chronological list of the railways · a. london & north western railway [formed 16.7.1846 by...

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF THE RAILWAYS OF CHESHIRE, 1837-1939

BY M. D. GREVILLE

In addition to previously published data, I have consulted official and Rail way Clearing House records, local and railway press, and Bradshaw's Manual. There is often a bewildering discrepancy in dates in railway records, especially the older ones. Every effort has been made to establish the correct dates, and when this has not been possible from contemporary references, I have shown the ones which, taking all circumstances into consideration, seem the most likely to be accurate. Closing of lines and withdrawal of passenger services are noted only up to the outbreak of war in September 1939. The clos ing dates given are those for the last days on which trains ran.

The railways have been grouped under the following headings and subheadings:

1 LONDON, MIDLAND & SCOTTISH RAILWAYA London & North Western Railway and Components B Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway C Midland Railway D North Staffordshire Railway E Wirral RailwayF London & North Western and North Staffordshire

Joint Line

2 GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY

3 LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY Great Central Railway

4 VARIOUS AND INTER-GROUP JOINT LINES A Birkenhead Joint LineB Manchester South Junction & Altrincham Railway C Cheshire Lines CommitteeD Sheffield & Midland Railway Companies' Committee E Macclesfield Committee F Mersey Railway

1. LONDON, MIDLAND & SCOTTISH RAILWAY

A. LONDON & NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY[Formed 16.7.1846 by amalgamation of Grand Junction, Manchester & Birmingham and London & Birmingham Railways. Amalgamated with Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 1.1.1922. Became part of London Midland & Scottish Railway, 1.1.1923].

OPENEDMacclesfield (Beech Road) to 6 or 7.1849

Macclefield (Hibel Road)135

136 RAILWAYS OF CHESHIRE

OPENEDStalybridge to Huddersfield 1.8.1849

Crewe to Shrewsbury 2.9.1858

Chester & Holyhead Railway Warrington & Stockport Rail

way

Stockport to Northenden 1.8.1866 Stockport, Disley & Whaley

Bridge Railway Sandbach to Northwich 11.1867

Acton (Weaver Junction) to 1.2.1869 Ditton

Hartford Curve to Cheshire 3.1870Lines Committee

Waverton (Tattenhall June- 1.10.1872tion) to Whitchurch

Runcorn (Halton Junction) to 1.5.1873Frodsham Junction

Over & Wharton Branch 1.6.1882 Denton to Dukinfield 2.10.1882

Davenport to Cheadle Village 1.12.1883Junction

Stalybridge to Diggle Loop 1.12.1885

Moore Walton Deviation & 9.7.1893 Latchford Deviation.

Dukinfield to Stalybridge 1.8.1893

(Only first 1^ miles in Cheshire).

(In Cheshire up to 3 miles beyond Wren- bury).

Absorbed 1.1.1859.Absorbed 13.8.1859joint-

ly with St. Helens Canal and Railway.

Absorbed 16.11.1866.

Goods.(Passengers 1.7.1868).

Goods.(Passengers 1.4.1869.In Cheshire as far asRuncorn Bridge).

(In Cheshire except last 2 miles).

Goods.(Passengers 1.11.1882 Only short section at Dukinfield in Cheshire. Connection at Dukin field to Great Central Railway removed 1.7.1903).

Goods. (Passengers 1.7.1884).

Goods.(Passengers 3.5.1886. Only first 2 miles, round Staley and Millbrook, in Cheshire).

Made to provide neces sary clearance over the Ship Canal.

Goods.(Passengers 7.8.1893. Only short sections at Dukinfield and Staly bridge in Cheshire).

RAILWAYS OF CHESHIRE 137

OPENEDWilmslow to Levenshulme 8.2.1909 Goods.

(Slade Lane Junction) (Passengers 1.5.1909.Southern half only in Cheshire).

See also Sections IF, 4A and 4e.

The following lines had separate identities before becoming part of London & North Western Railway

(i) GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY (Act 6.5.1833).OPENED

Birmingham to Warrington 4.7.1837 (In Cheshire from 2 milesnorth of Madeley to outskirts of Warring- ton).

Chester & Crewe Railway Absorbed 1.7.1840. Crewe to Chester 1.10.1840 With Manchester & Birmingham and London &

Birmingham formed London & North Western Railway 16.7.1846.

(ii) CHESTER & CREWE RAILWAY (Act 30.6.1837) Absorbed by Grand Junction Railway 1.7.1840.

