TheGreatBritishRailScene

Kirkstall Forge station, on the Northern Rail network in Leeds, opened on Sunday 19th June - providing one train per hour in each direction. The orignal station was not too far from the current site, but this one is host to numerous aspects: 129 spaces in the carpark; Fully accessible platforms; A footbridge and ramps; Secure cycle parking; and Waiting shelters.

Currently, trains from London's south east are separated from trains from London's south west, but a proposed Southern Cross-rail would allow for example, trains from Windsor, Guildford, Dorking and Surbiton to pass rapidly though Waterloo to Bromley, Dartford and Sevenoaks. The project proposal will avoid the jam caused by trains having to enter a terminus station and reversing out. As well as this, people in the South West region would have direct access to South East services and vice versa.  The quick and simple alteration to London Waterloo will double its capacity.

PICADILLY is one of four stations (Piccadilly, Oxford Rd, Victoria & Airport Parkway) located in Manchester, however it is the largest. 23 million passengers passed through between 2012 and 2013 making it the fourth busiest station outside of London, too!  HISTORY: Originally opened in 1842 (as Store Street), it was rebuilt in 1861, expanded in 1881 and renovated in 1960 (also renamed Manchester Piccadilly station). PLATFORM CONFIGURATIONS AND DESTINATIONS: The station has 16 platforms, two of which are for Manchester MetroLink whilst the others are for six national railway franchises. Twelve of these platforms are actually terminals for services to/from locations including Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Crewe, Liverpool, London, Norwich, South Wales, Sheffield, Newcastle and York.  Arriva Trains Wales, Virgin, Northern, Transpennine, Cross Country and East Midlands Trains units can all be seen here. These are in the form of voyagers, Class 150/156/15...

Hello all, Liam here! Bringing you another Station Focus post! This post is particularly special because it is indeed my local station! ©Liam Jenkins - Aldershot station, seen from Platform 2/3 Without further ado, Aldershot is located on the border of Hampshire & Surrey. It's nearest large city is Guildford, Surrey. The station, sharing similar aesthetics to Haslemere station, is owned by South West Trains, the company also runs services through the station. There are 3 platforms, platform 1 for Up services to London Waterloo via Woking or Ascot, platform 2 for Up services to Guildford and Ascot and Down services to Farnham and Alton, platform 3 for Up services to Guildford and Ascot and Down services to Farnham and Alton.

Copyrighted to Omar (C). 2014 Blog Archive. ABOUT:  Liverpool Street Station in London was opened in 1874 (a replacement for BishopsGate Station) and is the main terminus for services in East Anglia. Downstairs, the Underground Station connects the Circle and District line. In 1895, the station was extended to accommodate more services. FACT - Liverpool Street is one of the stations included on the 'Monopoly' BoardGame. Into the present day, Liverpool Street is owned and operated by Network Rail (whom own another 18 stations within the UK). Over 58 million passengers passed through in 2013/4, making LST one of the largest and busiest UK Stations.

CARDIFF CENTRAL  is the largest and busiest station in Wales. Opened in 1850, it is a grade 2 listed building owned by Network Rail but operated by Arriva Trains Wales. Train announcements at this station are automated, created by "Roger" (in Welsh) followed by "Ruth" (in English).  PLATFORM CONFIGURATIONS AND DESTINATIONS:   With 7 Platforms (however a Platform 0 rather than having a Platform 5), Cardiff Central is served by both Local and Express services.

Harry creating a number of posts this week ,  including this short Post regarding London Waterloo.  Opened in 1922, and with 24 platforms, London Waterloo station is situated within a stones throw (if there weren't obstructions) from the River Thames and the London Eye.  Since 2004, when there was a footfall of over 68 million people a year, the station has increased to 98 million in the present day. This now makes Waterloo one of the busiest UK stations based on passenger numbers.

