York railway station

Background and construction edit

The first York railway station was a temporary wooden building on Queen Street outside the walls of the city, opened in 1839 by the York and North Midland Railway (Y&NMR_. It was succeeded in 1841, inside the walls, by what is now York old railway station.^[5] On 31 July 1854, the Y&NMR merged with the Leeds Northern Railway and the York, Newcastle & Berwick Railway to form the North Eastern Railway (NER); shortly thereafter, it became clear that the company's desire to run through trains between London and Newcastle without needing to reverse out of the old York station to continue their journey would necessitate change, specifically the construction of a new through station outside the city walls.^[6] Furthermore, as the NER's dominance of rail traffic in the region expanded through further mergers, several directors desired an expansive and elaborate facility to serve York, where the company was headquartered. During 1866, Parliament authorised the construction of this new railway station.^[7][8]

This new station was designed by the North Eastern Railway architects Thomas Prosser and William Peachey and built by Lucas Brothers.^[9] A prominent feature was the large curved train shed, which had been viewed as one of the more impressive monuments of the railway age.^[8] This train shed was supported by a combination of wrought-iron trusses and cast-iron columns. The majority of the station was built of yellow Scarborough brick with moulded ashlar plinths and dressings.^[1] The site selected for the station had been formerly used as agricultural land, although a Roman-era cemetery was located there as well.^[10]

Construction of the present station took place between 1871 and 1877.^[8] Opened on 25 June 1877, it had 13 platforms and, at that time, was the largest railway station in the world.^[11][12] As part of the new station project, the Royal Station Hotel (now The Principal York), designed by Peachey, opened in 1878.^[13] The original ticket hall and concourse were both located on the eastern side of the station.^[1]

Alterations edit

Between 1900 and 1909, several of the original platforms were extended both northwards and southwards while an additional western platform was added; a new signal box, tea room and book shop were also opened.^[1] Between 1938 and 1939, the western platform was refurbished, the current footbridge was built, and the station was resignalled.^[14]

The station was heavily bombed during the Second World War.^[8][15] On one occasion, on 29 April 1942,^[16] 800 passengers had to be evacuated from a King's Cross-Edinburgh train which arrived during a bombing raid.^[15] On the same night, two railway workers were killed, one being station foreman William Milner, who died after returning to his burning office to collect his first aid kit; he was posthumously awarded the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct.^[17] A plaque in his memory has been erected at the station.^[15][16] The station was extensively repaired in 1947.^[1]

During 1951, a new signal box was opened.^[1] The station was designated as a Grade II* listed building in 1968. An extensive refurbishment was undertaken in 1977.^[1] Journey times between York and other destinations along the ECML were slashed following the introduction of the British Rail Class 55 locomotive in 1961 and the Intercity 125 high speed train during 1976.^[8][18]

The track layout through and around the station was remodelled again in 1988 as part of the resignalling scheme that was carried out prior to the electrification of the ECML shortly afterwards by British Rail.^[19] This resulted in several bay platforms (mainly on the eastern side) being taken out of service and the track to them removed. Consequently, the number of platforms was reduced from 15 to 11.^[20] In May 1989, a new signalling centre (York IECC) was commissioned on the western side of the station to control the new layout and also take over the function of several other signal boxes on the main line.^[21] The IECC supervised the main line from Temple Hirst (near Doncaster) through to Northallerton, along with sections of the various routes branching from it. It had also taken over responsibility for the control area of the former power box at Leeds and thus, the signalling for trains as far away as Gargrave and Morley.^[22][23]

Between 2006 and 2007, the approaches to the station were reorganised to improve facilities for bus, taxi and car users as well as pedestrians and cyclists. The former motive power depot and goods station now house the National Railway Museum. The station was renovated during 2009; these works included the reconstruction of Platform 9 and the implementation of extensive lighting alterations. New automated ticket gates (similar to those in Leeds) were planned, but the City of York Council wished to avoid spoiling the historic nature of the station. The then operator National Express East Coast planned to appeal this decision, but the plans were scrapped altogether upon the franchise's handover to East Coast.^[24] During the late 2000s and early 2010s, the track and signalling systems on the southern side of the station were renewed. In early 2011, an additional line and a new junction were completed, which eliminated one of the biggest bottlenecks on the ECML.^[25][26]

Further improvements to the station have been made under London North Eastern Railway (LNER)'s stewardship, including a new lounge for first class passengers, additional retail units, and new public toilets.^[27][28]

• On 31 March 1920, a passenger train was derailed as it entered platform 8.^[29]
• On 5 August 1958, a passenger train crashed into the buffers at platform 12.^[29]
• On 18 January 2006, a freight train wagon derailed on points entering platform 3 before re-railing 400 sleepers later causing extensive damage to trackworks through the station. The derailment happened due to faulty suspension on one of the bogies causing the load to sit unevenly across the axles, lifting the axle off the tracks as it went round the corner over the points.^[30]

