Stations you would rename.

[Fawkes Cat]

Given the institution is the University of Birmingham rather than Birmingham University, I'm not sure this is really an improvement. There's also a Birmingham City University, none of which's premises are near University station. As there are no other stations named for universities, and University is only served by local trains within Birmingham, I don't think the lack of Birmingham is a problem.

I'm not entirely sure that this logic stands up.

1) In my experience (admittedly of a different university in a city beginning with B) 'B University' and 'University of B' are used interchangeably: thus 30-something years ago the (other) B University had the B University Conservative Association, and the University of B Society of Change Ringers.
2) I'm not clear how 'University' distinguishes the station as serving the University of Birmingham as opposed to Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham or Aston University in a way that 'Birmingham University' doesn't.

 

[Gloster]

A few years ago I was at Cambridge station going to see a friend at the University of Birmingham and I asked for a return to University. The person in the ticket office told me it was a 20 minute walk so I said Birmingham University. It’s just a strange name for a mainline station in my opinion.

Ah, but nobody in Cambridge acknowledges the existence of any other university.

 

[43096]

Ah, but nobody in Cambridge acknowledges the existence of any other university.

And Oxford is, of course, a complete dump.

Stephen Fry on Oxford - YouTube

 

[Gloster]

And Oxford is, of course, a complete dump.

Stephen Fry on Oxford - YouTube

Of course, Hull is the other great university of England.

 

[Andyjs247]

University station has been in existence for almost 43 years so I think by now has probably earned its name. I do see the potential confusion but I’m not sure any of the alternatives are better. One that hasn’t been suggested is Queen Elizabeth Hospital given its proximity but even that isn’t unique.

The only other hospital station I can think of is James Cook in Middlesbrough, although Cambridge South / Addenbrooke’s could soon be added to that list.

There is one other University station in existence if you go to Sunderland. It is served by Metro on the branch to South Hylton.

 

[adrock1976]

As somebody originally from the West Midlands and in regards to University station, it seems obvious to me that it serves the proper university in the West Midlands i.e Birmingham.

City University (the one based near the site of Curzon Street HS2 station) was the polytechnic that was previously in Perry Barr. Even the uni in Wolverhampton was the former polytechnic.

 

[takno]

As somebody originally from the West Midlands and in regards to University station, it seems obvious to me that it serves the proper university in the West Midlands i.e Birmingham.

City University (the one based near the site of Curzon Street HS2 station) was the polytechnic that was previously in Perry Barr. Even the uni in Wolverhampton was the former polytechnic.

Aston isn't a former polytechnic. Isn't Warwick uni in Coventry as well?

 

[Farang]

I think London Crécy would be a better name to be honest (also a joke)

London Dunkirk?

 

[charley_17/7]

Bow Brickhill to Caldecotte & Tilbrook (for the Open University).
Woburn Sands to Hogsty End (original name!)
Ridgmont is closer to Brogborough/Amazon.
Salford Central to Trinity.
Gorton to Openshaw.
Belle Vue to Belle Vue & Gorton, or (just) Gorton.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Aston isn't a former polytechnic. Isn't Warwick uni in Coventry as well?

Aston University isn't near to Aston station by the way. It is closer to all three of the 'central' Birmingham stations.

(OT but it was a 'College of Advanced Technology' before it got a university charter. Arguably 'even worse' than a polytechnic. They must have been desperate to fill it after the change; a mate got in with two Es.)

 

[Hey 3]

I would rename Atherton to Atherton North, Deansgate as someone said to Manchester Deansgate and Salford Central to Manchester and Salford Central, Stockport to Stockport Edgeley(why not) all stations in Zone 1 and Zone 1/2 stations in London to get a London prefix, bar London Bridge obvs (yes I know London Kennington or London Nine Elms sounds odd, but oh well, East Didsbury to East Didsbury & Parrs Wood, Gatley to Gatley & Cheadle, Mauldeth Road to Ladybarn & Fallowfield, Burnage as Burnage West & Withington, Levenshulme to Levenshulme to Levenshulme, Longsight & Burnage, Patricroft to Eccles West or Patricroft & Eccles West, Greenfield to Saddleworth, all Metrolink stops in Zone 1 and Zone 1/2(same rules on other zonal ticketing systems) can have the Manchester prefix(Manchester Cornbrook or Manchester Piccadilly Gardens). Northampton to Northampton Castle, Nottingham and all major stations on the MML to get the Midland suffix Birmingham New Street to Birmingham Grand Central, Fairfield(Manchester) to Fairfield & Droylsden, Guide Bridge to Guide Bridge & Audenshaw, Gorton to Gorton Central, Ashburys to Gorton West & Ashburys, Belle Vue to Gorton South & Belle Vue, Heaton Chapel to Heaton Chapel & Heaton Moor, Styal to Styal & Lacey Green.

