Largest Station in Preservation?

[MK Tom]

This is something I've wondered about for many years and it suddenly occurred to me to ask it here - what is the largest station on a preserved line in the UK? I realise there are many definitions of 'large' and I'd be interested to hear the answer for all of them. From what thought I've given it Horsted Keynes and Loughborough Central come to mind as two of the largest. Any other thoughts?

 

[PUFFINGBILLY]

This is something I've wondered about for many years and it suddenly occurred to me to ask it here - what is the largest station on a preserved line in the UK? I realise there are many definitions of 'large' and I'd be interested to hear the answer for all of them. From what thought I've given it Horsted Keynes and Loughborough Central come to mind as two of the largest. Any other thoughts?

Large as in square footage? Number of platforms? ( H.Keynes has 5 I think ).
Largest roof?

 

[MK Tom]

Like I said, I'm interested in pretty much every definition of large! I suppose I'm really asking what are the largest rather than what is the largest.

 

[AlexS]

Loughborough Central, Bury Bolton Street, Pickering, Horsted Keynes and Keighley (albeit 50% preserved in Keighley's case) are probably your best bets? Followed by Kidderminster Town, Llangollen and Minehead perhaps? Just an off the top of my head kind of thing.

 

[sprinterguy]

Loughborough Central has always struck me as incredibly underwhelming as a journeys' end, I wouldn't say that it was a particularly large station. And surely Grosmont is the largest of the stations on the NYMR, in terms of platforms plus the carriage sidings towards the mainline connection. And Llangollens' only 'ickle in terms of layout, even if the platform is inconveniently long. So my vote would be for Horsted Keynes, Kidderminster and Grosmont plus probably Bury Bolton Street and Keighley.

 

[David Goddard]

Horsted Keynes, Kidderminster and Grosmont.

Definitely agree with these three, probably add Minehead too.

 

[MK Tom]

Bury Bolton Street is a good one. Keighley I struggle with because to me that's only half preserved - you could equally cite Alton which is mostly national rail.

Some stations just have a sense of scale to them, which Loughborough Central and Kidderminster Town have in excess despite only having two platforms.

How big will the station at the NTHC be if it's ever finished according to plans? I heard they were planning a Marylebone-style terminus ultimately? ATM it's one massive platform that looks a bit out of place like it's been left there on its way to be put in a bigger station!

 

[YorkshireBear]

I would count keighley in that at the end of the day it is a 4 platform station. Yes only half is preserved but it is still the station. If we had my way at keighley we would restore the whole thing with canopys to create a real historic feel to the station but im not made of money and its not my call.

Kingswear always struck me as being quite large as a kid. And i think pickering is now quite imposing with its roof. Never been to most of the railways mentioned so outside that i dont have a huge opinion on it.

I'd like to enter Damems into the discussion for largest

 

[ElectronicaL33]

For me it has to be Bury Bolton Street, dare i suggest its the only Preserved station with a completely enclosed footbridge too? (not saying that thats a good thing of course. The length of the platforms are a tad longer than most? I know im biased as i visit this place more than most railways.

 

[WSW]

This is something I've wondered about for many years and it suddenly occurred to me to ask it here - what is the largest station on a preserved line in the UK? I realise there are many definitions of 'large' and I'd be interested to hear the answer for all of them. From what thought I've given it Horsted Keynes and Loughborough Central come to mind as two of the largest. Any other thoughts?

Minehead's platforms perhaps claim the "longest" at (approx) 1250ft and 1010ft.

Steve
www.wsr.org.uk

 

[2030720310]

For me it has to be Bury Bolton Street, dare i suggest its the only Preserved station with a completely enclosed footbridge too? (not saying that thats a good thing of course. The length of the platforms are a tad longer than most? I know im biased as i visit this place more than most railways.

Isn't there one at Bewdley? - a footbridge that is....

 

[TGVDUDE]

Isn't there one at Bewdley? - a footbridge that is....

Keighley's is enclosed to, isn't it? Minehead & Kidderminster are probably the largest I've been too, also I love the over room Kidderminster boasts, Going to sample Bury in March!

 

[steamybrian]

I have visited most of the Heritage Railways and confirm that Horsted Keynes with its 5 platforms is the largest preserved station I am aware of. It is the only Heritage station with more than three platforms

Llangollen has an enclosed footbridge.

Eridge has an enclosed footbridge however it connects the National Rail platform with the Spa Valley Railway platform. Alton has an enclosed footbridge connecting the NR platform with the Mid Hants Railway platform.

 

[ElectronicaL33]

Forgive me, i meant a footbridge that isnt open to the elements, which is more akin to a more modern station & for me gives Bolton Street an overall 'larger' feel. Horsted Keynes appears to be the winner in terms of platforms then! Swanwick Junction & Wirksworth have fairly impressive 'sizes' too of course

 

[73202]

Swanwick Junction has 4 platforms. 5 if you count the non rail connected platform face on the south side of the station.

 

[WestCountry]

Sheringham (NNR) seems fairly large. If they ever get the canopy on Platforms 2/3, it'll feel even better.

 

[WSW]

One more category for your quest, perhaps. Doubt it is the greatest total, but, Minehead Station has 1 mile and 59 chains of track in regular use. That includes running lines, loops, loco yard and also sidings used for storing operational stock but excludes sidings used for long term storage. Whereas Bishops Lydeard Station has 1 mile and 5 chains of track in regular use.

Steve
www.wsr.org.uk

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Bury Bolton Street is a good one. Keighley I struggle with because to me that's only half preserved - you could equally cite Alton which is mostly national rail.

Some stations just have a sense of scale to them, which Loughborough Central and Kidderminster Town have in excess despite only having two platforms.

How big will the station at the NTHC be if it's ever finished according to plans? I heard they were planning a Marylebone-style terminus ultimately? ATM it's one massive platform that looks a bit out of place like it's been left there on its way to be put in a bigger station!

I suppose that may depend if the two parts of the GCR ever get connected. I did a UKRT special there last year and there was a reversal just before your get to the NTHC, I thought they were hoping to get nearer to Nottingham City centre too.?

 

[ElectronicaL33]

I suppose that may depend if the two parts of the GCR ever get connected. I did a UKRT special there last year and there was a reversal just before your get to the NTHC, I thought they were hoping to get nearer to Nottingham City centre too.?

I believe thats the plan, an extension of around 2 miles north of the reversal point to a place called Wilford. Interestingly the original Ruddington station & surviving island platform is clearly visible on google street view

 

[Jedipickles]

In terms of narrow gauge - surely New Romney on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway wins?

 

[David Goddard]

Wansford NVR has four platforms, albeit the two bays are NIRU and used as storage.