Chester railway station

Prior to 1848 there were two stations opposite each other across Brook Street, both known as Chester to their respective users.{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=130}}

They were superseded by a larger joint station that was also called Chester, although sometimes known as Chester Joint or Chester General.{{efn|For example, an advertisement for the refreshment rooms in 1849 uses the name General,{{cite news |author= |title=Chester General Station Refreshment Rooms | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003114/18490430/159/0001 |newspaper=Liverpool Albion |location=England |date=30 April 1849 |access-date=1 March 2025 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |page=1 }}}} The name of Chester General gradually came more into use from around 1870 to distinguish it from {{rws|Chester Northgate}} prior to it opening in 1875, and then it reverted to simply Chester when Northgate closed in 1969.{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=130}}{{sfn|Slater|1974|p=361}}

The first station at Chester was opened on the northwest side of Brook Street by the Chester and Birkenhead Railway (C&BR) when it opened its line from {{rws|Birkenhead Grange Lane}} on 23 September 1840.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=9}}

One week later, on 1 October 1840, the Grand Junction Railway (GJR) opened a separate station, on the southeastern side of Brook Street, opposite the {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} station, when it opened its branch from {{rws|Crewe}}.{{sfn|Webster|1972|p=115}} This line and station had been planned and mostly constructed by the Chester and Crewe Railway (C&CR), but they ran out of capital before completing the line and were taken over by the {{abbr|GJR|Grand Junction Railway}} on 1 July 1840.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=9}}

Relations between the {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} and the {{abbr|C&CR|Chester and Crewe Railway}} had been cordial and collaborative with joint projects being undertaken. The {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} had arranged to rent offfices and other buildings from the {{abbr|C&CR|Chester and Crewe Railway}}, however the {{abbr|GJR|Grand Junction Railway}} had been hostile to the {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} from the beginning, seeing them as competitors for traffic to Liverpool, and their takeover of the {{abbr|C&CR|Chester and Crewe Railway}} caused the joint plans to fall through.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=9}}

This resulted in the {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} initially having no passenger accommodation at their station. In October 1840 their engineer reported that there "was a temporary wooden hut for a booking office but no passenger shed", six months later "he confessed that a wooden hut had been used for five months, but latterly some houses in Brook Street had been converted into an office and waiting room, a large shed and a landing stage (platform) had been provided for the convenience of passengers".{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=9}}{{sfn|Hewitt|1972|p=30}}

The {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} and the {{abbr|GJR|Grand Junction Railway}} lines were connected by a through line that avoided both stations but there were no through services, the two stations were connected across Brook Street but the connecting line was gated and there were no through services, not even for the Royal Mail, whose bags were carried over the road.{{cite news |author= |title=Opening of the Chester and Birkenhead Railway|newspaper=Chester Courant |date=29 September 1840 |page=3 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000391/18400929/073/0003 |accessdate=18 February 2025 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}{{sfn|Whishaw|2016|p=56}}{{sfn|Holt|Biddle|1986|p=46}}

To the southeast of Chester there were two railways that had been authorised in the same parliamentary session in 1844 that planned to use Chester as their terminus, one was the Chester and Holyhead Railway (C&HR) who started constructing a line along the North Wales coast on 1 March 1845.{{sfn|Baughan|1972|p=60}} The other was the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway (S&CR) constructing a line to {{rws|Ruabon}} and {{rws|Shrewsbury}}.{{efn|The {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} was formed by an amalgamation of the North Wales Mineral Railway (NWMR) and the Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Chester Railway (SO&CR) on 27 July 1846.{{sfn|MacDermot|Clinker|1964a|p=178}}}}{{sfn|MacDermot|Clinker|1964a|p=178}} This line was planned to connect to the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} at Saltney junction and use the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} line for the final {{convert|1|mi|67|ch}} into the {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} station in Chester.{{efn|Railways in the United Kingdom are, for historical reasons, measured in miles and chains.{{sfn|Jacobs|2009|p=11}} A chain is {{convert|22|yards|metres}} long, there are 80 chains to the mile.{{Cite web |title=Weights and Measures Act 1985 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/72/schedule/1/part/VI |website=Legislation.gov.uk |access-date=25 September 2014 |at=Sch 1, Part VI }}}}{{sfn|Gardner|1938|p=182}}

Negotiations between these two railways started in November 1844 as the {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} wanted to make sure that the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} section of line from Saltney junction into Chester would be open when they were ready to use it. Negotiations continued until May 1846 when it was estimated the section might be ready by October 1846. A minimum monthly toll of £2,000,(equivalent to £{{inflation|UK|2000|1846|fmt=c|r=-3}} in {{inflation-year|UK}}{{inflation-fn|UK|df=yes|group=lower-alpha|mode=cs2}}) was agreed until the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} was finished.{{sfn|Baughan|1972|p=70}}

The {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} took possession of the section and started running trains into Chester on 4 November 1846.{{sfn|MacDermot|Clinker|1964a|p=178}} The {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} retook possession of the Chester to Saltney section when it opened its own line as far as {{rws|Bangor|Wales}} on 1 May 1848.{{sfn|Baughan|1972|p=296}} The {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} was operated by the London and North Western Railway (L&NWR).{{sfn|Baughan|1972|p=82}}

The Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway (BL&CJR) was incorporated on 26 June 1846 and authorised to construct a line from Chester to Walton junction near Warrington where it connected to the {{abbr|GJR|Grand Junction Railway}}. The same Act authorised the {{abbr|BL&CJR|Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway}} and the {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} to amalgamate, retaining the Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway name.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=19}}

In the meantime the {{abbr|GJR|Grand Junction Railway}} amalgamated with several others to become the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} on 16 July 1846.{{sfn|Reed|1996|p=3}}

By 1845 there were four railway companies having or planning their lines terminate at Chester, and it became "apparent that the separate but adjoining stations would have to be replaced by something better"; a joint station was proposed.{{efn|Traffic levels were increasing creating pressure for better facilities, for example weekdays in August 1847 had 9 arrivals and departures from the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} Brook Street station, whilst the {{abbr|BL&CJR|Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway}} Brook Street station had 19, 12 for themselves and 7 for the {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}}.{{cite news |author= |title=Railway Departures and Arrivals | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000391/18470811/024/0001 |newspaper=Chester Courant |location=England |date=11 August 1847 |access-date=21 February 2025 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |page=1 }} Weekdays in May 1848 had 9 arrivals and departures from the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} Brook Street station, whilst the {{abbr|BL&CJR|Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway}} Brook Street station had 24, 12 for themselves, 8 for the {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} and 4 for the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}}.{{cite news |author= |title=Railway Departures and Arrivals | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000391/18480517/058/0004 |newspaper=Chester Courant |location=England |date=17 May 1848 |access-date=21 February 2025 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |page=4 }}}}{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=20}} A site was selected south of the existing stations and east of Brook Street, an area of simple fields and kitchen gardens with a little brooklet, spanned by a rustic bridge, with the odd-sounding name of Flookersbrook.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=20}}{{sfn|Audsley|1908|p=25}}

