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One of several booklets published by the Society over the years, this is an account of road and rail transport through Rainhill. The village's position some ten miles east of the thriving port of Liverpool meant that major communications have always passed through the area. The main road, initially a muddy track, which led to Warrington on the north-south road to London became a turnpike in the 1740s. Coach services began and as Rainhill was at the point where the first set of horses had to be changed a thriving coaching and stabling trade grew up. The Bretherton family, soon to be rich benefactors to Rainhill, established themselves as coaching entrepreneurs.
Later, when the idea of a railway between Liverpool and Manchester became a reality, that too passed through, crossing the turnpike near the centre of what is now Rainhill village, then called Kendrick's Cross.
The booklet contains plenty of information about road and railway, with maps, photographs, diagrams and contemporary reports. It is a useful source book for anyone interested in railway history or the local history of the north west.
You can obtain a copy from the Society for £1.50 (1.50 pounds sterling) including UK postage. Please use the feedback page to contact us.
