Station code CSO DfT category F2 Number of platforms 1 | Grid reference SD487192 Managed by Northern 2011/12 44,802 | |
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Similar Bamber Bridge railway st, Leyland railway station, Cherry Tree railway st, Mill Hill (Lancashire) railway st, Blackburn railway station | ||
Croston railway station serves the small village of Croston, near Chorley in Lancashire, England; the station is on the Ormskirk Branch Line 7 miles (11 km) south west of Preston. It is unstaffed and the old station buildings are now privately occupied.
The station was built & opened by the Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway (later taken over by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway) along with the line in April 1849. "Line" is the suitable word here, as along the way are clear signs of the former double track trunk route from Preston to Liverpool Exchange, which was severely rationalised (including the reduction to single line working) in 1970. The disused northbound platform here is still visible, which until recently was derelict and overgrown. However a group of local volunteers currently clears and maintains the Northbound platform.
The line once carried numerous express trains to Glasgow Central Edinburgh, Blackpool North and the Lake District, though Croston was usually served only by local stopping services from Liverpool to Preston and Blackburn.
Trains connect at Ormskirk with Merseyrail services to Liverpool Central. Croston enjoys bus connections to nearby Leyland, Chorley, Southport, and Preston. It is on the B5247 into Bretherton.
The single platform still in use has a shelter & digital information screen, but has no ticket vending facilities. Step-free access is available for disabled travellers.
Services
Thirteen trains call in each direction (roughly every 90 minutes) on Monday to Saturdays only (no Sunday service). Most trains are operated by either Class 142 Pacer railbuses or Class 153 single unit railcars, though Class 150 units sometimes appear.