Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Chester railway station

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|Railway station in Cheshire, England}}
{{About|the railway station in England|the station in Pennsylvania|Chester Transportation Center|the station in Toronto|Chester station (Toronto)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Chester
| symbol_location = gb
| symbol = rail
| image = Chester railway station frontage - 2005-10-09.jpg
| caption = The front of Chester railway station
| address = Station Road, [[Chester]]
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.1968|-2.8798|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| grid_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|SJ413669|25|SJ413669}}
| symbol2 = liverpool
| owned = [[Network Rail]]
| operator = [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]]
| platforms = 7
| code = CTR
| zone = G1
| classification = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] B
| transit_authority = [[Merseytravel]] (for Merseyrail services only)
| years = 1848
| events = Opened
| years1 = 1875
| events1 = Renamed ''Chester General''
| years2 = 1969
| events2 = Renamed ''Chester''
| years3 = 1972
| events3 = [[Chester General rail crash]]
| mpassengers = 
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2018/19 |passengers={{increase}} 4.972 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.831 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{increase}} 5.093 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 0.763 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 1.058 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 0.137 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 3.443 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.573 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 4.122 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.689 million}}
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail & Road]]
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 14
}}
'''Chester railway station''' is located in [[Newtown, Chester|Newtown]], [[Chester]], England. Services are operated by [[Avanti West Coast]], [[Merseyrail]], [[Northern Trains|Northern]] and [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]]. From 1875 to 1969, the station was known as ''Chester General'' to distinguish it from [[Chester Northgate railway station|Chester Northgate]].<ref>{{cite magazine |editor1-first=J.N. |editor1-last=Slater |date=July 1974 |title=Notes and News: Western's last "General" |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |volume=120 |issue=879 |publisher=IPC Transport Press Ltd |location=London |issn=0033-8923 |page=361 }}</ref> The station's [[Italianate]] frontage was designed by the architect [[Francis Thompson (architect)|Francis Thompson]].

Work on a £10 million regeneration scheme, the ''Chester Renaissance programme''<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.chesterrenaissance.co.uk/railands.htm| title=The Renaissance Projects| website=The Chester Renaissance| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821115005/http://www.chesterrenaissance.co.uk/railands.htm| archivedate=21 August 2008| accessdate=10 July 2007}}</ref> was completed in 2007; the development includes a new roof, improved customer facilities and improved access to the station. A plaque commemorating [[Thomas Brassey]] is installed on the wall opposite the booking office. The station marks one end of the [[Baker Way]]; this is a footpath leading to [[Delamere railway station]].

Scheduled services from Chester station are operated by Avanti West Coast to [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] and [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]]; Merseyrail to {{rws|Liverpool Central}}; Northern to [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] and [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]]; and Transport for Wales to [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]], [[Manchester Airport railway station|Manchester Airport]], [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]], [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]], [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]], [[Llandudno railway station|Llandudno]] and Holyhead.<ref name="newnorthernfranchisearriva">{{cite web |url=http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/index.html |title=Northern franchise improvements |page=Chester to Leeds |access-date=9 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211210129/http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/index.html |archive-date=11 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/160516ManchesterAirport/ |title=Arriva Trains Wales to extend number of services to Manchester Airport |website=www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk |access-date=29 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630202734/http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/160516ManchesterAirport/ |archive-date=30 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== History ==
===Background and construction===
On 23 September 1840, the first station at Chester was opened by the [[Chester and Birkenhead Railway]] (CBR). One week later, on 1 October 1840, the [[Grand Junction Railway]] (GJR) opened a separate station. Neither station was open for long, due to the inconvenience of transferring goods and passengers between them. They were replaced by the new [[joint station]]<ref name = "chestwall">{{cite web| last=Whittingham| first=John| url=https://www.chesterwalls.info/station.html| title=A Short History of Chester Railway Station| website=chesterwalls.info| accessdate=3 July 2018}}</ref> at the junction between the CBR, GJR and [[Robert Stephenson]]'s new [[Chester and Holyhead Railway]] (CHR) which started at the joint station. The station was designed by the architect [[Francis Thompson (architect)|Francis Thompson]], and constructed by [[Thomas Brassey]].<ref name = "eng time"/> The engineer C. H. Wild designed the [[train shed]]. Elements of the overall design were produced by other engineers, including Stephenson.<ref name=pev/>

