UK railway station trivia

Last update 1 March 2024

Additional information is always gratefully received, whether entirely new records (particularly historical records) or information to fill in gaps or correct errors, via the contact link under the Miscellaneous entry in the navigation bar above. Thank you.

Please select a feature from the list below:

This page is dedicated to those things that don't fit easily into other pages. Additional items will be added as and when the editor thinks they will be of interest to readers. Feel free to send any suggestions.

Which stations… have the most unpredictable service?

Probably Ince & Elton.

Which stations… had novelty name signs?

Several stations have had their name signs temporarily changed to support an advertising or charity fundraising campaign. Known examples are shown here with links to photographic evidence where possible, along with any relevant dates known. Note that, to qualify for this list there must have been a physical change at the station; lesser alterations limited to customer information system (CIS) screens, for example, are out of scope.

Station Novelty name Reason Note
Barnsley Interchange Barnsleigh Interchange Charity fundraiser Sign fitted 10 December 2019 in aid of Barnsley Hospice
Blackpool North Blackpool North Pole Charity fundraiser Sign fitted 10 December 2019 (still present 11 January 2020) in aid of Donna's Dream House
Bond Street London Underground Burberry Street Clothing brand advertising Signs fitted 16 September 2023 to 19 September 2023
Bradford Forster Square Bradford FOSTER Square Charity fundraiser Sign fitted 15 May 2023, likely removed 28 May 2023
Cambuslang Cambus langjump 2014 Commonwealth Games support Rendition had very long space in name to suggest the sport
Canada Water London Underground Buxton Water Bottled water advertising Sign fitted 26 April 2015 only
Chessington South hieroglyphics Chessington World of Adventures Resort advertising Sign fitted 29 September 2020 only
Chillwell Road Nottingham Express Transit 'Chills'-well Road Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 23 October 2022 to early November 2022
Dingwall Ding-Ding! wall 2014 Commonwealth Games support
Edinburgh Park Station Edinburgh Trams Edinburgh Bark Station Pet store advertising Sign fitted 1 December 2022 for one month
Falkirk High Falkirk Higher 2014 Commonwealth Games support Rendition was mounted near, but much higher than, normal sign to suggest the sport
Great Missenden Giant Missenden BFG film promotion Sign fitted 20 July 2016 (still present 26 July 2016)
Hartlepool Hartle-yule Charity fundraiser Sign fitted 10 December 2019 in aid of Hartlepool Foodbank
Holmes Chapel Ho Ho Holmes Chapel Charity fundraiser Sign fitted 10 December 2019 in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity
Hyson Green Market Nottingham Express Transit Hyson Scream Market Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023
Kings Sutton Wedding Arrivals British Airways advertising for wedding party Sign fitted 29 May 2010 only
Lancaster Gate London Underground Ratchet & Clankaster Gate Playstation advertising Sign fitted 18 November 2020 for one month
Longniddry Longerniddry 2014 Commonwealth Games support Name was on a very long sign to suggest the sport
Mile End London Underground Miles End Playstation advertising Sign fitted 18 November 2020 for one month
Musselburgh Muscleburgh 2014 Commonwealth Games support
Newark Northgate Newark Southgate Euro 2020 football tournament support Sign carried 11-12 July 2021 only
NG2 Nottingham Express Transit NG Boo Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023
Nottingham High School Nottingham Express Transit Nottingham High Ghoul Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023
Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Express Transit Nottingha Prank University Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 23 October 2022 to early November 2022
Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Express Transit Nottingham Trent Woo-niversity Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023
Old Market Square Nottingham Express Transit Old Market Scare Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted late October 2019 to early November 2019
Old Market Square Nottingham Express Transit Old Market Scare Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 23 October 2022 to early November 2022
Old Market Square Nottingham Express Transit Old Market Scare Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023
Palmers Green Palmer's Green Palmer's advertising Sign fitted August 2022 for one month
Piccadilly Circus London Underground Picardilly Circus Amazon advertising Sign fitted 15 January 2020
Polmont Pole vault 2014 Commonwealth Games support Rendition was mounted at an angle on clearly curved pole to suggest the sport
Seven Sisters London Underground Gran Turismo 7 Sisters Playstation advertising Sign fitted 18 November 2020 for one month
Southgate London Underground Gareth Southgate Visa advertising associated with football Sign fitted 17 July 2018 for 48 hours
Springburn Sprintburn 2014 Commonwealth Games support Text was rendered with blurry edges on italicised sign to suggest the sport
Stradbally Irish heritage railway Maryborough 1916 uprising reenactment Sign fitted 20 March 2016 only
The Forest Nottingham Express Transit The Frightful Forest Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023
University of Nottingham Nottingham Express Transit University of Witchcraft Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 23 October 2022 to early November 2022
West Ham London Underground Horizon Forbidden West Ham Playstation advertising Sign fitted 18 November 2020 for one month
Wilford Village Nottingham Express Transit Wolford Village Hallowe'en observance Signs fitted 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023
Windsor & Eton Central Harry & Meghan Central Royal wedding celebration Sign fitted 18 May 2018
Wolverhampton Wolverine X-Men: Days of Future Past film promotion Sign fitted 1 April 2014

