(c) Sally Buttifant

Here’s 2 of Acoustak’s members happily strumming away.

We had our favourite spot for the band in the bay window at The Golden Pheasant in Plumley.

(c) Sally Buttifant

It’s a great place for the band as there’s plenty of space for us to gather round. A number of people had driven to the pub to hear the band, too.

(c) Sally Buttifant

Singing all the way home!

She’s been getting used to it.

Here’s some “April” pictures as she’s been out and about ….

Our Vice Chairman, John Hulme, poses by one of our “North Eastern Express” posters, kindly printed for us by Northern Rail, and also displayed for us in one of their poster cases, in this case at Cuddington.

At Manchester Piccadilly there’s a new line of poster cases on platform 1 for the Community Rail Partnerships of lines with services operating into the station.

As our trains mainly use platform 11, our poster case is a long way from where most of our passengers go. Network Rail acknowledge this, but in the meantime here’s an opportunity for us to let others know about our line’s attractions.

Over 50 passengers wait at Plumley for the return Music Train to Chester ….

…. and singing all the way home

The Hotfoot Jazz Men had never played on the Mid Cheshire Line and were “impressed” by the ride quality of the pacer – we were impressed with how well they played as we rocked & rolled to quality Jazz sounds.

As usual we enjoyed fine food & drink in the Golden Pheasant, Plumley – here’s to an excellent season as the days lengthen!

The trains ran well and were unaffected by the earlier broken rail at Mobberley. Both conductors were positive and helpful. On the way out the conductor went through the train a few times which makes a good impression. On the return journey he didn’t have much to do since we all had tickets so he stayed in the carriage with us and enjoyed the music – also making a good impression.

We are now exploring setting up an afternoon train (either weekday or Saturday) as well as another evening train in late January.

If you’re not on our “Music Train email list” yet, please email your contact details to musictrains@midcheshirerail.org.uk

If you can come along tonight to Plumley, come and celebrate with us – details here.

The August Mid Cheshire Line Music Train was a great success with accolades all round from those that came along.

We even had enthusiasts from Eastham Rake join us for the evening!

Acoustak, the Chester-based trio, were our guest band and their repertoire ranged from country, folk and pop through to bluegrass and old time.

It was almost like Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Hank Williams and the Creedence Clearwater Revival were travelling on the 1907hrs out of Chester to the Golden Pheasant at Plumley.

Well done to the band, a big thank you for those volunteers that organised the event and most of all thanks to all those that attended.

Septembers Music Train is on Wednesday 22^nd September when we have Root Chords aboard with a bit of acoustic rock’n roll!

Over 60 people from Chester and stations along the line caught the 1907 train from Chester to Plumley. Playing for us were The Time Bandits, Roy Clinging and Neil Brookes with Nick Mitchell and Friends, all part of the Chester Folk Festival.

Here we are on the way to Plumley and the adjacent Golden Pheasant pub.

Already there were a number of people who’d arrived from the Manchester direction on the 1817 from Piccadilly.

The pub had arranged chairs in a large corner for the musicians and as soon as drinks were sorted it was straight into more playing and singing. The instrument playing was superb, and what we were told were Northumbrian Pipes (in the picture at the back on the right hand side) – special.

You can see the J W Lees Bitter and sandwiches were going down a treat!

Those bound in the Manchester direction left to catch the on time 2143, whilst play continued until time to leave for the on time 2203 to Chester.

And the musicians played all the way back ….

Next train – Wednesday 19 May, again to Plumley on the 1907 from Chester. We’ll definitely be going again! For details about the whole series, click here.

Come and join us!

21 April – Chester Folk Festival
19 May – Nelson Peach
16 June – The Weavils
21 July – Halfe Pannikin
25 August – Acoustak
22 September – Root Chords

All on Wednesdays on the 1907 from Chester to the Golden Pheasant at Plumley, returning on the 2203 from Plumley, back in Chester at 2245.

Also planned is at least one Music Train from Altrincham to Alexanders at Chester, date yet to be confirmed.

Please put these dates in your diaries now! Details for 21 April are in the newsreel now; those for the others will be posted nearer the time.

Our August Music Train leaves Chester at 1907hrs for the Golden Pheasant at Plumley and on aboard we have Acoustak – a Chester based trio.

Although the Music Trains are run by the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, MCRUA members are very much involved and we would welcome your comments on on this and our other Music Trains?