St Helens Central Station is a medium sized railway station in St Helens, Lancashire, England. It is a two platform station managed by Northern and serves trains on the Liverpool to Wigan Line.
ECHO spoke to Allan Moore, 79, a local historian who has been researching St Helens ’ lost stations for years and shared a series of images with us.
The history of St.Helens Central Station
Known locally as St Helens Central, this two-platform station is located on Shaw Street and is on the Liverpool to Wigan line operated by Northern. Originally opened in the late-19th century, it replaced two other stations in St Helens. In the early ’60s, it was rebuilt by architect William Headley using a large amount of local Pilkington glass. In 2007, it was reconstructed yet again.
A partnership between the local rotary club and Northern hopes to make it a new, improved “community station.” The group plans to improve its general aesthetic and install artwork around the station, along with flowers and plant beds. They also want to reopen the upstairs coffee shop and make it part of a heritage trail in the town.
In addition to offering a variety of retail and food outlets, the station has car parking (including disabled bays), free for rail passengers. The ticket office is open from 05:45 to 22:15 Monday to Saturday.
The station is served by two TransPennine Express trains per hour in each direction between Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North Western, with an hourly service to Blackpool North via Preston. On Sunday, an hourly service to Liverpool runs throughout the day.
The station is well-connected to other parts of the borough and neighbouring regions, including Runcorn and Widnes. Originally built to transport coal and compete with freight trade on the Sankey Canal, it is now a key hub for commuters travelling into the city. It’s also an important route for those heading to Liverpool and Manchester, with trains to these destinations calling at the station. The line is also used by students, tourists and fans visiting the nearby Merseyside Football League ground, The AJ Bell Stadium. With more and more people traveling to and from St.Helens Central, the station is set to become a busy and vibrant hub for the future.
Best way to get to St.Helens Central Station
St Helens Central railway station (also known as St Helens Shaw Street) is a railway station in the town of St Helens in Merseyside, England. It is located on the Liverpool to Wigan Line and is managed by Northern. It was opened in the late 19th century by the St Helens Canal and Railway replacing two earlier stations in the area. The station was rebuilt in the early 1960s to a design by the architect William Headley, using a large amount of local Pilkington glass. The station’s two platforms are connected by an underground subway.
The station is a hub for the north of Merseyside and provides a link to the national rail network, including Intercity trains to Manchester and London. It is also served by bus services operated by Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire, with tickets available to purchase at the station or on the bus itself.
There are many things to do and see near St.Helens Central Station, such as the North West Museum of Road Transport and St Helens Theatre Royal. The station is within walking distance of the main shopping and business district in St Helens and is well-connected to other towns and cities by train and bus. It is also easily accessible from Liverpool Lime Street by TransPennine Express and Northern services. The station is a popular place for people to visit on a day out, especially when visiting the World of Glass visitors centre.
Get directions and maps for St.Helens Central Station
Located in the town centre, St Helens Central is a medium-sized train station on the Edge Hill – Manchester Victoria (via Earlestown) and Wigan Line. Managed by Northern, the two-platform station is a hub for commuters and locals alike.
The station is served by a variety of public transport options, including Bus and Train. Moovit is an all-in-one transit app that helps you find the best route and plan your journey to St Helens Central Station with ease. Over 1.5 million users, including residents of St Helens, trust Moovit for their daily commute.
St Helens Central Station is a busy, modern, two-platform railway station in the town of St Helens, Merseyside. It was opened in the late 19th century by the St Helens Canal and Railway to replace two earlier stations in the town. It is served by Northern trains on the Liverpool to Wigan Line.
The station offers free parking (with disabled spaces) for rail users and a small cafe on the Wigan-bound platform. There are also re-charging facilities for electric vehicles at the station. A ticket office is open during weekdays, with staff making every effort to provide assistance that passengers require.
Various eateries, a post office and a newsagent can be found on-site. The North West Museum of Road Transport is nearby and St Helens Theatre Royal has a year-round schedule of performing arts.
Parking near St Helens Central Station can be challenging. With JustPark, you can easily find and pre-book a guaranteed space ahead of your train trip. Our extensive network of car parks and private driveways mean you can choose from a wide range of convenient and affordable options, even at short notice. Plus, we provide transparent pricing and no hidden charges – so you can focus on the things that matter most.