In December 1846 the four project partners, the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}}, the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}}, the {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} and a joint partnership between the {{abbr|BL&CJR|Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway}} and the {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} agreed to share the cost of the land and buildings and a joint committee of one director from each company was set up.{{efn|Above it was noted that the {{abbr|BL&CJR|Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway}} and the {{abbr|C&BR|Chester and Birkenhead Railway}} had amalgamated in June 1846, there was however some legal difficulties that had not been resolved, both companies were therefore included by name in the Acts.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=19}}}}{{sfn|Maund|2000|pp=20–21}} Additionally, on 9 July 1847 the Mold Railway was granted parliamentary authority to construct its line which joined the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} at Saltney Ferry junction and it intended to use {{rws|Chester}} as its terminus.{{cite news |author= |title=The Mold Railway, (from Mold, to Join the Chester and Holyhead Railway, with powers of Sale or Lease to the Chester and Holyhead Company.) | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000342/18461113/037/0002 |newspaper=Chester Chronicle |location=England |date=13 November 1846 |access-date=1 March 2025 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |page=2 }}

{{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Shrewsbury and Chester Railway Act 1847 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to authorize the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway Company to make certain Branches, and to provide Station Room and other Conveniences in the City of Chester, and to raise additional Capital for these purposes; and for amending the former Acts relating to the said Company. | year = 1847 | citation = 10 & 11 Vict. | royal_assent = 9 July 1847 | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/10-11/144/pdfs/ukla_18470144_en.pdf| collapsed = yes }}

{{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Chester and Holyhead Railway (Chester Extension and Amendment) Act 1847 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to authorize an Extension of and the Construction of a Station in connexion with the Chester and Holyhead Railway at Chester; and for other purposes. | year = 1847 | citation = 10 & 11 Vict. | royal_assent = 9 July 1847 | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/10-11/147/pdfs/ukla_18470147_en.pdf| collapsed = yes }}

The station was authorised by two Acts, the {{visibleanchor|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway Act 1847}} and the {{visibleanchor|Chester and Holyhead Railway (Chester Extension and Amendment) Act 1847}}, both Acts put in place the joint responsibility for building and altering access lines from the old stations to the new. Robert Stephenson was appointed as the engineer for the project. The station was designed by the architect Francis Thompson assisted by C. H. Wild, it was constructed by Thomas Brassey. The foundation stone was laid in August 1847.{{sfn|Maund|2000|pp=20–21}} The station was opened on 1 August 1848 having cost £55,000 (equivalent to £{{inflation|UK|55000|1848|fmt=c|r=-3}} in {{inflation-year|UK}}{{inflation-fn|UK|df=yes|group=lower-alpha|mode=cs2}}).{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=21}}

It was designed with one very long platform, chiefly for departing trains, with two long bay platforms at each end and three shorter ones for terminating trains, the whole covered by a roof supported by cast iron columns designed by C.H.Wild.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=21}}{{sfn|Biddle|2003|p=463}}{{sfn|Hartwell|Hyde|Hubbard|Pevsner|2011|p=249}} On the other side of the through tracks was "a large carriage shed with an iron and glass roof and beyond that a goods shed".{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=21}} A useful sketch of the station layout is in Biddle (1986) and Maund (2000).{{sfn|Biddle|1986|p=80}}{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=36}}

The long single platform was used for trains running in opposite directions and had a scissor or crossover junctions installed in the middle to enable two trains to occupy it and leave in either direction.{{sfn|Biddle|1986|p=80}} This made the station very long and Thompson designed "a highly ornamental Venetian-style façade {{convert|1050|ft}} long in dark red brick with generously applied stone dressings and sculptured decoration by John Thomas.{{efn|There is some dispute over the colour of the bricks used, Biddle (2003) says they are dark red, although earlier in his Railway Heritage co-authoured with Nock (1990) he describes tham as buff coloured, Pevsner (2011) says they are Staffordshire blue, Jenkins (2017) has them as Purple-pink, they are recorded in the National Heritage list as pale brown.{{sfn|Biddle|2003|p=463}}{{sfn|Biddle|Nock|1990|p=96}}{{sfn|Jenkins|2017|p=213}}{{sfn|Hartwell|Hyde|Hubbard|Pevsner|2011|p=249}}}}{{sfn|Biddle|2003|p=463}}{{sfn|Biddle|Nock|1990|p=96}}

File:Chester General station 1848.jpg

There was a central fifteen bay two-story entrance and office building, containing 50 rooms and offices, flanked by five bay projecting taller ornate, turreted, balconied sections, the whole extended in both directions by arcaded screen walls terminating in lower towers.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=21}}{{sfn|Biddle|2003|p=463}} Windows in the central range are adorned with pediment carvings, described by Jenkins (2017) as Hindu in character.{{sfn|Jenkins|2017|p=213}} Pedestrian access was protected by an entrance canopy with decorative ironwork.{{sfn|Body|1990|p=No page numbers, alphabetical entries}}

The interior of the station had the principal passenger accommodation done in wood and plasterwork.{{sfn|Biddle|Nock|1990|p=96}} The refreshment rooms were better decorated than the waiting rooms having more elaborate plasterwork, decorated woodwork and a fine coffered ceiling.{{sfn|Biddle|1986|p=93}}{{sfn|Biddle|2003|p=464}} The refreshment room was run by Mr Hobday who paid the joint station committee £500 per year for the right (equivalent to £{{inflation|UK|500|1849|fmt=c|r=-3}} in {{inflation-year|UK}}{{inflation-fn|UK|df=yes|group=lower-alpha|mode=cs2}}).{{sfn|Hewitt|1972|p=30}}

The Goods Station, a substantial red and blue brick building, consisting of a shed {{convert|180|feet}} long and {{convert|120|feet}} wide, with four railway and two cart entrances, at either end, and one railway entrance in front. It is covered by two large roofs, supported down the centre of the building by cast-iron columns and girders, and lighted by two skylights.{{sfn|Parry|1849|p=24}} To the west of the station there was a triangular junction which allowed some trains to by-pass the station and was used to turn locomotives.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=21}}

Brook Street needed to be moved to accommodate the station, at the same time it was converted into a bridge over the station approach tracks. The bridge is of brick and stone, consisting of six girder and fifteen brick arches; the latter of which were converted into stabling.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=9}}{{sfn|Parry|1849|p=24}}{{cite map |title=Chester - Cheshire XXXVIII.11.9 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/229913442 |year=1875 |scale=1:500 |publisher=Ordnance Survey }}

File:The interior of Chester General railway station.jpg

There was long standing rivalry between the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} and the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} over access to the area, in particular to Birkenhead and Liverpool. This came to a head at Chester in 1849, the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} was the most powerful of the joint committee partners and it had considerable influence over the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} whose trains it operated, and some influence over the {{abbr|BL&CJR|Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway}} who had so far not objected to the {{abbr|L&NWR's|London and North Western Railway's}} actions.{{sfn|Biddle|1986|p=31}} The {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} ranged itself against the {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} and its new partner the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway (S&BR) which opened a line from {{rws|Shrewsbury}} to a temporary station at Wolverhampton on 12 November 1849. These two companies were a possible threat to the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} by letting the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} into the area.{{sfn|Biddle|1986|p=31}}

