Monument record 2521/1/31 - Cutting west of Winsford, Grand Junction Railway

<1> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 03/12/2024 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The Grand Junction Railway existed between 1833 and 1846. The line linked the Liverpool and Manchester Railway to Birmingham through Warrington, Crewe, Stafford and Wolverhampton. The Act approving its construction received Royal assent in 1833 and it was opened in 1837. It was the first trunk railway to be completed in England and may be considered to be the world's first long distance railway with steam traction. It became part of the London and North Western Railway in 1846.

<2> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 423/2, 1841 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the land occupied by the railway (labelled The Grand Junction Railway) and the Nun House Farm accommodation bridge.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6666, 1876-1881 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts the earthworks associated with the cutting, in addition to the two lines, accommodation bridge, a mile post, and a signal.

<4> Drake, J, 1838, Drake's Road Book of the Grand Junction Railway, p.54 (Book). SCH9727.

"…after leaving the station, but that the line enters a shallow cutting; the banks of which hide the view…"