Make tracks to join jubilee celebrations (From Knutsford Guardian)

MCRUA announce plans for diesel rail tour into Lincolnshire

11:50am Saturday 14th January 2012 in News

A RAIL tour taking in the delights of the Lincolnshire countryside will take place in May to mark the 25th anniversary of the Mid Cheshire Line Rail Users Association (MCRUA).

The association will be holding the diesel-hauled rail tour on Saturday, May 5, which will see the excursion travel along the Mid Cheshire line before heading to Lincoln, Wainfleet and finally Skegness.

The association is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and wants to thank everyone who has supported its campaigns since its inception in 1987.

John Oates, association chairman, said: “We have achieved a lot over the past 25 years, but there is still much to do.

“Increasing the Mid Cheshire Line services to three per hour is one of our priorities, as is the reopening of the Middlewich branch from Northwich to Crewe and a new station in Middlewich.

“We would also like to see strengthened services on the Crewe to Liverpool line, with more trains stopping at Winsford, Hartford and Acton Bridge.

“Over the past 25 years, our top achievement has been our creative partnership working with our rail operator, Northern Rail, and our lineside local authorities.

“This has allowed us to fulfil many of our objectives, especially through the Mid Cheshire Community Railway Partnership – which we have part funded since 2003.”

The association wants to celebrate its silver jubilee in style and is inviting all those along the Mid Cheshire Line to join it on the annual diesel-hauled rail tour.

John Hulme, association vice-chairman, said: “MCRUA have been running railtours since 1988 and it is the revenue from these rail tours that help fund our activities along the line.

“Many people have travelled with us over the past 25 years, so we want this year’s trip to be extra special and for it to appeal to as many local residents as possible.

“On Saturday May 5, our Lincolnshire Poacher Express heads for Lincoln, Wainfleet and the seaside town of Skegness.

“Lincoln is a great destination for the heritage hunter with its cathedral, castle and shopping and at Wainfleet we have arranged a trip around a real ale brewery.

“Skegness may be one for the nostalgic who want to remember seaside holidays by the sea.

“We expect more than 500 to be travelling with us and the train will pick up from most local stations on the Chester to Altrincham line and then Stockport, Reddish South and Marple.”

Full details of the MCRUA 25th anniversary Railtour can be found at mcrua.org.uk.

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