Allostock Junction is an Award Winning Station

Allostock Junction Railway Station, at Hills Garden Centre 7¼" gauge miniature railway, has been named Cheshire’s Best Garden Railway Station. 

This accolade was given at the recent Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards Evening held at The Salt Museum, Northwich.  The event was attended by over 90 guests including the High Sheriff of Chester, local Mayors, railway management and staff and local volunteer groups. 

Re-launched in 2003 Cheshire Best Kept Stations celebrates the work carried out by community volunteer groups and railway staff at railway stations within Cheshire. 

Former company chairman and Organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Station said:

“Our volunteer groups rely on advice and support from our local gardens centres, so this year I thought it appropriate to give an award for the Best Kept Station on a Garden Railway.

On judging, I was surprised at the number of Garden Railways in Cheshire and the enthusiasm to make them tourist attractions in their own right.  There is no doubt a Garden Centre Railway is an attraction in itself.

My judges overwhelming supported Allostock Junction for this award.  Indeed, the Railway Station at Hills Garden is one we would aspire to on the national rail system.  It is a station of yesteryears and bring backs memories of how railway used to be”.

Derek Moss, operator of the railway, accepted the Award on behalf of the Garden Centre.

Hills Garden Centre is located at Allostock between Knutsford and Holmes Chapel.  The owner, Reuben Fielding, has made a significant investment in repainting the station and providing a new locomotive and carriages, in appreciation of the increased number of customers that the added attraction bring to Hill's Garden Centre.

Cheshire Best Kept Stations is now in search of the Cheshire’s Best Garden Railway Station 2010.  For further details visit www.bestkeptstations.org.uk