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Coordinates: 53°27′10″N 2°43′48″W / 53.4529°N 2.730°W / 53.4529; -2.730
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{{Short description|Railway station in Merseyside, England}}
{{about|the present station|the similarly-named station which closed to passenger traffic in 1952|St Helens Central (GCR) railway station}}
{{about|the present station|the similarly-named station which closed to passenger traffic in 1952|St Helens Central (GCR) railway station}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox GB station
{{Infobox station
| name = St Helens Central
| name = St Helens Central
| symbol = rail
| symbol_location = gb
| image_name = Bridges, St. Helens Central railway station (geograph 3795538).jpg
| symbol = rail
| image = Bridges, St. Helens Central railway station (geograph 3795538).jpg
| locale = [[St Helens, Merseyside|St Helens]]
| borough = [[St Helens, Merseyside|St Helens]], [[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens|St Helens]]
| borough = [[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens|St Helens]]
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.4529|-2.730|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|53.4529|-2.730|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| grid_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
⚫
| code = SNH
| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|SJ516953|25|SJ516953}}
| manager = [[Northern Trains]]
| manager = [[Northern Trains]]
| platforms = 2
| platforms = 2
<!-- | lowusage0405 = {{pad|1em}}424,008
⚫
| code = SNH
| lowusage0506 = {{increase}} 445,007
⚫
| zone = A1/A2
| lowusage0607 = {{decrease}} 412,916
| classification = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] D
| lowusage0708 = {{decrease}} 410,670
| transit_authority = [[Merseytravel]]
| lowusage0809 = {{increase}} 671,504
⚫
| original = [[St Helens Canal and Railway]]
| lowusage0910 = {{increase}} 684,958
⚫
| pregroup = [[London and North Western Railway]]
| lowusage1011 = {{increase}} 723,810
⚫
| postgroup = [[London Midland and Scottish Railway]]
| usage1112 = {{decrease}} 0.722
| usage1213 = {{increase}} 0.974
| years = 1 February 1858
⚫
| events = Opened as '''St Helens'''
| usage1314 = {{increase}} 1.096 -->
| usage1415 = {{decrease}} 1.044
| years1 = 1 March 1949
⚫
| events1 = Renamed '''St Helens Shaw Street'''
| usage1516 = {{increase}} 1.140
| usage1617 = {{increase}} 1.167
| years2 = 11 May 1987
⚫
| events2 = Renamed '''St Helens Central'''
| usage1718 = {{increase}} 1.301
| mpassengers =
| usage1819 = {{decrease}} 0.657
<!-- {{Rail pass box |pass_year=2018/19 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.657 million}} -->
| pte = [[Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive|Merseytravel]]
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{increase}} 0.724 million}}
⚫
| zone = A1/A2
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.208 million}}
| years = 1 February 1858
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 0.514 million}}
⚫
| events = Opened as '''St Helens'''
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 0.537 million}}
| years1 = 1 March 1949
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 0.619 million}}
⚫
| events1 = Renamed '''St Helens Shaw Street'''
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
| years2 = 11 May 1987
⚫
| events2 = Renamed '''St Helens Central'''
⚫
| original = [[St Helens Canal and Railway]]
⚫
| pregroup = [[London and North Western Railway]]
⚫
| postgroup = [[London Midland and Scottish Railway]]
| gridref = SJ516953
| dft_category = D
}}
}}
'''St Helens Central railway station''' (previously known as St. Helens Shaw Street) is a railway station serving the town of [[St Helens, Merseyside]], England. It is on the [[Liverpool to Wigan Line]] from [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]] to [[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan North Western]]. The station and all trains calling at it are operated by [[Northern Trains]].
'''St Helens Central railway station''' (previously known as St. Helens Shaw Street) is a railway station serving the town of [[St Helens, Merseyside]], England. It is on the [[Liverpool to Wigan Line]] from [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]] to [[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan North Western]]. The station and all trains calling at it are operated by [[TransPennine Express]] or [[Northern Trains]].