Which stations… have the longest names?

Number of characters

Simply, a list of stations with long names, excluding all spaces and punctuation. Names are as given on National Rail, so includes qualifiers such as geographical areas.

23 characters

Birmingham International

Chafford Hundred Lakeside

Exhibition Centre (Glasgow)

Folkestone East Staff Halt

St Leonards Warrior Square

Wavertree Technology Park

West Hampstead Thameslink

Worcester Foregate Street

24 characters

Birkenhead Hamilton Square

Burnside (South Lanarkshire)

Caledonian Road & Barnsbury

Chapeltown (South Yorkshire)

Dunfermline Queen Margaret

Radcliffe (Nottinghamshire)

St James Street (Walthamstow)

Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway

Top ten

Southampton Airport Parkway 25 characters

James Cook University Hospital 27 characters

London St Pancras International 28 characters

Prestwick International Airport 29 characters

Manchester United Football Ground 30 characters

Heathrow Terminal 4 (Rail Station Only) 32 characters

Heathrow Terminal 5 (Rail Station Only) 32 characters

Rhoose Cardiff International Airport 33 characters

Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 (Rail Station only) 35 characters

Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3 (Rail Station only) 36 characters

The various Heathrow stations are awkwardly named on National Rail; the qualifier in parentheses does not appear on station signs (and Terminal 5 does not even name Heathrow on signs). Excluding this, the Terminals 4 and 5 stations become 18 characters and the Terminals 2 & 3 station (renamed from Terminals 1, 2 & 3 on closure of the airport's terminal 1) becomes 20 characters. The inconsistent lower case 'only' for terminals 2 & 3 is as given on National Rail.

The famous Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch has 58 characters but is shown in truncated form as 'Llanfairpwll' on National Rail.

Queenstown Road often has the qualifier Battersea (making 23 characters) but National Rail does not have the term.

Manchester United Football Ground no longer appears on National Rail and Folkestone East Staff Halt had no need ever to appear there.

James Cook had 'James Cook University Hospital Station' 34 characters on signs when first opened on 24 March 2014, then just 'James Cook' 9 characters by the time opening formalities took place on 18 July 2014. National Rail uses the longer version without the word 'station'.

Number of words

This listing considers the number of words used by National Rail for station names. Hyphenated names are considered as separate words.

Five words

London St Pancras Eastern Interim

Pen-y-Bont (Mid Wales)

St Annes-on-the-Sea

St Keyne Wishing Well Halt

Silvertown & London City Airport

Six words

Heathrow Terminal 4 (Rail Station Only)

Heathrow Terminal 5 (Rail Station Only)

Seven words

None

Eight words

Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 (Rail Station only)

Nine words

Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (Rail Station only)

Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (Rail Station only) was renamed Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 (Rail Station only). Excluding the awkward qualifiers, particularly for the Heathrow stations, the longest current station names by number of words are just five words long. Of the remaining contenders, Silvertown & London City Airport and London St Pancras Eastern Interim (only ever a temporary station) have closed leaving St Annes-on-the-Sea and St Keyne Wishing Well Halt as the longest. It is an interesting coincidence that both are Saints.

Which stations… have the shortest names?

A list of stations with short names, as given on National Rail.

Three characters

Ash

Ayr

Ely

IBM

Ore

Par

Wem

Wye

IBM no longer appears on National Rail.

Four characters

Aber

Acle

Bryn

Croy

Deal

Dent

Diss

Drem

Dyce

Ford

Hook

Hove

Hull

Iver

Lake

Liss

Looe

Oban

Pyle

Rhyl

Roby

Sarn

Stow

Sway

Tain

Wick

Wool

Yarm

Yate

York

Which stations… are open but not served by trains?

