We have FIVE – YES FIVE!! – events planned for you… come to one or all of them. Either way, we look forward to welcoming you…
(Time) Bandits on the Music Train from Chester – Wednesday 27 August
Making Tracks in Chester Cathedral – until Saturday 30 August
The Blues Train from Altrincham and Knutsford – Thursday 18 September
Tracks of Our Years – BandaRama and Beatles and more from Chester to Plumley – Wednesday 24 September
Carry the Baton along the Line – Monday 22 September to Saturday 27 September
Event 1 – (Time) Bandits on the train – Wednesday 27 August
On Wednesday 27 August we have the Time Bandits. The Time Bandits are musical time travellers, ‘raiding and pilfering over 500 years of musical material for a modern audience’. They mix traditional folk tunes and songs with Renaissance dance music and their own compositions. The Music Train’s journey starts in Chester – leaving at 18.56. Join at any station along the line. Scroll down for How It Works and the full timetable.
The six members of the band sing and play an amazing variety of instruments including fiddle, border bagpipes, saxophone, recorders, melodeon, bouzouki and electric bass. The band make regular appearances at venues and ceilidhs across North West England and North Wales. Recent festival appearances have included performances at Chester Folk Festival and at festivals in Upton-upon-Severn and the Lake District.
Please book a table in advance with the Golden Pheasant (www.goldenpheasantatplumley.co.uk ) to be sure to sit near the music and avoid disappointment, telling them that you are coming for the music. If you can’t commit in advance – there are plenty of seats in the restaurant and bar area where you will hear the music but you might not have the best view.
Scroll down for more about how to join the Music Train and How It Works.
Event 2 – Book now for the Blues Train from Altrincham and Knutsford… on 18 September!
For those of you who like a Music Train to Alexander’s in Chester… our next date is … THURSDAY 18 SEPEMBER…
The journey starts in Altrincham – leaving at 18.36. Join at any station along the line. Scroll down for How It Works and the full timetable – you need to book in advance with Alexander’s (alexanderslive.com) for the package of taxis to and from the station and food and the second band at Alexander’s.
Hound Dog Blues are playing on the train. They feature: Jon Ingham – guitar, dobro, cigar box; Andy Millington – guitar, vocals; and Dave Eatock – harmonica, accordion, vocals. This highly accomplished trio formed the band a couple of years ago as an acoustic sideline to their busy programme of electric blues gigs around the UK. Playing well known and not so well-known covers from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s the Hound Dog Blues Band are sure to have your feet tapping, you face smiling and your heart and soul feeling good.
Lil’ Ian Goodsman and Thor Brown are playing blues at Alexander’s. Lil’ Ian (guitars) has toured New Zealand and the UK several times and has played the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival three times along with other Festivals in New Zealand, UK and Belgium. He has also done session work in San Francisco. (‘Tonight was amazing with one of the best acoustic blues players you will see’. New Crawdaddy Club, Essex, UK). Thor Brown (bass) has been a familiar face on the Chester scene. He started with bands such as Rev Rev, Love-Waffe and Inspired by Punk in the 1970s and has continued performing since – playing blues and beyond – more recently with the Terry Burgin Blues Band on our Music Trains.
Event 3 – Carry the Baton along the Line – Monday 22 September to Saturday 27 September
Railway 200 celebrations are well and truly underway along the Mid Cheshire Line, seizing this unique opportunity to celebrate this event. Station volunteers have been busy putting up themed bunting, signage and planting borders in the red, white and black colour scheme. Look out for it as you travel along the line. Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership is marking this milestone with a Baton Relay over six days in September.
These station-to-station walks will closely follow the route of the Mid Cheshire Line. Starting at Manchester Piccadilly Station on Monday 22nd September and finishing six days later at Chester Station on Saturday 27thSeptember, covering a total of over fifty-five miles in fifteen stages. To register your interest or for any questions please email contact@midcheshirerail.org.uk
You can join us for as long as you like…. a short section, a full day or all six days – you will be more than welcome! The carefully planned walks are of varying lengths to suit different levels of ability – mostly between 2.5 miles and 5 miles. We will call at each station along the line handing over a knitted baton – made by community knitting group Toppers of Northwich – to the walking group tackling the next section. Along the way, walkers will pass through the beautiful scenic countryside and fascinating historic towns.
