Passengers travelling between Widnes and Liverpool were treated to live music on 19 and 21 February, as performances took place on board scheduled services as part of the ‘Beyond the Tracks’ initiative.

The two music train events, delivered by North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and supported by Northern, transformed everyday journeys into shared cultural experiences, helping to connect communities with their railway in new and engaging ways.

Passengers responded warmly, with many stopping to listen, interact with performers and enjoy a more relaxed journey. Trains became temporary performance spaces, showcasing local talent while highlighting the role railways can play in community life.

‘Beyond the Tracks’ encourages people to discover some of the stories from Halton’s rich musical heritage across a 4.6 mile walking train between Widnes and Runcorn stations, as part of Culture 26: Made in Halton, a project celebrating creativity across the borough.

Following the success of the music trains, the community rail partnership recently came together at a Creative Mixer event at Norton Priory Museum & Gardens to explore future opportunities with other cultural partners across Halton.

Rick Parker, marketing and communications consultant for North Cheshire CRP, said: “We were really pleased to support the music trains as part of the Beyond the Tracks initiative. It was great to see passengers engaging with live music in such an unexpected setting.

“This is exactly the kind of collaboration that helps people see the railway differently, not just as a way to get from A to B, but as part of the community itself.”

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from North Cheshire CRP via their website.