Stafford railway station

File:Colwich, Norton Bridge & Stafford RJD 97.jpg diagram of railway junctions around Stafford]]

File:Stafford 4 railway station geograph-2165906.jpg

The first station was built by the Grand Junction Railway and opened in July 1837 on the north side of Newport Road.{{cite book |last=Drake |first=James |date=1838 |title=Drake's Road Book of the Grand Junction Railway (1838) |publisher=Moorland Reprints |isbn=0903485257}}{{rp|32}} This soon proved to be inadequate and was replaced in 1844 with a second station, designed by John Cunningham in an Elizabethan style. The station was rebuilt again on a larger scale in 1862, on a site to the north of the older ones, designed by the London and North Western Railway company architect WIlliam Baker in an Italian style. In 1866, a direct approach from the town centre was built, and the North Western Hotel (later the Station Hotel) was built opposite the station; this was demolished in 1972.{{cite book |last1=Greenslade |first1=M.W. |last2=Johnson |first2=D.A. |last3=Currie |first3=C.R.J. |title=A History of Stafford |date=1982 |publisher=Staffordshire County Council |isbn=0-9500812-8-0 |page=198}}

The current Brutalist station was built in 1962, by the architect William Robert Headley, as part of the modernisation programme which saw the electrification of the West Coast Main Line.{{sfn|Webb|2017|p=50}}{{PastScape |num=1518610 |desc=Stafford station|access-date=16 April 2017}}

Lines originally built by the Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway and the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company (to Shrewsbury) also used the station. The Stafford to Uttoxeter line closed to passenger traffic in 1939,{{PastScape |num=77367 |desc=Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway|access-date=16 April 2017}} with the Shrewsbury line closing as part of the Beeching Axe in 1964.{{cite news |title=Village was on track for by-pass |url=http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/village-track-pass/story-20934903-detail/story.html |access-date=16 April 2017 |work=Staff Newsletter |date=12 April 2014}}

Following the rebuilding of the station between 1961 and 1962, Isabel, a narrow gauge engine built by local firm WG Bagnall, stood on a plinth on the opposite side of Station Road, at the junction of Railway Street. It was removed in the mid-1980s and is now on the Amerton Railway.{{cite web |title=Isabel - W.G. Bagnall No. 1491 - Amerton Railway |url=http://amertonrailway.co.uk/about/locomotives/steam/isabel/ |website=Amerton Railway |access-date=16 April 2017}}

Two accidents have happened at Stafford since 1990:

• On 4 August 1990, an out-of-service train heading to a depot in Birmingham crashed into the back of an express train bound for Penzance on platform 4. The driver was killed and 36 people were injured.{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/HSE_Stafford1990.pdf |title=Railway Accident at Stafford |date=5 January 1994 |website=railwaysarchive.co.uk |publisher=Health & Safety Executive |page=4| access-date=16 April 2017}}
• On 8 March 1996, a mail train collided with a freight train carrying liquid carbon dioxide just south of Stafford. A mail sorter was killed and another 22 people were injured. The mail train's Class 86 locomotive was catapulted up the embankment and came to rest against a house.{{cite magazine |last1=Stephen |first1=Paul |date=2 March 2016 |title=The crash that began Railtrack's demise |magazine=Rail |location=Peterborough |publisher=Bauer Media |issue=795 |page=48 |issn=0953-4563}}

File:Stafford station, geograph-3382843-by-Nigel-Thompson.jpg

There are five platforms in use at the station, all of which are accessible from either of the main lines that converge from the south;{{cite book|last1=Bridge|first1=Mike|title=Railway track diagrams 4; Midlands and North West|date=2013|publisher=Trackmaps|location=Bradford-on-Avon|isbn=978-0-9549866-7-4|page=12B|edition=3}} these are:

• Platform 1 is usually used for services to London Euston
• Platform 3 for Avanti northbound services via {{rws|Crewe}} from the Trent Valley Line.
• Platform 4 is usually used for trains towards {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} and the West of England.
• Platform 5 is usually used for CrossCountry services towards {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, London Northwestern Railway services towards {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} and Avanti services to {{rws|Preston}} extending to Blackpool or Scotland.
• Platform 6 is usually used for trains starting/terminating towards/from London Euston, Birmingham New Street, {{rws|Northampton}}, {{rws|Stoke-on-Trent}}, Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street.{{sfn|Webb|2017|p=55}}

The Stafford Area Improvements Programme improved the track layout around the station, so that trains are no longer bound to a platform based upon direction of travel; trains can now use any platform, regardless of direction.

