Lanyon Place railway station

Station in Belfast, Northern Ireland

"Belfast Central station" redirects here. For the new bus and rail transport hub, see Belfast Grand Central station.

Lanyon Place

Station Building.

General information
Other names| Belfast Central
Location| East Bridge Street, Belfast
Northern Ireland
Coordinates| 54°35′43″N 5°55′02″W﻿ / ﻿54.5953°N 5.9172°W﻿ / 54.5953; -5.9172
Owned by| NI Railways
Operated by| NI Railways
Line(s)| Bangor
Derry~Londonderry
Larne
Platforms| 4
Tracks| 4 (at platforms)
5 (total)
Construction
Structure type| At-grade
Key dates
1976| Opened as Belfast Central
2003| Refurbished
2018| Renamed "Lanyon Place"
Passengers
2015/16| 2.232 million [1]
2016/17|  2.282 million [1]
2017/18|  2.424 million [1]
2018/19|  2.615 million [2]
2019/20|  2.569 million [3]
2020/21|  359,100 [4]
2021/22|  980,707 [5]
2022/23|  1.833 million [6]
2023/24|  2.417 million [7]

* NI Railways
* Translink
* NI railway stations

Route map

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Legend

|  |  |

|  |  |

| Year

closed

|  |

|  | Great Victoria Street |

2024

|  |

|  | Belfast Grand Central
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

| Belfast-Dublin line

to Portadown, Newry and Dublin Connolly

|  |

|  | City Hospital
|  |

|  | Windsor |

1885

|  |

|  | Botanic
|  |

|  | Ormeau |

1885

|  |

|  | Lanyon Place
|  |

|  | Queen's Bridge |

1885

|  |

|  |

| Lagan Railway Bridge

over River Lagan

|  |

|  |

| Belfast-Bangor line

to Bangor

|  |

|  |

| Dargan Bridge

over River Lagan

|  |

|  | York Street
|  |

|  | Yorkgate |

2024

|  |

|  |

York Road depot

|  |

|  | York Road |

1992

|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Fortwilliam Traincare Depot
|  |