The station is on the [[Merseyrail]] [[City Line (Merseyrail)|City Line]]. The City Line is the name given to local rail routes out of Liverpool Lime Street operated by companies other than Merseyrail. The City Line appears on maps of the Merseyrail network as red, and covers the [[Liverpool to Wigan Line|Liverpool-Wigan Line]]. Although it is branded under the Merseyrail name, the routes are operated by Northern Trains on behalf of [[Merseytravel]] rather than by the Merseyrail franchise.
The station is on the [[Merseytravel]] [[City Line (Merseytravel)|City Line]]. The City Line is the name given to local rail routes out of Liverpool Lime Street operated by companies other than Merseyrail. The City Line appears on Merseytravel network maps as red, and covers the [[Liverpool to Wigan Line|Liverpool-Wigan Line]].


==History==
==History==
The station was originally opened by the [[St Helens Canal and Railway]] as '''St Helens''' on 1 February 1858 to replace two earlier nearby 1833 and 1849 stations. The original 1833 route from [[Widnes Dock]] through the town (along with the branch from {{rws|St Helens Junction}}) and onwards to {{rws|Rainford Junction}} (opened along with the station in 1858) was joined a decade later by the [[Lancashire Union Railway]] to {{rws|Wigan North Western}} and {{rws|Blackburn}} in December 1869, whilst the route southwestwards to {{rws|Huyton}} was opened by the [[London and North Western Railway]] in 1871. It was renamed '''St Helens Shaw Street''' in 1949.
The station was originally opened by the [[St Helens Canal and Railway]] as '''St Helens''' on 1 February 1858 to replace two earlier (1833 and 1849) nearby stations. The original 1833 route from [[Widnes Dock]] through the town (along with the branch from {{rws|St Helens Junction}}) and onwards to {{rws|Rainford Junction}} (opened along with the station in 1858) was joined a decade later by the [[Lancashire Union Railway]] to {{rws|Wigan North Western}} and {{rws|Blackburn}} in December 1869, whilst the route southwestwards to {{rws|Huyton}} was opened by the [[London and North Western Railway]] in 1871. It was renamed '''St Helens Shaw Street''' in 1949.


[[File:St Helens station - 1992 (geograph 4123940).jpg|thumb|left|The station in 1992 largely as completed in 1961]]
[[File:St Helens station - 1992 (geograph 4123940).jpg|thumb|left|The station in 1992 largely as completed in 1961]]
The station was completely rebuilt in 1961<ref>{{cite book |last=Tolson |first=J.M. |title=St. Helens railway: its rivals and successors|year=1982 |publisher=Oakwood Press |location=Usk |isbn=0-85361-292-7 |ref=harv |page=87 }}</ref> to a design by the architect [[William Robert Headley]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Lawrence |first=David |date=2018 |title=British Rail Architecture 1948-97 |url= |location= |publisher=Crecy Publishing Ltd |page=74 |isbn=9780860936855 |author-link= }}</ref> which included and advertised a significant amount of the local Pilkington ''Vitrolite'' Glass. The fully glazed ticket hall was illuminated by a tower with a valley roof on two Y-shaped supports. The platform canopies were free standing folded plate roofs on tubular columns.
The station was completely rebuilt in 1961<ref>{{cite book |last=Tolson |first=J.M. |title=St. Helens railway: its rivals and successors|year=1982 |publisher=Oakwood Press |location=Usk |isbn=0-85361-292-7 |page=87 }}</ref> to a design by the architect [[William Robert Headley]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Lawrence |first=David |date=2018 |title=British Rail Architecture 1948-97 |publisher=Crecy Publishing Ltd |page=74 |isbn=9780860936855 }}</ref> which included and advertised a significant amount of the local Pilkington ''Vitrolite'' Glass. The fully glazed ticket hall was illuminated by a tower with a valley roof on two Y-shaped supports. The platform canopies were free standing folded plate roofs on tubular columns.