Platform 6 used to be the terminus of the Chase Line, however it now terminates at {{rws|Rugeley Trent Valley}}. The platform is also sometimes used for railtours, hence why the platform is split into 'a' and 'b' sections.

The former bay platform 2 is no longer used by passenger trains. When Virgin Trains operated the InterCity West Coast franchise, platform 2 served as a stable for their {{brc|57}} rescue locomotives; this role is now redundant. Occasionally, the bay platform stables other locomotives from freight operators.

The westernmost platform, unofficially known as platform 7, was formerly used by Royal Mail to load mail from the sorting office next door to the platform. This practice has since ended and now the westernmost platform has been converted into a single goods line, with bi-directional operation. This was completed during the bank holiday weekend of 29–31 August 2015.{{sfn|Webb|2017|p=56}}

In October 2012, Network Rail began refurbishment works at the station due to the poor condition of some of the structures. The work included resurfacing the platforms (platforms 1 and 3 had been completed before the works), improving surface and roof drainage, renewing the opaque glazing on the footbridge, installing new canopy roof covers on the platforms and some structural work on the platform supports.{{cite web|title=A major improvement scheme at Stafford station is underway|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2012/october/A-major-improvement-scheme-at-Stafford-station-is-underway/|work=Network Rail|access-date=21 April 2013}}

The Stafford Area Improvements Programme by Network Rail aims to allow more trains to run and also aims to reduce journey times by removing key bottlenecks in the area around Stafford.{{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/stafford-crewe/ |title=Stafford-Crewe rail enhancements |access-date=26 December 2014 |archive-date=19 December 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141219021336/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/stafford-crewe/|url-status = dead}}

The programme included large scale building works, north of the station in Norton Bridge, where a flyover was implemented to allow faster train services and removed the need to slow down before entering the junction.

Other benefits of the programme were the introduction of bi-directional signals, which meant that trains can now use any platform, regardless of direction of travel.

The resignalling aspect of the programme was completed over the bank holiday weekend of 29–31 August 2015. All platforms now have bi-directional signalling, and the goods loop is now operational.{{Cite web |url = http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Second-phase-of-railway-upgrade-between-Stafford-and-Crewe-gets-underway-1f89.aspx |title = Second phase of railway upgrade between Stafford and Crewe gets underway |date=20 January 2014 }}

The resignalling programme meant that Stafford signal boxes would be closed and trains would be controlled from the Rugby Rail Operating Centre (ROC). The last train was signalled from Stafford in the early hours of 29 August 2015 and the first train was signalled from Rugby ROC on the morning of 1 September 2015.{{cite magazine |last1=Boyd-Hope |first1=Gary |title=Time called on Stafford boxes nos. 4 and 5 |magazine=The Railway Magazine |date=October 2015 |volume=161 |issue=1,375 |page=91 |publisher=Mortons Media Publishing |location=Horncastle |issn=0033-8923}}

Currently, the station has many facilities which are typical of those across the Avanti West Coast Network; these includes a ticket office, toilets, a car park (with 75 spaces), a coffee shop and a newsagent.{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/stafford/ |title=Stafford (STA): Station information |website=National Rail Enquiries |access-date=28 February 2025}}

In June 2015, Virgin Trains unveiled £1 million plans to refurbish the entrance, ticket hall and foyer. The work started in November in the same year and was anticipated to be completed within 20 weeks; these were completed March 2016. The changes saw the number of ticket machines at the station double, WHSmith relocation of the travel centre to the current ticket purchasing area and Starbucks took the place of Pumpkin Café Shop. The cafe was also shortened to allow an increased size of the waiting area.{{cite news |url=http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/work-begins-1million-project-revamp-stafford/story-28148136-detail/story.html |title=Work begins on £1million project to revamp Stafford train station |work=Staffordshire Newsletter |date=10 November 2015 |access-date=16 April 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015/06/18/in-pictures-stafford-railway-station-to-undergo-1million-overhaul/ |title=IN PICTURES: Stafford railway station to undergo £1million overhaul |work=Express & Star |date=18 June 2015 |access-date=16 April 2017}}

File:Stafford - Virgin 390122 up train.JPG

From the south, two branches of the West Coast Main Line meet here: the Trent Valley and the Birmingham Loop lines. To the north, the trunk of the line continues towards Crewe, whilst the Manchester branch goes on to Stoke-on-Trent.

