The Stockton & Darlington Railway opened on 27 September 1825, connecting places, people, communities and ideas and ultimately transforming the world.
Railway 200 is a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail. It invites community, rail and other groups to get involved.
The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership is marking the anniversary with a ‘baton relay’. Over six days in September, walkers will carry a special baton, created by Northwich Toppers, along the historic Cheshire Lines Committee route from Manchester to Chester.
To register your interest, please email the MCCRP Rail Officer: contact@midcheshirerail.org.uk
Monday 22nd September
On Monday 22 September the baton will be carried from Manchester Piccadilly to Stockport and you are invited to join the walk for all or part of the route.
1:30 pm Meet at Manchester Piccadilly for the 13:51 train to Woodley (expected to depart from platform 2)
2:15 pm Walk from Woodley to the remains of Stockport Tiviot Dale (4.1 miles/6.7 km)
(Stockport Tiviot Dale was open from 1865 until 1967; it is about 1 mile north-east of Stockport station.)
Tuesday 23rd September
On Tuesday 23 September the baton will be carried from Manchester Central to Altrincham and you are invited to join the walk for all or part of the route.
10:00 am Manchester Central to Navigation Road (8.0 miles/12.8 km)
2:00 pm Navigation Road to Altrincham (0.8 miles/1.3 km)
Wednesday 24th September
On Wednesday 24 September the baton will be carried from Altrincham to Knutsford and you are invited to join the walk for all or part of the route.
10:00 am Altrincham to Hale (0.8 miles/1.3 km)
10.20 am Hale to Ashley (2.3 miles/3.7 km)
11:30 am Ashley to Mobberley (2.6 miles/4.2 km)
12:45 pm Mobberley to Knutsford (3.2 miles/5.1 km)
Thursday 25th September
On Thursday 25 September the baton will be carried from Knutsford to Northwich and you are invited to join the walk for all or part of the route.
10:00 am Knutsford to Plumley (4.0 miles/6.4 km)
12:00 noon Plumley to Lostock Gralam (2.4 miles/3.8 km)
1:20 pm Lostock Gralam to Northwich (2.4 miles/3.8 km)
Friday 26th September
On Friday 26 September the baton will be carried from Northwich to Delamere and you are invited to join the walk for all or part of the route.
10:15 am Northwich to Greenbank (2.0 miles/3.2 km)
11:35 am Greenbank to Cuddington (3.0 miles/4.8 km)
1:05 pm Cuddington to Delamere (5.0 miles/8.0 km)
Saturday 27th September
On Saturday 27 September the baton will be carried from Delamere to Chester and you are invited to join the walk for all or part of the route.
8:30 am Delamere to Mouldsworth (4.2 miles/6.7 km)
10:30 am Mouldsworth to Chester (10.5 miles/16.8 km)
More information about the Station to Station baton relay (including details of where the baton will be at other times of the week), and the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, can be found here