Since 1 April 1994 (when the privatisation structure took effect), these stations have had their passenger service removed (for reasons other than prolonged planned engineering works the definition is subjective) but officially remained 'open'. Those struck through (thus) have since closed or been re-served.

Altnabreac last served 11 November 2023

Ashford International international portion only, last served 30 March 2020; may be served again from 2025

Aspley Guise last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Atherstone last served 22 May 2004; re-served 12 December 2005

Ayr last served 25 September 2023; re-served 4 December 2023

Barlaston last served 22 May 2004

Barrow Haven last served 7 May 2022; re-served 9 November 2022

Barrhill last served 15 November 2023; may be served again from 29 January 2024

Bedford St Johns last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Bedworth last served 22 May 2004; re-served 13 June 2005

Bow Brickhill last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Brigg last served 1 January 2022; re-served 14 January 2023

Croxley Green last served 22 March 1996; official closure 26 September 2003

Fenny Stratford last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Folkestone Harbour last served 20 March 2009; official closure 31 May 2014

Girvan last served 15 November 2023; may be served again from 29 January 2024

Heathrow Terminal 4 last served 9 May 2020; re-served 14 June 2022

IBM last served 9 December 2018

Ince & Elton irregular service through 2023; last served 13 October 2023; re-served 20 November 2023. This page shows dates called during 2023

Kempston Hardwick last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Kirton Lindsey last served 1 January 2022; re-served 14 January 2023

Lidlington last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Manchester United Football Ground last served 10 December 2017

Maybole last served 25 September 2023; may be served again from 29 January 2024

Millbrook (Bedfordshire) last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Newhaven Marine last served 17 August 2006; official closure 25 September 2020

Newton-on-Ayr last served 25 September 2023; re-served 4 December 2023

Norton Bridge last served 22 May 2004; official closure 10 December 2017

Polesworth last served 22 May 2004; re-served 12 December 2005

Quainton Road last served 26 August 2019

Redcar British Steel last served 15 December 2019

Ridgmont last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Sinfin Central last served 17 May 1993; official closure 23 September 2002

Sinfin North last served 17 May 1993; official closure 23 September 2002

Stanlow & Thornton last served 3 February 2022

Stewartby last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Stone last served 22 May 2004; re-served 14 December 2008

Stranraer last served 15 November 2023; may be served again from 29 January 2024

Teesside Airport last served 24 April 2022

Watford Stadium last served before May 1993; removed from TOC licence 10 November 2007

Watford West last served 22 March 1996; official closure 26 September 2003

Wedgwood last served 22 May 2004

Weymouth Quay last served 2 May 1999; never officially closed though railway removed

Woburn Sands last served 1 December 2022; re-served 20 November 2023

Quainton Road is not a National Rail station, served only by charter trains and similar.

Which stations… have the greatest variety of name signs?

Most likely Handforth.

Which stations… are listed?

This document dated 1979 is a British Rail catalogue of its listed buildings 7.2Mb file. It is not limited to stations; there are undoubtedly other designations since then.

Which stations… have post boxes on them?

Full list on this page.

Which stations… were built in a triangular arrangement?

Platforms are required on all three sides to qualify here. Please contact the editor if you can prove (or otherwise) the arrangement where detail is unclear.

Ambergate

Bishop Auckland

Earlestown

Forres unclear if south-to-east platforms existed

Queensbury

Rutherglen

Shipley

Wood Lane London Underground Central line

Dinting had three sets of platforms but was not built in a triangular arrangement. When built it had platforms on the main east-west line and on the east-south branch to Glossop. The layout was later rearranged with today's west-south curve (with platforms), which severed the earlier curve and platforms. A new east-south curve was built on a new alignment without platforms.

Which stations… are not accessible by road?

Generally, stations are accessible by footpath. Some exist(ed) for interchange only. Some were constructed by heritage railways or access arrangements changed post-preservation.

Abbey North British Railway

Altnabreac

Ash Town

Ashey Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Bala Junction

Beasdale access uncertain

Beeston Tor Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway

Berney Arms

Black Rock

Boscarne Exchange Platform

Burnhill

Cairnie Junction 1 June 1898-14 June 1965?