 

[Alex27]

Oxford Parkway to Water Eaton (the closest, if tiny, village, but also what the adjacent park and ride is called), or perhaps Oxford Banbury Road (Just to confuse people even more ) A reasonable number of tourists get off at Oxford Parkway for Oxford and find themselves in a car park next to the A34 about 6 miles from Oxford

 

[takno]

Oxford Parkway to Water Eaton (the closest, if tiny, village, but also what the adjacent park and ride is called), or perhaps Oxford Banbury Road (Just to confuse people even more ) A reasonable number of tourists get off at Oxford Parkway for Oxford and find themselves in a car park next to the A34 about 6 miles from Oxford

But it's the parkway for Oxford. If they called it Water Orton or whatever then the large number of people who use it for it's intended purpose would have some degree of confusion. Half an hour in a car park waiting for the next train sounds educational - people will learn that cities can be fairly big, and if there are two stations with the city name in, then they should pick the right one before they get off

 

[alistairlees]

But it's the parkway for Oxford. If they called it Water Orton or whatever then the large number of people who use it for it's intended purpose would have some degree of confusion. Half an hour in a car park waiting for the next train sounds educational - people will learn that cities can be fairly big, and if there are two stations with the city name in, then they should pick the right one before they get off

"Water Orton" would be really confusing...

 

[JRT]

Stanningley West or Farsley South.

Stanningley is a good 1.5 miles in length

Farsley south because everyone whinges that it’s miles away and it really isn’t.

New Pudsey because pre-1974, it was Pudsey.

New Pudsey to Leeds Parkway, because that's what it is, the first “Parkway” station in 1967, when the term didn't exist.

 

[YorksLad12]

New Pudsey to Leeds Parkway, because that's what it is, the first “Parkway” station in 1967, when the term didn't exist.

In that case, Pudsey Parkway - it's also a P&R station for Bradford.

 

[Andyjs247]

But it's the parkway for Oxford. If they called it Water Orton or whatever then the large number of people who use it for it's intended purpose would have some degree of confusion. Half an hour in a car park waiting for the next train sounds educational - people will learn that cities can be fairly big, and if there are two stations with the city name in, then they should pick the right one before they get off

The Park & Ride formerly known as Water Eaton is now known as Oxford Parkway. Calling it Water Eaton would cause additional confusion when East West Rail opens because there is another Water Eaton down the line near Bletchley. Not to mention the similarly named Water Orton near Birmingham.

 

[camflyer]

Ah, but nobody in Cambridge acknowledges the existence of any other university.

I always enjoy seeing the sign at Cambridge Station saying "Welcome to Cambridge. Home of Anglia Ruskin University"

Err... and the other, slightly larger and better known one.

 

[Hey 3]

I

I would rename Atherton to Atherton North, Deansgate as someone said to Manchester Deansgate and Salford Central to Manchester and Salford Central, Stockport to Stockport Edgeley(why not) all stations in Zone 1 and Zone 1/2 stations in London to get a London prefix, bar London Bridge obvs (yes I know London Kennington or London Nine Elms sounds odd, but oh well, East Didsbury to East Didsbury & Parrs Wood, Gatley to Gatley & Cheadle, Mauldeth Road to Ladybarn & Fallowfield, Burnage as Burnage West & Withington, Levenshulme to Levenshulme to Levenshulme, Longsight & Burnage, Patricroft to Eccles West or Patricroft & Eccles West, Greenfield to Saddleworth, all Metrolink stops in Zone 1 and Zone 1/2(same rules on other zonal ticketing systems) can have the Manchester or their cities prefix(Manchester Cornbrook or Manchester Piccadilly Gardens). Northampton to Northampton Castle, Nottingham and all major stations on the MML to get the Midland suffix Birmingham New Street to Birmingham Grand Central, Fairfield(Manchester) to Fairfield & Droylsden, Guide Bridge to Guide Bridge & Audenshaw, Gorton to Gorton Central, Ashburys to Gorton West & Ashburys, Belle Vue to Gorton South & Belle Vue, Heaton Chapel to Heaton Chapel & Heaton Moor, Styal to Styal & Lacey Green.

I would rename Woodsmoor to Woodsmoor & Stepping Hill Hospital, Hag Fold to Atherton West, Hindley to Hindley North, Middlewood to Middlewood & High Lane, Bramhall to Bramhall & Woodford, Davenport to Davenport & Stockport South, Hazel Grove to Hazel Grove & Torkington, Poynton to Poynton & Norbury Moor, Ardwick to Manchester Piccadilly East(why not considering it is very close to Manchester Piccadilly), Hemel Hempstead to Hemel Hempstead West & Boxmoor, Tring to Aldbury & Tring, Wolverton to Milton Keynes North, Bletchley to Milton Keynes South, Fenny Stratford to Milton Keynes East

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I would rename... Ardwick to Manchester Piccadilly East (why not considering it is very close to Manchester Piccadilly)...

