General Stations - what and why

[whole diary]

[Bmblbzzz]

I'm curious about the history of the General name. Not just in Reading but everywhere.

How did it originate? Was it only used by GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) (and subsequent ex-GWR stations)? What was its meaning? Did it signify one station for goods and passengers as opposed to separate facilities? Or was it an equivalent of Central? When was it first and last used? Did it actually add any specific information to the place name?

Edit by Grahame, 18.8.2020 - This excellent question took on a life of its own and has been split out from "Reading Station Improvements" ((here))

[Lee]

The suffix "General" was used by the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and later the Western Region of British Railways to differentiate their main stations from others in the area, which belonged to other companies.

Some "General" stations such as Shrewsbury General and Chester General lost the suffix and were simply renamed "Shrewsbury" and "Chester" respectively, others, like Cardiff General, were re-dubbed as "Central" stations.

Wrexham General is now the only official "General" station on the National Rail Network - Because of the continued presence of two stations serving Wrexham, the other being titled Wrexham Central, the "General" suffix was retained.

[bobm]

It still lives on at Wrexham General.

[onthecushions]

I remember the battery sergeant major in "it aint half hot, Mum" (wonderful series now banned by the liberal elite), referring to "Paddington General"

Was it ever?

OTC

[Lee]

I dont think the railway station was ever called Paddington General, but a hospital in Harrow Road went by that name between 1954 and 1968, having opened as the Paddington Infirmary in 1886, and finally closing as St Mary's Hospital (Harrow Road) in 1986.

[grahame]

Although some stations were renamed "Central" and others had their "General" removed, there is a subtle difference (to me, anyway).  "Central" is geographically located at the heart of the city, but "General" is travel-wise situated at the heart, being the main station especially for intercity type traffic.

"General" remains only at Wrexham - and I suspect remains there because there's no alternative (that I can see - but then I lack imagination and local knowledge).

With a thinning out of different company's stations since pre-1948 GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) days, there are now some cities where one station in particular is the main one ("Main" is used in Germany, in places like Frankfurt) and the term "General" could be correctly applied, even though it is out of fashion.   I'm thinking Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter, Liverpool, and in each of those cases knowledgable readers here will instantly know which station I am thinking of.  Manchester and Edinburgh are other possible candidates.  For various reasons, London, Glasgow, Leeds and Plymouth, Stourbridge and Marple are not.

[CyclingSid]

In the case of Frankfurt is more because it is on the River Main? Or would it have to be Frankfurt am Main?

[Lee]

In the case of Frankfurt is more because it is on the River Main? Or would it have to be Frankfurt am Main?

In the case of Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof, the affix "Main" comes from the city's full name, Frankfurt am Main, or Frankfurt on the Main in English.

Hauptbahnhof means main or central station in English.

[phile]

The suffix "General" was used by the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and later the Western Region of British Railways to differentiate their main stations from others in the area, which belonged to other companies.

Some "General" stations such as Shrewsbury General and Chester General lost the suffix and were simply renamed "Shrewsbury" and "Chester" respectively, others, like Cardiff General, were re-dubbed as "Central" stations.

Wrexham General is now the only official "General" station on the National Rail Network - Because of the continued presence of two stations serving Wrexham, the other being titled Wrexham Central, the "General" suffix was retained.

I have had connections with Shrewsbury from Day 1 of my life and have never heard described as General before.   Chester, I think, lost the title when Chester (Northgate) ex GC^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line) closed.     Wrexham General would probably have origins when Exchange was there and still is.     Exchange was adjacent (GC) to General but the two became merged into one 

[grahame]

In the case of Frankfurt is more because it is on the River Main? Or would it have to be Frankfurt am Main?

In the case of Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof, the affix "Main" comes from the city's full name, Frankfurt am Main, or Frankfurt on the Main in English.

Hauptbahnhof means main or central station in English.

Fair enough - I stand educated. Thank you.

[grahame]

I have had connections with Shrewsbury from Day 1 of my life and have never heard described as General before.   Chester, I think, lost the title when Chester (Northgate) ex GC^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line) closed.     Wrexham General would probably have origins when Exchange was there and still is.     Exchange was adjacent (GC) to General but the two became merged into one 

A Google search for "Shrewsbury General Station" comes up with just 203 matches ... most of which are very much historic in nature.  Stations at Shrewsbury Abbey and Shrewsbury West were very minor indeed, and closed early ... so unless you were very old indeed, it would have already been just "Shrewsbury".

[Lee]

I have had connections with Shrewsbury from Day 1 of my life and have never heard described as General before.   Chester, I think, lost the title when Chester (Northgate) ex GC^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line) closed.     Wrexham General would probably have origins when Exchange was there and still is.     Exchange was adjacent (GC) to General but the two became merged into one 

A Google search for "Shrewsbury General Station" comes up with just 203 matches ... most of which are very much historic in nature.  Stations at Shrewsbury Abbey and Shrewsbury West were very minor indeed, and closed early ... so unless you were very old indeed, it would have already been just "Shrewsbury".

Here is a 1947 map of railways in the area showing Shrewsbury General:

[Bmblbzzz]

Thanks to everyone for the informative and interesting answers and to grahame for the thread-creation.

[johnneyw]

In the case of Frankfurt is more because it is on the River Main? Or would it have to be Frankfurt am Main?

In the case of Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof, the affix "Main" comes from the city's full name, Frankfurt am Main, or Frankfurt on the Main in English.

Hauptbahnhof means main or central station in English.

The addition of 'Main' is probably there to distinguish it from Frankfurt am Oder in Brandenburg state (former East Germany) which also has a railway station.

[caliwag]

There was a Perth General, gateway to the Highlands and all that...a very busy station in its day. But there was no other significant station in Perth. OK Princes st on the Dundee line, just a quicker way into that part of the City.