About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breathtaking view. It is a distraction for the weary traveller, but anyone else can go and find it too. More information can be found at the SideTracked Website.
About Wilmslow Station
An eponymous station on the “Wilmslow & Levenshulme Railway” as it was then known, Wilmslow Station was opened in 1842 by the London & North Western Railway company. The 9½ mile loop was built by the LNWR as a valuable diversion from the older, congested main line from Manchester to London via Stockport.
The coming of the railway was instrumental in transforming Wilmslow from a sleepy farming community into a bustling town. The station served the residents using steam power for over 100 years before the line was electrified. Today the town is served by the operators Avanti West Coast, Northern Trains and Transport for Wales and sees services to such destinations as Manchester, Liverpool, Southport, Swansea and London Euston of course.
How to find this cache
The final location of this multi-cache can be calculated after first visiting the listed coordinates on the pavement outside the station grounds. Standing on the pavement, above your head is a blue sign pointing the way to Wilmslow High School. How many letters are in the last word on this sign? The number of letters is A.
Now turn your attention to the maroon sausage-shaped sign on the white picket fence, the famous “totem” design with Gill Sans lettering used by British Railways in the days of steam. The sign does of course state “Wilmslow”, but let B be the number of other smaller words on the sign. Use these two numbers to obtain coordinates using the following formula:
N53° 19 ● A A B W002° 13 ● B (A+B) B
This final location is a short walk away, via the trailhead listed as a waypoint. Follow the steps up and then along the side of the railway line. Finding this cache is not recommended at night in the dark and please be aware of cars at all times when crossing the busy road.
You will need a pen or pencil to sign the log of this cache. The container is hidden over a metre off the ground and reading the hint will help pinpoint your search, if needed. We welcome logs highlighting any issues that detract from the quality of the cache or any suggestions you have to improve it. Good luck everyone!