On 1 August 1847, construction of the station began, the foundation stone was laid by Brassey. It was built by a workforce of around 2,000 people, including bricklayers, stonemasons, carpenters, roofers, plumbers and other skilled and unskilled workers. On 1 August 1848, Chester Station was officially opened, exactly a year after construction began. The opening was met with great acclaim amongst the city's populace due to the wide range of destinations that could be reached for the first time.<ref name = "chestwall"/>

The station building is built of [[Staffordshire blue brick]] and pale grey [[Storeton]] [[sandstone]] with [[slate]] roofs<ref name=pev>{{Citation| last=Hartwell| first=Clare| last2=Hyde| first2=Matthew| last3=Hubbard| first3=Edward| author3-link=Edward Hubbard| last4=Pevsner| first4=Nikolaus| author4-link =Nikolaus Pevsner| series=The Buildings of England| title=Cheshire| publisher=[[Yale University Press]]| year=2011| orig-year=1971| location=New Haven and London| page=249| isbn=978-0-300-17043-6}}</ref><ref name=nhl>{{NHLE |num= 1375937|desc= Chester railway station|access-date= 18 September 2011}}</ref> in the [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]] style.<ref name=nhl/> It has a 305-metre two-storey façade with a 15-[[bay (architecture)|bay]] central section and 5-bay lateral projecting [[pavilion]]s, each of which have two towers.<ref name = "eng time"/> A large [[clock]], manufactured by [[J. B. Joyce & Co]] on the front of the station was originally located centrally, but was moved to the western half of the facade following the construction of the Queen Hotel, which obscured it. The central section's middle seven bays contain carvings by sculptor [[John Thomas (sculptor)|John Thomas]].<ref name=pev/> Several carved wooden [[owl]]s occupy locations in the roof beams above platform 4 to deter [[feral pigeon]]s from roosting.<ref name = "chestwall"/>

As first built, the station had a single through platform, a pair of bay platforms, and the main building. Early on, it became highly trafficked, partially due to its position as a junction between multiple lines and railway companies. In its first few decades of opening, it was expanded via the construction of sidings, [[warehouse]]s, [[signalbox]]es and two [[motive power depot]]s to service [[steam locomotive]]s that belonged to different railway companies. To accommodate the increasing number of passengers and freight in the 1860s and 1870s, the station was extended again. Two island platforms, two bay platforms, and additional facilities connected via a [[footbridge]] to the existing station were completed by 1890.<ref name = "chestwall"/>

===Operations===

From its opening on 1 August 1848, Chester was a [[joint station]] used by the Chester and Holyhead, Grand Junction, the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway and the [[Chester and Birkenhead Railway]]s. The C&HR and GJR merged with other companies to form the [[London and North Western Railway]] (LNWR). In 1850 the [[Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway]] built a line from Chester to near Warrington, later absorbing the C&BR. The S&CR was later merged with others into the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR). The LNWR and the GWR later acquired the BL&CJR jointly.<ref name = "eng time"/>

Chester Station was served by GWR express passenger trains (and subsequently by the [[Western Region of British Railways]]) from [[Birkenhead Woodside railway station|Birkenhead Woodside]] via Chester, Wrexham, [[Ruabon railway station|Ruabon]], [[Gobowen railway station|Gobowen]], [[Shrewsbury Railway Station|Shrewsbury]], [[Wellington railway station (Shropshire)|Wellington (Shropshire)]], [[Wolverhampton railway station|Wolverhampton]], [[Birmingham Snow Hill railway station|Birmingham Snow Hill]], [[Leamington Spa railway station|Leamington Spa]] and [[Banbury railway station|Banbury]] to [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]] until 4 March 1967.<ref name="HendryHendry1992-116">{{cite book |title=Paddington to the Mersey |first1=R. Preston |last1=Hendry |first2=R. Powell |last2=Hendry |page=116 |publisher=Oxford Publishing Company |year=1992 |isbn=9780860934424 |oclc=877729237}}</ref> The final service, a special ''The Zulu'', was hauled by [[GWR 4073 Class 7029 Clun Castle|7029 ''Clun Castle'']].<ref name="HendryHendry1992-116" />

