Manchester Metrolink - An Afternoon on the Altrincham Line

[davemarvin]

As current work is underway to improve and expand the Metrolink network, it is interesting to look at its development since opening in 1992 when the Altrincham Line was part of Phase 1. A map of existing and planned new lines is on http://www.gmpte.com under Future of Metrolink.

Following my earlier post of shots on the Altrincham area from Terry Cunliffe's splendid route, we now continue stop by stop into Manchester with 2 x 2-car sets Nos.1012 'Catherine Hallett' and 1002 'The Mary Sumner' on a through service to Bury. There is a very good description of the route on http://www.metrolink-virtual.co.uk.

Part 1 - Altrincham to Trafford Bar

On this stretch, Metrolink uses the former lines and stations of the Manchester South Junction & Altrincham Railway...


Altrincham terminus with adjacent rail platforms beyond


Leaving Altrincham


Navigation Road


Timperley


Brooklands


Sale


Dane Road


Metrolink runs alongside the Bridgewater Canal which the MSJ&AR largely replaced as a means of carrying freight in and out of Manchester


Stretford with a passing Altrincham-bound tram


Approaching Old Trafford cricket ground


Old Trafford, formerly called Warwick Road


Trafford Bar with an Altrincham-bound tram

To be continued, Dave

[DarthMunch]

More lovely shots Dave. Might put some more up myself

[davemarvin]

Thanks Chris. Look forward to more of yours.

Part 2 - Cornbrook

The next stop into Manchester is Cornbrook, a short distance before which the Eccles Line, opened under Phase 2 in 1999/2000, joins the Altrincham Line. Cornbrook was built as an interchange between the 2 Lines.

The Liverpool-Warrington-Manchester railway also runs alongside the Metrolink for the section between Cornbrook and the next stop at G-Mex, providing extra interest for the compulsive screenshotter to stay around for a while...


The Altrincham-Bury set stands at the left-hand platform as an Altrincham-bound tram arrives on the right


The same trams, with the rail line from Warrington on the extreme left


A tram to Eccles approaches Cornbrook from the city centre, as a Central Trains Class 170 set heads west. Could this have been their Norwich-Nottingham-Manchester-Liverpool service ?


As the Eccles tram arrives, an extra service to Victoria Station is waiting in the Cornbrook bay, whilst 66078 passes with containers from the Warrington direction


The containers continue towards Manchester


Eccles, Victoria and Piccadilly trams at Cornbrook, whilst an eastbound Central Trains Class 170 joins the scene


The Class 170 passes at speed from the Warrington direction...


...and will arrive at Piccadilly quite some time before the tram on the left.

To be concluded, Dave

[davemarvin]

Part 3 - Castlefield Junction

As Metrolink continues into the City from Cornbrook, it crosses a girder viaduct where rail lines once ran to the old Central Station, now the G-Mex centre. Below the viaduct is Castlefield Junction, where rail routes from Liverpool, Warrington, Wigan, Preston and Bolton converge to run through Deansgate and Oxford Road to Manchester Piccadilly...


Trams to Eccles and from Altrincham pass above Castlefield Jcn, where a Virgin Class 220 is running towards Piccadilly from the West Coast Main Line via Bolton


The Class 220 continues into Manchester


The tram and the 220 are approaching G-Mex and Deansgate respectively, with the linking footbridge just visible


66078 heads for Trafford Park with containers


158757 on a Blackpool-Preston-Manchester service


A Class 220 runs out of Manchester...


...heading for the WCML south of Preston


Meanwhile a tram for Altrincham rattles past overhead


142048 is held at the junction on a Liverpool-Wigan-Manchester service, whilst 60100 works light engine onto the Warrington line


Priority has been given to Central Trains Class 170 from Liverpool via Warrington


First North West Class 175 for Preston and Blackpool North


142024 from Warrington completes our afternoon.

With thanks again to Terry Cunliffe for the route and to all providers of the stock.

Dave