Portadown railway station

Last updated

Portadown
Logomark NI Railways.svg
Portadown (1).jpg
Portadown Railway Station in December 2014
General information
Location Portadown
Northern Ireland
Coordinates 54°25′30″N6°26′46″W / 54.425°N 6.446°W / 54.425; -6.446
Owned by NI Railways
Operated byNI Railways
Line(s) Belfast-Dublin line (Enterprise)
Belfast-Newry line (1)
Platforms3
Tracks3
Train operators NI Railways, Iarnród Éireann
Bus routes5
Bus stands1
Bus operatorsUlsterbus
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade
Architect1862: John MacNeill [1]
Other information
Station codePDOWN
Fare zone3 [2]
Website translink.co.uk
History
Previous namesPortadown - Craigavon West
Key dates
1842Opened
1848Moved to present location
1863Returned to original location
1970Returned to present location
2013Refurbished
Passengers
2022/23Increase2.svg 925,721
[3]
Location
United Kingdom Northern Ireland adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Portadown
Location within Northern Ireland
Portadown railway station

Portadown Railway Station serves the town of Portadown in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

Contents

The station is located on the Belfast-Dublin railway line. The original station opened in 1842, and the present station opened in 1970. It is currently NI Railways 5th biggest station with over 925,721 passengers in the year 22/23 [4]

History

The station, c. 1879. Sticking up posters on the gate piers of Portadown Railway Station.jpg
The station, c. 1879.

The original Portadown station was sited half a mile east of the present station and opened on 12 September 1842, replacing a temporary station at Seagoe that had opened the preceding year. The Portadown station was moved to the present location in 1848 then reverted to its original site between 1863 and 1970. Goods traffic ceased on 4 January 1965. The present station opened in 1970, replacing a large and largely redundant station.

At the time (1970) the station was called Portadown - Craigavon West, a title that was quietly dropped after the "new city" Craigavon failed to materialise. The layout of the 1970 station was modified in 1997 to allow bi-directional working on all three platforms. The lines to Cavan via Armagh (closed 1957), and Derry via Dungannon and Omagh (closed 1965) diverged immediately west of the present station. [5]

Portadown new station in 1970 Portadown new station - geograph.org.uk - 2347066.jpg
Portadown new station in 1970

In 2012, work began on a major refurbishment of the station. A new, modern building was constructed and a footbridge replaced the subway. The refurbishment was completed in 2013. [6]

Layout

The station has three platforms. After the station upgrade being completed in late May 2013 both platforms 1, 2 and 3 have lifts and have disability access. Platform 3 is usually used for storage of a train but one departs from this platform occasionally towards Great Victoria Street.[ citation needed ]

Service

This is the terminus for most services from Bangor or Belfast but there are 4 services which continue to Newry Mondays to Saturdays only. There is a half-hourly service to Great Victoria Street, Lanyon Place and Bangor. There is a two hourly Enterprise service to Dublin Connolly or Lanyon Place. On Sundays there is an hourly service to Bangor and no NIR services at all to Newry, although five Enterprise services still operate between these two stations.

This line can be popular with rugby fans connecting at Dublin Connolly for the DART to Lansdowne Road. The line is also used by rail passengers changing at Dublin Connolly onto the DART to Dún Laoghaire for example or travelling to Dublin Port for the Irish Ferries or Stena Line to Holyhead, and then by train along the North Wales Coast Line to London Euston and other destinations in England and Wales.

Preceding station  Logomark NI Railways.svg Northern Ireland Railways  Following station
Lurgan   Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Newry Line
 Terminus
or
Scarva
Lanyon Place
or
Lurgan (Sundays only)		  Enterprise
Belfast-Dublin Main Line 		  Newry
  Historical railways  
Lurgan
Line and station open		  Ulster Railway
Belfast-Portadown		 Terminus
Terminus  Portadown, Dungannon and
Omagh Junction Railway
Portadown-Omagh		  Annaghmore
Line and station closed
Terminus  Ulster Railway
Portadown-Clones		  Richhill
Line and station closed
Terminus  Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway
Portadown-Drogheda		  Tanderagee
Line open station closed

Future

There is a possibility of re-opening of the line from Portadown to Armagh railway station. [7] Government Minister for the Department for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy MLA indicates railway restoration plans. [8]

The Armagh railway line has been listed in proposed plans to reopen the line. [9]

All-Island Rail Review

The all-island rail review suggested that Portadown become a major interchange between the current Dublin-Belfast Main line, proposed lines such as the single tracked Mullingar-Portadown Line via Armagh, Monaghan, Clones, and Cavan and the dual tracked Derry~Londonderry-Portadown Line via Dungannon, Omagh and Strabane. Portadown would also become an inland freight terminal serving connections to Rosslare Europort, Dublin Port and Larne Harbour.