[[File:Chester & Saltney RJD 16.jpg|thumb|left|A 1903 [[Railway Clearing House]] Junction Diagram showing railways in the vicinity of Chester (centre, shown as ''GENERAL STA.'')]]

During 1875, [[Chester Northgate railway station]] was opened by the [[Cheshire Lines Committee]]. To prevent confusion between the stations, the older station was renamed "Chester General". In 1969, as a result of the [[Beeching cuts]], Chester Northgate was closed and Chester General reverted to Chester.<ref name = "eng time"/>

Peak activity was during the [[Edwardian era]] when more than 200 trains called at the station daily and more than one hundred staff were employed.<ref name = "chestwall"/> Large quantities of freight were also moved, including the [[Royal Mail]]'s letters and parcels business. Special [[excursion train]]s were laid on for [[Chester Racecourse|Chester Races]]. During the [[World War I|First World War]], troop trains  used the station when moving military personnel from training camps in North Wales to the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref name = "chestwall"/>

During the [[interwar period]], the station was busy, only slightly affected by the rise of road transportation. Trams, and later buses linked the station to the city and its suburbs. During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the station saw a high volume of traffic, including trains hauling [[ammunition]]. It survived the conflict unscathed, sustaining no direct hits but to mitigate against aerial attacks, a [[concrete]] [[bunker]] was built to house signalling equipment.<ref name = "chestwall"/>

In January 2016, according to the [[Office of Rail and Road]], passenger numbers doubled over the previous ten years, making Chester the eighth-busiest station in the [[North West England|North-West region]]. The rise was attributed to new services, such as direct trains to London and increased frequencies on the [[Merseyrail]] network.<ref>{{cite news| last=Holmes| first=David| url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-railway-station-sees-passenger-10810360| title=Chester Railway Station sees passenger numbers double in 10 years| website=Chester Chronicle| date=29 January 2016}}</ref>

Starting in 2005, the station was restored in the Chester Renaissance Project. Improvements made by [[Network Rail]] included groundworks around the east end frontage and repairs to the façade's east and west wings, renewal of the roof's [[Glazing (window)|glazing]], enhancements to the train shed and other general improvements.<ref name = "eng time"/> Improved local traffic management and access to the station was achieved by alterations to Station Square which were completed in December 2007. Architectural lighting was installed in strategic areas and a new concourse was opened by [[Arriva Trains Wales]] in October 2008. Between 2009 and 2010, improvements included a second staircase to access the island platform, structural repairs to platforms, restoration of the overbridge and work to enhance the station's frontage.<ref name = "eng time"/>

The station is recorded in the [[National Heritage List for England]] as a Grade II* [[Listed building#England and Wales|listed building]].<ref name=nhl/> It is one of 22 Grade I or II* listed railway stations in England.<ref name = "eng time">{{cite web| url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=55| title=Chester Station| website=engineering-timelines.com| accessdate=2 July 2018| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702234820/http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=55| archivedate=2 July 2018}}</ref> A plaque commemorating Thomas Brassey was installed on the wall opposite the  booking office. Brassey was born at [[Buerton, Cheshire West and Chester|Buerton]] {{convert|6|mi|km}} south of Chester.<ref>{{citation| last=Helps| first=Arthur| title=The Life and Works of Mr Brassey| orig-year=1872| publisher=Nonsuch| year=2006| location=Stroud| page=25| isbn=1-84588-011-0}}</ref>

