Historical Status
The triangular track layout at Earlestown represents the oldest junction in the world between two passenger railways, in the form of the first "stationary turntable" or wye ever constructed. Nearby on the line towards Liverpool is the Sankey Viaduct, the first mainline railway viaduct. It crosses the Sankey Canal, which is claimed to be the world's first purpose-built industrial waterway.
The waiting room on the Liverpool-bound platform is the oldest station building in the world still in passenger service, although this is now limited to providing shelter from the rain under its canopy. The building is currently derelict, with tickets being sold in a more recent structure.
Read more about this topic: Earlestown Railway Station
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