Campbell's Platform Ffestiniog Railway

Cefn-Onn

Camber Sands Rye & Camber Tramway

Clogwyn Snowdon Mountain Railway

Coleford Junction

Colnbrook Manchester Metrolink; initially interchange only with emergency exit, later opened as a full stop

Consall

Corrour

County March

Country Park Severn Valley Railway

Creosor Junction

Cutlers Green

Dduallt Ffestiniog Railway

Deadwater

Dovey Junction

Dukeries Junction

Dungeness

Eastry

Elvington

Freshfield Bluebell Railway

Golf Club Halt

Golf Links Rye & Camber Tramway

Grogley

Haddiscoe

Halfway Snowdon Mountain Railway

Hazel Grove Midland Railway

Holehouse Junction 2 December 1895-3 April 1950

Holton Heath road access provided from ≈1940s?

Hope Exchange later opened as a full stop

Incline Top

Ingra Tor

Kelston

Killin Junction 1 April 1886-?

Kirriemuir

Lambley

Lewiefield

Linley

Lochskerrow road access provided from 1950s

Longcross

Lympstone Commando

Manulla Junction Iarnród Éireann; originally full station, later interchange only

Methven

Middlewood

Morebath Junction

Nant Gwernol Talyllyn Railway

New Hadley

Newton Dale North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Otford Junction

Pilmoor road access provided from 1879

Plas Ffestiniog Railway

Port Victoria

Raglan Footpath

Rheidol Falls Vale of Rheidol Railway

Rhiwfron Vale of Rheidol Railway

Riccarton Junction

River Douglas

Rocky Valley Snowdon Mountain Railway

Roudham Junction

St Olaves Junction/Herringfleet Junction

Sinfin Central

Smallbrook Junction

Sparrowlee Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway

Stretford Bridge Bishop's Castle Railway

Summit Snowdon Mountain Railway

The Midden Wells & Walsingham Railway

Thor's Cave Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway

Uralite

Waddon Marsh

West Ashfield London Underground training 'station' in office block

Yarwell Junction Nene Valley Railway

In addition, these stations were used for interchange only for part or all of their existance, but it is not known if any type of external access was possible.

Abbots Wood Junction November 1850-1 October 1855

Aberdare Junction 29 October 1855-30 April 1856

Abingdon Junction 2 June 1856-7 September 1873

Alderbury Junction February 1872-?

Ardwick [LY] probably 1852-1853 though existence uncertain

Bushbury 2 August 1852-30 June 1856

Carnforth [Fur/Mid] 6 June 1867-2 August 1880

East Grinstead High Level 1 August 1882-15 October 1883

Hereford Junction dates unknown

Hunthill Junction dates unknown

Kemble 12 May 1845-1 May 1882

Marron Junction circa 1878-1883

North Kent Junction 1 September 1849-?

Siddick Junction 1 September 1880-1 March 1890

Which stations… have a platform 0?

Station Note
Bradford Forster Square new platform 0 considered, a side effect of Transpennine Route Upgrade, but ruled out
Bristol Temple Meads new platform 0 under consideration
Cardiff Central opened by May? 2002, initially for occasional/one-off use; later upgraded for regular use
Chippenham south side platform is referred to as 'platform 0', though it currently has no track
Doncaster temporary platform used 27 May 2000 to at least 1 June 2000; permanent platform opened 4 December 2016 (first trains called 12 December)
Gravesend opened 6 January 2014
Haymarket opened 27 December 2006
Hooton former platform 2, adjacent to station building, used by charter trains; since renumbering 18 May 1985 often referred to as 'platform 0'
Leeds opened 27 December 2020 (first trains called 28 December)
Liverpool Lime Street from 30 July 2018 former platform 1, now trackless, referred to as 'platform 0'
London Kings Cross opened 25 (formalities 20) May 2010; taken out of use 20 December 2020; returned to use 26 April 2021
Preston temporary use of old parcels platform, used in 2004
Rainham (Kent) opened 29 March 2016
Redhill opened 2 January 2018
Stockport opened for occasional use ≈18 September 2005; regular use March 2008
Westbury south side platform is referred to as 'platform 0', though it currently has no track

Which stations… have names reflecting commerce?

Generally the stations listed were named according to the 'business' (in its loosest sense) they serve rather than to commemorate a site. Thus, for example, stations named after public houses are shown even if a community later took the name, but not stations named after the community that was itself named after the public house.