===Extensions and redoubling initiatives===
In 1993, an extension to the [[Wirral Line]] received [[third rail]] electrification on existing track and Chester became its terminus. Its trains use Platform 7 the only one with access to the third rail.<ref name = "chestwall"/> The line provides frequent rapid access to the Wirral, Birkenhead and all four underground stations in central Liverpool. The historic [[Chester and Birkenhead Railway]], the first railway to serve Chester, became a part of Merseyrail's Wirral Line.{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}}

In April 2017, Network Rail and contractors completed the redoubling of the [[Shrewsbury to Chester Line|Wrexham to Chester line]] enabling increased line speeds up to 90&nbsp;mph on certain sections. When the work was completed, there were no plans to increase speeds or introduce new services until late 2017 at the earliest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-37035905 |title=Delayed Wrexham to Chester rail work to begin in 2017 |date=10 August 2016 |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Williams| first=Kelly| url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-chester-railway-line-upgrade-12844400| title=Wrexham to Chester railway line upgrade finally complete after major delays| website=dailypost.co.uk| date=5 April 2017}}</ref>

====Halton Curve reopening====
In 2014, George Osborne announced funding to finance the [[Halton Curve]]'s redevelopment to permit services between Liverpool and North Wales via {{rws|Liverpool South Parkway}} and Chester.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/incoming/chancellor-announces-104m-redevelop-halton-7365449 |title=Chancellor announces £10.4m to redevelop Halton Curve rail line |newspaper=Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News |date=3 July 2014 |access-date=3 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/halton-curve-104m-upgrade-7366655 |title=Halton Curve to be reinstated with £10.4m upgrade |newspaper=[[Chester Chronicle]] |date=3 July 2014}}</ref> The 30-year plan for the curve included connections to South Wales.<ref name="30 Year Plan">{{cite news |title=Merseytravel plan to open or reopen host of new stations |url= http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/merseytravel-plan-open-reopen-host-7680862 |work= Liverpool Echo |first=Paddy |last=Shennan|date=28 August 2014| access-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> The services started running in May 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48311912 |title=Halton Curve: Rail line links north Wales and Liverpool}}</ref> and now provide Chester with a direct link to [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport|Liverpool Airport]] and an alternative route to central Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/new-chester-liverpool-rail-service-16072332 |title=New Chester to Liverpool rail service - more details released}}</ref>

===Stationmasters===
{{div col}}
*William Paget ca. 1847
*Mr. Jones ca. 1849
*John Critchley ca. 1850–1855<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Mr. Critchley’s Testimonial | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000391/18550124/085/0008 |newspaper=Chester Courant |location=England  |date=24 January 1855 |access-date=22 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref> (afterwards superintendent of the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway)
*Charles Mills ca. 1859–1872<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Railway news | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001152/18720916/060/0004 |newspaper=Eastern Morning News |location=England  |date=16 September 1872 |access-date=22 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>
*David Meldrum 1872–1882<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Railway Appointment | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000391/18820906/085/0006 |newspaper=Chester Courant |location=England  |date=6 September 1882 |access-date=22 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>
*W. Thorne 1882<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Mr. W. Thorne | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001502/18821108/122/0006 |newspaper=Hereford Times |location=England  |date=30 September 1882 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>–1890 (formerly station master at Hereford Barrs Court)
*John Thomas Reddish 1890–1902<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Death of Mr. T.J. Reddish, Prestatyn | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003153/19210520/097/0006 |newspaper=Flintshire County Herald |location=England  |date=20 May 1921 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>
*W.G. Marrs 1903–1909<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Mr. Marrs Retirement | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000157/19100402/150/0008 |newspaper=Cheshire Observer |location=England  |date=2 April 1910 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>
*John Ratcliffe 1910<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New Stationmaster at Chester | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/19100107/096/0007 |newspaper=Shrewsbury Chronicle |location=England  |date=7 January 1910 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>–1926
*Robert McNaught 1926<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Chester’s New Stationmaster | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002831/19261204/233/0009 |newspaper=Crewe Chronicle |location=England  |date=4 December 1926 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>–1932
*Lewis Evans 1932<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New Chester Stationmaster | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19320613/207/0008 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |location=England  |date=13 June 1932 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>  1934
*A.E. Mawson 1934<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Local Notes | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000157/19340414/247/0016 |newspaper=Cheshire Observer |location=England  |date=14 April 1934 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>–1942 (formerly station master at Woodside)
*John Moore 1943–1950 (formerly station master at Birkenhead Dock)
*Percy Jackson 1950<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Chester’s Stationmaster | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19501006/110/0005 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo|location=England  |date=6 October 1950 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>–1955
*Eric L Thompson 1955<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Chester Stationmaster | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19551104/322/0017 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |location=England  |date=4 November 1955 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>–1963 (formerly station master at Bedford)
*Kenneth Conyers Winterton 1963–1964<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Last man to wear top hat at station | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002831/19711230/027/0003 |newspaper=Crewe Chronicle |location=England  |date=30 December 1971 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription  }}</ref>
*Mr. Mapstone ca. 1967 ca. 1969
{{div col end}}

