The Friends of Handforth Station are developing several events to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway.
In September 1825, the first public railway to use steam locomotives was opened, between Stockton and Darlington.
These events include an exhibition of rail-related poems, a joint "open day" with the miniature railway in Handforth's Meriton Road Park (run by Handforth Model Engineering Society), a new stainless-steel "Railway 200 screen" to match their current "Millennium screen", and a "Rail Ale Trail". All profits from all events will be donated to the Alzheimer's Society, being the chosen charity of the Railway 200 organisation.
FoHS are coordinating the organisation of The Rail Ale Trail which will be hosted by the stations between Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe, many of which have 'Friends of' groups.
The trail is intended to promote little-known attractions of each station and village/town, not least including at minimum one pub near each station
Matthew Curtis, photographer and writer (and long-term CAMRA member) said "A rail trail is the perfect way to enjoy some of the best pubs and discover local beers and nuggets of history along the way."
Hugh Everett, Secretary of the FoHS, added "This Rail Trail will be promoted all year, and we expect that it will continue for many years to come. It will allow people to appreciate the communities that have grown up around each of the stations since the Crewe to Manchester line was opened in 1842. After all, in North Cheshire we are very close to the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and home to several of its innovations."
The Rail Ale Trail is expected to open in late Spring. Other Railway 200 events will run throughout 2025.
Photo: Attendees of the initial meeting to plan for the Crewe to Manchester Rail Ale Trail hosted by FoHS on Tuesday 18th February.