(iii) MANCHESTER & BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY (Act 30.6.1837)OPENED

Stockport to Sandbach 10.5.1842 Sandbach to Crewe 10.8.1842 Cheadle to Poynton Collieries 9.6.1845 Goods. (Passengers

to Poynton 24.11.1845).Poynton to Macclesfield 24.11.1845 Poynton to Collieries

(Beech Road) transferred to CollieryCo.

With Grand Junction and London & Birmingham formed London & North Western Railway 16.7.1846.

(iv) CHESTER & HOLYHEAD RAILWAY (Act 4.7.1844)OPENED

Chester to Saltney Junction 4.11.1846 Saltney Junction to Bangor 1.5.1848 (Only first \ mile in

Cheshire).Saltney (Mold Junction) to 14.8.1849 (About \ mile north of

Mold Kinnerton, in Ches hire).

Absorbed by London & North Western Railway 1.1.1859 Chester & Holyhead Co. dissolved 21.7.1879


(v) WARRINGTON & ALTRINCHAM JUNCTION RAILWAY (Act 3.7.1851) Became Warrington & Stockport Railway 4.8.1853

OPENED

Warrington to Altrincham 1.11.1853(now Broadheath)

Altrincham to Timperley 1.5.1854 Absorbed by London & North Western Railway

jointly with St. Helens Canal & Railway 13.8.1859

(vi) STOCKPORT, DISLEY & WHALEY BRIDGE RAILWAY (Act 31.7.1854)Stockport to Whaley Bridge opened 9.6.1857Absorbed by London & North Western Railway 16.11.1866

B. LANCASHIRE & YORKSHIRE RAILWAY[Manchester & Leeds Railway (Act 4.7.1836) became Lancashire

& Yorkshire Railway 23.7. 1847.]OPENED

Ashton to Stalybridge 5.10.1846 (Only short section atStalybridge in Cheshire).

Stalybridge Junction with 1.8.1849Manchester, Sheffield &Lincolnshire Railway

Amalgamated with London & North Western Railway 1.1.1922

C. MIDLAND RAILWAY (Act 10.5.1844) [Became part of London, Midland & Scottish Railway 1.1.1923]

OPENED Heaton Mersey to Cheadle 1.10.1901

Heath Cheadle Heath to New Mills 4.5.1902 Goods.

(Passengers 1.7.1902).See also Sections 4c and 4o.

D. NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY (Act 26.6.1846) [Became part of London, Midland & Scottish Railway 1.7.1923]

OPENED Stoke to Crewe 9.10.1848 Harecastle to Crewe in

Cheshire.Harecastle to Congleton 9.10.1848 Congleton to Macclesfield 18.6.1849North Rode to Uttoxeter 13.7.1849 (First 3 miles in Cheshire). Harecastle (Lawton Junction) 21.1.1852 Goods,

to Sandbach (Passengers toWheelock only 3.7.1893. Withdrawn 26.7.1930).


OPENEDStoke to Congleton Upper 3.8.1859 Goods.

Junction via Biddulph (Passengers 1.6.1864.Withdrawn 9.7.1927. Only last 1^ miles in Cheshire).

Congleton Lower Junction to 3.8.1859 Goods only.Brunswick Wharf

Harecastle (Alsager Junction) 24.7.1870 Goods. to Keele (Passengers 28.6.1880.

Withdrawn 25.4.1931. Only 1st mile in Cheshire).

See also Sections IF and 4E.

E. WIRRAL RAILWAY[Hoylake Railway (Act 28.7.1863) became Hoylake & Birkenhead Rail & Tramway Co. 18.7.1872, Seacombe, Hoylake & Deeside Railway 18.7.1881, and Wirral Railway 1.7.1891. Became part of London, Midland & Scottish Railway 1.7.1923].

OPENEDBirkenhead to Hoylake 2.7.1866 (Closed Birkenhead to

Leasowe 8.7.1870 to 31.7.1872).

Hoylake to West Kirby and 1.4.1878extension to new BirkenheadDocks Station

Birkenhead Docks to Park & 2.1.1888Wallasey Branch

Wallasey to New Brighton 30.3.1888 Seacombe Branch 1.6.1895 ?

F. LONDON & NORTH WESTERN AND NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE JOINT LINE

Middlewood Curve opened 26.5.1885 Goods.(Passengers 1.6.1885). Regular passenger ser vice lasted only 3 years.

2. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (Act 31.8.1835) [Amalgamated with Shrewsbury & Chester Railway 1.9.1854.]

OPENED Nantwich to Market Drayton 20.10.1863 (In Cheshire to 1 mile

south of Audlem). See also Section 4A.The following line had a separate identity before becoming part of

Great Western Railway.