The station is currently served frequently by these train operating companies: Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and West Midlands Trains, under the London Northwestern Railway brand. Usual off-peak services at Stafford follow a pattern such as the one below:

• 3 trains per hour (tph) to {{rws|Crewe}}.
• 1 tph to {{stn|Manchester Piccadilly}}, via {{rws|Wilmslow}}.
• 1 tph to {{rws|Chester}}, with 6tpd extending to {{rws|Holyhead}} and 1tpd to {{rws|Wrexham General}}.
• 1 tph to Preston, via {{rws|Warrington Bank Quay}} and {{rws|Wigan North Western}}:
• 2 trains per day (tpd) to {{rws|Blackpool North}}.
• 13 tpd to {{rws|Carlisle}}
• 7 tpd to {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley||Edinburgh}}
• 6 tpd to {{rws|Glasgow Central}}.

• 3 trains per hour to Crewe.{{cite web|url=https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/media/2913/download?inline|title=Timetable {{!}} Crewe – Stoke – Stafford – Nuneaton – London {{!}} 15 December 2024 to 17 May 2025 |website=London Northwestern Railway|date=15 December 2024}}
• 1 tph to Liverpool Lime Street, via {{rws|Runcorn}}. (2 tph run at peak times and on Saturdays).{{cite web|url=https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/media/2914/download?inline|title=Timetable {{!}} Birmingham New Street - Liverpool Lime Street {{!}} 10 December 2023 to 1 June 2024|website=London Northwestern Railway|date=10 December 2023}}
• 1 tph via {{rws|Stone}} and Stoke-on-Trent.{{cite web|url=https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/media/2919/download?inline|title=Timetable {{!}} Crewe to Stafford via Stoke-on-Trent {{!}} 10 December 2023 to 1 June 2024|website=London Northwestern Railway|date=10 December 2023}}

• 2 tph to Manchester Piccadilly via Stoke-on-Trent and {{rws|Macclesfield}}.{{cite web|title=Train Timetables {{!}} Scotland, North East & Manchester to the South West and South Coast |url=https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media-vnext/hbqj4m2v/scotland-book-dec-24-book-1-v4-web-version-_rakesh-bansal.pdf |date=15 December 2024 |access-date=5 January 2025 |publisher=CrossCountry Trains}}

Other services which operate on a less regular basis are also present at Stafford, including other Avanti West Coast services (e.g. towards Liverpool).

{{cite web|url=https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/-/media/avanti-timetables/2024/december-2024-timetable-book-final.pdf |title=Scheduled timetable book for 15 December 2024 to 17 May 2025 |publisher=Avanti West Coast}}

• 3 tph to London Euston
• 1 tph via {{stn|Wolverhampton}}, {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} and {{rws|Coventry}}.

• 1 tph to London Euston (semi-fast), via {{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}} and {{rws|Nuneaton}}
• 1 tph to Birmingham New Street, via Wolverhampton and {{rws|Smethwick Galton Bridge}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/times?station=Stafford&crs=STA|title=Train timetables and schedules – Stafford|publisher=London Northwestern Railway|location=London}}

• 2 tph to Birmingham New Street, via Wolverhanpton
• 1tph to {{rws|Bournemouth}}, via Coventry and {{rws|Reading}}
• 1tph to {{rws|Bristol Temple Meads}}, via {{rws|Cheltenham Spa}}, with some trains continuing to {{rws|Paignton}} or {{rws|Plymouth}}.

