MID CHESHIRE RAIL USERS ASSOCIATION
The Mid-Cheshire Rail Users Association has developed a reputation for its well run and popular special trains and has built up a well established clientele for them. A special excursion from all stations on the mid Cheshire line is run at least once a year and more recently the Association has been a joint supporter together with the Mid Cheshire Rail Partnership and Northern Trains of a service of local steam trains along the line, run on a Sunday in spring. Plans for future trips will be announced on this webpage when they are known For your information on typical excursions run by us, details of a some of our previous tours are also given below. |
This tour, with two class 67s, ran to Minehead on the privately-owned West Somerset Railway. The route was took in Birmingham, the Lickey Incline and Cheltenham, to Bristol, where many passengers alighted to explore the city, before traversing the Somerset levels to Taunton and then on to the West Somerset Railway to Minehead, where some passengers availed themselves of the opportunity to take a ride on a steam train.
The 2008 Mid Cheshire Steam Rail Day Special was run for the launch of Cheshire's Year of the Gardens and to celebrate 40 years since the passing of steam from the Middlewich branch. Appropriately, the day's programme included the journeys between Crewe and Northwich via Sandbach and the Middlewich Branch.
The train will be hauled by Stanier Black 5 45407 –“The Lancashire Fusilier”. She will be one of the many guests visiting our beautiful county for Cheshire’s Year of the Gardens - an exciting year-long festival celebrating Cheshire as the foremost destination for garden lovers.
Here are some reminders of the day:
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Our spring 2007 excursion was to the Heart of Wales line which is one of the
most scenic in the United Kingdom. Commencing at Altrincham our
train started from Altrincham stopped to pick-up passengeres at all the mid-Cheshire line
stations to Chester and additionally at Wrexham, Gobowen and Shrewsbury. Stops were
made at Llandrindod Wells on the scenic Heart of Wales line and at Cardiff. The return journey
from Cardiff through Hereford enabled travellers to see the beautiful Welsh border country. The pictures show our train at Hale and some views of the countryside on the Heart of Wales line. |
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On Sunday 29th October 2006 we ran a train named “The Mid-Cheshire Dalesman” along the
famous Settle and Carlisle line over “The Roof of England”, including Ribblehead
Viaduct, Blea Moor, Dentdale, Ais Gill Summit and the spectacular Mallerstang Edge.
Arrangements were made for those passengers who wished to alight at Ribblehead and participate in a two-and-a half
mile guided walk of the archeological remains. Others either organised their own walk or continued to Carlisle to see the sights.
The special comprised two class 156 Super Sprinter diesel trains. As usual with MCRUA tours, the train was fully booked and participants enjoyed the day out.
Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership The Mid Cheshire Community Rail
Partnership ran its third “Mid Cheshire Rail Day” on Sunday 30th April 2006. After an express run from
Chester to Atrincham, two Altrincham to Chester return trips were made, stopping at all stations.
The trains were hauled by Ian Riley’s ex-LMS Class 5 4-6-0 no. 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier',
which put in an impressive performance on a ten coach train. The train finally returned from Altrincham to Crewe stopping only at Chester to reverse. Thanks are due to all those in both the Partnership and MCRUA who worked so hard to make this
another successful day.
Service of Steam Trains - Sunday 30th April
2006.
Saturday 13th May 2006, "The Tynesider"
The Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association ran a very successful diesel hauled special excursion
train from the
mid Cheshire line to Newcastle-upon-Tyne on this day. The outward route was via. the
famous Settle to Carlisle line and the picturesque Carlisle to Newcastle 'Tyne Valley' railway.
After retracing the route to Carlisle the return journey continued down the 'West Coast' line
over Shap Fell and then through Bolton to Manchester and the mid Cheshire line.
The train was fully booked and inspite of the inclement weather, passengers responses afterwards were that they had enjoyed a very good day out on a punctual train.
This page was created by Arthur Sancto and last updated on 12th May 2008.