board the Train of Love."

Northern publishes travel advice calendar ahead of more ASLEF & RMT strikes

MEMBERS of the ASLEF Union, who largely represent train drivers, will walk out on:- Friday, 12 May 2023, forcing the train operator to cancel all services.

RMT members will strike on:- Saturday, 13 May 2023, on which Northern will only be able to operate hourly services on a small number of key routes between:- 7am and 7pm.

For more information, customers should visit:- NorthernRailway.Co.UK.

Whilst there is no strike action on Sunday 14 May 2023, services are expected to start later in the morning than normal due to fleet displacement.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:- "It is disappointing to see the return of industrial action to the rail network. Whilst all strikes disrupt someone, these particular dates will have a significant impact on people travelling on our network to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Given the context in which the UK is hosting this international event; on behalf of the people of Ukraine; this is particularly unfortunate."

Further ASLEF action, known as:- 'action short of strike' will take place for 5 consecutive days from:- Monday, 15 May to Friday, 20 May 2023. On those dates, customers are advised to:- 'check before you travel' as early morning and late night services may be affected.

ASLEF members are also due to walk out on:- Wednesday, 31 May 2023 and Saturday, 3 June 2023 on which there will be no Northern services.

This month's strike action comes ahead of Northern introducing its new summer timetable on:- Sunday, 21 May 2023. Customers who make regular journeys on the same train times are advised to check before they travel as some services may have been re-timed.

For more information, visit:- NorthernRailway.Co.UK.