Sheffield Midland station
Encyclopedia
Sheffield station, formerly Pond Street and later Sheffield Midland, is a railway station
in Sheffield
, England
and is the busiest station in South Yorkshire. Adjacent is Sheffield station/Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Supertram
stop.
and was the fifth and last station to be built in Sheffield city centre. It was designed by the architect Charles Trubshaw
.
The station was built on the 'New Line', which ran between Grimesthorpe Junction, on the former Sheffield and Rotherham Railway
, and Tapton Junction, just north of Chesterfield
. This line replaced the Midland Railway's previous route, the 'old road', to London
, which ran from Sheffield Wicker via Rotherham
.
The new line and station were built despite some controversy and opposition locally. The Duke of Norfolk, who owned land in the area, insisted that the southern approach be in a tunnel and the land known as The Farm landscaped to prevent the line being seen. Some years later the tunnel was opened out into a cutting. Sheffield Corporation
was so concerned about the eastern side of the town being cut off from the town centre that it insisted that public access be preserved across the railway site.
The station and Pond Street Goods Depot opened on a damp and cold day without any celebrations. There were originally different passenger entrances for each classes. The original station buildings have been preserved and are between island platforms 2 to 5.
The station was given two extra platforms and a new frontage in 1905 at a cost of £215,000. The enlargements consisted of creating an island platform out of the old platform 1 and building a new platform 1 and a new entrance.
Offices were built at the north end of the 300 feet (91.4 m) long carriageway rooftop. A large parcels office was built to the south of the main buildings. Two footbridges connected to the platforms, the one to the north for passengers, the one to the south for station staff and parcels. The tracks were covered by two overall roofs. The oldest and largest spanned platforms 5 and 6, and an identical structure can still be viewed today at Bath Green Park railway station
, t other platforms 1 and 2. Wartime damage put the roofs beyond economic repair, so they were removed in the autumn of 1956 and replaced by low-level awnings.
and Class 46
diesel-electric engines, known as Peaks. Sheaf House
was built in 1965 adjacent to the station to house British Rail
's Sheffield Division headquarters. As part of the reconstruction of the area as the "Gateway to Sheffield", it was demolished in early 2006. In 1970 Sheffield's other main station, Sheffield Victoria, was closed and its remaining services, from Penistone, were diverted until 1981 via a cumbersome reversal. In 1972 the station was resignalled and its track layout remodelled. In 1984 British Rail
introduced the High Speed Train
to Sheffield on the Midland Main Line. The Cross Country services had seen the introduction of the HSTs in 1982. On 21 December 1991, the station was flooded by the River Sheaf
, which flows under it. A log that was part of the debris commemorates the event on platform 5. In 1991 construction of the new Supertram
network began and by late 1994 Sheffield Midland was connected to the network, after the opening of the line between Fitzalan Square
in the city centre and Spring Lane, to the east of the station.
, as the main TOC of the station, instigated a major regeneration of Sheffield station. Prior to this, a taxi rank was located inside what is now the main concourse and the new entrance hall. The stone façade
of the station was sandblasted
and its archways filled with unobstructed windows to improve views both from inside and out. Other changes included the improvement of platform surfaces and the addition of a pedestrian bridge connecting the station concourse with the Sheffield Supertram stop at the far side of the station.
To coincide with the regeneration of the station, Sheaf Square
was rebuilt as part of a project designed to create the ‘Gateway to Sheffield’. The station and the square form part of a ‘gold route’ that leads passengers through the square past the 262.5 feet (80 m) 'Cutting Edge' water feature, up Howard Street
and into the Heart of the City. This 'Gateway to Sheffield' won the Project of the Year Award in the 2006 National Rail Awards.
On 11 November 2007, East Midlands Trains
, an amalgamation of Midland Mainline and part of Central Trains
, took over the management of the station.
In December 2009, following the restoration of the station, a new pub
, the 'Sheffield Tap', opened next to platform 1B. The room, located within the main station building, had been used as a store room for 35 years but was used for much longer as a bar and restaurant
, catering for First Class passengers since 1904. The bar is noteworthy for its restored early 20th century interior and its selection of quality cask ales and beers from around the world. Since opening the bar has won the National Railway Heritage Award and the Cask Ale
pub of the year award.