To view the proposed walking routes and for more details please visit the Railway200 section of www.midcheshirerail.org.uk.
Event 4 – Music Train – BandaRama on the Music Train from Chester to Plumley on Wednesday 24 September
BandaRama treat train travellers to a special ‘Tracks of our Years’ set that celebrates the golden era of the 1960s and early 1970s. With a strong focus on acoustic versions of Beatles songs (Chester-Plumley return trip) and, in between, a selection from a mixed musical menu at the excellent Golden Pheasant, you’ll be glad you booked your ticket to ride!
Join Rose Price & Martin Medina (vocal harmonies, guitars) and Ian Southerton (bass and vocals), members of the musical collective BandaRama, who play as a trio for this evening’s entertaining excursion. All share a mutual love of cross-genre music, each having a well-established performance record in a variety of musical contexts in Cheshire.
The journey starts in Chester – leaving at 18.56. Same arrangements as 27 August.
Event 5 – Your last chance – just ten days to go to see Making Tracks in Chester Cathedral
Pete Waterman’s model railway layout in Chester Cathedral is open now and runs until Saturday 30 August. It’s open from are Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00. Admission with Gift Aid is £1.00 for 6-17 years (or £0.90 without Gift Aid) and £5.00 for 18+ (or £4.50 without Gift Aid) years. It’s free for 0-5 years.
It’s even bigger than last year’s. In honour of Railway 200, you will see a variety of trains from the 1820s to present day. This year’s model railway is 72 feet long featuring Watford Junction and its amazing cityscape. Come along and see if you can spot all the hidden details and even have a go at driving the trains yourself.
Supporting the exhibition are displays from the Thomas Brassey Society, Chester Model Shop and the Llangollen Railway. And Marvellous Days Out posters from the Mid Cheshire Line and North Cheshire Line are on display, too, as you walk into the Cathedral or sit in the coffee shop by the layout. They are all stocked by the Cathedral Shop – and also available from them online. So, buy one for your own wall or for a friend – the artwork is beautiful!
YOU MAY KNOW HOW MUSIC TRAINS WORK BY NOW … BUT HERE’S A REMINDER
Chester to the Golden Pheasant in Plumley – 27 August and 24 September
The practicalities…
Catch the Music Train from any station from Chester to Plumley
No need to tell us beforehand – just come along, the more the merrier!
Look out for the signs on the windows for the music carriage … or just follow the sound!
If you can’t join the Music Train, come straight to the pub and enjoy almost two hours of entertainment there.
If you’re hungry…
Good food is available at the pub – the Golden Pheasant in Plumley
Please book a table in advance at www.goldenpheasantatplumley.co.uk (remember to say you’re with the Music Train so you sit close to the music)
The menu is online and you can order online in advance or when you arrive if you prefer.
What time?…
Chester to Plumley
| Chester | 18:56 | Mouldsworth | 19:08 | Delamere | 19:13 |
| Cuddington | 19:18 | Greenbank | 19:23 | Northwich | 19:28 |
| Lostock Gralam | 19:32 | Plumley | 19:35 | ||
Join us at the Golden Pheasant from stations north of Plumley
| Altrincham | 18:36 & 19:36 | Hale | 18:39 & 19:39 | Ashley | 18:43 & 19:43 |
| Mobberley | 18:47 & 19:48 | Knutsford | 18:52 & 19:53 | Plumley | 18:56 & 19:58 |
The cost…
There is no charge at all for this Music Train
Just buy a return train ticket in the usual way – online, at the ticket machine or at a ticket office
There’s a cash collection on the way back for the band – put in what you choose
What’s the fare – some examples?…
Chester-Plumley
Railcard Off-Peak Return £7.95
DUO (any two people travelling together) £18.10 (so £9.05 each).
Off-Peak Day Return £12.10
Cuddington-Plumley
Railcard Return £4.85
DUO (any two people travelling together) £10.90 (so £5.45 each)
Off-Peak Day Return £7.30
Altrincham-Plumley
Railcard Return £5.95
DUO (any two people travelling together) £13.50 (so £6.75 each).
