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Written by Mark Bearton - 27 Oct 2004
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Location notes
Helsby is on the Warrington to Chester line at the junction of the branch to Ellesmere Port. The station is unstaffed serving a small village though the station has won awards for the work volunteers do keeping the platforms clean. There is a good selection of Semaphore signals controlled by the Signal Box on the platform.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger services along the line are usually classes 158/175 with class 142s on the infrequent Ellesmere Port trains. Currently there is no loco-hauled North Wales duty passing through but the commuter diagram to Manchester is one that sometimes does provide loco-haulage if the 175s are suffering badly.
There are daily freight services on the line, notably timber trains to Chirk. Any freight or light engines from Warrington towards Newport can be routed this way instead of via Crewe.
Environment
Helsby is a small village strung out along the A56 and is semi-rural on nature.
Road directions
From the M56, junction 14:
Follow signposts for the A56 and head east along it towards Helsby (2 miles). The station is signposted down a small road on the left.

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Helsby map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a station car park though this does get very full with commuters. Beyond the road to the station there is another small lane on the left by the Railway Inn leading to an over bridge and parking here is easy.
Public transport
Helsby is served by the hourly Manchester to Llandudno trains and there is also a half hourly bus service along the A56 between Runcorn and Chester.

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Amenities
There are a few shops in the village and also two pubs.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Helsby

Googly map
Streetmap links
Helsby general view map
Helsby close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Helsby



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Photographic notes
Photos can be taken from both the station and the over bridge to the east. Shots of trains heading towards Chester can be a bit restricted and hazy sunshine can be preferred if the sun is not too high due to the trees. Early morning shots are best for trains heading towards Warrington, with the sun swinging round favouring the other direction by about 10am.
Photos by Warren - Helsby


General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west


Fig 1 - Looking west


Fig 2 - Looking east


Fig 2 - Looking east


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