By this time, the original St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway routes had both closed to passenger traffic, services having ceased on 18 June 1951. The short branch to St Helens Junction suffered the same fate in June 1965 as a result of the [[Beeching Axe]], though freight traffic would continue to operate on both lines until the 1980s.
By this time, the original St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway routes had both closed to passenger traffic, services having ceased on 18 June 1951. The short branch to St Helens Junction suffered the same fate in June 1965 as a result of the [[Beeching Axe]], though freight traffic would continue to operate on both lines until the 1980s.
Line 55: Line 51:
It then became '''St Helens Central''' in 1987 (the original GCR [[St Helens Central (GCR) railway station|St Helens Central station]] situated on Corporation Street having been completely closed in 1952 and demolished in the late 1960s). Two years later the through link to St Helens Junction was severed, though the section as far as the [[Hays Chemicals]] plant at Sutton Oak remained open until 2002 (the track remains in place but out of use to the present day).<ref>[http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/sutton_oak/ "Disused Stations - Sutton Oak"]''Disused Stations'' Retrieved 25 March 2016</ref> This left only the Liverpool to Wigan line in operation, along with a short section of the old Rainford line serving the [[Pilkington]] Glass factory at Cowley Hill (near {{rws|Gerards Bridge}}) though this has also been disused for several years.
It then became '''St Helens Central''' in 1987 (the original GCR [[St Helens Central (GCR) railway station|St Helens Central station]] situated on Corporation Street having been completely closed in 1952 and demolished in the late 1960s). Two years later the through link to St Helens Junction was severed, though the section as far as the [[Hays Chemicals]] plant at Sutton Oak remained open until 2002 (the track remains in place but out of use to the present day).<ref>[http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/sutton_oak/ "Disused Stations - Sutton Oak"]''Disused Stations'' Retrieved 25 March 2016</ref> This left only the Liverpool to Wigan line in operation, along with a short section of the old Rainford line serving the [[Pilkington]] Glass factory at Cowley Hill (near {{rws|Gerards Bridge}}) though this has also been disused for several years.


An accident occurred on 11 November 1988, when a train from {{stnlnk|Blackpool North}} to {{stnlnk|Liverpool Lime Street}} became derailed after it departed from St Helens Central at 23:15. Leaving the station, the driving cab struck a bridge abutment; the driver was killed and 16 passengers received minor injuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=1669 |title=Report of a train Accident that occurred on 11th November 1988 near St Helens Central Station in the London Midland Region of British Railways |last=Taylor |first=J.H. |publisher=[[Health and Safety Executive]] |date=July 1992 |accessdate=8 November 2012 }}</ref>
An accident occurred on 11 November 1988, when a train from {{stnlnk|Blackpool North}} to {{stnlnk|Liverpool Lime Street}} became derailed after it departed from St Helens Central at 23:15. Leaving the station, the driving cab struck a bridge abutment; the driver was killed and 16 passengers received minor injuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=1669 |title=Report of a train Accident that occurred on 11th November 1988 near St Helens Central Station in the London Midland Region of British Railways |last=Taylor |first=J.H. |publisher=[[Health and Safety Executive]] |date=July 1992 |access-date=8 November 2012 }}</ref>


In 2005, [[Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive|Merseytravel]] and [[Network Rail]] invited tenders for the reconstruction of the station, including a new station building, footbridge and lifts. The new station building and facilities were assembled just a few yards from the 1960s station building and is the third build on the same site. The project came in at a total estimated cost of £6&nbsp;million,<ref name="SBS">{{cite web|title=Major works completed at St Helens Central Station|url=http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/newsarticle.asp?articleid=1172&catid=1|accessdate=3 March 2009|publisher=[[Merseytravel]]|date=24 April 2007|work=Merseytravel website}}</ref> with the [[European Union]] contributing £1.7&nbsp;million towards the total funding.<ref>{{cite web|title=The EU: What's in it for me? |url=http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/pdf/the_eu_for_me_web.pdf|accessdate=14 January 2011|publisher=[[European Union]]|year=2008}}</ref> The new footbridge was lifted into place in the early hours of 22 January 2007. Construction work was completed in the summer, with the new waiting rooms and footbridge opened to passengers on 19 September. The new station building was officially opened on 3 December 2007.
In 2005, [[Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive|Merseytravel]] and [[Network Rail]] invited tenders for the reconstruction of the station, including a new station building, footbridge and lifts. The new station building and facilities were assembled just a few yards from the 1960s station building and is the third build on the same site. The project came in at a total estimated cost of £6&nbsp;million,<ref name="SBS">{{cite web|title=Major works completed at St Helens Central Station|url=http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/newsarticle.asp?articleid=1172&catid=1|access-date=3 March 2009|publisher=[[Merseytravel]]|date=24 April 2007|work=Merseytravel website}}</ref> with the [[European Union]] contributing £1.7&nbsp;million towards the total funding.<ref>{{cite web|title=The EU: What's in it for me? |url=http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/pdf/the_eu_for_me_web.pdf|access-date=14 January 2011|publisher=[[European Union]]|year=2008}}</ref> The new footbridge was lifted into place in the early hours of 22 January 2007. Construction work was completed in the summer, with the new waiting rooms and footbridge opened to passengers on 19 September. The new station building was officially opened on 3 December 2007.