In October 2010 East Midland Trains initiated £10 million worth of improvements to its stations. Sheffield received renovated waiting rooms, toilet facilities and upgraded security systems amongst its improvements.
A new first class
lounge on platform 5, part of these improvements, opened on 18 January 2011. The lounge was opened by the Master Cutler Professor Bill Speirs who was joined by 50 top business leaders from Sheffield and the surrounding area.
from the Norfolk Park residential area and the Supertram stop on one side, to the station travel centre, the bus station interchange, the city centre and the city centre campus of Sheffield Hallam University
on the other. On 6 May 2009, East Midlands Trains implemented its proposal, using temporary barriers and ticket inspectors to bar access to the footbridge to non-ticket holders. Without any warning, local residents and Supertram passengers were forced to use longer routes around the station.
In November 2009, East Midlands Trains were refused planning permission for the barriers by the council, but in February 2010 announced it would apply again. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis announced in April 2010 that barriers would not be installed until a second bridge was built to maintain a thoroughfare for non-ticket holders.
From September 2010, East Midlands Trains have used uniformed staff to prevent local residents using the footbridge. At the same time, Sheffield City Council
explored the possibility of turning the bridge into a public right-of-way
to resolve the matter. In late 2010, it was reported that the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg
, MP for Sheffield Hallam
, might intervene to resolve the impasse.
. As part of the scheme, four services a day would operate between Sheffield and London King’s Cross, meaning Sheffield would be connected to the capital by both the Midland Main Line
and the East Coast Main Line
for the first time since the closure of Victoria station. Yeowart has proposed the resurrection of the name GNER for the service, which has been unused since the last franchise of that name ended in 2007.
In its 2010 Strategic Business Plan, Network Rail
, quoting its 2009 Rail Utilisation Strategy, recommended that the Midland Main Line
be electrified. The line is currently one of the few major main lines (along with the Great Western Main Line
) that is not electrified and it was found that the project would provide significantly enhanced services and significant financial savings. In 2010 the conservative government delayed a decision on the matter.
Network Rail is planning and undertaking infrastructure improvements and a reduction of eight minutes in journey times between Sheffield and London St Pancras
is planned.
CrossCountry, aspiring to improve their overall network and services, aims to increase services between Sheffield and Leeds. East Midlands Trains also plan to make service improvements to its services between Liverpool and Norwich via Sheffield with two-car Class 158 trains doubling in capacity to four cars. Coupled with newly acquired Class 156 trains, this will lead to an extra 1500 seats being available each day on this service. Northern Rail
, responsible for operating most local services in the Sheffield area, announced in August 2011 that extra services between Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly will begin in December that year. The Hope Valley Line
, which will see an extra service in each direction in the peak evening period, is a key commuter route and currently has a two-hour gap in its evening schedule, which will be filled by the new services.
, is the location of the main concourse and most of the stations facilities. The ticket office, ticket machines
, information desk and a number of retail units are located there, and public toilets (costing 30p) and facilities such as cash machines and a left luggage facility. There are further shops and facilities on the island platforms and in the Supertram entrance hall at the far side of the station. There are waiting rooms on the island platforms and the East Midlands Trains first class lounge is within the station buildings, by platform 5.
There is a 678 space car park situated next to the main station building (Q Park) and there is a reserved parking area for blue badge
holders in the main station building. There is also a taxi rank outside the station building, next to the disabled car park. Bicycle storage is provided on platforms 1a and 3a. The whole station, including platforms, concourse and Supertram stop, is accessible to disabled passengers.
and platform
s 1a/1b; the first island
with platforms 2a-5b; the second island with platforms 6a-8b; and the adjoining Supertram stop. All sections are connected by a large footbridge
.
Sheffield station is designed to accommodate both through and terminating trains. Platforms 2c, 3, 4 and 7 can be used by terminating trains only.
The station has 9 platforms, numbered 1 to 8 and 2C. Platforms 1, 3 and 4 are divided into a and b sections to allow a brief stabling of terminating services before they are scheduled to depart. The station has four through roads which are used for through running or more commonly for stabling stock. Between platforms 5 and 6 these are known as "1-Up" and "2-Up" (they are on the "Up" or London-bound side of the station) whilst between platforms 1 and 2 are the "through road" with a direct path through the station or by a central crossover to the north end of platform 1 (1b), and "down station siding".