After one quarrel over the routeing of passengers, the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} refused to allow passengers to be booked to Wolverhampton or beyond via {{rws|Shrewsbury}}, which was a sensible way to go but competed with the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} route via {{rws|Crewe}}; the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} had the {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} booking clerk forcibly ejected from his office. Connections with {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} trains were deliberately timed to create inconvenience, and when the {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} ran horse buses for the convenience of its passengers they found them barred from the station forecourt.{{sfn|Biddle|Nock|1990|p=96}}{{sfn|MacDermot|Clinker|1964a|p=184}}{{sfn|Jenkins|2017|p=212}}

The Mold Railway opened on 14 August 1849, it ran two services daily into Chester, it was operated by the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}}.{{sfn|Baughan|1980|p=50}}{{cite news |author= |title=Railway Departures and Arrivals | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000391/18490822/044/0004 |newspaper=Chester Courant |location=England |date=22 August 1849 |access-date=1 March 2025 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |page=4 }} The {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} main line was connected throughout on 18 March 1850 and trains, operated by the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}}, started running through to {{rws|Holyhead}}.{{sfn|Gardner|1938|p=183}}{{sfn|Baughan|1972|p=135}}

On 18 December 1850 the {{abbr|BL&CJR|Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway}} opened a line from Chester to Walton junction, near Warrington, where it connected to the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} railway running from {{rws|Crewe}} to {{rws|Warrington Bank Quay}}, now part of the West Coast Main Line.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=20}}{{sfn|Biddle|1997|p=559}}

File:Queen Victoria at Chester.pdf

In January 1851 the {{abbr|S&CR|Shrewsbury and Chester Railway}} and the {{abbr|S&BR|Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway}} entered into a mutual running agreement with the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} and on 7 August 1854 they became part of the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}}.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=21}}{{sfn|Grant|2017|pp=502–503}}

In 1858 the {{abbr|C&HR|Chester and Holyhead Railway}} agreed to amalgamation with the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}}, this took effect on 1 January 1859 and included the Mold Railway.{{sfn|Baughan|1972|pp=177–178}}

In 1859 the {{abbr|BL&CJR|Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway}} changed its name to the Birkenhead Railway (BR).{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=27}} In 1860 it came to an arrangement with the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} and the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} jointly for them to work their railway. A joint committee was formed to do so, this was formalised by parliament in 1861.{{efn|An Act for vesting the Birkenhead Railway in the London and North-western Railway Company and the Great Western Railway Company, and for other Purposes.{{Cite legislation UK |type=act |year=|chapter=|act=Birkenhead Railway (Vesting) Act 1861 |section= |date=11 July 1861 |accessdate= |quote=24 & 25 Vict. c. cxxxiv }}}}{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=27}}

The committee decided to improve road access to the station believing the approach by way of Brook Street was inadequate. The station needed a more direct access from Foregate Street. Unfortunately the committee had no power to purchase properties for the purposes of road construction or improvement but it did have some land in front of the station which it could utilise. Negotiations started in 1857 and in 1860 the Queen Hotel opened opposite the station and connected to it via a covered passage, by 1866 the buildings which obstructed a better road access had been purchased and demolished and City Road, a wide, almost straight approach road was opened, unfortunately the Queen Hotel blocked the view of the station clock, manufactured by J. B. Joyce & Co, from the new City Road above the station entrance and the clock was moved to an off-centre location closer to the left towered section.{{sfn|Hewitt|1972|p=30}}{{sfn|Audsley|1908|p=27}}{{sfn|Bethell|2006|p=82}}

A report in 1861 shows the station having a throughput of 2 million passengers using an average of 115 trains daily. This level of traffic was catered for by 58 departing and 57 arriving trains. 44 of the arriving trains were divided and re-formed into new trains, this work being done by two horses kept for the purpose. The station had 1 stationmaster, 1 inspector, 10 clerks, 6 ticket collectors and examiners, 32 porters (including 4 foremen), and assorted greasers, police, watchmen, carriage examiners, shunters, waiting room attendants, cleaners and lamp men, a total of 82. There were 10 more in the parcels office and 138 in the goods department, who dealt with an average of 130 daily goods trains.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=89}}

A change of committee occurred in 1867. The {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} and the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} had at the time eight joint committees including the {{abbr|BR|Birkenhead Railway}} and the Chester Joint Station Committee; all eight were merged into a L&NW & GW Railway Joint Committee. The change did not affect the workings of the individual concerns except the line from Chester Joint station eastwards to where the line to Walton junction branched off, about {{convert|24|ch}} was now considered part of the {{abbr|BR|Birkenhead Railway}} (see the junction diagram).{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=34}}

File:Chester & Saltney RJD 16.jpg Junction Diagram showing railways in the vicinity of Chester (centre, shown as GENERAL STA.)]]

On 1 May 1875, Chester Northgate railway station was opened by the Cheshire Lines Committee (CLC), to reduce confusion between the stations, this station, the older one was renamed Chester General although it had been frequently known by this name since opening in 1848.{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=130}}

In 1875 and 1885 there was a joint booking office by the station entrance,{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=36}} by 1905 each of the companies had their own booking office, {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} to the right as you entered and the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} to the left.{{sfn|Lawrence|1905|p=178}}

From March 1876 Chester station introduced a luncheon basket service for passengers on the Irish Mail, the first in the country, described by Neele in 1904 as either aristocratic or democratic, depending on the contents, and cost.{{sfn|Neele|2022|pp=214–215}}

In 1890 a new island platform was added and eight through lines provided, there were five bays at the Crewe end and three at the Holyhead. Additional buildings, extended roofing, two new footbridges and hydraulic luggage lifts completed the improvements.{{sfn|Biddle|2003|p=464}}{{sfn|Baughan|1980|pp=43–44}}

The goods station had to be relocated to create the space to achieve this and it was moved further away from the passenger station, adjacent to Lightfoot Street, at the same time it became single sided with access from the Crewe end. The new warehouse opened on 7 January 1889, it had six lines running into the shed and five sidings outside. This shed and its yard were the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} goods facility for the station; it was equipped with a 10-ton crane. The {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} goods facilities consisted of a shed and yard on the other side of, and accessed from, Brook Street, the access road sloping down past the cattle pens along the line towards {{rws|Mollington}}, it was also equipped with a 10-ton crane.{{sfn|Maund|2000|pp=42 & 65}}{{cite map |title=Cheshire XXXVIII.11 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/114583675 |year=1899 |scale=25 inch |publisher=Ordnance Survey }}{{sfn|The Railway Clearing House|1970|p=118}}

The grouping had little effect on the station, whose owners went from being the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} and the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} to being the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) and the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}}.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=51}}

The station was renovated between 1955 and 1961 with new platform coverings, track circuiting, and colour-light signals.{{sfn|Baughan|1980|p=32}}