Shrewsbury, Oswestry & Cheshire Railway (Act 30.6.1845)[Amalgamated with North Wales Mineral Railway (Act 6.8.1844) as Shrewsbury & Chester Railway 28.8.1846.]

OPENEDSaltney Junction to Ruabon 4.11.1846 (First 4 miles in Cheshire) Saltney Quay Branch 4.11.1846 Goods only. Amalgamated with Great Western Railway 1.9.1854.

3. LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY

[Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne & Manchester Railway (Act 5.5.1837). Became Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway 11.1.1847, and Great Central Railway 1.8.1897. Became part of London & North Eastern Railway 1.1.1923.]

Manchester to GodleyOPENED

17.11.1841

Godley to Broadbottom 10.12.1842 Woodheadto Dunford Bridge 23.12.1845

Guide Bridge to Stalybridge 23.12.1845

Hyde Junction to Hyde 1.3.1858 Hyde to Compstall (for Marple) 5.8.1862

1.7.1865

(Guide Bridge to Godley in Cheshire).

(Part of Woodhead Tun nel in Cheshire).

(Only short section at Stalybridge in Cheshire).

Compstall to New Mills

Godley to Woodley

Hyde Junction to Marple

(In Cheshire to Marple only).

1.2.1866 Transferred to Cheshire Lines Committee 10.8.1866.

Transferred to Sheffield & Midland Ry. Cos. Committee 24.12.1869.

Chester to Hawarden Bridge 31.3.1890 (In Cheshire to 1 milebeyond Blacon).

North Wales & Liverpool Railway absorbed 1.1.1905.See also Sections 4s, 4c, 4o and 4E.

The following line had a separate identity before becoming part of Great Central Railway.

MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD & LINCOLNSHIRE AND WREXHAM, MOLD & CONNAH'S QUAY JOINT LINE.

[Powers of Wirral Railway incorporated by Certificate of 1883 transferred by Act of 12.8.1889 to Manchester, Sheffield & Lin colnshire and Wrexham, Mold & Connah's Quay Railways. Be came Dee & Birkenhead Committee 6.7.1895 and North Wales & Liverpool Railway Committee 7.8.1896.]


OPENEDHawarden Bridge to Bidston 16.3.1896 Goods.

18.5.1896 Passengers.(In Cheshire from just

South of Burton Point Station.)

Absorbed by Great Central Railway 1.1.1905.

4. VARIOUS AND INTERGROUP JOINT LINES

A. BIRKENHEAD JOINT LINE (GREAT WESTERN AND LONDON & NORTH WESTERN)

(i) BIRKENHEAD, LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE JUNCTION RAILWAY(Act 26.6.1846).

[Amalgamated with Chester & Birkenhead Railway 22.7.1847.]OPENED

Chester West Loop 1.8.1848 Chester to Warrington (Wal- 18.12.1850

ton Junction)Became Birkenhead Railway 1.8.1859.

Absorbed jointly by Great Western and London & North WesternRailways 20.11.1860.

Hooton to Helsby 1.7.1863 Tranmere Pool Branch 12.1863 Goods only. Hooton to Parkgate 1.10.1866 Extension from Green Lane 1.4.1878

Junction to Birkenhead (Woodside)

Parkgate to West Kirby 19.4.1886 Rock Ferry Connection with 15.6.1891

Mersey RailwayDaresbury Walton Deviation 9.7.1893 Made to provide neces

sary clearance over the Ship Canal.

Acton Grange Junction to 16.7.1894 Connection with London Walton New Junction & North Western Rail

way South of War rington.

Stanlow Dock Junction with 6.1922 Goods only. Ship Canal

(ii) CHESTER & BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY (Act 12.7.1837)OPENED

Chester to Birkenhead (Grange 23.9.1840Lane)

Extension to Birkenhead 23.10.1844 Closed for Passengers (Monk's Ferry) 1.4.1878.


Grange Lane to CathcartStreet (Bridge End)

Amalgamated with Birkenhead,Cheshire Junction Railway

OPENED5.4.1847 Goods only.

Lancashire &22.7.1847.

B. MANCHESTER SOUTH JUNCTION & ALTRINCHAM RAILWAY (LONDON & NORTH WESTERN AND GREAT

CENTRAL JOINT) (Act 21.7.1845)OPENED

Manchester to Altrincham 20.7.1849 (In Cheshire from 1 milesouth of Stretford).

Altrincham to Bowdon 20.9.1849 Closed 2.4.1881.