All stations are on the national network unless stated otherwise. Terms in [square brackets] are to aid identification only and are not part of the name. The nature of the naming is given; the term 'pub' refers to any public house, hostelry, inn or hotel.

Note that not all stations are currently open and words such as 'halt' are omitted. The list is somewhat subjective; the editor's decision is final, but generally the 'benefit of the doubt' is given.

The reader is invited to explore these pages to find out more about church and pub name derivations, including for non-station assets.

Abbey [Cumbria] church

Abbey & West Dereham church

Acrow factory

All Saints Docklands Light Railway; church

Wellworthy Ampress Works [commonly called Ampress] factory

Angel London Underground; pub

Arsenal London Underground; sport

Bat & Ball [Sevenoaks] pub

Bay Horse [Lancaster] pub

Bedford St John’s church

Berney Arms pub

Bicester Village retail

Black Lion [Aberdare] pub

Blue Anchor [Minehead] pub

Boars Head [Wigan] pub

Bournville [Birmingham] factory

Bow Church Docklands Light Railway; church

Braintree Freeport retail

Brent Cross London Underground; retail

Bricklayers Arms pub

Bristol St Philip’s church

British Steel Redcar factory

Bronwydd Arms pub

Brundall Gardens gardens

Bull & Bush London Underground; never opened; pub

Butlins Penychain renamed Penychain in May 2000 entertainment

Camels Head [Plymouth] pub

Canary Wharf London Underground/Docklands Light Railway; commerce

Capel Bangor [Aberystwyth] church

Clock House [Elmers End] pub

Craven Arms pub

Cross Hands [Pilning] pub

Cross Inn [Ammanford] pub

Cross Inn [Llanfihangel-ar-Arth] pub

Cross Inn [Pontyclun] pub

Cross Keys [Glanamman] pub

Cross Keys [Gwent] pub

Crymmych Arms pub

Daimler factory

Dartmouth Arms renamed Forest Hill in July 1845 pub

Dover Priory church

Dunrobin Castle tourist

Elephant & Castle pub

Etihad Campus Manchester Metrolink; sport

Exeter St Davids church

Exeter St Thomas church

Fighting Cocks pub

Four Ashes pub

Four Crosses pub

Furness Abbey church

Goodyear Northern Ireland; factory

Great Central renamed Marylebone in April 1917 London Underground; connecting transport

Great Northern Hotel Ireland; pub

Grey Horse [Bishop Auckland] pub

Holland Arms [Gaerwen] pub

Hollybush [Blackwood] pub

Holy Trinity Nottingham Tram; church

Horse & Jockey [Thurles] Ireland; pub

IBM factory

Imperial War Museum Manchester Metrolink; entertainment

intu Trafford Centre Manchester Metrolink (renamed The Trafford Centre on maps 22 January 2021 and name boards by 27 January 2021); retail

