Chairmans Blog

Next year is MCRUA’s 25th Anniversary so we are looking to run our best Railtour ever – with something for everyone. Yes it is a time to celebrate ….

Last October and not for the first time a Government Minister has talked about fares in Northern England being far behind those in the rest of Britain making it difficult to justify new or extra trains.  Transport Minister Teresa Villiers brought this up again in her speech in Leeds last October – click the link in [...]

Roy Chapman of TfGM (who helped us back in 1990 with our original studies into putting a passenger service back onto the line through Middlewich) coordinates events for the Institute of Railway Operators in the North West & North Wales. Here’s details of their latest event next Wednesday from Duncan Law, Network Rail’s Northern Hub [...]

A team of more than 25 volunteers turned up at Greenbank Railway Station on Friday 25th November following a decision to clean up the Stations in the Northwich area. The day was masterminded by Cheshire West and Chester’s Northwich and Rural North Partnership Team under the leadership of Area Manager, Mark Simmons with support from [...]

We’re getting ticket vending machines (TVMs) at three stations along the Mid Cheshire Line, Greenbank, Northwich and Knutsford, apparently due to increased patronage and also a change in franchise rules. We once had TVMs, Almex machines like the Permit to Travel machines seen elsewhere which only sold tickets to destinations along the line and were [...]

Hitting the “Subscribe” link on the Blog page get’s the system to let you know when there’s Blog posts and comments. Many of you know this, but for those who don’t, here’s a reminder …. It’s the next to last item on the lighter green banner above. Mike Battman’s post about his trip to Dublin from the [...]

Northern Rail managers, our Community Rail Officer, Sally Buttifant and some of us are “out and about” around Knutsford this coming Wednesday – more details in the press release. If you get a chance, come along and join one of the trains, tell us your views in Knutsford, or join them and us for a [...]

With acknowledgement to STORM for this, we ask that as many of you as possible complete Network Rail’s questionnaire on the perceived benefits to you and your colleagues of the Ordsall Lane Curve, Victoria Station Improvements, Northern Hub and North West Electrification. Click here for the survey.

The loop at Skelton Junction has been out of use for many months. This was due to track damage with replacement parts awaited. These parts were installed a few months ago, but commissioning had to await the arrival of the signalling engineers. Andrew’s noted the loop is now back in use, meaning the Saturdays only [...]

There was an attempt to steal cable from near Acton Bridge station early this morning, 15 November. British Transport Police are appealing for information. Click here for details.