Very Ryanair-esque! Renaming some rundown shack and passing it off as being near a primary destination.

At least the resulting confusion on the railway would be mitigated by not much actually stopping at the newly re-monikered "Manchester Piccadilly East".

 

[adrock1976]

I would rename Atherton to Atherton North, Deansgate as someone said to Manchester Deansgate and Salford Central to Manchester and Salford Central, Stockport to Stockport Edgeley(why not) all stations in Zone 1 and Zone 1/2 stations in London to get a London prefix, bar London Bridge obvs (yes I know London Kennington or London Nine Elms sounds odd, but oh well, East Didsbury to East Didsbury & Parrs Wood, Gatley to Gatley & Cheadle, Mauldeth Road to Ladybarn & Fallowfield, Burnage as Burnage West & Withington, Levenshulme to Levenshulme to Levenshulme, Longsight & Burnage, Patricroft to Eccles West or Patricroft & Eccles West, Greenfield to Saddleworth, all Metrolink stops in Zone 1 and Zone 1/2(same rules on other zonal ticketing systems) can have the Manchester prefix(Manchester Cornbrook or Manchester Piccadilly Gardens). Northampton to Northampton Castle, Nottingham and all major stations on the MML to get the Midland suffix Birmingham New Street to Birmingham Grand Central, Fairfield(Manchester) to Fairfield & Droylsden, Guide Bridge to Guide Bridge & Audenshaw, Gorton to Gorton Central, Ashburys to Gorton West & Ashburys, Belle Vue to Gorton South & Belle Vue, Heaton Chapel to Heaton Chapel & Heaton Moor, Styal to Styal & Lacey Green.

I
I would rename Woodsmoor to Woodsmoor & Stepping Hill Hospital, Hag Fold to Atherton West, Hindley to Hindley North, Middlewood to Middlewood & High Lane, Bramhall to Bramhall & Woodford, Davenport to Davenport & Stockport South, Hazel Grove to Hazel Grove & Torkington, Poynton to Poynton & Norbury Moor, Ardwick to Manchester Piccadilly East(why not considering it is very close to Manchester Piccadilly), Hemel Hempstead to Hemel Hempstead West & Boxmoor, Tring to Aldbury & Tring, Wolverton to Milton Keynes North, Bletchley to Milton Keynes South, Fenny Stratford to Milton Keynes East

I am aware that you are a relative newbie on here going by the number of posts (I was a newbie myself a long time ago), but I feel that for easier readability that all of the suggestions mentioned would be better in a list format.

Anyway, regarding Birmingham New Street, as I am originally from the West Midlands, I would be vehemently opposed to remaining it Grand Central. Grand Central is the shopping centre above the station (which was the Palisades before the rebuild), where shopping centres can easily change names over time (e.g. Merry Hill Centre eventually became Intu Merry Hill, which recently went into administration).

Also, when New Street station was built back in the days of the former Midland Railway and London & North Western Railway (the amalgamation of the London & Birmingham, Grand Junction Railway (both their previous termini was at Curzon Street - now used for the HS2 station), and Liverpool & Manchester Railway), the same chosen was New Street as that was the main street nearby on an east-west axis (New Street itself can be accessed from the station by the ramp from the Corporation Street/Stephenson Place junction that was next to the former Midland Bank that led upstairs from the concourse into the former Palasades shopping centre above.

On a final point, there is a West Midlands colloquialism that the phrase "it's been like New Street Station today" meaning that anybody at home who had had a lot of visitors more than they would normally have, referring to the busy like nature of the station. Think about it - substituting New Street for Grand Central does not have the same feel (or meaning) to it.

 

[Sprinter107]

I am aware that you are a relative newbie on here going by the number of posts (I was a newbie myself a long time ago), but I feel that for easier readability that all of the suggestions mentioned would be better in a list format.

Anyway, regarding Birmingham New Street, as I am originally from the West Midlands, I would be vehemently opposed to remaining it Grand Central. Grand Central is the shopping centre above the station (which was the Palisades before the rebuild), where shopping centres can easily change names over time (e.g. Merry Hill Centre eventually became Intu Merry Hill, which recently went into administration).

Also, when New Street station was built back in the days of the former Midland Railway and London & North Western Railway (the amalgamation of the London & Birmingham, Grand Junction Railway (both their previous termini was at Curzon Street - now used for the HS2 station), and Liverpool & Manchester Railway), the same chosen was New Street as that was the main street nearby on an east-west axis (New Street itself can be accessed from the station by the ramp from the Corporation Street/Stephenson Place junction that was next to the former Midland Bank that led upstairs from the concourse into the former Palasades shopping centre above.

