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Garston to Warrington Railway
(1852 - 1949)

The St Helens Canal & Railway Company (SHC&RC) Garston line was authorised on July 16 1846

The line ran from the company's original 1833 route that linked St Helens with Runcorn Gap (Widnes) to Garston Dock

The original line had at its southern end at Widnes Dock on the northern side of the River Mersey, just to the east of the Runcorn Gap which was a narrow point in the river across which a ferry operated

Goods were transferred from rail to ships at Widnes Dock but, due to its location in the upper reaches of the river, it was constrained by tides and for 80 days per year could not be used

Garston was not as constrained by tides and could be reached by larger vessels. It was for this reason the SHC&RC built the line to Garston. Six miles to the east of the Widnes Dock lay the manufacturing town of Warrington. The SHC&RC obtained an Act on July 22 1847 to build a line between Runcorn Gap and Warrington. It opened to a temporary terminus at Warrington White Cross on February 1 1853, creating the Garston and Warrington Railway

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