=== Electrification ===
=== Electrification ===
Overhead electrification of the Liverpool to Wigan line was completed in 2015.<ref name="Electrification in the North">{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/North_West_electrification.aspx |title=Electrification in the North |publisher=[[Network Rail]] |accessdate=8 November 2012 }}</ref> Earlier, modifications to the adjacent bridgeworks were undertaken in 2012 and during 2014 electrification masts and new signals were installed, overhead wiring taking place in early 2015. [[Northern Rail (Serco-Abellio)|Northern Rail]], the then train operating company, announced the introduction of electric services on the line from the commencement of the new timetable changeover on 17 May 2015 and the Liverpool to Wigan service is now operated by 4-Car Class 319 electric units. Following completion of the Preston to Blackpool electrification during 2018, the Liverpool to Blackpool North service began using Class 319 electrics over the whole route. Under normal circumstances therefore, St. Helens has an all-electric service. On Sundays there's now a half-hourly service as far as Wigan, with alternate trains continuing to Preston and Blackpool. [[British Rail Class 331|Class 331 Civity]] electric units have begun running alongside the existing Class 319 sets on the line since July 2019.
Overhead electrification of the Liverpool to Wigan line was completed in 2015.<ref name="Electrification in the North">{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/North_West_electrification.aspx |title=Electrification in the North |publisher=[[Network Rail]] |access-date=8 November 2012 }}</ref> Earlier, modifications to the adjacent bridgeworks were undertaken in 2012 and during 2014 electrification masts and new signals were installed, overhead wiring taking place in early 2015. [[Northern Rail (Serco-Abellio)|Northern Rail]], the then train operating company, announced the introduction of electric services on the line from the commencement of the new timetable changeover in 2015.


== Station Information ==
== Station information ==
There is a booking office, and a ticket vending machine is provided next to it. Disabled access is facilitated by lifts on both platforms.
Penalty fares do not apply at this station. The station is open and staffed from 05:45 to 23:50 (08:00 on Sundays).


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Car parking (including disabled bays) is available and is free for rail users, provided a parking ticket for the vehicle is obtained from the ticket office first. Recharging facilities have recently been provided for electrically powered vehicles.
The booking office is open 05:50 to 20:40 Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 22:00 on Sundays. Advanced, season, general ticket enquires and sales can be made.<ref>https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/stations/SNH</ref> A ticket vending machine is provided next to the booking office. Disabled access is facilitated by lifts on both platforms.

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Car parking (including disabled bays) is available and is free for rail users, provided a parking ticket for the vehicle is obtained from the ticket office first. Re-charging facilities have recently been provided for electrically-powered vehicles.


Cold drink and snack vending machines are provided in the waiting room on the Wigan-bound platform. In March 2012, a dedicated coffee shop serving hot and cold food was opened upstairs in the main station building but closed in September 2012, the franchise remaining vacant up to the present.
Cold drink and snack vending machines are provided in the waiting room on the Wigan-bound platform. In March 2012, a dedicated coffee shop serving hot and cold food was opened upstairs in the main station building but closed in September 2012, the franchise remaining vacant up to the present.


As of 2017, St Helens Central operates automatic ticket barriers, replacing a temporary manned barrier operated by Northern (Arriva Rail North).
As of 2017, St Helens Central operates automatic ticket barriers, replacing a temporary staffed barrier operated by Northern (Arriva Rail North).