Prior to the 1972 multiple-aspect signalling (MAS) scheme, the southern half of the current platform 8 was called platform 9. Trains from the north from platform 9 could avoid trains stood at platform 8 via an additional through road.
The platforms are generally used as follows:
on the station's eastern side, Sheffield station/Sheffield Hallam University also serves the City Campus of Sheffield Hallam University
and the Park Hill estate.
East Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
First TransPennine Express
Northern Rail
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and is the busiest station in South Yorkshire. Adjacent is Sheffield station/Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Supertram
Sheffield Supertram
The Supertram, officially called the Stagecoach Supertram, is a light rail tram system in the City of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England...
stop.
1870 - 1960
The station was opened in 1870 by the Midland RailwayMidland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
and was the fifth and last station to be built in Sheffield city centre. It was designed by the architect Charles Trubshaw
Charles Trubshaw
Charles Trubshaw was an architect specifically associated with railway buildings on the London and North Western Railway and Midland Railway lines...
.
The station was built on the 'New Line', which ran between Grimesthorpe Junction, on the former Sheffield and Rotherham Railway
Sheffield and Rotherham Railway
The Sheffield and Rotherham Railway was a short railway between Sheffield and Rotherham and the first in the two towns.In the early nineteenth century, when news broke of the building of the North Midland Railway, it was clear that George Stephenson would follow the gentle gradient of the Rivers...
, and Tapton Junction, just north of Chesterfield
Chesterfield
Chesterfield is a market town and a borough of Derbyshire, England. It lies north of Derby, on a confluence of the rivers Rother and Hipper. Its population is 70,260 , making it Derbyshire's largest town...
. This line replaced the Midland Railway's previous route, the 'old road', to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which ran from Sheffield Wicker via Rotherham
Rotherham Masborough railway station
Rotherham Masborough railway station was the main railway station for Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England from the 1840s, until most of its trains were rerouted via Rotherham Central in 1987...
.
The new line and station were built despite some controversy and opposition locally. The Duke of Norfolk, who owned land in the area, insisted that the southern approach be in a tunnel and the land known as The Farm landscaped to prevent the line being seen. Some years later the tunnel was opened out into a cutting. Sheffield Corporation
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council is the city council for the metropolitan borough of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It consists of 84 councillors, elected to represent 28 wards, each with three councillors...
was so concerned about the eastern side of the town being cut off from the town centre that it insisted that public access be preserved across the railway site.
The station and Pond Street Goods Depot opened on a damp and cold day without any celebrations. There were originally different passenger entrances for each classes. The original station buildings have been preserved and are between island platforms 2 to 5.
The station was given two extra platforms and a new frontage in 1905 at a cost of £215,000. The enlargements consisted of creating an island platform out of the old platform 1 and building a new platform 1 and a new entrance.
Offices were built at the north end of the 300 feet (91.4 m) long carriageway rooftop. A large parcels office was built to the south of the main buildings. Two footbridges connected to the platforms, the one to the north for passengers, the one to the south for station staff and parcels. The tracks were covered by two overall roofs. The oldest and largest spanned platforms 5 and 6, and an identical structure can still be viewed today at Bath Green Park railway station
Bath Green Park railway station
Green Park railway station is a former railway station in Bath, Somerset, England. For some of its life, it was known as Bath Queen Square.-Architecture and opening:...
, t other platforms 1 and 2. Wartime damage put the roofs beyond economic repair, so they were removed in the autumn of 1956 and replaced by low-level awnings.
1960 - 2002
The 1960s saw the introduction of the Class 45British Rail Class 45
The British Rail Class 45 also known as the Sulzer Type 4 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail at their Derby and Crewe Works between 1960 and 1962...
and Class 46
British Rail Class 46
The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. They were built from 1961-1963 at British Railways' Derby Works and were initially numbered D138-D193. With the arrival of TOPS they were renumbered to Class 46. Fifty-six locomotives were built...
diesel-electric engines, known as Peaks. Sheaf House
Sheaf House
Sheaf House was a nine storey tower building by Sheaf Square, next to Sheffield railway station, in the centre of Sheffield, in South Yorkshire, England. The building was formerly the Sheffield area headquarters of British Rail.-History:...
