Ballymena railway station serves the Ballymena

Ballymena

Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....

 area in County Antrim

County Antrim

County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...

, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

. It is located just outside of Ballymena town centre on the Galgorm Road, and is integrated with the local bus station. It is situated on the Derry line between Antrim and Cullybackey. The station is operated by Translink

Translink (Northern Ireland)

Translink is the brand name of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company , a public corporation in Northern Ireland which provides the public transport in the region. NI Railways, Ulsterbus and Metro are all part of Translink....

 and all trains are operated by Northern Ireland Railways

Northern Ireland Railways

NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...

.

History

Ballymena station first opened on 4 December 1855 and from the information available, has remained open ever since. At one time, there were several other stations in the Ballymena area, however the only other one which survives to this day is Cullybackey.

Current services

Ballymena railway station consists of two platforms, and serves as a passing point on a mainly single track line. On the Belfast bound line, between Ballymena and Antrim, a 70 mph speed limit has been imposed due to the poor quality of the track, however Translink has produced a capital expenditure plan which lists a speed upgrade as a priority. It is also rummoured, that someday, Translink would like to re-instate the double track between these stations to enhance the service to this station. According to the current timetable, there are services every half hour at peak times, and every hour or two hours during non-peak periods.

As part of the Disability Discrimination Act, it is currently in the process of being refurbished under a £17 million investment program by Translink, which will see lifts to the platforms installed as well as better lighting and seating and other minor changes.

As of 2009, there is a two hourly service on Mondays to Saturdays towards Derry or Belfast Great Victoria Street, plus some other services from Belfast Great Victoria Street ending and starting at Ballymena. On Sundays there are five trains in each direction.

See also

• Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
  Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway
  The Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway was a narrow gauge railway between Ballymena and Retreat, both in County Antrim, in what is now Northern Ireland. It operated from 1875 to 1940.-History:...
  
   - a narrow gauge railway which closed in 1940
• Ballymena and Larne Railway
  Ballymena and Larne Railway
  The Ballymena and Larne Railway was a narrow gauge railway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The first part opened in July 1877 and regular passenger services began in August 1878, the first on the three foot Irish narrow gauge...
  
   - a narrow gauge railway which closed in 1933