== Services ==
== Services ==
During Monday to Saturday daytimes, there is a half-hourly local stopping service between [[Liverpool Lime Street]] and Wigan North Western, and an hourly fast service between Lime Street and {{rws|Blackpool North}} via {{rws|Preston}}.<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2019|90}}</ref> Until the May 2018 timetable update, this service started and terminated at [[Liverpool South Parkway railway station|Liverpool South Parkway]].<ref>GB eNRT December 2017 Edition, Table 90</ref>
During Monday to Saturday daytimes, there is a half-hourly local stopping service between [[Liverpool Lime Street]] and Wigan North Western, and an hourly fast service between Lime Street and {{rws|Blackpool North}} via {{rws|Preston}}.<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2023|84}}</ref> Until the May 2018 timetable update, this service started and terminated at Huyton or [[Liverpool South Parkway railway station|Liverpool South Parkway]].<ref>GB eNRT December 2017 Edition, Table 90</ref> Two [[TransPennine Express]] trains call per day from Liverpool Lime Street to [[Preston railway station|Preston]] and [[Glasgow Central station|Glasgow Central]] each way. On Sundays, this is extended to three trains per day in both directions.


On Sundays, there is now a half-hourly service to Wigan and Liverpool, with one of the former each hour continuing to Blackpool North.
On Sundays, there is an hourly service to Wigan/Blackpool and Liverpool, calling at all stations bar Edge Hill.


The typical off-peak service is (Monday-Friday):
== Gallery ==


=== Northern ===
<gallery class=center>
3 trains per hour to [[Liverpool Lime Street]]
Image:St Helens Central New Station.jpg|The new station building.
3 trains per hour to [[Wigan North Western]], one of which continues to [[Blackpool North railway station]] via [[Preston railway station]]
Image:Installing Bridge at St Helens station.JPG|Installation of the new station bridge.

Image: 319362_Northern_PowerHouse_at_StH_Central.jpg|[[Northern Electrics]] [[British Rail Class 319|Class 319]] 4-Car EMU 'Northern Powerhouse' waiting to depart, Liverpool-bound, from Platform 2
=== TransPennine Express ===
Image:Northern Rail Class 156, 156489, St. Helens Central railway station (geograph 3795537).jpg|A [[Northern Rail]] [[British Rail Class 156|Class 156]] departs towards Liverpool.
* 2 trains per day to [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]]
Image:Northern Rail Class 142, 142048, St. Helens Central railway station (geograph 3795539).jpg|A [[Northern Rail]] [[British Rail Class 142|Class 142]] waits at the station on the Wigan-bound Platform 1.
* 2 trains per day to [[Glasgow Central station|Glasgow Central]]
</gallery>

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{{rail start}}
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{{rail line two to two|next1=[[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan North Western]]|next2=[[Garswood railway station|Garswood]]|previous1=[[Huyton railway station|Huyton]]|previous2=[[Thatto Heath railway station|Thatto Heath]]|route=[[Northern Trains]]<br />[[Liverpool to Wigan Line]] |col={{Northern colour}} }}
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{{rail line|previous=[[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]]|next=[[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan North Western]] |route=[[TransPennine Express]]<br />[[TransPennine Express#Services|TransPennine North West]] |col={{TPX colour}} }}
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{{Historical Rail Insert}}
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{{rail line
⚫
| next = {{stnlnk|Carr Mill}}
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| route = [[London and North Western Railway]]<br />[[Lancashire Union Railway]]
⚫
| col = {{LNWR colour}} }}
⚫
{{Disused Rail Insert}}
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{{rail line|next=[[Peasley Cross railway station|Peasley Cross]]|previous=[[Gerards Bridge railway station|Gerards Bridge]]|route=[[LNWR]]<br />[[St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway]] |col={{LNWR colour}} }}
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{{s-end}}


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 100: Line 106:
* [http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=53.4542&lon=-2.7306&layers=171 The station on an 1888-1913 Overlay OS Map via National Library of Scotland]
* [http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=53.4542&lon=-2.7306&layers=171 The station on an 1888-1913 Overlay OS Map via National Library of Scotland]


