“THE RETRO CESTRIAN BARD”
SATURDAY 22 AUGUST 2026
A special excursion train to Stratford-upon-Avon
MCRUA have joined with Retro Railtours to provide this trip from stations along the Mid Cheshire Line to Stratford-upon-Avon. We have been offered reserved coaches on this train and 15% discount on standard class tickets for MCRUA members and anyone accompanying a MCRUA member. “The Retro Cestrian Bard” offers you the convenience of a trip direct from a local station on a comfortable heritage diesel train and the enjoyment of varied scenery on the way. The train starts at Stalybridge, calling at Reddish South, Stockport, Altrincham, Knutsford, Northwich and Chester. The train will reverse at Chester and head to the Midlands via Crewe and Shrewsbury; the return journey will be on a scenic route through the Malvern Hills to Hereford (reverse) and the Welsh Marches to Shrewsbury.
Picking up at stations in Cheshire, you have the rare opportunity of a direct train to the historic town, famed as the home of William Shakespeare. The station is centrally located in the town, convenient for many of the Shakespeare attractions as well as the river Avon. The website https://visitbytrain.info/warks/stratforduponavon.htm has a map and more details.
THE TRAIN: Our special will consist of Mk3 coaching stock, topped and tailed by Class 37 diesel locomotives. Each passenger will have a reserved seat. There is a mixture of airline style seating and tables for four. We will try to accommodate parties of four at the table seats obut this cannot be guaranteed. A buffet serving hot and cold snacks will be available, along with the famous Retro Railtours ‘Real Ale Bar’, serving a variety of hand-pumped Real Ales, wines and hot snacks. Retro Railtours is one of very few mainline operators to serve real ales by hand-pump in Britain.
TIMES: Final timings will be confirmed by email or post a few days before the trip runs. Estimated departuretimes are Stalybridge 07.00, Reddish South 07.15, Stockport 07.25, Altrincham 07.40, Knutsford 08.00, Northwich 08.15, Chester 08.50. We expect to arrive in Stratford at 11.30. Passengers will have around 3 hours to explore Stratford. The return journey will leave around 15.00, with estimated arrival back in Chester at 19.20, Northwich 20.00, Knutsford 20.15, Altrincham 20.30, Stockport 20.50, Reddish South 21.00, Stalybridge 21.20. Arrangements will be made for passengers to pass through the ticket barriers at Stockport or Chester if you say that you are on the special train.
FARES: Standard class: Adults £102, accompanied Children (aged 5 to 15) £85. There is no discount for railcard holders. MCRUA is not offering first class seating, but first class seating is available by booking direct with Retro Railtours at www.retrorailtours.co.uk .
TERMS & CONDITIONS: In offering this train, MCRUA is acting as a booking agent for Retro Railtours Ltd. Your contract will be with Retro Railtours Ltd and subject to their terms and conditions which can be viewed here https://retrorailtours.co.uk/terms.php . Your making a booking is taken to be acceptance of these conditions.
PASSENGERS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY: Please be aware that only manual, folding wheelchairs can be accommodated on this train. If you will require assistance, please advise us when making your booking.
NORTHWICH STATION: Please also be aware that access to the Chester-bound platform at Northwich is by a stepped footbridge only. There is no other access. Passengers who might struggle with the footbridge are advised to board at Knutsford instead.
BICYCLES cannot be accommodated on this train.
ENQUIRIES: For any enquiries please email membership@mcrua.org.uk or call Andrew Macfarlane on 0161-928-9394 or see the Retro Railtours website https://retrorailtours.co.uk/rt26.php .
HOW TO BOOK: MCRUA members may book online on the MCRUA website www.mcrua.org.uk, or by post.
ONLINE BOOKINGS: Please note that Adult tickets and Child tickets are sold as separate transactions. If you are booking adult and child tickets, you will need to make two transactions. If you wish to make any special requests with an online booking, please send them by email to membership@mcrua.org.uk . MCRUA will send final confirmed timings for the train and your seat reservation numbers to your email address.
To book Adult tickets for MCRUA members and anyone accompanying a MCRUA member, click here
To book Child tickets (age 5-15) for children accompanying a MCRUA member, click here
POSTAL BOOKINGS: If booking by post, please print the booking form and post it to us with your cheque. Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope (SAE) for MCRUA to send you the confirmed final timings for the train and seat reservation numbers. Please enclose a second SAE if you want MCRUA to acknowledge your booking by post when it is received.