The Anonymous Widower

Blackpool North Station Platform Layout

In this post, I will look at the current platform layout at Blackpool North station and see if it needs to be updated for High Speed Two.

This OpenRailwayMap shows the current platform layout at the station.

Note.

1. The pink tracks are the Blackpool Tramway.
2. The Tramway station has two terminating platforms and a crossover and together with the delta junction on the seafront, trams can go North or South.
3. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Tramway upgraded.
4. The red tracks are the Blackpool Branch to Blackpool North station.
5. Blackpool North station has six platforms and their lengths are 277, 277, 205, 203, 203 and 205 metres.
6. The two longer platforms are on the South side of the station and can take an 11-car Pendolino or an HS2 200 m. Classic-Compatible train.

It appears to be a compact interchange between the trams and the trains.

I have some further thoughts.

Do Trains Spend The Night Parked In Blackpool North Station?

The Wikipedia entry for Blackpool North station says this about work done whilst the station was being electrified.

A major rebuild and upgrade of the nearby carriage servicing depot was carried out at the same time.

I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this section and received this reply.

Yes, trains can and do spend the night parked in the sidings and platforms at Blackpool North station. While many trains return to depots for maintenance, some units are stabled overnight at the station to facilitate the first early morning services of the day, as the facility is a key terminus for Northern Trains.

Overnight Stabling: Trains often occupy the 6 platforms or nearby sidings to start service early in the morning.

Station Activity: While passenger facilities close around midnight, the site itself remains secure for overnight parking.

Blackpool North station appears to be almost an efficient  cross between terminal station and depot.

Stabling a train at Blackpool North station could be the easy way for Avanti West Coast or HS2 to run an early train to London.

Could A Late Train From London Bring Up All The Stragglers And Take Back All The Early-Risers?

The only transport, I’ve ever scheduled in anger were container ships, but it seems the following could be possible.

• A late train runs from London Euston to Blackpool North, stopping at stations where it is thought necessary.
• The train gets an overnight service and a wash-and-brush-up in Blackpool North station, from staff in the local depot.
• An early train runs from Blackpool to London Euston, stopping at stations where it is thought necessary.

It would be efficient use of equipment and staff. It would also help those in Crewe, Warrington, Wigan, Preston and the Fylde, who wanted to spend a long day in London or the South.

Could Blackpool North Handle A 400 Metre HS2 Classic-Compatible Train To And From London?

Consider.

• Avanti West Coast’s London Euston and Blackpool North train calls at Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western and Preston.
• The Specification of the HS2 Classic-Compatible Train says that they should be able to split and join, with all the speed and competence of a sex act, at one of Epstein’s parties.
• Blackpool North has two platforms that are 277 metres long, which can both handle 200 metre HS2 Classic-Compatible Trains.
• Preston station has a platform, that is one of the longest in England at 362 metres.
• Wigan North Western station has a platform that is 274 metres long.
• Warrington Bank Quay station has main line platforms that are 250-260 metres long.
• Crewe station has a platform that is 390 metres long.
• The provisional timetable for HS2 shows pairs of 200 metre HS2 Classic-Compatible Trains, stopping at Preston and Crewe stations.
• When built, HS2 stations at London Euston, Old Oak Common and Birmingham Interchange will be able to handle pairs of 200 metre HS2 Classic-Compatible Trains.

I am fairly sure that a 400 metre HS2 Classic-Compatible Train could run between London Euston and Blackpool North stations

• The train could call at Old Oak Common, Birmingham Interchange, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western and Preston stations.
• The frequency could be as passenger numbers needed.
• HS2 stations at London Euston, Old Oak Common and Birmingham Interchange will be able to handle pairs of 200 metre  HS2 Classic-Compatible Trains.

• Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western and Preston stations should be able to handle pairs of 200 metre  HS2 Classic-Compatible Trains by using selective door opening.
• Each 200 metre  HS2 Classic-Compatible Train, would use one of Platform 1 or 2 at Blackpool North station.

The two 200 metre  HS2 Classic-Compatible Trains would either split and join at Preston station or by some shunting in Blackpool North station.

Conclusion

I believe Blackpool North station could handle as least one pair of 200 metre  HS2 Classic-Compatible Trains to and from London Euston every hour.

It might be able to handle two such trains in every hour.

April 26, 2026 - Posted by AnonW | Artificial Intelligence, Design, Transport/Travel | Automatic Splitting And Joining Of Trains, Avanti West Coast, Birmingham Interchange Station, Blackpool North Station, Blackpool Tramway, Class 390 Train, Crewe Station, Google AI, High Speed Two Classic-Compatible Trains, High Speed Two Euston Station, Old Oak Common Station, Preston Station, Warrington Bank Quay Station, Wigan North Western Station