Jolly Sailor renamed Norwood in ≈1846 pub

Kirkham Abbey church

Lincoln St Mark’s church

Liverpool St James church

Loch Eil Outward Bound entertainment

London St Pancras church

Lympstone Commando military

Manchester United Football Club sport

Manor House London Underground; pub

MetroCentre retail

Mourne Abbey [Mallow] Ireland; church

New Cross pub

New Cross Gate pub

New Inn [Glyn Ceiriog] pub

New Inn [Rosebush] pub

Newlands Inn Golden Valley Light Railway; pub

Old Roan [Ormskirk] pub

Old Swan & Knotty Ash renamed Knotty Ash & Stanley in November 1888 pub

Paisley St James church

Pilot Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway; pub

Portsmouth Arms pub

Queens Head [Dolywern] pub

Rams Line [Derby] sport

Red Lion [Garnant] pub

Rhoose Cardiff International Airport connecting transport

Roebuck [Preston] pub

Royal Oak [London] pub

Rye House [Enfield] pub

St Albans Abbey church

St Ann’s/St Anne’s [Blarney] Ireland; church

St Anns Well [Nottingham] church

St Anthonys [Newcastle] church

St Devereux [Pontrilas] church

St Enoch [Glasgow] church

St Gabriels [Swansea] church

St Germain’s [Watlington] existence in doubt church

St John’s [London] church

St Lawrence [Bodmin] church

St Lawrence [Ventnor] church

St Luke’s [Southport] church

St Margaret’s [Edinburgh] church

St Margaret’s [Hertfordshire] church

St Mary’s [Lydney] church

St Mary’s [Huntingdon] church

St Michael’s [Liverpool] church

St Michael’s [Tenterden] church

St Paul’s [Birmingham] church

St Paul’s [London] London Underground; church

St Rollox church

Salvation Army [St Albans] church

Shadwell & St Georges in the East church

Singer factory

Six Bells [Abertillery] pub

Six Bells [Garndiffaith] pub

Snapper pub

Spread Eagle [Stafford] pub

Stadium Of Light sport

Stag & Castle [Leicester] pub

Swansea St Thomas church

Swiss Cottage London Underground; pub

Temple London Underground; church

Temple Hirst church

Templemore Ireland; church

The Hawthorns sport

Three Cocks [Brecon] pub

Tram Inn pub

Travellers Rest [Abercynon] pub

Trouble House [Tetbury] pub

Uralite factory

Valley Centertainment Sheffield Supertram; retail

Vickers military contractor test site

Watford Stadium sport

Wedgwood factory

Wellington [Dundalk] Ireland; pub

Welsh Harp pub

Whistle Inn Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway; pub

White Bear [Chorley] pub

White Hart [Machen] pub

White Hart Lane sport

Wolverhampton St Georges Midland Metro; church

Wymondham Abbey church

Coventry Arena was originally to be named Ricoh Arena but did not open under this name

Which stations… have the highest elevation?

England

Dent (1,150ft above sea level)

Princetown (1,427ft above sea level) now closed

Scotland

Corrour (variously reported as 1,339ft, 1,347ft and 1,350ft above sea level)

Wanlockhead (1,413ft above sea level; often reported as 1,498ft but this was nearby line summit) now closed

Ptarmigan (3,559ft above sea level) Cairn Gorm Mountain Railway

Wales

Summit (3,493ft above sea level) Snowdon Mountain Railway

Waenavon (1,392ft above sea level) now closed

Llangynllo (≈978ft above sea level) if you know the exact official elevation, please let the editor know

Isle of Man

Snaefell Summit (2,036ft above sea level)

Northern Ireland

Pomeroy (561ft above sea level) now closed

Which stations… have 'Harrington Humps'?

This Wikipedia page gives a simple description of what a Harrington Hump is. Entries in this table are based on the editor's interpretation of often cryptic source information.

Station Platform Date
Aberdovey single (formal opening) 3 December 2009
Adderley Park both 21 February 2014
Amberley down 5 December 2014
Ancaster up 15 November 2013
Arram both 1 November 2013
Battersby single 2 December 2013
Bingham up 13 September 2013
Blaydon up 13 September 2013
Bootle down 5 August 2013
Brampton single 14 February 2014
Brandon both 14 February 2014
Braystones single 21 July 2013
Broome single by spring 2015
Bryn up 1 August 2013
Builth Road single by spring 2015
Burnley Barracks single 27 September 2013
Copplestone single 14 March 2014
Corkickle single 21 July 2013
Crediton up 7 March 2014
Dalton southbound October 2012
Danzey both 23 May 2014
Drigg up 29 July 2013
Dyffryn Ardudwy single
Earlswood up 10 January 2014
Eccles up 6 August 2013
Entwhistle single 28 July 2013
Exeter St Thomas down 28 March 2014
Exton single 7 March 2014
Farnworth up station since rebuilt (2015) so probably no longer present 21 July 2013
Ferryside single August 2015
Flimby up 8 July 2013
Flixton down 4 August 2013
Great Bentley both 28 March 2014
Great Coates down up 4 October 2013 25 October 2013
Grindleford up 20 September 2013
Hadfield single 6 August 2013
Harrington both (first 'hump' only) 8 December 2008
Heighington both 18 October 2013
Henley in Arden down 26 September 2014
Horton-in-Ribblesdale up 8 July 2013
Hunmanby down 15 November 2013
Hutton Cranswick down up 10 January 2014 27 September 2013
Irlam reported but no evidence found
Kearsley up 15 July 2013
Kents Bank by November 2014
Knucklas single during spring 2015
Lapworth down up 7 February 2014 6 October 2013
Lawrence Hill down 7 March 2014
Llanbister Road single 31 January 2015
Llangennech both 28 February 2015
Llangunllo single 31 January 2015
Llwyngwril single
Lowdham both 13 October 2013
Market Rasen both 13 October 2013
Nafferton down up 24 October 2014 1 November 2013
Nethertown single some time between July 2016 and April 2017
New Lane up 31 October 2014
Newton St Cyres single 14 March 2014
North Road single 4 October 2013
Northwich both 1 April 2011
Oulton Broad South single 14 February 2014
Parton both 15 July 2013
Pegswood up 21 March 2014
Pembroke single August 2015
Pembroke Dock single August 2015
Penrhyndeudraeth single 24 January 2015
Pleasington down 28 July 2013
Pontarddulais single 19 January 2015
Portsmouth Arms single 28 March 2014
Prees both
Rauceby down 25 October 2013
Redbridge up 22 March 2014
St Albans Abbey single (installation) 17 July 2009 (formal opening) 11 August 2009
St Bees northbound October 2012
Sankey up 20 September 2013
Seascale both October 2012
Seaton Carew both 30 May 2014
Spooner Row down 21 March 2014
Stapleton Road down 7 March 2014
Starbeck down 15 November 2013
Swineshead down 15 November 2013
Talsarnau single 24 January 2015
The Lakes both 10 January 2014
Thornton Abbey both 6 June 2014
Ty Croes platform 1 1 April 2024
Valley both? (formal opening) 14 May 2010
Whaley Bridge Buxton by February 2013
Whitehaven through by October 2011
Wigton down 8 July 2013
Wood End up 23 May 2014
Yorton down 15 April 2016