== Services ==
[[File:Chester - Keolis-Amey 175002 and Avanti 221103.JPG|thumb|right|A [[KeolisAmey Wales]] {{brc|175}} and Avanti West Coast {{Brc|221}} at Chester in January 2020]]

'''Platform 1'''
* 1 train per hour (tph) operated by Transport for Wales to {{Stnlnk|Crewe}}, which gives a near half-hourly (xx.35 Avanti & xx.55 TfW) service, in conjunction with Avanti West Coast's service.

'''Platform 3'''
* 1tph operated by Transport for Wales to [[Llandudno railway station|Llandudno]], via [[Llandudno Junction railway station|Llandudno Junction]].<ref>GB National Rail Timetable 2019, Table 81</ref>
* 1tph operated by Transport for Wales to [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]], via [[Bangor (Gwynedd) railway station|Bangor]].
* 1tph operated by Transport for Wales to [[Wrexham General railway station|Wrexham General]] and [[Shrewsbury railway station|Shrewsbury]] of which one every two hours continues to [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]] and one every two hours continues to [[Birmingham International railway station|Birmingham International]].
* ''[[Y Gerallt Gymro]]'', a Monday to Friday daily limited-stop express north to Holyhead, operated by Transport for Wales.
* Certain trains from London Euston, operated by Avanti West Coast, continue to Bangor and Holyhead}; 1 train per weekday continues to Wrexham General.
* Occasional services from Crewe operated by Avanti West Coast and terminating at Chester, Holyhead or Bangor.

'''Platform 4'''
* 1tph operated by Avanti West Coast to London Euston, via Crewe and [[Milton Keynes Central railway station|Milton Keynes Central]].<ref>GB NRT 2019, Tables 65 & 81</ref>
* 1tph operated by Transport for Wales to [[Manchester Airport station|Manchester Airport]], via {{Stnlnk|Warrington Bank Quay}}.<ref name=":0" />
* 1tph operated by Transport for Wales to [[Liverpool Lime Street]], via [[Runcorn station|Runcorn]], using the [[Halton Curve]].
* ''[[Y Gerallt Gymro]]'', a Monday to Friday daily limited-stop express south to Cardiff Central, operated by Transport for Wales.
* Occasional services to Crewe, operated by Avanti West Coast, starting at Chester, Holyhead or Bangor.

'''Platforms 5/6'''
[[File:Sprinter units, Chester Railway Station (geograph 2986906).jpg|thumb|left|A Northern Rail [[British Rail Class 150]] at Chester]]
* 1tph on the [[Mid-Cheshire Line]] to Manchester Piccadilly and {{rws|Stockport}}, via [[Northwich railway station|Northwich]], operated by Northern Trains. A two-hourly service operates on Sundays.<ref>GB NRT, Table 88</ref>
* 1tph to {{rws|Leeds}} via Warrington Bank Quay, [[Manchester Victoria]] and {{rws|Bradford Interchange}} (except Sundays) operated by Northern.<ref>GB NRT, Tables 41 and 81</ref>