All the platforms except 9, 10 and 11 are under the large, curved, glass and iron roof. They are accessed via a long footbridge (which also connects to the National Railway Museum) or via lifts and either of two pedestrian tunnels.^[31] Between April 1984 and 2011 the old tea rooms housed the Rail Riders World/York Model Railway exhibition.^[32]

Platforms edit

The platforms at York have been renumbered several times, the most recent being in the late 1980s to coincide with a reduction in the number of platforms from 15 to 11. The current use is:^[33]

• Platform 1: South-facing bay platform mostly used for services to Hull and Bridlington or Sheffield via Moorthorpe and for stabling empty stock.
• Platform 2: North-facing bay platform connected only to the Scarborough branch, used mostly for stabling a spare TransPennine Express unit along with the accompanying station siding.
• Platform 3: Main southbound platform, but is signalled bi-directionally, accessible directly from the station concourse. Fast and semi-fast southbound London North Eastern Railway for London King's Cross generally use this platform. CrossCountry services, Grand Central and some westbound TransPennine Express services also use it. Southbound Lumo services go through platform 3 without stopping in York, northbound Lumo services use the avoidant track west of the station.
• Platform 4: Northward continuation of platform 3 connected only to the Scarborough branch, used by TransPennine Express services from Scarborough.
• Platform 5 (split into 5a and 5b): Main northbound platform (but is signalled bi-directionally). Fast northbound London North Eastern Railway services to Scotland use this and generally call at Darlington and Newcastle only. Accessible by footbridge or tunnel. Also used by some CrossCountry services northbound. North/eastbound TransPennine Express to Scarborough generally use this platform. Southbound London North Eastern Railway services also stop here both fast and semi-fast, the latter of which generally call at Doncaster, Newark, Peterborough and London King's Cross.
• Platform 6: South-facing bay platform used mostly by Northern Trains commuter services to Leeds and Blackpool North; and by terminating London North Eastern Railway services that return south to London King's Cross.
• Platform 7: South-facing bay platform used mostly by Northern commuter services and London North Eastern Railway services to/from London Kings Cross.
• Platform 8: North-facing bay platform used almost exclusively by Northern Trains on the Harrogate Line.
• Platforms 9, 10, 11: Bi-directional platforms used by semi-fast and some fast London North Eastern Railway services heading north to Newcastle and Scotland, CrossCountry services north and southbound via Leeds, TransPennine Express services westbound to Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport; Liverpool Lime Street railway station and northbound to Newcastle and Redcar. Some Northern Trains services to Blackpool and Leeds also use this platform.

Platforms 10 and 11 are outside of the main body of the station. Another siding, the former fruit dock, exists opposite platform 11.

Just to the west of the station is one of Network Rail's modern Rail Operation Centres (ROC), which was opened in September 2014.^[34][35] This ROC took over the functions of the former IECC in December 2018 and will eventually control the majority of the ECML from London to the Scottish border and various subsidiary routes across the North East, Lincolnshire and South, North and West Yorkshire.

During Christmas 2020, major track replacement occurred, with Network Rail releasing time lapse footage of the works.^[36]

In 2022, work began to redevelop the area outside the station. Queen Street Bridge, built to cross the lines into the old York station within the city walls, will be demolished in April 2024.^[37][38]

In 2023, a further £10.5 million has been confirmed for the massive revamp of the area at the front of York railway station.^[39]

Located adjacent to the station, York Central is one of the largest city centre brownfield regeneration sites in the UK. The 45-hectare (110-acre) site has been designated as a UK Government ‘Housing Zone’ and has also been awarded ‘Enterprise Zone’ status, which offers commercial occupiers significant incentives. Outline planning approval was given for the site in March 2019. It is anticipated that development of the full site could take between 15 and 20 years to complete.^[40]

The station is operated by London North Eastern Railway and is used by the following train operating companies:

London North Eastern Railway edit

London North Eastern Railway operates regular services that stop at York between London, Newcastle and Edinburgh. In addition, there are infrequent services to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. One train per day serves Middlesbrough.The fastest southbound services run non-stop to London, completing the 188 mile journey in one hour and 52 minutes.^[41]

Rolling stock used: Inter-City 225 (Class 91 electric locomotive & DVT), Class 800 bi-mode trains and Class 801 electric trains

CrossCountry edit

CrossCountry provides a number of services that run across the country, running as far north as Aberdeen and south as Penzance and Reading via Birmingham New Street.^[42]

Rolling stock used: Class 220 and Class 221 Voyager diesel multiple units.

TransPennine Express edit

TransPennine Express provides various express services across the north of England (to Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport Liverpool Lime Street, Newcastle, Scarborough and Saltburn via Middlesbrough).^[43]

Rolling stock used: Class 185 Desiro diesel multiple units and Class 802 bi-mode trains. Class 68 diesel locomotives and pull-pull Mark 5A coaches were used on some services (mainly to /from Scarborough) until the winter 2023 timetable change, but these have now been phased out.

