The Cheshire Midland Railway was authorised by an Act of Parliament, passed on 14 June 1860, to build a railway from Altrincham on the Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway (MSJAR) to Northwich. The line would be 12 miles 65 chains (20.6 km) in length.
The Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (MS&LR) had a working agreement and invested capital in the Cheshire Midland Railway but needed further help which came from the Great Northern Railway (GNR).
Together the MSLR and GNR formed a joint committee to operate the railway along with three others. This eventually led to the formation of the Cheshire Lines Committee in 1865.
The Cheshire Midland Railway opened from Altrincham to Knutsford on 12 May 1862 and from Knutsford to Northwich on 1 January 1863. Today the railway forms part of the Mid-Cheshire Line.
The 'Cheshire Midland' public house by Hale railway station on Ashley Road, Hale is named after the railway