was built in 1965 adjacent to the station to house British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
's Sheffield Division headquarters. As part of the reconstruction of the area as the "Gateway to Sheffield", it was demolished in early 2006. In 1970 Sheffield's other main station, Sheffield Victoria, was closed and its remaining services, from Penistone, were diverted until 1981 via a cumbersome reversal. In 1972 the station was resignalled and its track layout remodelled. In 1984 British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
introduced the High Speed Train
InterCity 125
The InterCity 125 was the brand name of British Rail's High Speed Train fleet. The InterCity 125 train is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of Mark 3 carriages, and is capable of , making the train the fastest diesel-powered locomotive in regular service in the...
to Sheffield on the Midland Main Line. The Cross Country services had seen the introduction of the HSTs in 1982. On 21 December 1991, the station was flooded by the River Sheaf
River Sheaf
The River Sheaf is a river in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Its source is the union of the Totley Brook and the Old Hay Brook in Totley, now a suburb of Sheffield. It flows northwards, past Dore, through the valley called Abbeydale and north of Heeley...
, which flows under it. A log that was part of the debris commemorates the event on platform 5. In 1991 construction of the new Supertram
Supertram
Supertram may refer to:* Stagecoach Supertram, Sheffield's modern tram system.* Leeds Supertram, a proposed but rejected modern tram system project for the city of Leeds...
network began and by late 1994 Sheffield Midland was connected to the network, after the opening of the line between Fitzalan Square
Fitzalan Square
Fitzalan Square is a municipal square situated in the city centre of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. The present day square is one of the busiest areas of the city centre with traffic and pedestrians continually moving through the area...
in the city centre and Spring Lane, to the east of the station.
2002 - present
In 2002, Midland MainlineMidland Mainline
Midland Mainline was a British train operating company owned by the National Express Group and based in Derby. It was created after the privatisation of British Rail. Midland Mainline services operated from April 1996 to November 2007....
, as the main TOC of the station, instigated a major regeneration of Sheffield station. Prior to this, a taxi rank was located inside what is now the main concourse and the new entrance hall. The stone façade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
of the station was sandblasted
Abrasive blasting
Abrasive blasting is the operation of forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material against a surface under high pressure to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth surface, shape a surface, or remove surface contaminants. A pressurized fluid, typically air, or a centrifugal wheel is used to...
and its archways filled with unobstructed windows to improve views both from inside and out. Other changes included the improvement of platform surfaces and the addition of a pedestrian bridge connecting the station concourse with the Sheffield Supertram stop at the far side of the station.
To coincide with the regeneration of the station, Sheaf Square
Sheaf Square
Sheaf Square is a municipal square lying immediately east of the city centre of Sheffield, England. The sides of the square are lined with major buildings: Sheffield railway station, the Showroom Cinema, Sheffield Science Park, the early nineteenth century Howard Hotel, in addition to the site of...
was rebuilt as part of a project designed to create the ‘Gateway to Sheffield’. The station and the square form part of a ‘gold route’ that leads passengers through the square past the 262.5 feet (80 m) 'Cutting Edge' water feature, up Howard Street
Howard Street (Sheffield)
Howard Street is a street in the city centre of Sheffield, England. It provides a short link between Sheaf Square and one of the great road arteries, Arundel Gate. The street was pedestrianised in 2006 so as to provide safe haven to pedestrians using the railway station...
and into the Heart of the City. This 'Gateway to Sheffield' won the Project of the Year Award in the 2006 National Rail Awards.
On 11 November 2007, East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
, an amalgamation of Midland Mainline and part of Central Trains
Central Trains
Central Trains was one of the original 25 train operating companies to emerge from the break-up of British Rail between 1994 and 1997. The company operated local, urban and secondary express services across central England and Mid Wales.-Overview:...
, took over the management of the station.
In December 2009, following the restoration of the station, a new pub
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, the 'Sheffield Tap', opened next to platform 1B. The room, located within the main station building, had been used as a store room for 35 years but was used for much longer as a bar and restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
, catering for First Class passengers since 1904. The bar is noteworthy for its restored early 20th century interior and its selection of quality cask ales and beers from around the world. Since opening the bar has won the National Railway Heritage Award and the Cask Ale
Cask ale
Cask ale or cask-conditioned beer is the term for unfiltered and unpasteurised beer which is conditioned and served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure...
pub of the year award.