{{rws|Chester Northgate}} station was scheduled for closure on 6 October 1969. Before closing a level junction was installed at Mickle Trafford so trains from Manchester could run directly into Chester General; the junction had been removed in 1875.{{cite magazine |author= | title=Notes and News: Junction of 1875 to be re-instated | magazine=Railway Magazine| date=April 1969 |volume=115 |issue=816 |page=225 }}

On 7 November 2005 a plaque commemorating Thomas Brassey was installed on the wall opposite the booking office.{{cite magazine |author= | title=Thomas Brassey commemorated at Chester | magazine=Railway Magazine| date=January 2006 |volume=152 |issue=1257 |page=84 }} Brassey was born at Buerton {{convert|6|mi|km}} south of Chester.{{sfn|Helps|2006|p=25}}

File:Brassey plaque, Chester railway station.jpg

A refurbish and improvement project started in 2005, the Chester Renaissance Project, under this project

• Network Rail did some groundworks around the east end frontage, repairs to the façade's east and west wings, renewed some of the roof's glazing and made enhancements to the train shed.
• Local traffic management was improved and better access to the station was achieved by alterations to Station Square which were completed in December 2007.
• A new travel centre with improved customer facilities, refurbished toilets, café units and architectural lighting was installed by Arriva Trains Wales in October 2008.
• The wrought iron lattice girder footbridge originally provided in 1848 was refurbished and opened on 6 June 2013.{{cite magazine |author= | title=Chester footbridge refurbished | magazine=Railway Magazine| date=September 2013 |volume=159 |issue=1349 |page=89 }}

Local {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} trains operated to {{rws|Ruabon}}, {{rws|Shrewsbury}} and {{rws|Wrexham General}}.{{sfn|Bradshaw|1985|loc=tables 87–89}} Chester was served by most {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} express passenger trains, the service started on 1 May 1857, running from {{rws|London Paddington}} initially to {{rws|Birkenhead Monks Ferry}},{{sfn|MacDermot|Clinker|1964a|p=215}} and then to {{rws|Birkenhead Woodside}} after it opened in 1878. In 1880 a fast train was introduced, taking 4 hours and 50 minutes, more than an hour faster than previously from London, the return train was not quite so fast taking 5 hours and 20 minutes, by 1912 the fastest service took 4 hours 15 minutes, there were normally six trains daily.{{sfn|MacDermot|Clinker|1964b|pp=248–249 & 259}}

The {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} introduced other long-distance services from time to time, often just during the summer, in July 1922 there were through trains to {{rws|Leamington Spa}}, {{rws|Dover Marine}}, {{rws|Pwllheli}}, {{rws|Southampton Terminus||Southampton Town}}, {{rws|Bournemouth}}{{efn| The weekdays daily train to {{rws|Southampton Terminus||Southampton Town}} and {{rws|Bournemouth}} had started from {{rws|Manchester London Road}} and got to Chester via {{rws|Birkenhead Woodside}}, it replaced a through carriage service that had started in 1903.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=65}}{{sfn|Bradshaw|1985|loc=tables 81, 87, 88, 127, 135, 459 & 480}}}}, {{rws|Aberystwyth}} and through carriages to {{rws|Barmouth}}.{{sfn|Bradshaw|1985|loc=tables 87–89}}

Calling at Chester involved a reversal of train direction for {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} trains and therefore the fastest services used the curve to avoid the station, some years the Chester portion of the Birkenhead train was detached at Wrexham, it had even been known for the Chester portion to be detached in the cutting west of the station.{{sfn|Maund|2000|p=65}}

The final service from {{rws|London Paddington||Paddington}} ran on 4 March 1967, specially named The Zulu, it was hauled by 7029 Clun Castle from {{rws|Banbury}} to Birkenhead.{{sfn|Hendry|Hendry|1992|p=116}}

Local {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} trains ran to {{rws|Crewe}}, {{rws|Stafford}}, {{rws|Whitchurch|Shropshire}}, {{rws|Corwen}}, {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} and {{rws|Manchester Exchange}}.{{sfn|Bradshaw|1985|loc=tables 389, 450, 462, 464, 470 & 474}}

Through fares to London were available by 1847. The local newspaper advertisement indicated that the service was on a single train, but Bradshaw (1847) suggests that a change of trains would be needed at {{rws|Birmingham Curzon Street|1838–1966|Birmingham}}.{{sfn|Bradshaw|1847|p=27}} By 1850 trains were running through; there were six services, with four continuing to {{rws|Bangor|Wales}}.{{sfn|Bradshaw|2012|pp=34–35}}

The {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} service to and from {{rws|London Euston}} was taking around 4 hours and there were an average of fourteen daily trains in 1922, eight of which, including the twice daily Irish Mails, continued to {{rws|Holyhead}}. There were also a couple of services going to {{rws|Holyhead}} that ran through Chester without stopping.{{sfn|Bradshaw|1985|loc=tables 464–466}}

The joint lines of the {{abbr|BR|Birkenhead Railway}} were worked by both companies, the {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} and the {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} which led to some {{abbr|GWR|Great Western Railway}} locomotives taking trains from Chester to {{rws|Manchester Exchange}}.{{sfn|Holt|Biddle|1986|pp=260–261}}

Regular {{abbr|L&NWR|London and North Western Railway}} services to {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} via the Halton Curve were withdrawn on 5 May 1975, line usage being reduced to a scheduled "parliamentary" summer Saturdays-only return service between {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} and Chester.{{cite magazine |author= |title=Train service withdrawal |magazine=Railway World |issue=420 |date=April 1975 |p=138}}{{cite magazine |last=Chatterton |first=Mark |title=Ghost trains and eerie stations: Frodsham to Runcorn | magazine=Railway Magazine| date=April 2011 |volume=157 |issue=1320 |page=42 }}

In 1987 the station had nearly 120 departures each weekday with local diesel multiple unit services to {{rws|Hooton}}, {{rws|Helsby}}, Manchester via {{rws|Northwich}} and {{rws|Warrington Bank Quay||Warrington}} and {{rws|Wrexham General||Wrexham}}. Main-line services were still locomotive hauled and there were boat-trains and early morning newspaper trains from Manchester.{{sfn|Roughly|1987|p=501}}

On 3 September 1993 Merseyrail extended and electrified, using the 750 volt DC third rail system, the Wirral Line line from {{rws|Hooton}} into Chester station. The line provided an every 15 minute peak and an every 30 minutes off-peak service to Birkenhead and Liverpool.{{cite magazine |author= | title=Hooton-Chester line goes 'live' | magazine=Railway Magazine| date=November 1993 |volume=139 |issue=1111 |page=70 }} The extension uses Platform 7, the only one that has been electrified.{{sfn|Bridge|2013|p=35}}

The Halton Curve services restarted running in May 2019,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48311912 |title=Halton Curve: Rail line links north Wales and Liverpool|date=19 May 2019 }} providing Chester with a direct link to Liverpool Airport via {{rws|Liverpool South Parkway}} and an alternative route to Liverpool city centre with trains running to {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/new-chester-liverpool-rail-service-16072332 |title=New Chester to Liverpool rail service - more details released|date=3 April 2019 }}

