SE0924 : Salt on the platform
taken 6 years ago, near to Halifax, Calderdale, England
The present station was opened in 1855 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and the Leeds, Bradford and Halifax Railway, replacing earlier temporary buildings of 1850 on the same site and 1844 a short distance away. It was enlarged in 1886. From the 1870s to the 1950s it was a junction station with two routes to the north, one to Bradford via Beacon Hill tunnel (still open) and one to Keighley via Queensbury.
Variously known at times as Halifax Old and Halifax Town, it has reverted in recent times to its simpler name. The 19th century main buildings are listed grade II (list entry 1259136) but are currently used by the nearby Eureka museum.
In its heyday in the early 20th century, Halifax had six through platforms as well as bay platforms, goods sidings and an extensive goods yard and coal staithes to the north. It now consists of a single island platform reached by a modern footbridge from a late 20th century station entrance. As well as local services to Leeds, Manchester and Huddersfield, it is a stopping point for longer distance services to Blackpool, Scarborough and London (the Grand Central service from Bradford).