{{adjacent stations|noclear=y

|system1=National Rail

|note-row1={{s-rail-national|previous=Wolverhampton|next=Stoke-on-Trent|toc=CrossCountry|route=South West – Manchester|rowsmid=2|rows1=2}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Wolverhampton|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=Birmingham - Liverpool|hidemid=yes|hide1=yes}}

|line3=London Northwestern Railway|type3=London - Crewe|left3=Crewe|right3=Rugeley Trent Valley

|line4=London Northwestern Railway|type4=Birmingham - Liverpool|left4=Crewe|right4=Penkridge

|line5=London Northwestern Railway|type5=Stafford - Crewe|left5=Stone

|note-row6={{s-rail-national|previous=London Euston|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Manchester|rowsmid=4|rows2=4}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Milton Keynes Central|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London - Manchester|hidemid=yes|hide2=yes}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Lichfield Trent Valley|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Manchester|hidemid=yes|hide2=yes}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Nuneaton|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London - Manchester|hidemid=yes|hide2=yes}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Wolverhampton|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Birmingham – Edinburgh/Glasgow/Blackpool}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=London Euston|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Chester – North Wales|rowsmid=3|rows2=3}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Lichfield Trent Valley|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Chester – North Wales|hidemid=yes|hide2=yes}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Wolverhampton|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Chester – North Wales|hidemid=yes|hide2=yes}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Milton Keynes Central|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Liverpool|rowsmid=4|rows2=3}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Rugby|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Liverpool|hidemid=yes|hide2=yes}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Lichfield Trent Valley|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Liverpool|hidemid=yes|hide2=yes}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Nuneaton|next=Runcorn|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Liverpool|hidemid=yes}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Wolverhampton|next=Stoke-on-Trent|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Stoke – Crewe}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Nuneaton|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Preston/Blackpool North|rowsmid=2|rows2=2}}

{{s-rail-national|previous=Lichfield Trent Valley|next=Crewe|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=London – Preston/Blackpool North |hidemid=yes|hide2=yes}}

{{s-rail-next|title=Disused}}

{{s-rail-national

|next=Stafford Common

|route=Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway

|status=Disused|toc=GNR }}

{{s-rail-national

|next=Haughton

|route=Shropshire Union Railways |status=Disused |toc=LNWR

}}

}}

There have been proposals to reintroduce services to terminate on the Chase Line, which was cutback to Rugeley Trent Valley in 2008, as well a significant increase in the frequency of local services under Midlands Rail Hub.http://wmre.org.uk/media/14045/west-midlands-rail-report-final-version-jan-2019.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718001438/http://wmre.org.uk/media/14045/west-midlands-rail-report-final-version-jan-2019.pdf |date=18 July 2019}} p. 31, 2026-2033 column

{{reflist|30em}}

• Lewis, Roy (1996). Staffordshire Railway Stations on old picture postcards (reprinted 2002). Nottingham: Reflections of a Bygone Age. {{ISBN|1-900138-05-0}}
• {{cite magazine|last=Webb|first=Jonathan|title=Focus on Stafford|year=2017|issue=185|magazine=Today's Railways UK|publisher=Platform 5 Publishing|location=Sheffield|issn=1475-9713}}

• {{cite book|title=Stafford to Chester|first1=Vic|last1=Mitchell|first2=Keith|last2=Smith|at=figs. 1-18|publisher=Middleton Press|location=West Sussex|year=2012|isbn=9781908174345|oclc=830024480}}
• {{cite book|title=Stafford to Wellington|first1=Vic|last1=Mitchell|first2=Keith|last2=Smith|at=figs. 1-15|publisher=Middleton Press|location=West Sussex|year=2014|isbn=9781908174598|oclc=897871462}}
• {{cite book|first1=Vic|last1=Mitchell|first2=Keith|last2=Smith|title=Derby to Stoke-on-Trent|at=figs. 94-102|publisher=Middleton Press|location=West Sussex|year=2016|isbn=9781908174932|oclc=954271104}}

{{commons category|Stafford railway station}}

{{stn art lnk|STA}}

{{Staffordshire railway stations}}

{{Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast}}

{{Railway stations served by West Midlands Trains}}

{{Railway stations served by CrossCountry}}

Category:Railway stations in Staffordshire

Category:DfT Category C1 stations

Category:Buildings and structures in Stafford

Category:Former London and North Western Railway stations

Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1837

Category:Railway stations served by CrossCountry

Category:Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast

Category:Railway stations served by West Midlands Trains

Category:1837 establishments in England

Category:William Robert Headley railway stations

Category:Stations on the West Coast Main Line