The prior operator had its franchise terminated early by the DfT in January 2020 amid widespread dissatisfaction over its performance, particularly in respect of poorly implemented timetable changes.

At the commencement of operations, Northern publicly stated that its immediate aims were to improve service reliability and to proceed with the introduction of new rolling stock.

[8][9] Within two years, the franchise was being widely criticised, in particular for troubled implementation of a new timetable in May 2018 that resulted in widespread delays and cancellations.

[10][11] Later in 2018 performance continued to suffer, with many passengers protesting and a reduced service on Saturdays due to industrial action.

[20][21][22] This was the first time that a franchise has been removed from a train operating company due to poor performance since Connex South Eastern in 2003.

On 1 March 2020, the franchise became directly operated by DfT OLR Holdings with the stated objective to "stabilise performance and restore reliability for passengers".

[23][24] By mid-2020, Northern had considerably curtailed its services in response to the significant decline of passenger travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

[35] Twice weekly on Saturday mornings, once in each direction, Northern operates a parliamentary train on the Stockport–Stalybridge line between Stockport and Stalybridge calling at Reddish South, Denton, and Guide Bridge.

[50][51] In August 2023, Northern issued a tender to acquire a contract for up to 450 new trains to replace the older rolling stock in their fleet.

[61] In January 2025 Northern revealed that they had shortlisted five companies for the replacement of the classes 150, 155 and 156 as well as a fleet of 12 extra EMUs for Transpennine electrification.

services in the North West services in West Yorkshire Northern currently has depots for its train crew at Ashington (conductors),[64] Barrow-in-Furness,[65] Blackburn,[65] Blackpool North, Buxton, Carlisle, Darlington[65] (drivers), Doncaster, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Hull Paragon, Liverpool Lime Street, Leeds,[65] Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria,[66] Middlesbrough (conductors), Newcastle,[65]Sheffield, Skipton, Wigan Wallgate, Workington[65] and York.