Which stations… have been used but never had trains?

These are principally rail-related ferry/shipping service points.

Alloa North

Dartmouth

Gravesend

Hull Corporation Pier

Liverpool Landing Stage

Rosherville

Sheerness

Woolwich Roffs Ferry

Which stations… have the largest concourse?

London Bridge (150,000m² from 2018 when rebuilding completed)

Which stations… were built but never opened?

Over the years, many stations have been proposed but never come to fruition. This list attempts to show those where at least some physical construction started before they were abandoned. All are 'main line' schemes unless stated otherwise.

Barrhead (New) 1902; Glenfield-Patterton

Blaencwm 1905; north of Treherbert

Brierdene 1914; Monkseaton

Brockley Hill Elstree South-Edgware, London Underground

Collywell Bay 1914; Monkseaton

Cowley Meadows 1847; near Exeter

Coynant Nantyffyllon

Crowlands ≈1930; Chadwell Heath-Romford

Cwmgorse ≈1932; Abernant colliery line

Doncaster (York Road) ≈1916

Dykebar by 1905; Barrhead (New)-Paisley East

Escombe 1843; near Bishop Auckland

Ferguslie 1905; Stanely-Paisley St James, possibly used for excursion traffic

Ferry Road 1903; Leith Docks Caledonian

Glenfield ≈1902; Barrhead (New)-Stanely

Gwaun Cae Gurwen ≈1895; Abernant colliery line

Howden 1843; Bishop Auckland-Crook

Kishoge/Kishogue 2009; Adamstown-Clondalkin/Fonthill; Iarnród Éireann

Leith Walk (Manderston Street) 1903; Leith Docks Caledonian

Lullingstone 1939; Swanley-Eynsford

Lyon Cross Junction 1905; Patterton-Neilston

Margate LC&DR's originally intended station immediately east of SER's Margate Sands

Norland 1864; Shepherd's Bush-Latimer Road

North End 1907; Golders Green-Hampstead, also known as Bull & Bush; London Underground

Old Etherley Colliery 1843; Bishop Auckland-Crook

Queens Road 1894; Clapton

Paisley East ≈1902; Dykebar-Paisley Gilmour Street

Richboro Port ≈1925

Snaith & Pollington ≈1916; Sykehouse-Carlton Towers

Stanely ≈1902; Glenfield-Ferguslie

Swithland ≈1900; Rothley-Quorn

Sykehouse ≈1916; Thorpe in Balne-Snaith & Pollington

Thorpe in Balne ≈1916; Sykehouse-Adwick

Treforest 1911; north of Rhydyfelin on Coryton branch

Uphall 1850; branch near Livingston

Uphill 1841; construction not certain; near Weston-super-Mare

Warmsworth ≈1916; Doncaster

Ynysygeinon Junction 1873; Pontardawe-Ystalyfera

Which stations… are served only by companies other than the station facility operator (SFO)?

Full list on this page.

Which stations… have the longest platforms?

These stations have platforms 450m-long or longer. Lengths are official operational lengths where known; physical lengths can be longer especially where platforms are connected end-to-end (for example, the combined platform at Manchester's Victoria and Exchange stations was 681m long).

