I begin my journey by visiting stations on the West Kirby line from Hamilton Square. This is one of my favourite lines, featuring Art Deco-designed stations from Leasowe to Hoylake, all rebuilt during the 1930s alongside the electrification programme. I start at Hamilton Square station on the New Brighton & West Kirby platform three, which is slightly lower than the original platforms that opened in 1886. From here, I take the train to Birkenhead Park station.

Starting from Birkenhead Park, I travel one stop to Conway Park, which opened in 1998 and is now 27 years old. Despite its age, it still looks great and is one of my favourite stations on the Wirral line from Hamilton Square. I admire the architecture, particularly the massive pillars supporting the sides of the station—it looks so cool! Even though it’s underground, the open roof gives the feeling of being outside. From Conway Park, I continue to my next station, Moreton.

From Moreton, I take the train to Leasowe Station, skipping Bidston this time as I plan to cover that with the Borderlands line from Bidston to Wrexham. I also intend to revive my Branch Line series soon, so stay tuned. Upon arriving at Leasowe, I encounter the level crossing, which I find quite enjoyable and exciting. From Leasowe, I proceed to Meols.

From Meols station, I took the bus to Hoylake, where I caught my second-to-last train to Manor Road. This is one of the newer stations on the branch, having opened in 1940. It is quite basic, with two platforms and an art deco-style footbridge. There is also a mini road crossing for the nearby farm, making it easy to cross the line. I love the West Kirby line, as I used to live in Hoylake in 2016 and 2017 before moving back to Wallasey. I am glad to be writing about stations again.

From Manor Road Station, I take my final train to West Kirby, the end of the line. It opened back in 1848 as part of the Hoylake & Birkenhead Dee Side Railway, which travelled towards Birkenhead Docks, now known as Birkenhead North. From there, it terminated at Birkenhead Park, which is now a through station and was electrified as early as 1903. West Kirby is similar to New Brighton, featuring a Victorian station building with an Art Deco canopy.

On the final approach from Manor Road, we stop at Hoylake after having visited the station earlier. We then cross the rather unsafe foot crossing, so if you ever walk it or cross the line, make sure to look both ways as it can be dangerous at times. West Kirby is the end of the line, the terminus, and I really like this station as it has a lot of history. The disused station, West Kirby Junction, closed in the 1960s along with the line to Hooton, which is now part of the Wirral Way. I have walked the line a few times.

I have now reached the end of the line, and I quite like West Kirby station as it reminds me of New Brighton station in some ways, although the platforms appear to be much wider than those in New Brighton. My next post will be from Bidston to Wrexham General, and with the improving daylight, it is much easier to do. I will then start visiting stations on the Main Line from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport, so please keep an eye out.