Heysham Port (Harbour) Naming

[XCTurbostar]

Is there a reason Heysham Port is still widely referred to as Heysham Harbour within the railway systems?

The Station code is HHB, the TIPLOC used in Northern’s own Diagrams is HeysHbr.

I assume this is just legacy and hasnt needed to be changed even though others have had their descriptions changed? Like Bicester Town, Dunfermline City etc.

 

[greatkingrat]

Internal codes don't usually get changed even if the station name changes. Bicester Village is still BIT or BCSTRTN. Imperial Wharf has a TIPLOC of CSEAH as the original planned name was Chelsea Harbour, even though that name was never used officially.

 

[John Luxton]

It is a harbour - I would say the name is pretty accurate.

Some sites / publications refer to it as Heysham Harbour, others Heysham Port.

Whilst i have never been into Heysham on the train I do use it quite a lot to go to the Isle of Man.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Been 'Heysham Port' since 1992 and 'Heysham Sea Terminal' for a few years before then. When did the station name boards last still show it as 'Heysham Harbour'?

 

[Gloster]

Heysham Port opened 11 July 1904, resited to the east 4 May 1970, closed 6 October 1975 except for occasional use by boat train passengers. Known as Heysham in public timetables and Bradshaw, but Heysham Harbour in WTT until 1917 and generally so shown on tickets. Reopened 11 May 1987 as Heysham Sea Terminal (owners’ version and in timetable); renamed Heysham Port in timetable from 11 May 1992. Closed 8 February 1994 and reopened 16 December same year.

Make of that what you will.

Source: Quick’s Chronology.

 

[pdeaves]

Heysham Port opened 11 July 1904, resited to the east 4 May 1970, closed 6 October 1975 except for occasional use by boat train passengers. Known as Heysham in public timetables and Bradshaw, but Heysham Harbour in WTT until 1917 and generally so shown on tickets. Reopened 11 May 1987 as Heysham Sea Terminal (owners’ version and in timetable); renamed Heysham Port in timetable from 11 May 1992. Closed 8 February 1994 and reopened 16 December same year.

Make of that what you will.

Source: Quick’s Chronology.

Adding to all that, I have a photo taken in April 2003 that shows the signs simply stated "Heysham" and another in July 2015 where the signs stated "Heysham Port". Make of that what you will, too!

 

[XCTurbostar]

All I was really Highlighting is the incredible inconsistencies at this station.
The CRS is HHB, the Station is Heysham Port.
Traksy has it listed as Heysham Harbour - https://traksy.uk/live/M+27+HEYSHBR
The Sectional Appendix shows it correctly.
Realtimetrains has it listed as Heysham Harbour on services but the page is Heysham Port - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y06764/2025-11-17/detailed

 

[SargeNpton]

In theory, all information systems used by the rail industry should take the station location codes and names from a central database called CORPUS. Unfortunately, some system admins decide to create their own location lists, which can result in different systems showing different names where one has been updated and another hasn't.

For Heysham, the railway station and ferry terminal are treated as separate entities. The railway station is Heysham Port and the ferry terminal is Heysham Sea Terminal. Any system using Heysham Harbour for either needs to be updated.

 

[ScottGallagher]

I thought i recalled it being called Heysham Sea Tn̈n̈erminal, remember the female auto announcer at Lancaster pre 92 pronouncing it or spliced quite oddly!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Reopened 11 May 1987 as Heysham Sea Terminal (owners’ version and in timetable); renamed Heysham Port in timetable from 11 May 1992. Closed 8 February 1994 and reopened 16 December same year.

Make of that what you will.

Source: Quick’s Chronology.

Interestingly, R.V.J..Butt's "The Directory of Railway Stations" (1995 book) claims that the change of name from 'Heysham Sea Terminal' to 'Heysham Port' took place on 28th September 1992.