On a final point, there is a West Midlands colloquialism that the phrase "it's been like New Street Station today" meaning that anybody at home who had had a lot of visitors more than they would normally have, referring to the busy like nature of the station. Think about it - substituting New Street for Grand Central does not have the same feel (or meaning) to it.

Yes, i agree with that. Id also be against New Street being changed to Grand Central. Absolutely and utterly. I was thinking that the tram stop outside should not have been called Grand Central either. It shouldve been called New Street Station.
I dont know if you remember, but when they opened the new Bull Ring Shopping Centre, during the first few weeks, the Birmingham Mail suggested that Moor Street station should be renamed Birmingham Bull Ring. Id have been against that too.

 

[JRT]

Thanks Hey3 but wasn't the policy 70 years ago to shorten stations’ names?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2021 ==


So if we're lengthening names,
In West Yorkshire.
Brighouse & Rastrick ¹
Normanton & Altofts ²

¹ old name, but sounds nice.
² the station is as near to Altofts as the closed station.

 

[geoffk]

Ah, but nobody in Cambridge acknowledges the existence of any other university.

and of course there's also a station called University on the Portrush branch.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2021 ==

There are a few railway stations where the current name seems outdated or misleading.
Whittlesea to Whittlesey

There are several of these apparently obsolete spellings, presumably dating from pre-grouping days and never changed. Another was Handborough/Hanborough but the "d" was dropped in 1992 to conform with the modern spelling of the villages Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough. Not sure if the OP has in mind the following -
New Hey and Newhey (the latter now used by Metrolink, changed from New Hey, said to be obsolete, used by BR and its predecessors)
Cross Gates and Crossgates, two words for the station and one for the shopping centre
Broad Green and Broadgreen, the station boards read "Broad Green for Broadgreen Hospital
Harringay and Haringey, I believe the latter is the name of the Borough but not used on stations, can a Londoner confirm?
Perhaps there should be a separate thread for these, "alternative/obsolete spelling of station names".

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Perhaps there should be a separate thread for these, "alternative/obsolete spelling of station names".

Believe Lockerbie was once referred to as Lockerby.

 

[EllieAquitrain]

Harringay and Haringey, I believe the latter is the name of the Borough but not used on stations, can a Londoner confirm?

Harringay is a neighbourhood roughly stretching between Turnpike Lane and Manor House tube stations (hence Harringay Green Lanes on the GOBLIN). No idea why the borough is spelled differently, but Haringey would be wildly inappropriate for the ECML station as it refers to an area (in rail terms) from East Finchley tube station to Northumberland Park on the WAML!

 

[Gareth]

Wavertree Technology Park to Wavertree.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Harringay and Haringey, I believe the latter is the name of the Borough but not used on stations, can a Londoner confirm?

Haringey Green Lanes was originally Harringay Park. For a time it was called Harringay Stadium. (The site currently occupied by Sainsburys previously housed a dog track) Some time after the stadium closed it was renamed Harringay Green Lanes and when the local authority had a sudden rush of blood to the head and changed the spelling of the borough, the spelling of the station's name was changed accordingly. (I've just referred to various maps and they all spell the station the original sensible way. I'm going to visit the station to check the current spelling)

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Haringey Green Lanes was originally Harringay Park. For a time it was called Harringay Stadium. (The site currently occupied by Sainsburys previously housed a dog track) Some time after the stadium closed it was renamed Harringay Green Lanes and when the local authority had a sudden rush of blood to the head and changed the spelling of the borough, the spelling of the station's name was changed accordingly. (I've just referred to various maps and they all spell the station the original sensible way. I'm going to visit the station to check the current spelling)

When was the council's rush of blood to the head? I can't find anything to suggest that the authority has ever been called anything but Haringey (although pedantically I think that when the London Borough Councils were first set up and presumably until they got their borough or city charters they were numbered rather than named). For the station, the National Rail journey planner identifies HRY as Harringay Green Lanes, as does TfL's website so you may be able to avoid having to go and look.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

When was the council's rush of blood to the head? I can't find anything to suggest that the authority has ever been called anything but Haringey (although pedantically I think that when the London Borough Councils were first set up and presumably until they got their borough or city charters they were numbered rather than named). For the station, the National Rail journey planner identifies HRY as Harringay Green Lanes, as does TfL's website so you may be able to avoid having to go and look.

My apologies. What I wrote is wrong and it's now obvious that I've been labouring under a misapprehension for about twenty-five years. I was misinformed by a BBC radio programme in which it was stated that the spelling was changed in order not to offend gays! Clearly in the mid-60s that was not a consideration so the whole idea makes no sense.