| World's oldest surviving railway station was built in UK nearly 200 years ago Posted by ChrisB at 21:15, 3rd February 2026 |     |
From The Mirror, via MSN
Britain has a deep-rooted connection with railways stretching back centuries. So it might not surprise you to discover that the world's oldest surviving railway station is here in the UK.
Located in Manchester, Liverpool Road Station was built nearly 200 years ago in 1830. As a crucial element of the historic Liverpool and Manchester railway, this transport hub proved groundbreaking for transport and travel in the region.
It marked the globe's first steam-powered, inter-city railway, designed to link Liverpool with Manchester during its industrial revolution.
The station actually operated for just 14 years before shutting in 1844, thanks to the opening of Manchester Victoria station close by.
Nevertheless, it carried on operating as a freight depot until 1975, before closing permanently and being preserved shortly afterwards. According to Guinness World Records, it stands as the oldest surviving station building globally, reports the Express.
Now holding Grade I Listed status, the station forms part of the Science and Industry Museum. But back in the day, it was very important in shaping Britain's railway network.
The complex featured a brick viaduct, canal-style warehouses, and one of the earliest modern girder bridges, enabling trains to cross Water Street in Manchester city centre. Travellers arrived at the station via horse-drawn carriages, with first and second-class passengers required to purchase their tickets in different halls.
Luggage was then lifted onto the carriage roof, before passengers could climb aboard when a bell rang - this same bell remains on show in the station building today.
Passenger services at the station came to an end when the neighbouring Victoria station launched in 1844, after which it operated as a goods yard from 1923 through to 1948.
After the nationalisation of Britain's railways in 1948, British Railways took control until the facility shut down almost three decades later.
When closure happened, Granada Studios snapped up one of the warehouses, using part of it as the Coronation Street set. The National Transport Trust says that after Liverpool Road stopped rail operations in the 1970s, Earlestown Station in nearby Newton-le-Willows claimed the title of Britain's oldest working station.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Located in Manchester, Liverpool Road Station was built nearly 200 years ago in 1830. As a crucial element of the historic Liverpool and Manchester railway, this transport hub proved groundbreaking for transport and travel in the region.
It marked the globe's first steam-powered, inter-city railway, designed to link Liverpool with Manchester during its industrial revolution.
The station actually operated for just 14 years before shutting in 1844, thanks to the opening of Manchester Victoria station close by.
Nevertheless, it carried on operating as a freight depot until 1975, before closing permanently and being preserved shortly afterwards. According to Guinness World Records, it stands as the oldest surviving station building globally, reports the Express.
Now holding Grade I Listed status, the station forms part of the Science and Industry Museum. But back in the day, it was very important in shaping Britain's railway network.
The complex featured a brick viaduct, canal-style warehouses, and one of the earliest modern girder bridges, enabling trains to cross Water Street in Manchester city centre. Travellers arrived at the station via horse-drawn carriages, with first and second-class passengers required to purchase their tickets in different halls.
Luggage was then lifted onto the carriage roof, before passengers could climb aboard when a bell rang - this same bell remains on show in the station building today.
Passenger services at the station came to an end when the neighbouring Victoria station launched in 1844, after which it operated as a goods yard from 1923 through to 1948.
After the nationalisation of Britain's railways in 1948, British Railways took control until the facility shut down almost three decades later.
When closure happened, Granada Studios snapped up one of the warehouses, using part of it as the Coronation Street set. The National Transport Trust says that after Liverpool Road stopped rail operations in the 1970s, Earlestown Station in nearby Newton-le-Willows claimed the title of Britain's oldest working station.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