The All-Island Rail Review also includes 29 other recommendations for railways across the Island of Ireland and it is said that it will take a least 25 years to competed. It would cost in the range of €36.8bn/£30.7bn (as of 2023) and be split between both regions. 75% by the Republic of Ireland and 25% by Northern Ireland. [10] [11]

No plans as of February 2024, have gone about implementing this review.

Bus connections

Ulsterbus and Goldliner services operating from Portadown railway station: [12]

Preceding station  Ulsterbus  Following station
Portadown
Church Street		  Ulsterbus
61 Armagh-Portadown		  Seagoe
Craigavon Area Hospital
Terminus  Ulsterbus
75 Portadown - Dungannon		  Portadown
High Street
Portadown
High Street		  Ulsterbus
75a Dungannon - Craigavon Hospital		  The Birches
Roundabout
Terminus  Ulsterbus
65 Portadown - Loughgall - Armagh		  Portadown
Church Street
Preceding station  Goldline  Following station
Lurgan
Loughview Park & Ride Lough Road		  Goldline
271 Belfast - Cavan		  Richhill
Village
Lurgan
Loughview Park & Ride Lough Road		  Goldline
251 Belfast - Armagh		  Richhill
Village
Lurgan
Loughview Park & Ride Lough Road		  Goldline
251a Belfast - Armagh		  Richhill
Village

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NI Railways</span> Parastatal rail transport organisation of Northern Ireland (NIR)

NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways, is the railway operator in Northern Ireland. NIR is a subsidiary of Translink, whose parent company is the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHCo), and is one of eight publicly owned train operators in the United Kingdom, the others being Direct Rail Services, Northern Trains, Transport for Wales Rail, Southeastern, LNER, ScotRail, and TransPennine Express. It has a common Board of Management with the other two companies in the group, Ulsterbus and Metro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Ireland</span>

Rail transport in Ireland is provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Translink (Northern Ireland)</span> Public transport operator in Northern Ireland

Translink is the brand name of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHCo), a public corporation in Northern Ireland which provides the public transport in the region. NI Railways, Ulsterbus and Metro are all part of Translink. It is led by CEO Chris Conway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connolly station</span> Railway station in Dublin, Ireland

Connolly station or Dublin Connolly is one of the busiest railway stations in Dublin and Ireland, and is a focal point in the Irish route network. On the North side of the River Liffey, it provides InterCity, Enterprise and commuter services to the north, north-west, south-east and south-west. The north–south Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Luas red line light rail services also pass through the station. The station offices are the headquarters of Irish Rail, Iarnród Éireann. Opened in 1844 as Dublin Station, the ornate facade has a distinctive Italianate tower at its centre.

<i>Enterprise</i> (train service) Train service between Dublin, Ireland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland

Enterprise is the cross-border inter-city train service between Dublin Connolly in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast Lanyon Place in Northern Ireland, jointly operated by Iarnród Éireann (IE) and NI Railways (NIR). It operates on the Belfast–Dublin railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lanyon Place railway station</span> Railway station in Belfast

Belfast Lanyon Place is a railway station serving the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Located on Bridge Street in the Laganside area of central Belfast, it is one of four stations in the city centre, the others being Great Victoria Street, City Hospital and Botanic. Lanyon Place is the northern terminus of the cross-border Enterprise service to Dublin Connolly. It is also served by Northern Ireland Railways, which operates routes to other locations in Northern Ireland, including Derry, Bangor, Portadown and Larne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derry ~ Londonderry railway station</span> Railway station in Northern Ireland

Derry ~ Londonderry railway station, also known as North West Transport Hub or Waterside railway station, is a railway terminus in Derry, Northern Ireland, on the east bank of the River Foyle, operated by Northern Ireland Railways and its 8th biggest station across the network with 723,776 passengers in the 22/23 year. It is on the Belfast–Derry railway line, terminating at Belfast Great Victoria Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisburn railway station</span> Station in County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Lisburn railway station serves the city of Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belfast–Newry line</span>