Cheriton 791m long

Bournemouth platform 3/4 combined; 522m long

Gloucester platform 1/2 combined; 494m long

Edinburgh Waverley platform 10/11 combined; 492m long

Perth platform 4; 473m long

Aberdeen platform 6; 460m long

Darlington platform 4; 458m long

Crewe platform 6; 450m long

For Bournemouth, Gloucester and Edinburgh Waverley, the combined length allows a single long train to use both platforms simultaneously. Other stations where at least one platform is a bay could be a longer combined length (e.g. Colchester often quoted at ≈593m long).

Which stations… have the shortest platforms?

These stations have platforms 30m-long or shorter. Lengths are official operational lengths where known; those prefixed with ≈ are measured from mapping systems.

Battersea Pier Staff Halt 3m long

Northam Staff Halt ≈3m long exists as a NLC, etc. but no evidence seen on site

Fratton Staff Half ≈7m long

Beauly 15m long

Conon Bridge 15m long

Dilton Marsh both platforms, 15m long

Gilfach Fargoed both platforms, 17m long

Berney Arms 18m long

Hoo Junction Staff Halt up platform, 19m long

Sugar Loaf 21m long

Folkestone East Staff Halt down platform, 20m long; up platform is 146m long

Hoo Junction Staff Halt down platform, 23m long

Llandecwyn 22m long

Tygwyn 22m long

Llandanwg 23m long

Stourbridge Town 27m long

Durnsford Road Staff Halt 27.43m long

Loch Eil Outward Bound 28m long

Avoncliff both platforms, 30m long

Causeland 30m long

Coombe 30m long

Sandplace 30m long

St Keyne 30m long

Which stations… have bilingual name signs?

Full list on this page.

Which stations… have international facilities?

Full list on this page.

Which stations… had CLASP buildings?

CLASP ('Consortium Local Authority Special Programme') was a system of prefabricated concrete panels designed as a quick and easy method of making utility buildings (e.g. schools and hospitals). Thirty Southern region and three Western region stations had CLASP buildings replacing their traditional ones. Most have since been replaced though some remain (e.g. Wool).

Station Installed Replaced Notes
Ashtead 1968 2013
Aylesham 1968 Still present 2023
Belmont 1968 2004
Belvedere 1968 2000
Berrylands 1969 Still present 2023
Bristol Parkway 1972 2001
Brockley 1972 Still present 2021
Catford 1970 Still present 2022
Charlton 1968 Still present 2018
Crawley 1967 Still present 2018
Crayford 1968 2008 Some ancillary buildings still present 2016
East Grinstead 1972 2013
Fleet 1966 2014
Forest Hill 1973 Still present 2017
Gloucester 1977 Still present 2018
Hampton Wick 1969 2005 Some ancillary buildings still present 2008
Hassocks 1973 2013
Kidbrooke 1972 2015
Longfield 1972 Still present 2023
Lower Sydenham 1972 1991 Burnt down 1989
Meopham 1973 Still present 2020
New Eltham 1968 1988
Oxford 1971 1990
Poole 1970 late-1980s
Rainham (Kent) 1972 1989
Slade Green 1968 Still present 2018
Strood 1973 2017
Sunbury 1965 Still present 2022
Sunningdale 1972 Still present 2020
Virginia Water 1973 Still present 2019
West Byfleet 1973 Still present 2020
Wokingham 1973 2013
Wool 1972 Still present 2021

Which stations… had Motorail facilities?

Aberdeen

Birmingham International

Bristol Temple Meads

Brockenhurst

Cambridge

Cardiff Central

Carlisle

Crewe

Dover

Eastbourne

Edinburgh Waverley

Ely

Exeter St Davids

Fishguard Harbour

Fort William

Glasgow Central

Glasgow St Enoch

Harwich

Holyhead

Inverness

London Caledonian Road

London Euston

London Kensington Olympia

London Kings Cross

London Marylebone

London Paddington

Newcastle

Newhaven

Newton Abbot

Newton le Willows

Okehampton precursor to modern system

Penzance

Perth

Pilning precursor to modern system

Plymouth

Reading

St Austell

Severn Tunnel Junction precursor to modern system

Sheffield

Stirling

Surbiton precursor to modern system

Sutton Coldfield

Swansea

Totnes

Worcester Shrub Hill

York