In October 2010 East Midland Trains initiated £10 million worth of improvements to its stations. Sheffield received renovated waiting rooms, toilet facilities and upgraded security systems amongst its improvements.
A new first class
First class travel
First class is the most luxurious class of accommodation on a train, passenger ship, airplane, or other conveyance. It is usually much more expensive than business class and economy class, and offers the best amenities.-Aviation:...
lounge on platform 5, part of these improvements, opened on 18 January 2011. The lounge was opened by the Master Cutler Professor Bill Speirs who was joined by 50 top business leaders from Sheffield and the surrounding area.
Station footbridge controversy
In 2008, East Midlands Trains revealed its intention to restrict access to parts of the station by installing ticket barriers to try to prevent passengers from travelling without a ticket. This proposal met with widespread opposition from residents and Council members because the footbridge would be closed off to non-ticket holders, severing a popular thoroughfareThoroughfare
A thoroughfare is a place of transportation intended to connect one location to another. Highways, roads, and trails are examples of thoroughfares used by a variety of general traffic. On land a thoroughfare may refer to anything from a rough trail to multi-lane highway with grade separated...
from the Norfolk Park residential area and the Supertram stop on one side, to the station travel centre, the bus station interchange, the city centre and the city centre campus of Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...
on the other. On 6 May 2009, East Midlands Trains implemented its proposal, using temporary barriers and ticket inspectors to bar access to the footbridge to non-ticket holders. Without any warning, local residents and Supertram passengers were forced to use longer routes around the station.
In November 2009, East Midlands Trains were refused planning permission for the barriers by the council, but in February 2010 announced it would apply again. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis announced in April 2010 that barriers would not be installed until a second bridge was built to maintain a thoroughfare for non-ticket holders.
From September 2010, East Midlands Trains have used uniformed staff to prevent local residents using the footbridge. At the same time, Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council is the city council for the metropolitan borough of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It consists of 84 councillors, elected to represent 28 wards, each with three councillors...
explored the possibility of turning the bridge into a public right-of-way
Right-of-way
Right-of-way or right of way may refer to:*Right of way , legally granted access*Right-of-way , a strip of land granted for a transportation facility...
to resolve the matter. In late 2010, it was reported that the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg
Nick Clegg
Nicholas William Peter "Nick" Clegg is a British Liberal Democrat politician who is currently the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council and Minister for Constitutional and Political Reform in the coalition government of which David Cameron is the Prime Minister...
, MP for Sheffield Hallam
Sheffield Hallam
Sheffield Hallam can refer to:* Sheffield Hallam University, a modern university in Yorkshire, England* Sheffield Hallam , a parliamentary constituency in Sheffield...
, might intervene to resolve the impasse.
Future
Ian Yeowart, former Managing Director of Grand Central, put forward in 2009 a bid for new open access services operating on the East Coast Main LineEast Coast Main Line
The East Coast Main Line is a long electrified high-speed railway link between London, Peterborough, Doncaster, Wakefield, Leeds, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh...
. As part of the scheme, four services a day would operate between Sheffield and London King’s Cross, meaning Sheffield would be connected to the capital by both the Midland Main Line
Midland Main Line
The Midland Main Line is a major railway route in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.The present-day line links London St...
and the East Coast Main Line
East Coast Main Line
The East Coast Main Line is a long electrified high-speed railway link between London, Peterborough, Doncaster, Wakefield, Leeds, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh...
for the first time since the closure of Victoria station. Yeowart has proposed the resurrection of the name GNER for the service, which has been unused since the last franchise of that name ended in 2007.
In its 2010 Strategic Business Plan, Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
, quoting its 2009 Rail Utilisation Strategy, recommended that the Midland Main Line
Midland Main Line
The Midland Main Line is a major railway route in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.The present-day line links London St...
be electrified. The line is currently one of the few major main lines (along with the Great Western Main Line
Great Western Main Line
The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...
) that is not electrified and it was found that the project would provide significantly enhanced services and significant financial savings. In 2010 the conservative government delayed a decision on the matter.
Network Rail is planning and undertaking infrastructure improvements and a reduction of eight minutes in journey times between Sheffield and London St Pancras
St Pancras railway station
St Pancras railway station, also known as London St Pancras and since 2007 as St Pancras International, is a central London railway terminus celebrated for its Victorian architecture. The Grade I listed building stands on Euston Road in St Pancras, London Borough of Camden, between the...
is planned.