The Belfast–Newry line operates from Lanyon Place station in County Antrim to Newry in County Down, Northern Ireland. The manager for this line is based at Portadown railway station, although the line extends to the border to include the Scarva and Poyntzpass halts and Newry. Newry is on the fringe of the network, being the last stop before the border with the Republic of Ireland. The line follows the route of the northern half of the main Dublin–Belfast line, with the exception of calling at Belfast Great Victoria Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belfast–Bangor line</span>

The Belfast to Bangor line is a railway line in Northern Ireland, originally part of the Belfast & County Down Railway. All services are operated by NI Railways, the only operator for Northern Ireland (NI). Unlike the rest of the United Kingdom, no railway in NI is part of the National Rail network and none is owned by Network Rail. Services run every half-hour, with up to six trains per hour in each direction at peak times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belfast–Dublin line</span> Railway route in Ireland

The Belfast–Dublin Main Line is a main and busiest railway route on the island of Ireland that connects Dublin Connolly station in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast Lanyon Place station in Northern Ireland. It is the only railway line that crosses the Republic of Ireland–United Kingdom border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newry railway station</span> Railway station in County Armagh, Northern Ireland

Newry railway station serves Newry and Bessbrook in Northern Ireland. The station is located in the northwest of Newry, County Armagh on the Dublin-Belfast line close to the Craigmore Viaduct. It is the most southerly railway station in Northern Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moira railway station</span> Railway station in County Down, Northern Ireland

Moira railway station serves Moira in County Down, Northern Ireland. Despite the station serving the County Down town, the station itself is located in County Antrim, the neighbouring Lagan Canal being the boundary. Moira station is the oldest building on the NI Railways network today having been opened on 18 November 1841. The old, now redundant, signal box stands over the station on the Southbound side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lurgan railway station</span> Railway station in County Armagh, Northern Ireland

Lurgan railway station serves Lurgan in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Located on William Street. The station is managed by NI Railways. With just over 670,000 passengers in the year 22/23. Lurgan railway station is Northern Ireland's 9th most used station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poyntzpass railway station</span>

Poyntzpass railway station serves Poyntzpass in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derriaghy railway station</span> Station in County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Derriaghy railway station is located in the townland of Derriaghy in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies between the centres of Belfast and Lisburn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunmurry railway station</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Botanic railway station</span> Railway station in Belfast

Botanic railway station serves the Botanic area in south Belfast, Northern Ireland and students for Queen's University Belfast; it is also near Shaftesbury Square which is along Botanic Avenue. It is named after the nearby Belfast Botanic Gardens. It is one of the four stations located in the city centre, the others being City Hospital, Great Victoria Street, and Lanyon Place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belfast suburban rail</span>

The Belfast suburban rail commuter network serves the metropolitan area of Greater Belfast and some of its commuter towns with three lines. The network is owned by Translink and operated by its subsidiary NI Railways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belfast Great Victoria Street railway station</span> Railway station in Belfast

Great Victoria Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is one of two major stations in the city, along with Lanyon Place, and is one of the four stations located in the city centre, the others being Lanyon Place, Botanic and City Hospital. It is situated near Great Victoria Street, one of Belfast's premier commercial zones, and Sandy Row. It is also in a more central position than Lanyon Place, with the Europa Hotel, Grand Opera House and The Crown Liquor Saloon all nearby.

References

  1. ↑ "1862 Railway Station". archiseek.com. archiseek. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "iLink Zone information". translink.co.uk. Translink. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  3. ↑ "NIR Footfall 22-23". Whatdotheyknow. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  4. ↑ "FOI1317 NIR Footfall 2223.xlsx". www.whatdotheyknow.com. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  5. ↑ Allen, Jonathan M (2003). 35 Years of N.I.R.: 1967 to 2002. Colourpoint Books.
  6. ↑ "Translink leads the way in sustainable station development - Global Railway Review". Global Railway Review. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  7. ↑ The Ulster Gazette. 16 May 2013
  8. ↑ "Kennedy has hopes for Armagh line restoration - Portadown Times". Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "New lines proposed in Northern Ireland rail plan". railjournal.com. 3 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "PDF.js viewer" (PDF). www.gov.ie. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "Rail review recommends reviving old tracks and raising top train speeds". BreakingNews.ie. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  12. ↑ "Translink". www.translink.co.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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