'''Platform 7'''
[[File:Merseyrail Map.svg|right|thumb|300px|Merseyrail map with Chester to the south of the Network]]
* 4tph operated by Merseyrail to the [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]] Loop via {{rws|Birkenhead|Central}} during peak times on weekdays and Saturdays. On late evenings and Sundays, the frequency is every 30 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merseyrail.org/media/201976/Wirral%20Line%20from%208%20December%202013%20to%2017%20May%202014.pdf |title=Wirral Line timetable  |access-date=18 December 2013 |publisher=Merseyrail |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219020509/http://www.merseyrail.org/media/201976/Wirral%20Line%20from%208%20December%202013%20to%2017%20May%202014.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2013 |df=dmy}}</ref> Merseyrail services to Birkenhead and Liverpool use platform 7b or 7a; platform 7 is the only third-rail equipped platform. These services are provided by [[British Rail Class 507|Class 507]], [[British Rail Class 508|Class 508]], and [[British Rail Class 777|Class 777]] [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]].

===Table of services===
{{rail start}}
{{rail line |previous={{Stnlnk|Crewe}}|next={{Stnlnk|Shotton}}|route=[[Avanti West Coast]]<br />[[West Coast Main Line|Holyhead/Bangor–London Euston]]|col={{AWC colour}} }}
{{rail line two to one|previous1={{Stnlnk|Crewe}} |previous2=|next={{Stnlnk|Wrexham General}}|route=[[Avanti West Coast]]<br />[[West Coast Main Line|Wrexham General–London Euston]] |col={{AWC colour}} }}
{{rail line |previous=[[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] |route=[[Avanti West Coast]]<br />[[West Coast Main Line|Chester–London Euston]] |col={{AWC colour}} }}
{{rail line |route=[[Merseyrail]]<br />[[Wirral Line]]<br />Chester Branch|next={{Stnlnk|Bache}}<br />towards {{Stnlnk|Liverpool Central}}|col={{Merseyrail colour|Wirral}} }}
{{rail line |previous={{Stnlnk|Mouldsworth}}|route=[[Northern Trains]]<br />[[Mid-Cheshire Line]] |col={{Northern colour}} }}
{{rail line three to one |previous1={{Stnlnk|Warrington Bank Quay}} |previous2={{Stnlnk|Frodsham}}|previous3={{Stnlnk|Helsby}}|route=[[Northern Trains]]<br />Chester/Ellesmere Port - Leeds |col={{Northern colour}} }}
{{Rail line |previous={{Stnlnk|Crewe}}|next={{Stnlnk|Shotton}}|route=[[Transport for Wales Rail]]<br />[[North Wales Coast Line]]|col={{KAW colour}} }}
{{Rail line |previous={{Stnlnk|Helsby}}|next={{Stnlnk|Shotton}}|route=[[Transport for Wales Rail]]<br />[[Chester to Manchester Line]]|col={{KAW colour}} }}
{{Rail line two routes |previous={{Stnlnk|Wrexham General}}|next={{Stnlnk|Shotton}}|route1=[[Transport for Wales Rail]]<br />[[Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line|Birmingham – Holyhead via Chester]]
|route2=[[Transport for Wales Rail]]<br />[[Shrewsbury to Chester Line|Cardiff Central to Holyhead]]|col={{KAW colour}} }}
{{rail line one to two |previous={{stnlnk|Helsby}}|next1=|next2={{Stnlnk|Wrexham General}}|route=[[Transport for Wales Rail]]<br />[[Halton Curve]]|col={{KAW colour}} }}
{{Historical Rail Insert}}
{{rail line |previous={{stnlnk|Sandycroft}}<br />Line open, station closed |route=[[London and North Western Railway]]<br />[[Chester and Holyhead Railway]] |col={{LNWR colour}} }}
{{rail line |next={{Stnlnk|Upton-by-Chester}}<br />Line open, station closed |route=[[Great Western Railway|GWR]] & [[London and North Western Railway|LNWR]]<br />[[Chester and Birkenhead Railway]]|col={{GWLNW colour}} }}
{{disused rail insert}}
{{rail line |previous={{stnlnk|Saltney Ferry}}<br />Line and station closed |route=[[London and North Western Railway]]<br />[[Mold Railway]] |col={{LNWR colour}} }}
{{s-end}}