Grand Central edit

Grand Central runs an open access service between Sunderland and London.^[44]

Rolling stock used: Class 180 Adelante trains.

Northern Trains edit

Northern Trains Route 9
v t e
Calder Valley Line and East Lancashire Line
York Ulleskelf Church Fenton Micklefield East Garforth Garforth Cross Gates Leeds Bramley New Pudsey Bradford Interchange Low Moor Halifax Sowerby Bridge Mytholmroyd Hebden Bridge Manchester Victoria Moston Mills Hill Castleton Rochdale Smithy Bridge Littleborough Walsden Todmorden Colne Nelson Brierfield Burnley Central Burnley Barracks Burnley Manchester Road Rose Grove Hapton Huncoat Accrington Church and Oswaldtwistle Rishton Blackburn Mill Hill Cherry Tree Pleasington Bamber Bridge Lostock Hall Preston Salwick Kirkham and Wesham Poulton-le-Fylde Blackpool North Moss Side Lytham Ansdell and Fairhaven St Annes-on-the-Sea Squires Gate Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool South
Burnley Barracks, Hapton and Pleasington are request stops.

Northern Trains route 29
v t e
York – Harrogate – Leeds via Knaresborough
York Poppleton Hammerton Cattal Knaresborough Starbeck Harrogate Hornbeam Park Pannal Weeton Horsforth Headingley Burley Park Leeds

Northern Trains route 34
v t e
York to Hull and Sheffield
York Ulleskelf Church Fenton Sherburn-in-Elmet Pontefract Baghill Moorthorpe Swinton (South Yorkshire) Rotherham Central Meadowhall Sheffield Selby Wressle Howden Eastrington Gilberdyke Broomfleet Brough Ferriby Hessle Hull Paragon

Northern Trains operates a mostly hourly service towards Hull via Selby and Blackpool North, with a half-hourly service towards Leeds on both routes (via Garforth and via Harrogate) serving most stations en-route (plus three per day to Sheffield via Pontefract Baghill).^[45]

Rolling stock used: Sprinter (Class 150/155/158), Class 170 Turbostar and Civity Class 195 units. Pacer (Class 142/144) diesel multiple units were in regular use on the Harrogate and Sheffield lines until December 2019, but have now been phased out.

Former services edit

Until May 2021 East Midlands Railway provided one weekend return journey between York and London St Pancras via the Midland Main Line.

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Leeds		CrossCountry Cross Country Route		Darlington
Doncaster
Garforth		TransPennine Express North TransPennine		Thirsk
				Northallerton
Leeds				Malton
				Terminus
Peterborough or London King's Cross		Grand Central London-Sunderland		Thirsk
Doncaster or Peterborough		London North Eastern Railway London-Newcastle/Edinburgh		Northallerton
Doncaster or Retford or Peterborough		London North Eastern Railway London-York		Terminus
London King's Cross or Doncaster or Peterborough		London North Eastern Railway London-Newcastle/Edinburgh/Scotland express services		Darlington
Leeds		London North Eastern Railway Leeds-Aberdeen		Darlington
Ulleskelf		Northern Trains Dearne Valley Line		Terminus
Poppleton		Northern Trains Harrogate Line
Selby		Northern Trains Hull-York Line
Ulleskelf
Ulleskelf		Northern Trains Micklefield Line
	Future services
Leeds		TBA Northern Powerhouse Rail		Darlington
Sheffield		TBA Northern Powerhouse Rail		Darlington
East Midlands Hub		TBA Northern Powerhouse Rail		Darlington
	Historical railways
Terminus		Y&NMR York to Scarborough Line		Haxby Station closed; Line open
	Disused railways
Terminus		NER York to Beverley Line		Earswick
Naburn		NER East Coast Main Line		Beningbrough

• 
  Platforms 9 and 10
• 
  Former signal box, now WHSmith
• 
  Station by night
• 
  Station entrance
• 
  1951 signal box, above Platform 9
• 
  Decorative ironwork
• 
  Gilded clock
• 
  Two of the four overall roofs
• 
  The York Tap, a pub within the station premises
• 
  Station forecourt with hotel to the right

• "York facelift". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. March 1983. p. 49. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to York railway station.

• Train times and station information for York railway station from National Rail
• Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1256554)". National Heritage List for England.
• Historic England. "Old Station (1256403)". National Heritage List for England.
• York arrivals board – York arrivals board
• The Railway Revolution – on 'History of York' website
• Winchester, Clarence, ed. (18 April 1935), "Famous Railway Centres 1: York", Railway Wonders of the World, pp. 375–380, description of the station in the 1930s
• York ROC Camera 1 – live webcam