Notes: (by Paul Wright) The GWR and LNWR opened a branch line from their main line at Hooton to Parkgate on 1.10.1866. Three stations were provided at Hadlow Road, Neston and Parkgate. On the 19.4.1886 the line was extended to West Kirby. Further stations opened at Heswall, Thurstaston, Caldy, Kirby Park and West Kirby.

The line was a single track branch with passing loops at various points including Hadlow Road. It served the small village of Willaston until its closure in 1956. The line survived until 1964 for goods services and latterly it was used to train drivers on newly introduced DMUs.

In the early 1970s the route of the Hooton - West Kirby Branch was chosen to create Britain's first country park the Wirral Country Park. Hadlow Road Station was restored as a typical 1950s village station and it remains as such today. During the Second World War heavy anti-aircraft emplacements were built adjacent to the station and the line used to

Tickets by Michael Stewart

To see the other stations on the Hooton - West Kirby line click on the station name: West Kirby, Kirby Park, Caldy, Heswall, Parkgate, Neston South & Hadlow Road