Hello all, Liam here for a Station Focus post on Clapham Junction. If you are out and about in the railway in the South (Hampshire/Surrey/South London), you will more than likely have heard this station's name in service announcements. Clapham Junction is the UK's busiest railway station (in terms of train numbers - 180 per hour in peak times). INTRODUCTION Although appearing rather dismal at first, the Northern entrance to Clapham Junction station (as seen in the picture to the right) the entrance conveys large numbers of passengers, originating from a wide variety of backgrounds, ethnicities and classes, brightening up the doom and gloom of peak and rush hour travel with vibrance and a rich sense of multiculturalism.

Hello, Lewis here. This post has a very Great Western theme and is all about Bristol Temple Meads station. The station opened in August 1840 and has had an interesting past but has a very important role to play in the future. Bristol Temple Meads is the terminus of the Great Western Mainline from London Paddington and was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The huge trainshed at Temple Meads is an icon of the Great Western Railway and the City of Bristol oozing with character and history. The station is currently served by three train operating companies: Cross Country, South West Trains and First Great Western who operate the majority of the services. Bristol Temple Meads is a vital transport hub in the South West of England with passenger being able to reach London, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth, Penzance, South Wales, Salisbury, Derby, Newcastle, York, Edinburgh and even Aberdeen.

Today's post is a special and further afield report on my trip to Reading and Reading West for particular reasons which will be explained as the report goes on. (ANDY) Without further a do, here's how my day planned out; I boarded the 08:23 Redhill - Reading service at North Camp and arrived promptly at Reading around 9am. I had chosen to go early for a particular reason: Britannia was in town!  After a search on Real Time Trains,  I found that Britannia was in fact late arriving at London Paddington and consequently didn't depart London Paddington until 08:28 (22 minutes late.) However, Britannia must have hauled very well as she made it on time to Reading Platform 7. 

Good afternoon, this report will give you some information about Chiltern Railways and an insight into their rolling stock, routes and history. Chiltern Railways are known for being one of the most punctual rail operators in the UK and regularly score the highest passenger satisfaction levels in the UK. Chiltern Railways have held the franchise since July 1996 and have gone from strength to strength and seen phenomenal levels of growth. It operates commuter, regional and InterCity services from its London terminus at Marylebone to destinations such as Gerrards Cross, High Wycombe, Bicester, Aylesbury, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham and even as far as Kidderminster. At present, there is one train an hour to, High Wycombe, Gerrards Cross and Princes Risborough with trains every half hour to Birmingham, Aylesbury and Bicester North. There is a train direct from London Marylebone to Stratford-upon-Avon every two hours and in the peak hours t...

I am Lucas, and I am back from my Vacation with this Station Focus Brighton station post. In summary, Brighton station is managed by station Southern Rail and it opened on 11th May 1840. Brighton Mainline Southern Three trains hourly to London Victoria (of which are two express fast and one semi). Whilst provided by Thameslink are 2 trains per hour to Bedford via Gatwick Airport and London St Pancras and also two trains per hour to London Bridge & Gatwick Airport (stopping service). West Coastsway line Operated by Southern are: Two trains per hour to West Worthing (stopping service); Two trains per hour to Hove; One train per hour to Portsmouth Harbour; One train per hour to Southampton Central. East Coast way line Two trains per hour to via Lewes, one train to Ore via Lewis, Eastbourne and Hastings and one train per hour to Ashford International. These are all operated by Southern. Platform layout Platform 1 hosts services on the West Coastway line only. Platfor...

ANDY WITH YOU ALL TODAY! After a helping hand from the VTEC Twitter Team and my own investigation on Real Time Trains, I realised it was possible to see both 91 110 and 91 111 who were on journeys from Leeds - London Kings Cross. I arrived at Kings Cross on the underground and a quick walk to the concourse was required. I spoke to the very nice gentlemen at the information point who helped me a lot - told me to go on the upper level and go round to the platforms - as long as I followed the rules then I would be fine! 91 110 was due at approximately 15:25 so I had 5 minutes to spare to photograph the Grand Central Class 180.