|  | Greencastle |

1954

|  |

|  | Whitehouse |

1954

|  |

|  | Whiteabbey
|  |

|  |

| Belfast-Larne line

to Larne Harbour

|  |

|  |

| via Greenisland

1963

|  |

|  | Monkstown |

1981

|  |

|  | Mossley |

1982

|  |

|  | Mossley West
|  |

|  | Ballyclare Junction |

1961

|  |

|  |

| Ballyclare branch line

to Ballyclare

1950

|  |

|  | Ballyrobert |

1920

|  |

|  | Doagh |

1970

|  |

|  | Templepatrick |

1981

|  |

|  | Dunadry |

1954

|  |

|  | Muckamore |

1961

|  |

|  |

| Lisburn-Antrim line

to Lisburn

2003

|  |

|  | Antrim
|  |

|  | Cookstown Junction |

1976

|  |

|  |

| Cookstown branch line

to Magherafelt and Cookstown

1959

|  |

|  | Kellswater |

1971

|  |

|  | Andraid |

1850

|  |

|  |

| Ballymena and Larne Railway

to Larne

1950

|  |

|  | Ballymena
|  |

|  |

| Ballymena, Cushendall & Red Bay Rly

to Parkmore and Retreat

1940

|  |

|  | Cullybackey
|  |

|  | Glarryford |

1973

|  |

|  | Killagan |

1973

|  |

|  | Dunloy |

1976

|  |

|  | Ballymoney
|  |

|  |

| Ballycastle Railway

to Ballycastle

1950

|  |

|  |

| Derry Central Railway

to Magherafelt

1950

|  |

|  | Macfin |

1954

|  |

|  | Coleraine
|  |

|  | Coleraine Harbour  |

1963

|  |

|  |

| Coleraine-Portrush line

to Portrush

|  |

|  |

River Bann

|  |

|  | Coleraine Waterside |

1861

|  |

|  | Barmouth |

1856

|  |

|  | Castlerock
|  |

|  |

Castlerock Tunnel

|  |

|  |

Downhill Tunnel

|  |

|  | Downhill |

1973

|  |

|  | Umbra |

1861

|  |

|  | Magilligan |

1976

|  |

|  | Bellarena
|  |

|  |

River Roe

|  |

|  |

| Limavady Railway

to Limavady and Dungiven

1955

|  |

|  | Limavady Junction |

1976

|  |

|  | Ballykelly |

1954

|  |

|  | Carrichue |

1954

|  |

|  | Faughanvale |

1859

|  |

|  | Eglinton |

1973

|  |

|  |

River Faughan

|  |

|  | Derry~Londonderry
|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

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Legend

|  |  |

|  |  |

| Year

closed

|  |

|  | Great Victoria Street |

2024

|  |

|  | Belfast Grand Central
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

| Belfast-Dublin line

to Portadown, Newry, Dublin Connolly

|  |

|  | City Hospital
|  |

|  | Windsor |

1885

|  |

|  | Botanic
|  |

|  | Ormeau |

1885

|  |

|  | Lanyon Place
|  |

|  | Queen's Bridge |

1885

|  |

|  |

| Lagan Railway Bridge

over River Lagan

|  |

|  |

| Belfast-Larne railway line

& Belfast-Derry railway line

|  |

|  | Titanic Quarter

(Bridge End)

|  |

|  | Queen's Quay |

1976

|  |

|  |

| Belfast and County Down main line

to Comber, Downpatrick, Newcastle

1950

|  |

|  | Ballymacarrett |

1976

|  |

|  | Victoria Park |

1981

|  |

|  | Sydenham
|  |

|  | Tillysburn |

1945

|  |

|  | Kinnegar |

1957

|  |

|  | Holywood
|  |

|  | Marino
|  |

|  | Cultra
|  |

|  | Craigavad |

1957

|  |

|  | Seahill
|  |

|  | Helen's Bay
|  |

|  | Crawfordsburn |

1997

|  |

|  | Carnalea
|  |

|  | Bangor West
|  |

|  | Bangor
|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

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Show Bangor line route diagram

Legend

|  |  |

|  |  |

| Year

closed

|  |

|  | Great Victoria Street |

2024

|  |

|  | Belfast Grand Central
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

| Belfast-Dublin line

to Portadown, Newry and Dublin Connolly

|  |

|  | City Hospital
|  |

|  | Windsor |

1885

|  |

|  | Botanic
|  |

|  | Ormeau |

1885

|  |

|  | Lanyon Place
|  |

|  | Queen's Bridge |

1885

|  |

|  |

| Lagan Railway Bridge

over River Lagan

|  |

|  |

| Belfast-Bangor line

to Bangor

|  |

|  |

| Dargan Bridge

over River Lagan

|  |

|  | York Street
|  |

|  | Yorkgate |

2024

|  |

|  |

York Road depot

|  |

|  |

York Road

1992

|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | Greencastle |

1954

|  |

|  | Whitehouse |

1954

|  |

|  | Whiteabbey
|  |

|  |

| Belfast–Derry railway line

to Derry~Londonderry

|  |

|  | Bleach Green |

1977

|  |

|  | Jordanstown
|  |

|  |

| Belfast–Derry railway line

via Monkstown

1963

|  |

|  | Greenisland
|  |

|  | Trooperslane
|  |

|  | Mount |

1977

|  |

|  |

| Harbour branch line

to Carrickfergus Harbour

|  |

|  | Clipperstown
|  |

|  | Carrickfergus
|  |

|  | Barn |

1977

|  |

|  | Downshire
|  |

|  | Eden |

1977

|  |

|  | Kilroot |

1977

|  |

|  | Whitehead
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

| Whitehead Excursion

RPSI depot

|  |

|  | Ballycarry
|  |

|  | Magheramorne
|  |

|  | Glynn
|  |

|  | Larne Town
|  |

|  |

| Ballymena and Larne Railway

to Kilwaughter, Ballyclare and Ballymena

|  |

|  | Larne Harbour
|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

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Show Larne line route diagram

Location

Lanyon Place

Location in Northern Ireland

Show map of Northern Ireland

Lanyon Place

Location on the Island of Ireland

Show map of island of Ireland

Belfast Lanyon Place (formerly Belfast Central) is a railway station serving the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Located on East Bridge Street in the Laganside area of central Belfast, it is one of four stations in the city centre, the others being City Hospital, Botanic, and Belfast Grand Central.