Off-Peak Day Return £9.00
Buy your ticket online, at the ticket machine or at a ticket office
Cheaper Advance fares may also be available online
Altrincham to Alexander’s in Chester – Thursday 18 September and Thursday 16 October
When we go to Alexander’s in Chester some things are a little different...
Firstly, you will need to book the package deal in advance at alexanderslive.com .
You can find and book the Music Trains under ‘Book Tickets’ on their website.
There is always music from two bands – one on the train both ways and one at Alexander’s.
The package deal covers the music and food at Alexander’s as well as taxis from the station at Chester to Alexander’s and back again. The food is Dave Johnson’s award-winning local bangers with mash, peas and gravy. (Vegan option available). If you have any dietary requirements, please let Alexander’s know at the time of booking. The cost is £25.70 including booking fees…
But some things are the same…
Catch the Music Train from any station from Altrincham to Chester
Look out for the signs on the windows for the music carriage … or just follow the sound!
There is no charge at all for the music on the train
Just buy a return train ticket in the usual way – online, at the ticket machine or at a ticket office
There’s a cash collection on the way back for the band – put in what you can
Train times…
We leave Altrincham at 18:36, calling at Hale 18:39, Ashley 18:43, Mobberley 18:47, Knutsford 18:52, Plumley 19:56,
Lostock Gralam 19:00, Northwich 19:05, Greenbank 19:10, Cuddington 19:16, Delamere 19:20, Mouldsworth 19:25,
Arriving Chester 19:37 for our pre-booked taxis to Alexander’s
Our return train leaves Chester 22:53, stops at all stations and arrives Altrincham 23:54
Rail Fares – examples
Altrincham-Chester Off-Peak Day Return £15.30 Railcard Return £10.15
DUO (two people travelling together) £22.90 (£11.45 each).
Knutsford-Chester Off-Peak Day Return £914.40 Railcard Return £9.55
DUO (two people travelling together) £21.60 (£10.80 each).
THE MORE THE MERRIER!
Groups are very welcome to join the Music Train, in fact we actively encourage it! If you plan to bring a group of eight or more on a Music Train from Chester to Plumley or Knutsford, please book a table at the pub and let me know in advance. It means we can ensure we have enough room for you all.
If you plan to bring a group on the Music Trains from Altrincham to Alexanders in Chester then just go ahead and book online directly with Alexander’s. There are 45 places available.
Alongside the open Music Trains we can arrange a bespoke Music Train for groups of 30 or more people on weekdays, either daytime or evening, to the Goshawk in Mouldsworth, the Golden Pheasant in Plumley, the Angel in Knutsford or the Railway Inn at Mobberley. It’s good value for money – all people need is
Their train ticket
Whatever food and drink ordered
A contribution to the musician’s fees
All the music and all the organisation of the event is free of charge – thanks to the Community Rail Partnership!
So, if you are a member of a group and you would like to share this entertainment experience with your fellow members, we are more than happy to help! .
Interested? Then just get in touch on musictrains@midcheshirerail.org.uk
CHANGES MIGHT HAPPEN
It is always possible that train times might change and a small possibility that a Music Train might have to be cancelled at short notice. In that case we will email everyone on the mailing list to let people know – and pop a note on the Community Rail Partnership website and station noticeboards, as well as on our social media accounts @MidCheshire CRP.
So, just keep an eye out in case there are any changes to the planned events
WHY DO WE DO THIS?
Music Trains are arranged by volunteers on behalf of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership to promote the Mid Cheshire Line. We want people to use the line, enjoy the experience and come back again – that’s our sole purpose. The train line is for everyone to use, and we actively encourage this. So, we run the Music Trains, we produce booklets of circular walks from every station along the line and advertise many events and activities that take place during the year, and you can take the train to get there.
To find out more, you can take a look at the Mid Cheshire Line website (www.midcheshirerail.org.uk)
subscribe to this newsletter for news and more details at musictrains@midcheshirerail.org.uk
follow MidCheshire CRP via social media – X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook – just look for Mid Cheshire Rail.
MORE INFOMATION
Music Trains are arranged on behalf of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership to promote the Mid Cheshire Line.
Watch on this website. Follow Mid Cheshire CRP on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Or, get in touch with is from our contact page
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Looking forward to seeing you soon on one of our Music Trains!
Michael Ross
Music Trains organiser, Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership
