The PTE applied the City Line name to local services out of Liverpool's main station at Lime Street.

[11] There were 17 Class 142 diesel powered Pacer units painted in the PTE's yellow livery, ostensibly for use on City Line services.

Conversely, Class 142s in other liveries could previously be frequently seen working Lime Street City Line services.

On 28 February 2007 Merseytravel announced a new deal with Northern Rail and Angel Trains, which would see four Pacers taken out of service and replaced by six Class 156 units.

[12] Formerly the only section of City Line route electrified was between Lime Street and Liverpool South Parkway, which is used by Virgin and London Midland Electric Multiple Units.

Network Rail have investigated options for the Canada Dock Branch in their Route Utilisation Strategy for Merseyside[17] and have concluded that the expected benefits do not justify the investment in new infrastructure.

could assist in funding the reopening of this line to provide a direct link to their proposed extension of the Anfield stadium.

[18] The Department for Transport's Rail electrification document of July 2009, states that the route to Liverpool Docks will be electrified.

[19] From the document: The electrification of this line would greatly assist in recommissioning passenger trains, as costs would be reduced.