In January 2016, according to the Office of Rail and Road, passenger numbers doubled over the previous ten years, making Chester the eighth-busiest station in the North-West region. The rise was attributed to new services, such as direct trains to London and increased frequencies on the Merseyrail network.{{cite news| last=Holmes| first=David| url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-railway-station-sees-passenger-10810360| title=Chester Railway Station sees passenger numbers double in 10 years| website=Chester Chronicle| date=29 January 2016}}

Chester has generally been a desirable destination for excursion traffic. In "1857 up to a third of a million excursion passengers reportedly passed through Chester station during the second half-year, around 12,000 a week" it was further "reported in 1858 that over 52,000 excursionists visited Chester by rail in Whit week".{{sfn|Major|2015|p=19}}

The three day race meeting in May is the busiest time of the year, cup day being the most popular. As early as 1848 the stations had to cope with despatching 426 carriages in the hours after the meeting.{{cite news |author= |title=Chester Spring Meeting | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000391/18480510/053/0003 |newspaper=Chester Courant |location=England |date=10 May 1848 |access-date=8 March 2025 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} In 1905 the station staff dealt with 358 arrivals and departures over thirteen hours, a crowded train every two minutes.{{sfn|Lawrence|1905|p=183}}

There were also excursions from Chester, when Brunel's SS Great Eastern was at Holyhead in October 1859 as many as fifteen excursion trains a day were organised from Chester to visit it.{{sfn|Major|2015|p=9}}

When the station was constructed an octagonal office with a pagoda roof was constructed in its centre for the stationmaster.{{sfn|Biddle|2003|p=464}} From the opening of the joint station the management committee decided the stationmaster should be 'neutral', that is not recruited from any of the participant companies.{{sfn|Hewitt|1972|p=32}}

{{div col}}

• William Paget ca. 1847
• Mr. Jones ca. 1849
• John Critchley ca. 1850–1855{{cite news |author= |title=Mr. Critchley's Testimonial | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000391/18550124/085/0008 |newspaper=Chester Courant |location=England |date=24 January 1855 |access-date=22 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} (afterwards superintendent of the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway)
• Charles Mills ca. 1859–1872{{cite news |author= |title=Railway news | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001152/18720916/060/0004 |newspaper=Eastern Morning News |location=England |date=16 September 1872 |access-date=22 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
• David Meldrum 1872–1882{{cite news |author= |title=Railway Appointment | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000391/18820906/085/0006 |newspaper=Chester Courant |location=England |date=6 September 1882 |access-date=22 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
• W. Thorne 1882{{cite news |author= |title=Mr. W. Thorne | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001502/18821108/122/0006 |newspaper=Hereford Times |location=England |date=30 September 1882 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}–1890 (formerly station master at Hereford Barrs Court)
• John Thomas Reddish 1890–1902{{cite news |author= |title=Death of Mr. T.J. Reddish, Prestatyn |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003153/19210520/097/0006 |newspaper=Flintshire County Herald |location=England |date=20 May 1921 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
• W.G. Marrs 1903–1909{{cite news |author= |title=Mr. Marrs Retirement | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000157/19100402/150/0008 |newspaper=Cheshire Observer |location=England |date=2 April 1910 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
• John Ratcliffe 1910{{cite news |author= |title=New Stationmaster at Chester | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/19100107/096/0007 |newspaper=Shrewsbury Chronicle |location=England |date=7 January 1910 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}–1926
• Robert McNaught 1926{{cite news |author= |title=Chester's New Stationmaster | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002831/19261204/233/0009 |newspaper=Crewe Chronicle |location=England |date=4 December 1926 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}–1932
• Lewis Evans 1932{{cite news |author= |title=New Chester Stationmaster | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19320613/207/0008 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |location=England |date=13 June 1932 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} 1934
• A.E. Mawson 1934{{cite news |author= |title=Local Notes | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000157/19340414/247/0016 |newspaper=Cheshire Observer |location=England |date=14 April 1934 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}–1942 (formerly station master at Woodside)
• John Moore 1943–1950 (formerly station master at Birkenhead Dock)
• Percy Jackson 1950{{cite news |author= |title=Chester's Stationmaster | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19501006/110/0005 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo|location=England |date=6 October 1950 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}–1955
• Eric L Thompson 1955{{cite news |author= |title=Chester Stationmaster | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19551104/322/0017 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |location=England |date=4 November 1955 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}–1963 (formerly station master at Bedford)
• Kenneth Conyers Winterton 1963–1964{{cite news |author= |title=Last man to wear top hat at station | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002831/19711230/027/0003 |newspaper=Crewe Chronicle |location=England |date=30 December 1971 |access-date=21 August 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
• Mr. Mapstone ca. 1967 ca. 1969

{{div col end}}

• On 4 July 1949, a Derby to Llandudno passenger train ran into the rear of a Crewe to Holyhead passenger service, injuring fifty people.{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Chester1949.pdf |title=Report on the Collision which occurred on 4th July, 1949, at Chester Station in the London Midland Region British Railways |work=Railways Archive |access-date=19 February 2017}}
• Chester General rail crash. On 8 May 1972, a freight train suffered a brake failure and collided with a diesel multiple unit at Chester General station and caught fire, causing severe damage to the building and the trains involved.{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoE_Chester1972.pdf |title=Report on the Derailment and consequent Fire on 8th May 1972 at Chester General Station in the London Midland Region British Railways |work=Railways Archive |access-date=19 February 2017}} The portion of the overall station roof between Platforms 5/6 and the main building which had been damaged by the collision and fire had to be removed.
• On 20 November 2013, a {{brc|221}} Super Voyager diesel-electric multiple unit from London Euston to Chester collided with the buffer stops on platform 1, riding up over them and smashing a glass screen. There were no injuries, although one passenger was taken to hospital for checks. A Rail Accident Investigation Branch report stated that the incident was due to exceptionally slippery rails, but that the consequences of this were made more severe by the buffer stop being of an older design which did not absorb the impact energy effectively. The report further stated that that particular stop had not undergone a risk assessment within the previous ten years, and was possibly not appropriate for class 221 units.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-25016996 |title=Train crashes into Chester Station barrier |work=BBC News Online |access-date=20 November 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/141124_R262014_Chester.pdf |title=Buffer stop collision at Chester station 20 November 2013 |publisher=Rail Accident Investigation Branch |date=November 2014 |access-date=24 November 2014 |pages=5, 9, 29–30, 37}}

The station has a travel centre (booking office) that is staffed from 15 minutes before the first train until 15 minutes after the last train. There are live departure and arrival screens, a shop and a cafe. The station has lifts and is fully accessible for disabled users. It has a car park with 83 spaces and cycle racks for 68 cycles.{{cite web |title=Stations: Chester |url=https://www.merseyrail.org/journey-planning/stations/chester/ |website=www.merseyrail.org |access-date=2 March 2025 }}{{cite web |title=Chester (CTR) |url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/chester/ |website=National Rail|access-date=2 March 2025 }}

The station has seven platforms.

