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Written by Dave Bramley - 20 Jan 2004
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Location notes
Chester is on the North Wales Coast line from Crewe to Holyhead.
Railway type and traffic
Trains through Chester include the Arriva Trains Wales services to and from the Coast with 158's,175's. First North Western services to Manchester via Northwich with any of their fleet of 150/153/156/158 and Merseyrail to Liverpool every 30 minutes with Class 507's or 508's. Virgin HST's run through to and from Euston, and of course from February,the FNW Blackpool train will be Class 31's hauled.
Freight through Chester includes the daily Warrington to Dee Marsh (60,66),Crewe to Penmaemawr (66) and the bi-daily Crewe to Valley flasks (20/37/66) as well as the sporadic runs of Warrington to Chirk, Penyffordd and Gobowen trains (any DB Schenker). The Alstom Class 175 depot is around the corner, and can be viewed from platform 3b.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Chester
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Chester station is slightly outside the City centre, but a free bus runs to and from there every six minutes.
Road directions
From Junction 12 of the M53 take the A56 Hoole Road in to Chester. After crossing the railway, Station Road is on your left and the Station is at bottom.

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Chester map co-ordinates
Parking
Car parking is available at the railway station, but is expensive in the town.
Public transport
Two trains an hour form Crewe, Liverpool & North Wales.
Hourly service from Manchester via Warrington or Stockport.
Hourly (in peak), otherwise two hourly from Shrewsbury.

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Amenities
Wh Smiths on station, two Trekkers buffets, a pub across the road and a chip shop 5 minutes walk down station road.
Accommodation
Several Bed and Breakfasts 2 minutes away in station road. Mill Hotel good also,5 minutes walk away. Hoole Road district is lined with Bed and Breakfasts.
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.
Chester

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

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Chester



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Railway Gen Group
North West Gen
Photographic notes
Chester has a through road in between platforms 3 and 4, and one between platform 7 and the yard. Both are bi-directional. These lines run north east to south west. Freight can pass through either. Platform 3b is best for getting all lines at The West end, whilst platform 4a or 6 gets the East end well. The platform lights are good in places and lend themselves to night photography well.
Northern Railways - Chester


General views - All photographs © Dave Bramley unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east


Fig 1 - Looking north east

Taken from platform 3b,showing the depot in the background - It's the blue shed behind the shed! - ed

Fig 2 - Looking north east


Fig 2 - Looking north east

The stations middle road with a train facing in the Crewe direction.

Fig 3 - Looking south west


Fig 3 - Looking south west

The yard as seen from platform 7a. This platform has only a partially roof the rest being open. So your preference for with or without pillars is available.

Fig 4 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south

A notrth wales bound excursion taken from platform 4.

Fig 5 - Looking south west



Fig 5 - Looking south west

This shot shows the night lighting on the station.

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