{{Railway lines in Chester}}

==Future==
===Northern Franchise Requirements===
Under the Northern franchise, [[Arriva Rail North]] (branded 'Northern') must fulfil the following requirements:

* From December 2017, an extra hourly train from Chester to Leeds, via Warrington Bank Quay, Newton-le-Willows, Manchester Victoria and then either Dewsbury or Bradford (via the Calder Valley)<ref name=newstakeholderdoc>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/407939/northern-and-tpe-stakeholder-briefing-document-and-consultation-response.pdf |title=Northern Rail Franchise TransPennine Express Rail Franchise: Stakeholder Briefing Document and Consultation Response |work=Rail Executive |date=February 2015 |access-date=27 November 2015}}</ref> operated by new 100&nbsp;mph diesel trains from 2019.<ref name=newnorthernfranchisearriva/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arrivarailnorth.org/your-service |title=Your Service |publisher=Arriva Northern |access-date=9 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225204955/http://www.arrivarailnorth.org/your-service |archive-date=25 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* On the Manchester Piccadilly to Chester via Northwich line, Sunday services will operate hourly in both directions (up from two hourly).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/index.html |title=Northern Franchise Improvements |access-date=9 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211210129/http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/index.html |archive-date=11 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The franchise requires the removal and replacement of all [[Pacer (train)|Pacer]] trains by 2020.<ref name=newstakeholderdoc/>

The Chester to Leeds route via Manchester Victoria was finally introduced on 20 May 2019, eighteen months later than initially planned.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/media-centre/press-releases/2019/469775378-2019-03-08.html|title=Rail industry confirms new summer 2019 timetable|date=7 March 2019|access-date=11 March 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328215042/https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/media-centre/press-releases/2019/469775378-2019-03-08.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Layout and facilities==
The station has seven platforms. Platform 1 is a bay platform located at the east end (a second one alongside it is no longer utilised for passenger traffic but can be used for stock stabling). Platform 2 at the western end is another bay platform. Platform 3 is a through bi-directional platform and is closest to the concourse; it is split into sections 3a and 3b although on occasions a train will use the middle of the platform.

Over the bridge – or by way of lifts – is the island platform. Opposite Platform 3 is Platform 4, another through bi-directional platform, with sections designated as 4a and 4b. There are two east facing bays (Platforms 5 and 6). Platform 7 is an additional through platform, the only one with third-rail electrification; it is split into 'a' (eastern) and 'b' (western) sections and thus capable of accommodating two trains at once.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dudleymall.co.uk/loclrail/chestrheref.htm| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111060835/http://www.dudleymall.co.uk/loclrail/chestrheref.htm| archivedate=11 November 2016| title=Dudley Mall's Railway Directory - Chester to Hereford & Cardiff| website=Dudley Mall| accessdate=10 November 2016}}</ref>

The station has a booking office and is staffed 15 minutes before and after the first and last train. There is a payphone, vending machine, booking office and live departure and arrival screens, for passenger information. The station has lifts and is fully accessible for disabled users. There is a car park with 83 spaces and cycle racks for 68 cycles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chester train station {{!}} timetable {{!}}  ticket prices & facilities |url=http://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/stations/chester.aspx |website=www.merseyrail.org |access-date=8 February 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Chester 7 general railway station geograph-2170968-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|The east end of Chester General Station on a Summer Saturday in 1962
Image:Chester railway station distance sign - 2005-10-09.jpg|Distance board found in some disrepair on a station wall
Image:Chester station owl.jpg|Carved wooden [[owl]] above Platform 4 at Chester Railway station
Image:Platform one at chester station.jpg|Platform 1, used by trains to Euston starting from Chester and for services to {{Stnlnk|Crewe}}
</gallery>