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{{Merseytravel City Line}}
⚫
{{rail start}}
⚫
{{rail line two to two|next1=[[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan North Western]]|next2=[[Garswood railway station|Garswood]]|previous1=[[Huyton railway station|Huyton]]|previous2=[[Thatto Heath railway station|Thatto Heath]]|route=[[Northern Trains]]<br><small>[[Liverpool to Wigan Line]]</small> |col={{Northern colour}} }}
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{{rail line|previous=[[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]]|next=[[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan North Western]] |route=[[TransPennine Express]]<br /><small>[[TransPennine Express#Services|TransPennine North West]]</small> |col={{TPX colour}} }}
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{{Historical Rail Insert}}
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{{rail line
⚫
| next = {{stnlnk|Carr Mill}}
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| route = [[London and North Western Railway]]<br/><small>[[Lancashire Union Railway]]</small>
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| col = {{LNWR colour}} }}
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{{Disused Rail Insert}}
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{{rail line|next=[[Peasley Cross railway station|Peasley Cross]]|previous=[[Gerards Bridge railway station|Gerards Bridge]]|route=[[LNWR]]<br><small>[[St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway]]</small> |col={{LNWR colour}} }}
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{{s-end}}

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{{Merseyrail City Line}}
{{Merseyside railway stations}}
{{Merseyside railway stations}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Helens Central Railway Station}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Helens Central Railway Station}}
[[Category:Railway stations in St Helens, Merseyside]]
[[Category:Railway stations in St Helens, Merseyside]]
[[Category:DfT Category D stations]]
[[Category:Former London and North Western Railway stations]]
[[Category:Former London and North Western Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened in 1858]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1858]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Northern (train operating company)]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Northern]]
[[Category:William Robert Headley railway stations]]
[[Category:William Robert Headley railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by TransPennine Express]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by TransPennine Express]]

Latest revision as of 04:54, 28 November 2024

This article is about the present station. For the similarly-named station which closed to passenger traffic in 1952, see St Helens Central (GCR) railway station.

St Helens Central
National Rail
General information
LocationSt Helens, St Helens
England
Coordinates53°27′10″N 2°43′48″W / 53.4529°N 2.730°W / 53.4529; -2.730
Grid referenceSJ516953
Managed byNorthern Trains
Transit authorityMerseytravel
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeSNH
Fare zoneA1/A2
ClassificationDfT category D
History
Original companySt Helens Canal and Railway
Pre-groupingLondon and North Western Railway
Post-groupingLondon Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
1 February 1858Opened as St Helens
1 March 1949Renamed St Helens Shaw Street
11 May 1987Renamed St Helens Central
Passengers
2019/20Increase 0.724 million
2020/21Decrease 0.208 million
2021/22Increase 0.514 million
2022/23Increase 0.537 million
2023/24Increase 0.619 million
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

St Helens Central railway station (previously known as St. Helens Shaw Street) is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is on the Liverpool to Wigan Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western. The station and all trains calling at it are operated by TransPennine Express or Northern Trains.

The station is on the Merseytravel City Line. The City Line is the name given to local rail routes out of Liverpool Lime Street operated by companies other than Merseyrail. The City Line appears on Merseytravel network maps as red, and covers the Liverpool-Wigan Line.

History

[edit]

The station was originally opened by the St Helens Canal and Railway as St Helens on 1 February 1858 to replace two earlier (1833 and 1849) nearby stations. The original 1833 route from Widnes Dock through the town (along with the branch from St Helens Junction) and onwards to Rainford Junction (opened along with the station in 1858) was joined a decade later by the Lancashire Union Railway to Wigan North Western and Blackburn in December 1869, whilst the route southwestwards to Huyton was opened by the London and North Western Railway in 1871. It was renamed St Helens Shaw Street in 1949.

The station in 1992 largely as completed in 1961

The station was completely rebuilt in 1961[1] to a design by the architect William Robert Headley[2] which included and advertised a significant amount of the local Pilkington Vitrolite Glass. The fully glazed ticket hall was illuminated by a tower with a valley roof on two Y-shaped supports. The platform canopies were free standing folded plate roofs on tubular columns.

By this time, the original St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway routes had both closed to passenger traffic, services having ceased on 18 June 1951. The short branch to St Helens Junction suffered the same fate in June 1965 as a result of the Beeching Axe, though freight traffic would continue to operate on both lines until the 1980s.

