Station code RNH DfT category E Number of platforms 2 | Grid reference SJ491914 Managed by Northern 2011/12 0.470 million | |
 | ||
Similar Whiston railway station, Prescot railway station, Huyton railway station, Thatto Heath railway st, Earlestown railway station | ||
Rainhill railway station serves the district of Rainhill in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the electrified northern route of the Liverpool to Manchester Line, forming part of the Liverpool City Line. The original Liverpool and Manchester Railway which opened in 1830. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern on behalf of Merseytravel and are branded as Merseyrail services.
Contents
Rainhill has an important place in railway history, as the location of the Rainhill Trials where the proposed designs of locomotive for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway were tested in competition. Rainhill is one of the oldest stations in the world, opening in 1830.
George Stephenson designed and had constructed the skew arch bridge across the railway for the opening of the station. The bridge was the first skew to ever cross a railway and is now a listed building.
Facilities
As with most Merseytravel stations, it is fully staffed throughout the day (06:00 - 23:50 Mondays to Saturdays, 08:30 to midnight on Sundays) The booking office and waiting room (also grade-II listed) is on the westbound platform, with a brick shelter on the opposite side and a lattice footbridge linking them. Digital information displays, help points and timetable poster boards are located on each side and there is step-free access to both platforms.
Services
Rainhill is served by Northern services between Liverpool Lime Street and either Manchester Victoria or Warrington Bank Quay every half-hour on Monday to Saturday daytimes. Prior to the May 2014 timetable change, some trains continued beyond Manchester to destinations such as Stalybridge or Huddersfield. During the evenings there is an hourly service to Manchester Victoria and Liverpool.
On Sundays, trains run once per hour between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly (instead of Victoria), and continue to Manchester Airport.
Following completion of electrification of the line in Spring 2015, the Liverpool to Manchester Airport, Liverpool to Manchester Victoria and Liverpool to Warrington Bank Quay services are now operated by 4-Car Class 319 Electric Units.