==Accidents==
* On 4 July 1949, a [[Derby]] to [[Llandudno]] passenger train ran into the rear of a [[Crewe]] to [[Holyhead]] passenger service, resulting in fifty injured people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Chester1949.pdf |title=Report on the Collision which occurred on 4th July, 1949, at Chester Station in the London Midland Region British Railways |work=Railways Archive |access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref>
* [[Chester General rail crash]]: On 8 May 1972, a freight train suffered a brake failure and collided with a [[diesel multiple unit]] at Chester General station and caught fire, causing severe damage to the building and the trains involved.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoE_Chester1972.pdf |title=Report on the Derailment and consequent Fire on 8th May 1972 at Chester General Station in the London Midland Region British Railways |work=Railways Archive |access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref>
* On 20 November 2013, a [[British Rail Class 221|Class 221 ''Super Voyager'']] [[diesel-electric multiple unit]] from [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] to Chester collided with the [[buffer stop]]s on platform 1, riding up over them and smashing a glass screen. There were no injuries, although one passenger was taken to hospital for checks. A [[Rail Accident Investigation Branch]] report stated that the incident was due to exceptionally slippery rails, but that the consequences of this were made more severe by the buffer stop being of an older design, which did not absorb the impact energy effectively. The report further stated that that particular stop had not undergone a risk assessment within the previous ten years, and was possibly not appropriate for class 221 units.<ref name=BBC25016996>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-25016996 |title=Train crashes into Chester Station barrier |work=BBC News Online |access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="raib141124">{{cite web |url=http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/141124_R262014_Chester.pdf |title=Buffer stop collision at Chester station 20 November 2013 |publisher=[[Rail Accident Investigation Branch]] |date=November 2014 |access-date=24 November 2014 |pages=5, 9, 29–30, 37}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Cheshire}}
* [[Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester]]
* [[Chester TMD]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Biddle |first=Gordon |title=Railway Stations in the North West |year=1981 |publisher=Dalesman |location=Clapham, Yorkshire |isbn=0-85206-644-9 |at=p. 8, fig. 1 |chapter=Chapter 1 – North Cheshire & The Peak |url=https://archive.org/details/railwaystationsi0000unse }} – photo of station frontage
* {{cite book |title=Shrewsbury to Chester |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 112-117 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2010 |isbn=9781906008703 |oclc=495274299}}
* {{cite book |title=Chester to Rhyl |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 1-6 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2011 |isbn=9781906008932 |oclc=795178960 }}
* {{cite book |title=Chester to Birkenhead |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 1-8 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2012 |isbn=9781908174215 |oclc=811323335}}
* {{cite book |title=Stafford to Chester |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 102-120 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2012 |isbn=9781908174345 |oclc=830024480 }}
* {{cite book |title=Chester to Warrington |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 1-5 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2013 |isbn=9781908174406 |oclc=910526793 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Chester railway station}}
{{stn art lnk|CTR|CH13AH}}
{{Merseyrail info lnk|20}}
* [http://www.chester2shrewsburyrail.co.uk/ Chester to Shrewsbury Rail Partnership]
* [http://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates ORR Station Usage Estimates]

{{Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast}}
{{Railway stations served by Transport for Wales}}
{{Railway stations served by Merseyrail}}
{{Railway stations served by Northern Trains}}
{{Merseyrail Wirral Line}}
{{Cheshire railway stations}}
{{Major railway stations in Britain}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Chester]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Former Birkenhead Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1848]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Chester]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Merseyrail]]
[[Category:Northern franchise railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Transport for Wales Rail]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast]]
[[Category:Francis Thompson railway stations]]
[[Category:DfT Category B stations]]
[[Category:Stations on the West Coast Main Line]]
{{Навигационная таблица/Портал/Английская Википедия}}
[[Категория:Английская Википедия]]
[[Категория:Википедия]]
[[Категория:Статья из Википедии]]
[[Категория:Статья из Английской Википедии]]