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This was the former Midland Railway Manchester South District Line south east of Chorlton Junction, two years before it was re-opened as part of phase 3A of the expansion of the Metrolink tram network. The concrete structure is one of a number along the line between here and Princess Road. But what was it for? The line closed in the early 1960s.
©Phil Champion
Phase 3A of the expansion of the Metrolink tram network included the re-opening of part of the disused Manchester South District railway line, initially as far as a new stop near St Werburgh's Road at the former junction with the Fallowfield Loop Line, now a cycle path. Preliminary clearance works had taken place between Chorlton Junction and the bridge at Mauldeth Road West. The new tram stop is located just past the oak trees, which had grown up alongside this section since its closure in the 1960s. As a child I was taken for walks along this section of the trackbed (also trespassing over the then still active, but lightly used freight line at Chorlton Junction) and remember climbing these trees. They had been fenced off, presumably to protect them during the nesting season, but have since been felled. The line re-opened as far as St Werburgh's Road stop on 7 July 2011.
©Phil Champion
This was the trackbed of the former Midland Railway's Manchester South District Line from Manchester Central towards Tiviot Dale. The section from Chorlton Junction closed in the 1960s. Since this photo was taken the section of line seen here has been re-opened as part of the Metrolink tram network. Phase 3a of the expansion plans included development of the South Manchester line as far as the new St Werburgh's Road station. The photographer's location is roughly in the vicinity of where the ramp from the island platform now stands, at the east end of the station. Tracks have been laid almost to the bridge carrying Mauldeth Road West over the line, with a head-shunt and points to allow trams to change tracks. As part of Phase 3b, work is ongoing to extend the line towards Didsbury, with a another extension towards Manchester Airport, the junction being near Mauldeth Road West.
©Phil Champion
Tram no. 3001 waits in the headshunt beyond St Werburgh's Road station. The South Manchester line opened in July 2011. Currently this is the end of the line, but work is underway on extensions to Manchester Airport and to East Didsbury, which diverge after St Werburgh's Road. The island platform is accessed via level crossings at both ends.
©Phil Champion
The ramp and level crossing at the south east end of the island platform. The South Manchester Line was opened as far as St Werburgh's Road on 7th July 2011.
©Phil Champion
The bridge connects the main school site with sports pitches on the opposite bank. a public footpath follows the riverbank.
©Phil Champion
Behind the distant trees is an embankment carrying Mauldeth Road West over the disused railway line. The Metrolink line to Manchester Airport will cross the brook just below the embankment. Work had already started clearing the route and moving services.
©Phil Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>The rear of the school site is bordered by the brook, with land on the opposite bank being used as playing fields. When Chorlton High School was amalgamated onto a single site a few years earlier, new buildings were erected with a bridge to link to the playing fields, avoiding the need to leave the site and cross the brook at Hough End Bridge on Nell Lane. A public footpath runs beneath the bridge.
©Phil Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>The South Manchester Line opened as far as the new station near St Werburgh's Road in July 2011.
©Phil Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>A footpath follows the brook through the Clough. The main part of the school site is on the south side of the brook, with sports pitches on the north side.
©Phil Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>Tram No. 3005, with a service to Manchester Victoria. The line opened a month earlier.
©Phil Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>Tram no. 3001 arrives with a service from Manchester Victoria. The South Manchester Line opened as far as the new stop near St Werburgh's Road in July 2011.
©Phil Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>The South Manchester Line opened as far as the new stop near St Werburgh's Road in July 2011. The line uses part of the trackbed of the former South District heavy rail line, last used by passenger traffic in the 1960s. To the left a cycle path curves out of sight, following the former Fallowfield Loop Line towards Guide Bridge.
©Phil Champion
Dist:0.1km<br/>The camera lens has been zoomed in to give a better view of the tram stop. When the photograph was taken in early May 2011, the stop and the extension to here were still some weeks away from opening. [[2484216]].
©L S Wilson
Dist:0.1km<br/>Opening of this tram stop and the extension of Metrolink is imminent. The stop has an island platform, with the tracks extending a little further to allow reversing. The extension to here uses almost three kilometres of the former Cheshire Lines Committee railway to Chorlton, which finally closed in the late 1980's. Passenger services were withdrawn in January 1967. Eventually there will be a further extension of the tramway for four and a half kilometres to East Didsbury. This is not due to open until the Summer of 2013. After that, there are hopes to extend the line to Stockport, but currently neither the legal powers nor funding are in place. Photographed from the bridge in St. Werburgh's Road. [[2484639]].
©L S Wilson

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Hardy Discussion Forum

  • new metrolink stop.

    As an ex resident of chorlton I was wondering how the new tram line was working out, I watched it unfold down through the months prior to leaving for new zealand and haven't heard much …
    gabriel79 in Chorlton cum Hardy, Tuesday 20 March, 2012


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