Friends of Handforth Station

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First Rail Ale Trail launched at Handforth Station

On Saturday 27th September 2025, the Friends of Handforth Station proudly hosted the launch of the very first Rail Ale Trail on the Crewe to Manchester railway line. This initial Rail Ale Trail features nine railway stations — Handforth, Styal, and all stations southwards to Crewe — alongside twenty-one pubs located near each station.

The launch event was held as a highlight of Handforth’s celebrations for Railway 200, marking two centuries since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, recognised as the world’s first modern railway.

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St Benedict’s School children take their first ever train journey

2025 marks 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. See the web-site https://railway200.co.uk/ for information about how this anniversary is being commemorated nationwide.

The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) and Northern Trains have helped the Reception Class of St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School, Handforth, to understand some history of this 200th anniversary and make what was, for some of the children, their first ever train journey.

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Handforth commemorated VE Day in 2025

On Saturday the 10th of May, Handforth Town Council organised a commemoration day, to mark 80 years since VE Day (8th May 1945). The Friends of Handforth Station were pleased to have been invited to attend, and set up stall inside the coffee bar area.

The FoHS display included pictures and photographs of Handforth’s station and railway lines during World War II, as well as posters of the time urging cooperation when using the railways. In addition, a large screen showed details of the history of Handforth Station, especially the area’s use as a munitions dump and a tank repair facility during wartime.

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