CrossCountry, aspiring to improve their overall network and services, aims to increase services between Sheffield and Leeds. East Midlands Trains also plan to make service improvements to its services between Liverpool and Norwich via Sheffield with two-car Class 158 trains doubling in capacity to four cars. Coupled with newly acquired Class 156 trains, this will lead to an extra 1500 seats being available each day on this service. Northern Rail
Northern Rail
Northern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
, responsible for operating most local services in the Sheffield area, announced in August 2011 that extra services between Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly will begin in December that year. The Hope Valley Line
Hope Valley Line
The Hope Valley Line is a railway line in England linking Sheffield with Manchester. It was completed in 1894.From Sheffield, trains head down the Midland Main Line to Dore, where the Hope Valley Line branches off to run through the Totley Tunnel .It emerges in the stunning scenery of the Hope...
, which will see an extra service in each direction in the peak evening period, is a key commuter route and currently has a two-hour gap in its evening schedule, which will be filled by the new services.
Station facilities
The main station entrance, facing Sheaf SquareSheaf Square
Sheaf Square is a municipal square lying immediately east of the city centre of Sheffield, England. The sides of the square are lined with major buildings: Sheffield railway station, the Showroom Cinema, Sheffield Science Park, the early nineteenth century Howard Hotel, in addition to the site of...
, is the location of the main concourse and most of the stations facilities. The ticket office, ticket machines
Ticket machine
A ticket machine, also known as a ticket vending machine , is a vending machine that produces tickets. For instance, ticket machines dispense train tickets at railway stations and tram tickets at some tram stops and in some trams...
, information desk and a number of retail units are located there, and public toilets (costing 30p) and facilities such as cash machines and a left luggage facility. There are further shops and facilities on the island platforms and in the Supertram entrance hall at the far side of the station. There are waiting rooms on the island platforms and the East Midlands Trains first class lounge is within the station buildings, by platform 5.
There is a 678 space car park situated next to the main station building (Q Park) and there is a reserved parking area for blue badge
Disabled parking permit
A disabled parking permit, also known as a handicapped permit, disabled placard, disabled badge and "Blue Badge" in the European Union, is displayed upon parking a vehicle carrying a person whose mobility would be otherwise significantly impaired by one or more of age, illness, disability or...
holders in the main station building. There is also a taxi rank outside the station building, next to the disabled car park. Bicycle storage is provided on platforms 1a and 3a. The whole station, including platforms, concourse and Supertram stop, is accessible to disabled passengers.
Station layout
The station is divided into four parts: the main building/concourseConcourse
A concourse is a place where pathways or roads meet, such as in a hotel, a convention center, a railway station, an airport terminal, a hall, or other space.-Examples:Examples of concourses include:* Meeting halls* Universities* Railway stations...
and platform
Platform
- Physical objects and features :* Diving platform, used in competitive diving* Jumping platform, naturally occurring platforms, or platforms made in an ad-hoc way for cliff jumping* Oil platform, a structure built for oil production...
s 1a/1b; the first island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
with platforms 2a-5b; the second island with platforms 6a-8b; and the adjoining Supertram stop. All sections are connected by a large footbridge
Footbridge
A footbridge or pedestrian bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction...
.
Sheffield station is designed to accommodate both through and terminating trains. Platforms 2c, 3, 4 and 7 can be used by terminating trains only.
The station has 9 platforms, numbered 1 to 8 and 2C. Platforms 1, 3 and 4 are divided into a and b sections to allow a brief stabling of terminating services before they are scheduled to depart. The station has four through roads which are used for through running or more commonly for stabling stock. Between platforms 5 and 6 these are known as "1-Up" and "2-Up" (they are on the "Up" or London-bound side of the station) whilst between platforms 1 and 2 are the "through road" with a direct path through the station or by a central crossover to the north end of platform 1 (1b), and "down station siding".
Prior to the 1972 multiple-aspect signalling (MAS) scheme, the southern half of the current platform 8 was called platform 9. Trains from the north from platform 9 could avoid trains stood at platform 8 via an additional through road.