C. CHESHIRE LINES COMMITTEE[Formed 5.7.1865 by Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Rail way and Great Northern Railway, by amalgamation of Stockport & Woodley, Cheshire Midland, West Cheshire, and Stockport, Timperley & Altrincham Railways with Garston & Liverpool and Liverpool Central Station Railways. Midland Railway joined 18.7.1866.]

OPENEDStockport to Altrincham 1.12.1865

(Deansgate Junction) Baguley (Skelton Junction) to 1.2.1866

BroadheathGodley to Woodley transferred from Manchester, Sheffield &

Lincolnshire Railways 10.8.1866.Chester & West Cheshire

Junction Railway Northwich Salt Branches Northwich to Helsby

Absorbed 10.8.1866.

Hartford to Winnington Cuddington to Winsford &

Over

Baguley (Skelton Junction) to Glazebrook

17.12.1867 Goods only.1.9.1869 Goods.

(Passengers 22.6,1870). Regular passenger ser vice Mouldsworth to Helsby withdrawn 30.4.1875.

1.6.1870 Goods only.1.6.1870 Goods.

(Passengers 1.7.1870.) Withdrawn 31.12.1873 to 30.4.1886, 30.11.1888 to 31.1.1892 and finally 31.12.1930.

1.3.1873 Goods.(Passengers 1.8.1873. In Cheshire to 1 mile beyond Partington).


OPENEDMouldsworth to Chester 2.11.1874 Goods.

(Passengers 1.5.1875).Timperley Curve to Man- 1.12.1879 (Passenger service till

Chester South Junction & 20.3.1880 only closed Altrincham Railway 1.8.1904).

Partington Glazebrook De- 27.2.1893 Goods, viation (Passengers 29.5.1893.

Only 1st mile in Chesh ire. Made to provide necessary clearance over Ship Canal).

The following lines had separate identities before becoming part of Cheshire Lines Committee.

(i) STOCKPORT & WOODLEY RAILWAY (Act 15.5.1860)Stockport to Woodley opened 12.1.1863

Formed part of Cheshire Lines Committee 5.7.1865.

(ii) CHESHIRE MIDLAND RAILWAY (Act 14.6.1860).Altrincham to Knutsford opened 12.5.1862.Knutsford to Northwich opened 1.1.1863.

Formed part of Cheshire Lines Committee 5.7.1865.

(iii) WEST CHESHIRE RAILWAY (Act 11.7.1861). Formed part of Cheshire Lines Committee 5.7.1865.

(iv) STOCKPORT, TIMPERLEY & ALTRINCHAM RAILWAY (Act 22.7.1861) Formed part of Cheshire Lines Committee 5.7.1865.

(v) CHESTER & WEST CHESHIRE JUNCTION RAILWAY (Act 5.7.1865). Absorbed by Cheshire Lines Committee 10.8.1866.

D. SHEFFIELD & MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANIES' COMMITTEE (GREAT CENTRAL AND MIDLAND)

(Act 24.6.1869)Hyde Junction to Marple transferred from Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway 24.12.1869.

OPENED Romiley to Stockport (Bred- 15.2.1875 Goods.

bury Junction) (Passengers 1.4.1875). Romiley to Ashbury's 17.5.1875 Goods.

(Passengers 2.8.1875. Romiley to Reddish Junction in Cheshire).

Reddish Junction to Stock- 2.8.1875 port (Brinnington Junction)


E. MACCLESFIELD COMMITTEE[Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway (Act 14.7.1864)]

OPENED Marple to Macclesfield 2.8.1869 Passengers.

(Goods 1.3.1870).Extension to join North 3.4.1871 Goods.

Staffordshire Railway at (Passengers 1.7.1873). Macclesfield

Vested in Macclesfield Committee (Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire and North Staffordshire) 25.5.1871.

F. MERSEY RAILWAY[Mersey Pneumatic Railway (Act 28.6.1866) became Mersey Railway

31.7.1868.]

OPENEDLiverpool (James Street) to 1.2.1886

BirkenheadExtension to Birkenhead Park 2.1.1888 Rock Ferry Branch 15.6.1891

For all the assistance which has made possible the compilation of this list the author expresses his gratitude. Especially does he wish to thank Mr. C. R. Clinker of Rugby, Mr. G. O. Holt of Penrith, Mr. W. J. Skillern of Stockport, Mr. T. Williams of Liver pool, and Mr. L. C. Johnson, archivist to the British Transport Commission, and his staff.

chronological list of the railways · a. london & north western railway [formed 16.7.1846 by...

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