Mid-Cheshire line

Mid-Cheshire line
A train formed of Classes 150 and 156 approaching Navigation Road, April 2025.
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleCheshire,
Greater Manchester
Termini
Service
SystemNational Rail
Operator(s)Northern Trains
Depot(s)Longsight
Rolling stockClass 150,
Class 156
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Route map

(Click to expand)
Mid-Cheshire line
Roodee Viaduct, River Dee
Chester Northgate
Chester (General)
Mickle Trafford East
Barrow for Tarvin
Helsby and Alvanley
Manley
Mouldsworth
Delamere
Winsford and Over
Whitegate
Cuddington
Hartford Curve
Greenbank
ICI Winnington
Weaver Viaduct
Northwich–Sandbach line
(Freight only)
Northwich
ICI Lostock
Salt Branches
Lostock Gralam
Plumley
Plumbley West Platform
Knutsford
Mobberley
Ashley
Hale
Altrincham
Navigation Road
Baguley
Sale
Stockport
Manchester Central
Manchester Piccadilly

The Mid-Cheshire line is a railway line in the north-west of England that runs from Chester to Edgeley Junction in Stockport; it connects Chester with Manchester Piccadilly, via Knutsford. After Chester Northgate closed in 1969, the section between Mickle Trafford Junction and Chester was used for freight trains only until it closed in 1992; from Mickle Trafford, passenger trains use the Chester–Warrington line to Chester General instead. The route taken by passenger trains has changed over the years and now differs considerably from the original. Between 2001 and 2014, passenger journeys on the line increased to over 1.7 million per year. A near doubling of the passenger service was expected to occur from December 2018, however this did not materialise.