The platforms are generally used as follows:
- Platforms 1 and 2 - Northern RailNorthern RailNorthern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
; First TPEFirst TransPennine ExpressFirst TransPennine Express is a British train operating company. It is a joint operation between First Group and Keolis . It operates regular passenger services in northern England, including services linking the west and east coasts across the Pennines...
to Cleethorpes; CrossCountryCrossCountryCrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
to Newcastle and Scotland - Platform 2C - Northern RailNorthern RailNorthern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
stopping trains to Manchester Piccadilly - Platforms 3 and 4 - local stopping trains to Leeds and Scarborough
- Platform 5 - East Midlands TrainsEast Midlands TrainsEast Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
to London and Liverpool; CrossCountryCrossCountryCrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
to Birmingham and the south - Platform 6 - Northern RailNorthern RailNorthern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
to Nottingham; CrossCountryCrossCountryCrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
to Birmingham and the south - Platform 7 - East Midlands TrainsEast Midlands TrainsEast Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
to London - Platform 8 - First TransPennine ExpressFirst TransPennine ExpressFirst TransPennine Express is a British train operating company. It is a joint operation between First Group and Keolis . It operates regular passenger services in northern England, including services linking the west and east coasts across the Pennines...
to Manchester Airport; East Midlands TrainsEast Midlands TrainsEast Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
to Norwich and Nottingham
Supertram stop
Sheffield station/Sheffield Hallam University stop on the Supertram has direct interchange with Sheffield station. Built on top of a walled embankmentEmbankment
Embankment may refer to:* A levee or dike, an artificial bank raised above the immediately surrounding land to redirect or prevent flooding by a river, lake or sea...
on the station's eastern side, Sheffield station/Sheffield Hallam University also serves the City Campus of Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...
and the Park Hill estate.
Services
Trains per hour:East Midlands Trains
- 2 to London St Pancras via Derby, Leicester & East Midlands Parkway using Class 222 Meridians, departing at approximately xx35 and x:47. Three named passenger trains (The Master CutlerMaster CutlerThe Master Cutler is the head of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire established in 1624. Their role is to act as an ambassador of industry in Sheffield, England. The Master Cutler is elected by the freemen of the company on the first Monday of September of each year and the position taken in the...
, Sheffield ContinentalSheffield ContinentalThe Sheffield Continental is one of the four flagship named passenger trains operated by East Midlands Trains. There is only a south-bound Sheffield Continental service which is the 0647 train from Sheffield to London St Pancras....
& South YorkshiremanSouth YorkshiremanThe South Yorkshireman is a British named passenger train. In its modern version it is one of four named expresses operated by East Midlands Trains, and runs between and ....
) run on this service. - 1 to Norwich via NottinghamNottingham stationNottingham station, for some time known as Nottingham Midland or Nottingham City, is the principal railway station of the city of Nottingham and the Greater Nottingham area...
using Class 158 Express Sprinters. - 1 to Liverpool Lime Street via Manchester Piccadilly using Class 158 Express Sprinters.
CrossCountry
- 1 to Edinburgh via Leeds, York and NewcastleNewcastle stationNewcastle station can refer to:*Newcastle railway station, also known as Newcastle Central Station, the main railway station in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England*Newcastle railway station in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia...
using Class 221 Super Voyagers. - 1 to NewcastleNewcastle stationNewcastle station can refer to:*Newcastle railway station, also known as Newcastle Central Station, the main railway station in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England*Newcastle railway station in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia...
via DoncasterDoncaster railway stationDoncaster railway station serves the town of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, England. It is situated on the East Coast Main Line north of London Kings Cross, and is about five minutes walk from Doncaster town centre. The station is managed by East Coast...
and YorkYork railway stationYork railway station is a main-line railway station in the city of York, England. It lies on the East Coast Main Line north of London's King's Cross station towards Edinburgh's Waverley Station...
using Class 221 Super Voyagers. - 2 to Birmingham New Street via Derby, with alternate trains continuing to Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads railway stationBristol Temple Meads railway station is the oldest and largest railway station in Bristol, England. It is an important transport hub for public transport in Bristol, with bus services to various parts of the city and surrounding districts, and a ferry service to the city centre in addition to the...
, Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids railway stationExeter St Davids station is the most important of seven National Rail stations in the city of Exeter in southwest England. Today the station is owned by Network Rail and operated by First Great Western.-History:...
and PlymouthPlymouth railway stationPlymouth railway station serves the city of Plymouth, Devon, England. It is situated on the northern edge of the city centre close to the North Cross roundabout...
; or OxfordOxford railway stationOxford railway station is a mainline railway station serving the city of Oxford, England. It is about west of the city centre, northwest of Frideswide Square and the eastern end of Botley Road, and on the line linking with . It is also on the line for trains between and Hereford via...
, ReadingReading railway stationReading railway station is a major rail transport hub in the English town of Reading. It is situated on the northern edge of the town centre, close to the main retail and commercial areas, and also the River Thames...
and SouthamptonSouthampton Central railway stationSouthampton Central railway station is a main line railway station serving the city of Southampton in Hampshire, southern England. It is on the Wessex Main Line, the South Western Main Line and the West Coastway Line...
, using Class 221 Super Voyagers.
First TransPennine Express
- 1 to Manchester Airport via Manchester Piccadilly using Class 185British Rail Class 185The Class 185 Pennine Desiro is a diesel multiple-unit passenger train of the Desiro type built by Siemens in Germany for the British train operating company First TransPennine Express.51 units were acquired, representing an investment of £250 million....
and Class 170. - 1 to Cleethorpes via Doncaster using Class 185British Rail Class 185The Class 185 Pennine Desiro is a diesel multiple-unit passenger train of the Desiro type built by Siemens in Germany for the British train operating company First TransPennine Express.51 units were acquired, representing an investment of £250 million....
and Class 170.
Northern Rail
- 1 to Manchester Piccadilly using Class 150British Rail Class 150The British Rail Class 150 "Sprinter" diesel multiple units were built by BREL from 1984-87. A total of 137 units were built in three main subclasses, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.- Background :...
. - 2 to Leeds via BarnsleyBarnsley InterchangeBarnsley Interchange lies in the centre of the town of Barnsley, in South Yorkshire, England. The station was opened in 1850 and is north of Sheffield...
using Class 158British Rail Class 158British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train, built for British Rail between 1989 and 1992 by BREL at its Derby Works. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, and allowed cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs...
. - 1 to Leeds via BarnsleyBarnsley InterchangeBarnsley Interchange lies in the centre of the town of Barnsley, in South Yorkshire, England. The station was opened in 1850 and is north of Sheffield...
and CastlefordCastleford railway stationCastleford railway station is an unstaffed railway station serving the town of Castleford in West Yorkshire. It lies on the Hallam and the Pontefract Lines south east of Leeds....
using Class 144British Rail Class 144The British Rail Class 144 "Pacer" diesel multiple units were built by BREL Derby from 1986-1987. A total of 23 units were built, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs....
. - 1 to Leeds via MoorthorpeMoorthorpe railway stationMoorthorpe railway station serves Moorthorpe, near Pontefract, in the City of Wakefield district of West Yorkshire, England. It lies on the Dearne Valley Line and the Wakefield Line both operated by Northern Rail....
using Class 144British Rail Class 144The British Rail Class 144 "Pacer" diesel multiple units were built by BREL Derby from 1986-1987. A total of 23 units were built, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs....
. - 1 to NottinghamNottingham stationNottingham station, for some time known as Nottingham Midland or Nottingham City, is the principal railway station of the city of Nottingham and the Greater Nottingham area...
via Chesterfield using Class 158British Rail Class 158British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train, built for British Rail between 1989 and 1992 by BREL at its Derby Works. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, and allowed cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs...
. - 1 to Hull via Doncaster using Class 158British Rail Class 158British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train, built for British Rail between 1989 and 1992 by BREL at its Derby Works. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, and allowed cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs...
. - 1 to Lincoln using Class 144British Rail Class 144The British Rail Class 144 "Pacer" diesel multiple units were built by BREL Derby from 1986-1987. A total of 23 units were built, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs....
. - 2tph to Doncaster via MeadowhallMeadowhall InterchangeMeadowhall Interchange to the north of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England is a railway station on the Midland Main Line, a Sheffield Supertram stop, and bus station. It is close to junction 34 on the M1, and serves Meadowhall Shopping Centre...
using Class 158British Rail Class 158British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train, built for British Rail between 1989 and 1992 by BREL at its Derby Works. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, and allowed cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs...
.