Notes: Notes: Chester Northgate station was the CLC terminus in Cheshire's County Town. Situated close to Chester's historic 'North Gate' the CLC line turned to the east and headed off towards Northwich and on to Manchester. On 31.3.1890 a further line was opened by the Manchester Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (later the GCR) which headed west to Hawarden Bridge. Later extensions saw this line reach Wrexham and Birkenhead. An avoiding line was also built so that trains could pass from east to west through Chester without having to terminate at Chester Northgate. This created a triangle of lines to the north of the station.

Well into the 1960's trains served destinations such as Wrexham, New Brighton on the Wirral and Manchester. Lines to the west were the first to loose their passenger services in September 1968 leaving only the Manchester Central Service. A connection was installed between the CLC line and the former Birkenhead Joint Line at Mickle Trafford which allowed Manchester trains to be diverted to Chester General. Soon after on 6.10.1969 Chester Northgate closed. The site was redeveloped and today it is occupied by a Leisure Centre called Northgate Arena.

The avoiding line continued in use for a few years as a goods line closing on 20.4.1984. It was re-opened as single track line in 31.8.1986 but it was closed again by the early 1990's after which it was mothballed for a while and then lifted.

To see the other stations on the Chester Northgate - Hawden Bridge Junction line click on the station name: Chester Liverpool Road, Blacon, Saughall, Sealand & Birkenhead Junction Golf Club Platform

For the Chester Northgate to Mouldsworth Line see Mickle Trafford East
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