The station serves Northern Ireland Railways routes to Derry, Bangor and Larne. Until 2024, Lanyon Place was also the northern terminus of the cross-border Enterprise service to Dublin Connolly, jointly run with Iarnród Éireann.

## Description

[edit]

There are two island platforms at Lanyon Place, each serving two tracks, capable of accommodating trains up to nine coaches long on each side. Platform 1 is usually only used at peak hours, as well as for special services run by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. Platform 2 was the Enterprise platform. Platform 3 is the 'southbound platform', normally used for trains to Botanic, City Hospital and Belfast Grand Central with Platform 4 being the 'northbound platform' for trains along the Derry, Larne and Bangor lines.

2.6 million people used the station in 2017.[8]

## History

[edit]

The station was opened as "Belfast Central" on Monday 26 April 1976,[9] despite it being located further from Belfast city centre than Great Victoria Street station. The first station manager was Mr John Johnston.

By the 1990s, it became clear that the station's facilities were in need of upgrading. A major refurbishment programme started in 2000 and was completed in 2003.[10]

In February 2018, Translink announced that Belfast Central would undergo a face-lift. This would see the entrance hall and East Bridge Street façade completely redesigned, with the removal of the Troubles-era blast wall. Inside, the ticket hall would be rebuilt and new retail and dining facilities provided. A Belfast Bikes dock will also be included in the redesigned station.[8]

As part of the redesign, Belfast Central was renamed Lanyon Place on 1 September 2018. This is despite the fact that, strictly speaking, the station is not located there but on East Bridge Street.

The Enterprise train served Lanyon Place for the final time on 2 July 2024. Bus substitution services continued from Lanyon Place until 12 October 2024. On 13 October 2024, the service was transferred to the new Belfast Grand Central Station integrated transport hub.[11][12]

## Current Service

[edit]

Main hall of Belfast Central (prior to refurbishment as Lanyon Place) Train departing from Lanyon Place NIR Class 3000 (C3K) train in Lanyon Place

### Bangor line

[edit]

Main article: Belfast–Bangor railway line

From Monday to Saturday, there is a half hourly service from Lanyon Place to Bangor in one direction, and to Grand Central in the other. During peak times there are up to 6 trains per hour operating to Bangor with 3 being express services and the other half being slow services stopping at all stations between here and Bangor. The service is reduced to hourly operation in the evenings.

On Sundays, the service reduces to hourly operation between Bangor and Grand Central.

### Larne line

[edit]

Main article: Belfast–Larne railway line

Outbound services run half-hourly on an alternating basis to either Whitehead or through to Larne Harbour, giving an hourly service to stations beyond Whitehead. Extra services at peak times run to Carrickfergus and Larne Town. Almost all inbound services operate to Grand Central, with some peak time trains terminating here.

Saturdays retain a very similar pattern to the weekday service, minus any additional peak-time trains. On Sundays, the service reduces to hourly operation, with the outbound terminus alternating between Whitehead and Larne Harbour as before, giving a two-hourly service to stations beyond Whitehead. All inbound services operate to Grand Central.

### Derry~Londonderry line

[edit]

Main article: Belfast–Derry railway line

All Derry~Londonderry Line trains call at Lanyon Place. During the week, the service runs hourly in each direction between Grand Central and Derry~Londonderry. Certain peak-time or late-night trains will only run as far as Coleraine, or through to Portrush along the Coleraine-Portrush railway line.

On Saturdays, the service is slightly reduced, however operation remains much the same as during the week. On Sundays, the hourly service alternately runs to Derry~Londonderry and Portrush, giving a two-hourly service to stations beyond Coleraine.

Preceding station  |  |  Northern Ireland Railways |  | Following station

|
|
|
|

Botanic |  | Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Bangor

|  | Titanic Quarter
| Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Derry

|  | York Street
| Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Larne

## Former Services

[edit]

### Dublin line

[edit]

Main article: Belfast-Dublin railway line

Until 2024, the Enterprise service operated from Lanyon Place to Dublin Connolly every two hours. This reduced to five services per day on Sundays. The Enterprise served Lanyon Place for the final time on 2 July 2024, with the line south of Lanyon Place closing for track maintenance the following day. The Enterprise began to operate from Grand Central station on 13 October 2024.

