HELTER SKELTER, TOWARDS WALES

 At this point, I think I'd better explain where we're going with this journey. I know that we've missed out several major cities, Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool for example. Don't worry, we will be getting there eventually. But, at the moment, we're heading for North Wales. Our starting point today is the railway station at Plumley, as seen in 1989.

Further along the same line is Northwich, where 25140 was found stabled at its depot.

Northwich is a fairly modest town. Here's the library (Allen Watkin, Creative Commons License).

There's a Wetherspoons, the Penny Black.

Also in the town centre was the Beehive, a Greenall's pub, but now closed.

Crosville had a depot in Northwich and here we see an Alexander 'Y' type, ex North Western RCC.

A Crosville Seddon was photographed here in 1982.

Arriva is the main operator in Northwich today.

Cheshire County Council were running the 'Village Rider' service in 2008.

The navigable River Weaver runs through the middle of Northwich.

A swing bridge takes road traffic over the Weaver.

To the nearby Trent & Mersey Canal, where a narrowboat is seen with a trailer, passing the industry north of Northwich.

Here we find Barnton Tunnel, with a steam tug.

Not far away (see the map here) is one of the wonders of the waterways, the Anderton Boat Lift connecting the Weaver with the Trent & Mersey.

To the west is Little Leigh, the site of a vintage vehicle rally in 2004.

To the West Coast Main Line now, as 47471 passes Acton Grange Junction in 1984. Here, trains from Liverpool converge onto the WCML.

At Acton Grange Wharf, the 'Elfstone' is being loaded.

The railway of the Manchester Ship Canal at Acton Bridge, with a loco called 'Duke of Normandy'.

Further to the west is the pleasant town of Frodsham. Here are a few postcard views from my collection.

Frodsham railway station in LNWR days.

More modern rolling stock calling at Frodsham.

A Widnes operator, Dobson's, was running a local service in Frodsham in 2000.

The Helter Skelter is an award winning pub near the station in Frodsham.

Also worth a visit, another free house, the Queens Head.

In the nearby suburb of Overton, the Ring o' Bells,

From up here there are great views over the industry around Runcorn.

As it's getting late, we'll end this post at the Netherton Hall, again high above Frodsham town.

Next time, the question is, "Will we reach Wales?".

STEPPING INTO CHESHIRE

 Our first stop today is Hazel Grove, still in Greater Manchester. There's a good Robinson's house here, the Grapes.

There's also a Wetherspoons, the Wilfred Wood.

We follow the LNWR line towards High Lane, finding a train at Norbury Crossing.

At High Lane, there is a former Burtonwood house, the Royal Oak.

Nearby is Middlewood, where the CLC met the LNWR. We're now in Cheshire.

If you follow the map (here) you'll find us in Poynton, where the Royal British Legion Club has some good real ales.

Next stop is Woodford (back in Greater Manchester) and the Davenport Arms.

Just to the north is Bramhall station, photographed by Ben Brooksbank in 1966.

Back into Cheshire and the village of Styal, home of the Ship Inn.

The commuter town of Wilmslow comes next. Here's the exterior of the railway station in LNWR times.

The line through Wilmslow is electrified these days. This is 1986.

Now it's 1995.

Grove Street, Wilmslow town centre (Creative Commons License).

St Batholomew's church (Creative Commons License).

The Coach & Four in Wilmslow is a historic Hyde's pub.

Sadly, the Rifleman's Arms is no longer a pub.

To the west of Wilmslow is the village of Mobberley. Here, one can find the Bull's Head.

There's also the Roebuck.

Mobberley railway station is a good distance from the village. The signal box was still in use in 2003.

Next stop on that line is Knutsford station. 142067 calls in 2003.

Star Line Coaches had a depot outside Knutsford station.

There's some decent pubs in Knutsford. First stop is the Cross Keys.

The Angel comes next.

As darkness falls, we conclude this post at the Lord Eldon.

Next time, further into deepest Cheshire.