The Danny and North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership Collaboration

North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership (NCCRP), which works to connect communities with their local railways across North Cheshire, has formed a collaboration with The SS Daniel Adamson (The Danny), the historic 1903 steam tugboat cruising the River Weaver and River Mersey. Together, the partnership aims to connect local communities with both the heritage and the contemporary offer of their railways and waterways.

Both organisations are not for profit, community-led and volunteer-powered. Each relies on strong local partnerships to remain sustainable, while sharing a commitment to improving quality of life across Cheshire, particularly around Frodsham, Helsby and Ellesmere Port.

NCCRP Director Chris Kimberley explains the origins of the partnership:

“We reached out to the Danny because we believe that our shared heritage, values and commitment to community engagement means that together we can do more, reach more people, and create a greater sense of connectedness across North Cheshire communities.”

The collaboration is rooted in a shared industrial heritage. Steam engineering, waterways and railways developed side by side, shaping the region we know today. Daniel Adamson was a respected engineer from Shildon, the birthplace of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. He later became the first Chairman of the Manchester Ship Canal, where global trade transferred between ship and rail. The Danny itself was built for the Shropshire Union Canal & Railway Company, owned by the London and North Western Railway.

Both partners are passionate about community engagement. By bringing transport history to life, the partnership aims to celebrate Cheshire’s rich heritage while inspiring younger generations to explore future careers in sustainable transport and engineering.

From 2026 the partnership will begin delivering joint activities and events. On 13 and 14 July 2026, railway and waterways themed Discovery Days are planned at Ellesmere Port, including visits to The Danny and rail journeys via Merseyrail services.

The partnership will also co-develop interpretation exploring the role of railways and waterways in shaping Frodsham’s identity. This material is intended for display at Frodsham station and near The Danny’s moorings at Sutton Weaver, helping local communities better understand the transport heritage that helped shape the area.

Danny Director Andrea Ward believes that collaborations between community organisations are essential:

“For the Danny, this is a great opportunity to increase our positive impact on local communities, and to bring new visitors and passengers on board.”

Cllr Katie Kendrick OBE, Labour Councillor for Netherpool and Mayor of Ellesmere Port, welcomed the initiative:

“We are absolutely thrilled to see this new partnership between The Danny and the North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership. Their July Discovery Days promise to bring fantastic opportunities and real vibrancy to Ellesmere Port. This programme will not only celebrate our local heritage but also create meaningful experiences that inspire pride, strengthen community connections, and encourage more people to explore what our town has to offer.”

The Danny will be cruising in Cheshire from May this year. Tickets and further information about cruises can be found at:

 www.thedanny.co.uk/events

The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society is also fundraising to support conservation work required to keep the vessel operational and preserved for future generations. Further information about this campaign can be found at:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/thedanny

For further information about The Danny and the NCCRP

The Danny: www.thedanny.co.uk/

NCCRP: https://northcheshirecrp.org/