## References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lanyon Place railway station.

1. ^ a b c "NIR Footfall 1518.xlsx". www.whatdotheyknow.com. 20 December 2018. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
2. ^ "NIR Footfall 1819.xlsx". www.whatdotheyknow.com. 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
3. ^ "NIR Footfall 1920.xlsx". www.whatdotheyknow.com. 11 August 2020. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
4. ^ "FOI1317 NIR Footfall 2021.xlsx". www.whatdotheyknow.com. 25 February 2021. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
5. ^ "FOI1317 NIR Footfall 2122.xlsx". www.whatdotheyknow.com. 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
6. ^ "FOI1317 NIR Footfall 2223.xlsx". www.whatdotheyknow.com. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
7. ^ "FOI Footfall 2023 2024 figures PDF.pdf". www.whatdotheyknow.com. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
8. ^ a b Translink. "Central Station to get a New Name and Makeover". www.translink.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
9. ^ "Central 1". IRRS. Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
10. ^ "Central 2". Translink. Archived from the original on 18 August 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
11. ^ "Translink on X:From Sunday October 13, Enterprise services will depart for Dublin from Belfast Grand Central Station Be sure to visit http://translink.co.uk to plan your journey". x.com. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
12. ^ "Belfast Lanyon Place Station Bids Farewell To Enterprise Service - Rail Express". Everand. Retrieved 13 October 2024.

* v
* t
* e

Railway stations served by NI Railways

Bangor Line|

* Bangor
* Bangor West
* Belfast Grand Central
* Botanic
* Carnalea
* City Hospital
* Cultra
* Helen's Bay
* Holywood
* Lanyon Place
* Marino
* Seahill
* Sydenham
* Titanic Quarter

Derry~Londonderry Line|

* Antrim
* Ballymena
* Ballymoney
* Belfast Grand Central
* Bellarena
* Botanic
* Castlerock
* City Hospital
* Coleraine
* Cullybackey
* Derry~Londonderry
* Lanyon Place
* Mossley West
* Whiteabbey
* York Street

Larne Line|

* Ballycarry
* Belfast Grand Central
* Botanic
* Carrickfergus
* City Hospital
* Clipperstown
* Downshire
* Glynn
* Greenisland
* Jordanstown
* Lanyon Place
* Larne Harbour
* Larne Town
* Magheramorne
* Trooperslane
* Whiteabbey
* Whitehead
* York Street

Newry/Portadown Line|

* Adelaide
* Balmoral
* Belfast Grand Central
* Derriaghy
* Dunmurry
* Finaghy
* Hilden
* Lambeg
* Lisburn
* Lurgan
* Moira
* Newry
* Portadown
* Poyntzpass
* Scarva

Portrush Line|

* Coleraine
* Dhu Varren
* Portrush
* University

Dublin Line1|

* Belfast Grand Central
* Drogheda MacBride
* Dublin Connolly
* Dundalk Clarke
* Lisburn
* Lurgan
* Newry
* Portadown

1 Cross-border services jointly operated with Iarnród Éireann under the Enterprise brand
Rail transport in Ireland

* v
* t
* e

Railway stations served by Iarnród Éireann

Belfast Line1|

* Balbriggan
* Belfast Grand Central
* Clongriffin
* Clontarf Road
* Connolly
* Donabate
* Drogheda MacBride
* Dundalk Clarke
* Gormanston
* Harmonstown
* Howth Junction & Donaghmede
* Kilbarrack
* Killester
* Laytown
* Lisburn
* Lurgan
* Malahide
* Newry
* Portadown
* Portmarnock
* Raheny
* Rush & Lusk
* Skerries

Cork Line|

* Adamstown
* Ballybrophy
* Charleville
* Clondalkin/Fonthill
* Cork Kent
* Hazelhatch and Celbridge
* Heuston
* Kildare
* Kishoge
* Limerick Junction
* Mallow
* Monasterevin
* Newbridge
* Park West and Cherry Orchard
* Portarlington
* Portlaoise
* Sallins and Naas
* Templemore
* Thurles

