Ellesmere Port to Warrington Line

Ellesmere Port–Warrington line
Ellesmere Port branch trains stand at platform 3 and 4 at Helsby.
Overview
System	National Rail
Status	Operational
Locale	Cheshire North West England
Operation
Owner	Network Rail
Operator(s)	Northern Rail
Technical
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Ellesmere Port–Warrington line operates between the towns of Ellesmere Port and Warrington in the north-west of England.

The line previously used to operate from Hooton to Helsby. This service was relatively frequent (every half-hour until 1993), operating via Ellesmere Port. It was withdrawn after the line was electrified west of Ellesmere Port. Station signs at Ince and Elton railway station still display signage relating to services to/from Hooton.

The branch line was originally part of the Birkenhead Railway from Hooton to Helsby which opened in 1863. The route follows the Birkenhead Joint (LNWR & GWR) Ellesmere Port branch with stations at Stanlow and Thornton and Ince and Elton to the village and junction station at Helsby where it joins the Chester–Manchester line through to Warrington Bank Quay railway station.

The line west of Ellesmere Port has been part of the Merseyrail network since 1994. This part of the line is electrified. There are no longer through train services to Liverpool's city centre via Birkenhead.