Green Lane
Member
Aah, a rainy Saturday morning, and a visit to the tranquil Heswall station on the Wirral part of the Borderlands Line. This is the station formerly known as "Heswall Hills".
Not to be confused with the original "Heswall" Station which closed back in the 1950s. The present-day Heswall station is about one mile east (as the crow flies) from the centre of the eponymous town.
To the west of the station we have the small station car park, a quiet suburban cul-de-sac and a main route in to Heswall, the A5137 Brimstage Road. To the east we have around two and a half miles of farmland stretching all the way from here towards the M53 mid-Wirral motorway. The station really is on the extreme fringe of the town.
I start my journey firstly by walking to Upton station, itself adjoining the western boundary of Birkenhead. Just one stop away and around four miles north of Heswall. Generally speaking four miles is not a large distance between stations, but it is perhaps the largest gap between two stations on the Wirral Peninsula.
These very useful information signs at Upton have just been fitted this year.
Heswall is in Merseytravel zone B2 so you can get there using an appropriate "Saveaway" ticket. I have an annual pass to get me to work in Liverpool, but alas it only covers zones B1 & C1. So, a £2.50 return from Upton it was, and after a seven minute journey, I arrived at Heswall. In fact the first time I have ever alighted here! (The bus services are generally more handy in this area)
Looking south from the Wrexham-bound platform. I understand (from Wikipedia) that the station was refurbished as recently as 2008.
150258, the train I alighted from.
150258 departs. Unsurprisingly, this unit has also been photographed at Cardiff Queen Street.
Looking towards the northbound platform.
One of the two new information signs at Heswall.
Looking north.
A sign without the customary Borderlands sticker.
Another view south.
The underpass.
Says it all.
Outside the station.
This pharmacy on the other side of Brimstage Road betrays the original station name!
I'm not sure the top part of the sign is meant to be rotated like that?
Gimme shelter! (northbound platform)
Southbound shelter
Aah, to be in England!
This is handy, if you just miss a train!
One sign I didn't photograph, outside the station it says "Welcome to Heswall". Alas the rain became too heavy for my compact camera. Perhaps I'll get it next time.
Well, there's something enjoyable about the whole experience of these quiet stations, in the rain, during a day off. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's a nice antidote to the usual weekday hustle and bustle.
Anyway, thanks for viewing.
Not to be confused with the original "Heswall" Station which closed back in the 1950s. The present-day Heswall station is about one mile east (as the crow flies) from the centre of the eponymous town.
To the west of the station we have the small station car park, a quiet suburban cul-de-sac and a main route in to Heswall, the A5137 Brimstage Road. To the east we have around two and a half miles of farmland stretching all the way from here towards the M53 mid-Wirral motorway. The station really is on the extreme fringe of the town.
I start my journey firstly by walking to Upton station, itself adjoining the western boundary of Birkenhead. Just one stop away and around four miles north of Heswall. Generally speaking four miles is not a large distance between stations, but it is perhaps the largest gap between two stations on the Wirral Peninsula.
These very useful information signs at Upton have just been fitted this year.
Heswall is in Merseytravel zone B2 so you can get there using an appropriate "Saveaway" ticket. I have an annual pass to get me to work in Liverpool, but alas it only covers zones B1 & C1. So, a £2.50 return from Upton it was, and after a seven minute journey, I arrived at Heswall. In fact the first time I have ever alighted here! (The bus services are generally more handy in this area)
Looking south from the Wrexham-bound platform. I understand (from Wikipedia) that the station was refurbished as recently as 2008.
150258, the train I alighted from.
150258 departs. Unsurprisingly, this unit has also been photographed at Cardiff Queen Street.
Looking towards the northbound platform.
One of the two new information signs at Heswall.
Looking north.
A sign without the customary Borderlands sticker.
Another view south.
The underpass.
Says it all.
Outside the station.
This pharmacy on the other side of Brimstage Road betrays the original station name!
I'm not sure the top part of the sign is meant to be rotated like that?
Gimme shelter! (northbound platform)
Southbound shelter
Aah, to be in England!
This is handy, if you just miss a train!
One sign I didn't photograph, outside the station it says "Welcome to Heswall". Alas the rain became too heavy for my compact camera. Perhaps I'll get it next time.
Well, there's something enjoyable about the whole experience of these quiet stations, in the rain, during a day off. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's a nice antidote to the usual weekday hustle and bustle.
Anyway, thanks for viewing.