• Platform 1 is a bay platform located at the east end (a second platform alongside it is unused but may be used for stock stabling).
• Platform 2 at the western end is another bay platform.
• Platform 3 is a through bi-directional platform and is closest to the concourse; it is split into sections 'a' (eastern) and 'b' (western), although on occasions a train will use the middle of the platform.
• Platform 4, (opposite Platform 3 on the island platform) is another through bi-directional platform, with sections designated as 4a and 4b.
• Platform 5 is an east facing bays in the centre of the island, closest to platform 4.
• Platform 6 is another east facing bay behind platform 5 and closest to platform 7.
• Platform 7 is a through platform, the only one with third-rail electrification, with sections designated as 7a and 7b.{{cite web |title=Chester station map |url=https://images.nationalrail.co.uk/e8xgegruud3g/59BbsxQncFVcyfgqjgvtNH/4324b597a33c090250465e399440c3f2/Chester_station_map.jpg|website=National Rail|access-date=2 March 2025 }}

File:Chester - Keolis-Amey 175002 and Avanti 221103.JPG {{brc|175}} and Avanti West Coast {{Brc|221}} at Chester in January 2020]]

Details extracted from the winter 2024/2025 timetables showing the Monday to Friday daytime service in trains per hour (tph) or trains per day (tpd), only the departing services are shown, there is a corresponding number of arrivals.{{efn|The platform for a service has been extracted from the online National Rail Enquiries and is subject to changes at short notice, some services go from different platforms on different days.{{cite web |title=Chester: Live Departures and Arrivals |url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/live-trains/departures/chester/ |website=National Rail Enquiries |access-date=3 March 2025}}}}

• 1 tph to {{rws|Crewe}} usually departs from platform 1.
• 1 tph to {{rws|Wrexham General}} and {{rws|Shrewsbury}} of which alternate trains continue to {{rws|Cardiff Central}} and {{rws|Birmingham International}} usually departs from platform 3 or 4.{{cite web |title=Train times Chester - Birmingham, 15 December 2024 - 17 May 2025 |url=https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-11/2_Chester-Birmingham_December-2024_V1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214110658/https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-11/2_Chester-Birmingham_December-2024_V1.pdf|archive-date=14 December 2024 |access-date=3 March 2025}}
• 1 tph to {{rws|Holyhead}}, via {{rws|Bangor|Wales}} usually departs from platforms 2, 3 or 4.{{cite web |url=https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-12/11_Holyhead-Cardiff-Central_December-2024_V1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214111344/https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-12/11_Holyhead-Cardiff-Central_December-2024_V1.pdf |title=Train times Holyhead - Cardiff Central (summary), 15 December 2024 - 17 May 2025 |archive-date=14 December 2024 |access-date=3 March 2025}}
• 1 tph to {{rws|Llandudno}}, via {{rws|Llandudno Junction}} usually departs from platform 3 or 4.
• 1 tph to {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}}, via {{rws|Runcorn}}, using the Halton Curve usually departs from platform 5.{{cite web |url=https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-12/8_Holyhead-Llandudno-Chester-Manchester_December-2024_V1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210113500/https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2024-12/8_Holyhead-Llandudno-Chester-Manchester_December-2024_V1.pdf |title=Train times Holyhead - Llandudno - Chester - Manchester, 15 December 2024 - 17 May 2025 |archive-date=10 February 2025 |access-date=3 March 2025}}
• 1 tph to {{rws|Manchester Airport}}, via {{rws|Warrington Bank Quay}} and {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}} usually departs from platform 3 or 4.
• 3 tpd to {{rws|Wrexham General}}, very early, evening and late, usually departs from platform 4.
• 3 tpd to {{rws|Shrewsbury}}, early, evening and very late, usually departs from platform 4.

• 1 tph to {{rws|London Euston}} via {{rws|Crewe}} with most services also calling at {{rws|Stafford}} usually departs from platform 3 or 4.{{cite web |url=https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/-/media/Avanti-Timetables/15-Dec-2024-17-May-2025-timetable-book.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116091248/https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/-/media/Avanti-Timetables/15-Dec-2024-17-May-2025-timetable-book.pdf |title=Train Times for all Avanti West Coast routes to and from London Euston, 15 December 2024 to 17 May 2025 |archive-date=16 January 2025 |access-date=3 March 2025}}
• 6 tpd to {{rws|Bangor|Wales}} and {{rws|Holyhead}}, mostly early and late in the day.
• 1 tpd to {{rws|Wrexham General}} usually departs from platform 3 or 4.

File:Sprinter units, Chester Railway Station (geograph 2986906).jpg

• 1 tph on the Mid-Cheshire Line to {{rws|Stockport}} and {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, via {{rws|Northwich}}, a two-hourly service operates on Sundays.{{cite web |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/sites/default/files/templates/N17/2024-12-15-to-2025-05-17-1730887667.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222210419/https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/sites/default/files/templates/N17/2024-12-15-to-2025-05-17-1730887667.pdf |title=Manchester to Chester via Altrincham (Mid Cheshire Line) 17: train times 15 December 2024 – 17 May 2025

|archive-date=22 December 2024 |access-date=3 March 2025 }}

• 1 tph to {{rws|Leeds}} via {{rws|Warrington Bank Quay}}, {{rws|Manchester Victoria}} and {{rws|Bradford Interchange}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/sites/default/files/templates/N37/2024-12-15-to-2025-05-17-1730890082.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219142143/https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/sites/default/files/templates/N37/2024-12-15-to-2025-05-17-1730890082.pdf |title=Chester to Leeds 37: train times 15 December 2024 – 17 May 2025 |archive-date=19 February 2025 |access-date=3 March 2025 }}

File:Merseyrail Map.svg

• 4 tph to {{rws|Liverpool Central}} via {{rws|Birkenhead|Central}}. On late evenings and Sundays, the frequency is every 30 minutes.{{cite web |url=https://www.merseyrail.org/media/154fwacz/wirral-line-3feb2025.pdf |title=Train times Wirral Line Valid from 3 February until 17 May 2025 |access-date=3 March 2025 |publisher=Merseyrail }} Merseyrail services to Birkenhead and Liverpool use platform 7b or 7a; platform 7 is the only third-rail equipped platform.{{sfn|Bridge|2013|p=35}} These services are provided by {{brc|777}} EMUs.{{CN|date=March 2025}}

