Bringing Local Music and Communities
Together on the Railway
The Beyond the Tracks Music Trains return on Thursday 29 October 2026, bringing live music to selected Northern train services between Widnes and Liverpool Lime Street.
This time, Halton-based musical duo Sax Pistols will be entertaining passengers as part of Culture 26: Made in Halton. Whether you’re travelling into Liverpool, heading home or planning a day out, you could enjoy a live performance along the way.
The event continues a successful collaboration between Halton Borough Council, North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, Liverpool to Manchester Community Rail Partnership and Northern Trains. Together, they are helping connect people with local culture while encouraging more enjoyable and sustainable rail journeys.
Meet the Sax Pistols
The Sax Pistols are a lively saxophone and vocal duo based in Halton, bringing together live music, northern personality and plenty of sparkle.
From weddings and celebrations to lively parties, the duo combine the distinctive sound of the saxophone with expressive vocals to create entertaining performances. With their love of music, infectious energy and trademark sequins, they know how to get people in the party spirit.
This October, The Sax Pistols will be swapping their usual performance settings for something a little different, performing live on selected Northern train services between Widnes and Liverpool Lime Street.
Whether you’re making your regular journey or travelling specifically to enjoy the entertainment, you can look forward to a musical experience with a distinctly local flavour.
Want to hear more? Follow The Sax Pistols on Instagram and Facebook to discover more about the duo, their music and upcoming performances.
Music Trains Timetable for Thursday 29 October
The Sax Pistols will perform on selected Northern services operating between Widnes and Liverpool Lime Street.
From Widnes Station
- 10:53 departure
- 13:53 departure
From Liverpool Lime Street Station
- 11:56 departure
- 14:56 departure
Passengers travelling on these services can enjoy live music as part of their journey.
Please ensure you have a valid rail ticket and check the latest service information before travelling. You can find journey details and ticket information on the Northern Trains website.
Connecting Communities Through Music and Rail
Music Trains demonstrate how railways can contribute to community life beyond simply connecting destinations.
By bringing live performances onto everyday services, the initiative creates shared experiences for passengers while celebrating local creative talent. Furthermore, it highlights how public transport can support cultural activities and bring people together.
For North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, these events reflect our vision of “Everyone Proud of Our Railways”.
Through collaboration, we aim to make rail travel more welcoming, encourage sustainable journeys and strengthen connections between stations and the communities they serve.
Building on Our Previous Music Trains Events
The October event builds on earlier Beyond the Tracks Music Trains, which have brought live performances to rail passengers across Halton, Cheshire and Liverpool.
In February 2026, musicians entertained passengers travelling between Widnes and Liverpool as part of the wider Culture 26 programme. These performances demonstrated how rail travel and local creativity can come together to create memorable experiences.
You can read more about these activities in our article, Beyond the Tracks – A Continuing Collaboration.
Then, in May 2026, the Music Trains returned with The Too-Hot Trio performing on services between Runcorn and Chester. The event brought music to passengers of different ages while highlighting the wider social benefits of community rail.
Together, these events demonstrate how ongoing partnerships can develop new ideas and encourage more people to engage with their local railway.
Working Together to Support Community Rail
and Culture
Their involvement highlights the importance of collaboration between local authorities, cultural organisations, community rail partnerships and train operators.
Moreover, initiatives such as Music Trains help demonstrate how railways can support local identity, sustainable travel and stronger community connections.
Join the Music Trains on 29 October
Experience a rail journey with a difference as the Beyond the Tracks Music Trains bring live local music to everyday rail travel, combining entertainment, sustainable transport and community rail.
Whether you’re a regular passenger or planning a special trip, join us on Thursday 29 October and enjoy The Sax Pistols performing live on board between Widnes and Liverpool.
Check the departure times, arrange your rail tickets and get ready for a journey filled with music and a little something different.
Don’t forget to share your experience! We’d love to see your photos and videos on social media. Tag your posts with #BeyondTheTracks and #Culture26 to join the conversation.
