In the lead up to the privatisation of British Rail, the North Western section of Regional Railways was established.

For a brief period from 1989, this section was operated under the short-lived Network NorthWest brand name,[2][3] before becoming North West Regional Railways.

[13] In May 1998, North Western Trains commenced services from Manchester Airport and Rochdale to London Euston.

To operate the Manchester Airport to London Euston services, two Class 322s were hired from West Anglia Great Northern.

[24] In February 2004, Class 31 locomotives were hired from Fragonset to top and tail Mark 2 carriages on Blackpool to Chester services.