{{rail start}}

{{rail line three routes

|previous={{rws|Shotton}}
or
{{rws|Flint}}|next={{rws|Wrexham General}}

|route1=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Holyhead}}–{{rws|Cardiff Central}}

|route2=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Holyhead}}–{{rws|Birmingham International}}

|route3=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Holyhead}}–{{rws|Shrewsbury}}

|col={{KAW colour}}

}}

{{rail line one to two

|previous={{rws|Shotton}}

|next1={{rws|Helsby}}

|route1=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Llandudno}}–{{rws|Manchester Airport}}

|next2={{rws|Crewe}}

|route2=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Llandudno}}–{{rws|Crewe}}

|col={{KAW colour}} }}

{{rail line one to two

|previous=

|next1={{rws|Helsby}}

|route1=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Chester}}–{{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}}
via the Halton Curve

|next2={{rws|Crewe}}

|route2=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Chester}}–{{rws|Crewe}}

|col={{KAW colour}}

}}

{{rail line three routes

|previous=

|next={{rws|Wrexham General}}

|route1=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Chester}}–{{rws|Wrexham General}}

|route2=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Chester}}–{{rws|Shrewsbury}}

|route3=Transport for Wales Rail
{{rws|Chester}}–{{rws|Birmingham International}}

|col={{KAW colour}}

}}

{{rail line three to one

|previous1={{rws|Flint}}

|previous2={{rws|Wrexham General}}

|previous3=

|route1=Avanti West Coast
Holyhead–London Euston

|route2=Avanti West Coast
Wrexham General–London Euston

|route3=Avanti West Coast
Chester–London Euston

|next={{rws|Crewe}}

|col={{AWC colour}}

}}

{{rail line one to two

|next1={{rws|Mouldsworth}}

|route1=Northern Trains
Mid-Cheshire Line

|next2={{rws|Warrington Bank Quay}}

|route2=Northern Trains
Chester–{{rws|Leeds}}

|col={{Northern colour}}

}}

{{rail line

|previous={{rws|Bache}}

|next=

|route=Merseyrail
Wirral line
Chester–{{rws|Liverpool Central}}

|col={{Merseyrail colour|Wirral}} }}

{{Historical Rail Insert}}

{{rail line

|previous={{rws|Queensferry}}
Line open, station closed

|route=Chester and Holyhead Railway

later London and North Western Railway

|col={{LNWR colour}}

}}

{{rail line

|previous={{rws|Saltney}}
Line open, station closed

|route=Shrewsbury and Chester Railway

later Great Western Railway

|col={{GWR colour}}

}}

{{rail line

|previous={{rws|Mollington}}
Line open, station closed

|route=Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway

formerly Chester and Birkenhead Railway
later Birkenhead Railway (L&NWR & GWR joint)

|col={{GWLNW colour}}

}}

{{rail line

|previous=

|next={{rws|Mickle Trafford}}

|route=Birkenhead, Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railway
Chester to Walton Junction line
later Birkenhead Railway (L&NWR & GWR joint)

|col={{GWLNW colour}}

}}

{{rail line

|next={{rws|Black Dog}}
Line open, station closed

|route=Grand Junction Railway
formerly Chester and Crewe Railway

later London and North Western Railway

|col={{GWLNW colour}} }}

{{disused rail insert}}

{{rail line

|previous={{rws|Saltney Ferry}}
Branch line and station closed |route=Mold Railway

later London and North Western Railway

|col={{LNWR colour}}

}}

{{rail line

|previous=

|next={{rws|Black Dog}}
Branch line and station closed

|route=London and North Western Railway
Whitchurch and Tattenhall Railway

|col={{LNWR colour}}

}}

{{s-end}}

{{Railway lines in Chester}}

File:Chester 7 general railway station geograph-2170968-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|The east end of Chester General Station on a Summer Saturday in 1962.

Image:Chester railway station distance sign - 2005-10-09.jpg|Distance board found in some disrepair on a station wall

Image:Chester station owl.jpg|Carved wooden owl above Platform 4 at Chester Railway station intended to scare away pigeons, apparently declared unsuccessful in 1987.{{sfn|Roughly|1987|p=501}}

Image:Platform one at chester station.jpg|Platform 1, used by trains to {{rws|Crewe}}

{{Portal|Cheshire}}

• Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
• Chester TMD

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Audsley |first=George Ashdown |title=The Stranger's Handbook to Chester, Eaton Hall, Hawarden Castles, and vicinity |year=1908 |publisher=Phillipson and Golder |location=Chester |url=https://archive.org/details/strangershandbo00audsgoog }}
• {{cite book |last=Baughan |first=Peter E. |title=The Chester & Holyhead Railway |publisher=David and Charles |publication-place=Newton Abbot |year=1972 |isbn=978-0-7153-5617-3 |oclc=641070}}
• {{cite book |last=Baughan |first=Peter. E. |date=1980 |title=A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain |volume=11 North and Mid Wales |location=Newton Abbot |publisher=David & Charles |isbn=0-7153-7850-3 }}
• {{cite book |last=Bethell |first=David |title=A portrait of Chester |publisher=Halsgrove |publication-place=Tiverton |year=2006 |oclc=1194919222 |url=https://archive.org/details/portraitofcheste0000beth |url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book |last=Biddle |first=Gordon |title=Great Railway Stations of Britain: Their architecture, growth and development |publisher=David & Charles |publication-place=Newton Abbot |date=1986 |isbn=978-0-7153-8263-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/greatrailwaystat0000bidd |url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book |last1=Biddle |first1=Gordon |last2=Nock |first2=O. S. |title=Railway Heritage of Britain: 150 years of railway architecture and engineering |publisher=Studio editions |publication-place=London |date=1990 |isbn=1-85170-595-3}}
• {{cite book |chapter=West Coast Main Line (WCML) |last=Biddle |first=Gordon |pages=559–560 |editor1-last=Simmons |editor1-first=Jack |editor2-last=Biddle |editor2-first=Gordon |date=1997 |edition=1st |title=The Oxford Companion to British Railway History From 1603 to the 1990s |location=Oxford |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-211697-5}}
• {{cite book |last1=Biddle |first1=Gordon |title=Britain's Historic Railway Buildings: An Oxford Gazeteer of Structures and Sites |date=2003 |url=https://archive.org/details/britainshistoric0000bidd |url-access=registration |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780198662471}}
• {{cite book |last=Body |first=Geoffrey |title=Railway Stations of Britain : A guide to 75 important centres |url=https://archive.org/details/railwaystationso0000body |url-access=registration |publisher=Patrick Stephens |date=1990 |isbn=978-1-85260-171-3}}
• {{cite book |last1=Bradshaw |first1=George | author-link=George Bradshaw |title=Bradshaw's Monthly Railway and Steam Navigation Guide for Great Britain, Ireland and the Continent |date=1 March 1847 |publisher=Bradshaw's General Railway Publication Office |location=London|url=https://archive.org/details/BradshawsMonthlyRailwayAndSteamNavigationGuideForGreatBritain }}
• {{Bradshaw-1850March}}
• {{Bradshaw-1922July}}
• {{cite book |editor-last=Bridge |editor-first=Mike |title=Railway Track Diagrams Book 4:Midlands & North West |date=2013 |publisher=Trackmaps |location=Bradford on Avon |isbn=978-0-9549866-7-4}}
• {{cite magazine| first=E.H.W.| last=Gardner| title=The Chester & Holyhead Railway - 1 | magazine=Railway Magazine| date=September 1938 |volume=83 |issue=495 |pages=181–188 }}

