I RECENTLY attended the recent Model Rail 2016 run by Rainhill MRC and a hot topic of conversation in that week's Star was the plans to redevelop St Helens Junction station.

We agreed we needed to form a network of interested parties to ensure that 'improvements for passenger facilities' do not adversely affect the heritage of this station and the world famous railway route between Liverpool and Manchester.

Railway enthusiasts come from all over the world to visit and there are more than 60 listed buildings along the route which is still being considered for World Heritage Site Status. I was a commuter from here to Victoria for more than 20 years (1977-1997) and have many memories.

If you are a member of a group that would be interested in our network's efforts or an individual who is concerned, please contact me, and if you are in a ward through which the route passes please remind your councillors of the need to stay vigilant regarding developments on this tourist hub.

Many of you will remember the excellent Rocket 150 celebrations in 1980. Because some of us may not be around for Rocket 200 in 2030, initial discussions are taking place about a proposed Rocket 190 event in 2020, just four years away.

It will bring tourists to the borough and not do the local economy any harm. Please contact me if you would like to be involved and I will forward details on to the steering group.

Local historian and regular contributor to this page Stephen Wainwright has been it touch regarding a reader's question.

He said: "Paul Fishwick enquired about the old sign on the former railway mineral line. This is know known as the Farnworth Sutton Greenway, a superb three metre wide footpath and cycleway that connects Dream and the Sutton Manor woodland to the outskirts of Widnes at Mill Lane.

"There is some excellent heritage signage along the route compiled by Groundwork and to which I've contributed. Paul is quite correct that the sign is a remnant of the old St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway. It warns crane operators undertaking maintenance work that their jibs must not exceed a certain height due to the presence of an overhead electric line.

"I hope this sign will not be removed. If you look carefully you can spot similar redundant remnants of St Helens past within the town.

"Despite the old Lea Green station closing in 1958 there is still a location plate bearing its name on a telegraph pole at the corner of Lea Green Road and Lowfield Lane. Bold Power Station is also remembered at a bus stop near the New Bold Housing estate. So are the long gone Bold Iron Works and the Coppersmith Arms which are identified at bus stops in Neills Road and Watery Lane. There are many other examples of redundant signs if you keep your eyes open as you go round the town and stop from looking at your mobile phone for a while."