Galway Line|

* Athenry
* Athlone
* Ballinasloe
* Clara
* Galway Ceannt
* Hazelhatch and Celbridge
* Heuston
* Kildare
* Monasterevin
* Newbridge
* Oranmore
* Portarlington
* Sallins and Naas
* Tullamore
* Woodlawn

Sligo Line|

* Ashtown
* Ballymote
* Boyle
* Broombridge
* Castleknock
* Carrick-on-Shannon
* Collooney
* Connolly
* Coolmine
* Docklands
* Dromod
* Drumcondra
* Edgeworthstown
* Enfield
* Kilcock
* Leixlip Confey
* Leixlip Louisa Bridge
* Longford
* Maynooth
* Mullingar
* Navan Road Parkway
* Pelletstown
* Sligo Mac Diarmada

Rosslare Line|

* Arklow
* Blackrock
* Booterstown
* Bray Daly
* Connolly
* Dalkey
* Dún Laoghaire Mallin
* Enniscorthy
* Glenageary
* Gorey
* Grand Canal Dock
* Greystones
* Kilcoole
* Killiney
* Lansdowne Road
* Pearse
* Rathdrum
* Rosslare Europort
* Rosslare Strand
* Salthill and Monkstown
* Sandycove and Glasthule
* Sandymount
* Seapoint
* Shankill
* Sydney Parade
* Tara Street
* Wexford O'Hanrahan
* Wicklow

Waterford Line|

* Athy
* Carlow
* Kildare
* Kilkenny MacDonagh
* Muine Bheag
* Thomastown
* Waterford Plunkett

Tralee Line|

* Mallow
* Banteer
* Millstreet
* Rathmore
* Killarney
* Farranfore
* Tralee Casement

Limerick–Galway Line|

* Ardrahan
* Athenry
* Craughwell
* Ennis
* Galway Ceannt
* Gort
* Limerick Colbert
* Oranmore
* Sixmilebridge

Limerick–Waterford Line|

* Limerick Colbert
* Limerick Junction
* Tipperary
* Cahir
* Clonmel
* Carrick-on-Suir
* Waterford Plunkett

Westport Line|

* Athlone
* Ballina
* Ballinasloe
* Castlebar
* Claremorris
* Manulla Junction
* Roscommon
* Tullamore
* Westport

Ballina Line|

* Ballina
* Foxford
* Manulla Junction

Midleton Line|

* Carrigtwohill
* Cork Kent
* Glounthaune
* Littleisland
* Midleton

Cobh Line|

* Carrigaloe
* Cobh
* Cork Kent
* Fota
* Glounthaune
* Littleisland
* Rushbrooke

Howth Line|

* Bayside
* Howth
* Howth Junction & Donaghmede
* Sutton

Navan line|

* Clonsilla
* Dunboyne
* Hansfield
* M3 Parkway

Limerick–Ballybrophy line|

* Ballybrophy
* Birdhill
* Castleconnell
* Cloughjordan
* Limerick Colbert
* Nenagh
* Roscrea

1 Cross-border services jointly operated with NI Railways under the Enterprise brand
Rail transport in Ireland

* v
* t
* e

Major railway stations in Northern Ireland

* Antrim
* Ballymena
* Bangor
* Belfast Grand Central
* Belfast Lanyon Place
* Carrickfergus
* Coleraine
* Derry ~ Londonderry
* Holywood
* Larne Harbour
* Lisburn
* Lurgan
* Newry
* Portadown
* Whitehead
* York Street

* v
* t
* e

International railway stations in the United Kingdom

Great Britain (Eurostar)|

* St Pancras International
* Ebbsfleet International 1
* Ashford International1

Northern Ireland (Enterprise)|

* Belfast Grand Central
* Lisburn2
* Lurgan2
* Portadown
* Newry

Train/ferry interchange|

* Fishguard Harbour
* Harwich International
* Holyhead
* Newhaven Town
* Pembroke Dock

Others|

* Eurotunnel Folkestone Terminal (car shuttle train)

1 International services are currently suspended 2 Only a single service per week in each direction on the Enterprise calls there.
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