It then became St Helens Central in 1987 (the original GCR St Helens Central station situated on Corporation Street having been completely closed in 1952 and demolished in the late 1960s). Two years later the through link to St Helens Junction was severed, though the section as far as the Hays Chemicals plant at Sutton Oak remained open until 2002 (the track remains in place but out of use to the present day).[3] This left only the Liverpool to Wigan line in operation, along with a short section of the old Rainford line serving the Pilkington Glass factory at Cowley Hill (near Gerards Bridge) though this has also been disused for several years.

An accident occurred on 11 November 1988, when a train from Blackpool North to Liverpool Lime Street became derailed after it departed from St Helens Central at 23:15. Leaving the station, the driving cab struck a bridge abutment; the driver was killed and 16 passengers received minor injuries.[4]

In 2005, Merseytravel and Network Rail invited tenders for the reconstruction of the station, including a new station building, footbridge and lifts. The new station building and facilities were assembled just a few yards from the 1960s station building and is the third build on the same site. The project came in at a total estimated cost of £6 million,[5] with the European Union contributing £1.7 million towards the total funding.[6] The new footbridge was lifted into place in the early hours of 22 January 2007. Construction work was completed in the summer, with the new waiting rooms and footbridge opened to passengers on 19 September. The new station building was officially opened on 3 December 2007.

Electrification

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Overhead electrification of the Liverpool to Wigan line was completed in 2015.[7] Earlier, modifications to the adjacent bridgeworks were undertaken in 2012 and during 2014 electrification masts and new signals were installed, overhead wiring taking place in early 2015. Northern Rail, the then train operating company, announced the introduction of electric services on the line from the commencement of the new timetable changeover in 2015.

Station information

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There is a booking office, and a ticket vending machine is provided next to it. Disabled access is facilitated by lifts on both platforms.

Car parking (including disabled bays) is available and is free for rail users, provided a parking ticket for the vehicle is obtained from the ticket office first. Recharging facilities have recently been provided for electrically powered vehicles.

Cold drink and snack vending machines are provided in the waiting room on the Wigan-bound platform. In March 2012, a dedicated coffee shop serving hot and cold food was opened upstairs in the main station building but closed in September 2012, the franchise remaining vacant up to the present.

As of 2017, St Helens Central operates automatic ticket barriers, replacing a temporary staffed barrier operated by Northern (Arriva Rail North).

Services

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During Monday to Saturday daytimes, there is a half-hourly local stopping service between Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North Western, and an hourly fast service between Lime Street and Blackpool North via Preston.[8] Until the May 2018 timetable update, this service started and terminated at Huyton or Liverpool South Parkway.[9] Two TransPennine Express trains call per day from Liverpool Lime Street to Preston and Glasgow Central each way. On Sundays, this is extended to three trains per day in both directions.

On Sundays, there is an hourly service to Wigan/Blackpool and Liverpool, calling at all stations bar Edge Hill.

The typical off-peak service is (Monday-Friday):

Northern

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3 trains per hour to Liverpool Lime Street 3 trains per hour to Wigan North Western, one of which continues to Blackpool North railway station via Preston railway station

TransPennine Express

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Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Huyton   Northern Trains
Liverpool to Wigan Line 		  Wigan North Western
Thatto Heath     Garswood
Liverpool Lime Street   TransPennine Express
TransPennine North West 		  Wigan North Western
  Historical railways  
Terminus   London and North Western Railway
Lancashire Union Railway 		  Carr Mill
Disused railways
Gerards Bridge   LNWR
St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway 		  Peasley Cross

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tolson, J.M. (1982). St. Helens railway: its rivals and successors. Usk: Oakwood Press. p. 87. ISBN 0-85361-292-7.
  2. ^ Lawrence, David (2018). British Rail Architecture 1948-97. Crecy Publishing Ltd. p. 74. ISBN 9780860936855.
  3. ^ "Disused Stations - Sutton Oak"Disused Stations Retrieved 25 March 2016
  4. ^ Taylor, J.H. (July 1992). "Report of a train Accident that occurred on 11th November 1988 near St Helens Central Station in the London Midland Region of British Railways". Health and Safety Executive. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Major works completed at St Helens Central Station". Merseytravel website. Merseytravel. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2009.
  6. ^ "The EU: What's in it for me?" (PDF). European Union. 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Electrification in the North". Network Rail. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  8. ^ Table 84 National Rail timetable, May 2023
  9. ^ GB eNRT December 2017 Edition, Table 90
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