Chester to Shrewsbury Rail Line Celebrates its 175th Anniversary
Published: 21/06/2023
This year, 3 Counties Connected Community Rail Partnership is celebrating the 175th anniversary of the opening of the Chester to Shrewsbury rail line. The line passes through the stations of Chester, Wrexham, Ruabon, Chirk, Oswestry and Shrewsbury. It’s a picturesque train journey with impressive viaducts, and panoramic views of towns and villages along the line.
Chester station officially opened on 1 August 1848, exactly one year after construction began. The opening was met with great acclaim amongst the city’s population due to the wide range of destinations that could be reached for the first time, Shrewsbury being one of them.
To commemorate the 175 anniversary of the line opening there are a series of events to celebrate these communities being connected.
The celebrations kicked off back in April by supporting the Lantern Parade in Wrexham Town Centre. We held lantern making workshops and our 3 Counties Connected lantern train made a proud appearance at the parade.
On the 1st of August at 10.30 am, the Thomas Brassey Association will be cutting a ribbon outside Chester Station and speakers from the Association will say a few words, with engineer Thomas Brassey and the Chester Town Crier leading the ceremony. In the evening the Thomas Brassey Association, plan to have a series of short talks and display exhibition material in the Queens Hotel, Chester.
On Wednesday August 9th, 3 Counties Connected will be hosting a free, family-friendly, fun event at the Parish Hall in Chirk where visitors can experience the delights of the Victorian era, with dressing up activities and the opportunity to sit in a photo booth railway carriage. There will be a Victorian circus entertainer at the event and Victorian craft workshops.
All donations received from the refreshment stand will be donated to the Chirk Foodbank.
Chirk station will also be commemorating the event with a wonderful floral display depicting 175 years of train travel along the line.
To find out more about the 175 year anniversary contact Josie Rayworth on 01978 757524, josie.rayworth@3countiesconnected.org.uk.