• {{Grant-RailCo}}
• {{Cite book | last1=Hartwell| first1=Clare| last2=Hyde| first2=Matthew| last3=Hubbard| first3=Edward| author3-link=Edward Hubbard (architectural historian)| last4=Pevsner| first4=Nikolaus| author4-link =Nikolaus Pevsner| series=The Buildings of England| title=Cheshire| publisher=Yale University Press| year=2011| orig-year=1971| location=New Haven and London |isbn=978-0-300-17043-6}}
• {{cite book |last=Helps |first=Arthur |title=The life & labours of Thomas Brassey |orig-year=1872 |publisher=Nonsuch |year=2006 |location=Stroud |isbn=1-84588-011-0 | edition= 1894 |url=https://archive.org/details/lifelaboursoftho0000help |url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book |last=Hendry |first=R. Preston |last2=Hendry |first2=R. Powell |title=Paddington to the Mersey |date=1992 |isbn=978-0-86093-442-4 |publisher=Oxford Publishing Co. }}
• {{cite book | last=Hewitt | first=H.J. | title=The Building of Railways in Cheshire Down to 1860 | publisher=E. J. Morten | year=1972 | isbn=978-0-901598-43-1 | url=https://archive.org/details/buildingofrailwa0000hewi |url-access=registration }}
• {{Holt-NorthWest}}
• {{cite book |last=Jacobs |first=Gerald |chapter=Railway Mileages |editor-last=Bridge |editor-first=Mike |title=TRACKatlas of Mainland Britain |publisher=Trackmaps |year=2009 |location=Bradford on Avon |isbn=978-0-9549866-5-0}}
• {{cite book |last=Jenkins |first=Simon |title=Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations |publisher=Viking |date=2017 |isbn=978-0-241-97898-6}}
• {{cite magazine| first=J.T. | last=Lawrence | title=Notable Railway Stations: No.33 The Chester General Station | magazine=Railway Magazine| date=September 1905 |volume=17 |issue=99 |pages=177–183 }}
• {{cite book |last1=MacDermot |first1=E.T. |last2=Clinker |first2=C.R. |title=History of the Great Western Railway, Volume I: 1833–1863 |year=1964a |origyear=1927 |edition=First revised |publisher=Ian Allan |location=London }}
• {{cite book |last1=MacDermot |first1=E.T. |last2=Clinker |first2=C.R. |title=History of the Great Western Railway, volume II: 1863–1921 |year=1964b |origyear=1931 |edition=First revised |publisher=Ian Allan |location=London }}
• {{cite book |last=Major |first=Susan |title=Early Victorian Railway Excursion: the Million go Fourth |publisher=Pen and Sword History |date=2015 |isbn=978-1-4738-3528-3}}
• {{cite book |last=Maund |first=T. B. |title=The Birkenhead railway : (LMS & GW joint) |publisher=Railway Correspondence and Travel Society |publication-place=Sawtry, Huntingdon |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-901115-87-4 |oclc=49815012 }}
• {{cite book |last=Neele |first=George P. |title=Railway Reminiscences: Late Superintendent of the line of the London and North Western Railway |edition=Classic reprint |publisher=Forgotten books |publication-place=London |year=2022 |orig-year=1904 |isbn=978-1-332-03078-1 |oclc=1360265899 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781332030781 |url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book |last=Parry |first=Edward |title=The railway companion from Chester to Holyhead ... to which is added the tourist's guide to Dublin and its environs |publisher=T. Catherall |publication-place=Chester [England] |year=1849 |oclc=7896287 | url=https://archive.org/details/railwaycompanion00parr |url-access=registration}}
• {{Quick-stations-5.05}}
• {{cite book |last=The Railway Clearing House |origyear=1904 |year=1970 |edition=1970 D&C Reprint |title=The Railway Clearing House Handbook of Railway Stations 1904 |location=Newton Abbot |publisher=David & Charles Reprints |isbn=0-7153-5120-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/railwayclearingh0000rail |url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book |last=Reed |first=Malcolm C. |title=The London & North Western Railway: A History |url=https://archive.org/details/londonnorthweste0000reed |url-access=registration |year=1996 |publisher=Atlantic Transport |isbn=978-0-906899-66-3}}
• {{cite magazine |first=Malcolm |last=Roughly |title=Spotlight Chester |magazine=Railway Magazine |date=August 1987 |volume=133 |issue=1036 |pages=499–501 }}
• {{cite magazine |editor1-first=J.N. |editor1-last=Slater |date=July 1974 |title=Notes and News: Western's last "General" |magazine=Railway Magazine |volume=120 |issue=879 |publisher=IPC Transport Press Ltd |location=London |issn=0033-8923 |page=361 }}
• {{cite book |title=Britain's First Trunk Line:The Grand Junction Railway |first=Norman W. |last=Webster |publisher=Adams & Dart |year=1972 |sbn=239 00105 2}}
• {{cite book |last=Whishaw |first=Francis |title=The Railways of Great Britain and Ireland practically described and illustrated |publisher=Forgotten Books |date=2016 |orig-date=1842 |edition=2nd |series=Classic reprint series |isbn=978-1-334-18025-5}}

• {{cite book |last=Biddle |first=Gordon |title=Railway Stations in the North West |year=1981 |publisher=Dalesman |location=Clapham, Yorkshire |isbn=0-85206-644-9 |at=p. 8, fig. 1 |chapter=Chapter 1 – North Cheshire & The Peak |url=https://archive.org/details/railwaystationsi0000unse }} – photo of station frontage
• {{cite book |title=Shrewsbury to Chester |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 112-117 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2010 |isbn=9781906008703 |oclc=495274299}}
• {{cite book |title=Chester to Rhyl |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 1-6 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2011 |isbn=9781906008932 |oclc=795178960 }}
• {{cite book |title=Chester to Birkenhead |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 1-8 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2012 |isbn=9781908174215 |oclc=811323335}}
• {{cite book |title=Stafford to Chester |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 102-120 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2012 |isbn=9781908174345 |oclc=830024480 }}
• {{cite book |title=Chester to Warrington |first1=Vic |last1=Mitchell |first2=Keith |last2=Smith |at=figs. 1-5 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=West Sussex |year=2013 |isbn=9781908174406 |oclc=910526793 }}

{{Commons category|Chester railway station}}

{{stn art lnk|CTR|CH13AH}}

{{Merseyrail info lnk|20}}

• {{cite web |url=http://www.chester2shrewsburyrail.co.uk/ |title=Chester to Shrewsbury Rail Partnership |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021102329/http://www.chester2shrewsburyrail.co.uk/ |archive-date=21 October 2009 }}
• [http://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates ORR Station Usage Estimates]

{{Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast}}

{{Railway stations served by Transport for Wales}}

{{Railway stations served by Merseyrail}}

{{Railway stations served by Northern Trains}}

{{Merseyrail Wirral Line}}

{{Cheshire railway stations}}

{{Major railway stations in Britain}}

Category:Buildings and structures in Chester

Category:Railway stations in Cheshire

Category:Former Birkenhead Railway stations

Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1848

Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Chester

Category:Grade II* listed railway stations

Category:Railway stations served by Merseyrail

Category:Railway stations served by Northern

Category:Railway stations served by Transport for Wales Rail

Category:Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast

Category:Francis Thompson railway stations

Category:DfT Category B stations

Category:Stations on the West Coast Main Line