6. Birkenhead North

Opened: 2nd January 1888, though its name was Birkenhead Docks back then.  It was renamed to Birkenhead North in 1926.

Line electrified: 1938.

Number of platforms: Three.  One platform serves Liverpool trains, the second New Brighton and West Kirby trains.  The third is technically a through platform but is mainly used for stabling and turnbacks these days.  

Points of interest: A planter commemorates Philip Rodney Perkins, 08.09.1955 - 05.12.2025 - Goodnight God Bless.

On the outside wall is a mural dedicated to Charlie Landsborough, a folk singer who grew up nearby.  I have a close personal connection with Charlie because I'd never heard of him until I started work in the music department (or "Sounds" as we called it, because we were very cool) at Birkenhead's WH Smith.  I quickly learned that not only does Charlie have a dedicated fanbase on the Wirral, but also that they'll turn up on the day his new album is released demanding a copy at nine in the morning.  We used to regularly have arguments with head office that yes, we definitely should have thirty copies of a CD by this man they've never heard of because they will sell in about eight minutes, and their reticence is yet another reason why WH Smith went down the dumper.  

Birkenhead North also has a massive and very popular car park attached to it.  After about eleven am you'll find yourself cruising the aisle for a spot for a good while.  There used to be electric chargers here too but a while back they disappeared.  

As the point where the Wirral Line splits in two, and in close proximity to the Birkenhead North depot, this is also a spot where the train crews will swap over, meaning there's a mess room for them.  Look closely and you can see the fenced off yard where they can have a fag.

Attractive Local Feature sign: None.  In fact I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever find one of these because every station so far seems to have managed without one.

Original blog post: 9th September 2007

What's changed since then?  The lift-accessible bridge opened in 2014, and there's a now-faded sign to commemorate the occasion at the foot of the steps.  A vending machine has appeared in the waiting area, plus a toilet.  There's a sign on the footbridge that points to trains to West Kirkby and it's been there for years now and nobody seems to be in a rush to correct it.  

The local area has also been extensively redeveloped since then.  New houses have been built all around the station, replacing the Ilchester Square social housing with small well-kept semis and a stretch of parkland.  This also meant that the notorious New Dock Hotel was demolished.  I always like to mention it, because it was nicknamed "The Blood Tub"; there were lots of reasons given for this nickname but my favourite is that there were so many fights on a Saturday night that the landlord used to use a broom to brush the blood out the front door.

Proof of visit:

I would never permit a full-length photograph today because you'd see my beer gut and nothing else.