Manchester Piccadilly platform rebuilds

[Zerachiel76]

I've noticed in a few old pictures of Piccadilly that there used to be 3 lines between some of the platforms (see link below)

https://nationalrailwaymuseum.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/1997-7409_lms_2971.png

Does anyone know if / when the platforms were rebuilt as I can't see how the 3rd set of lines would fit down the middle of the current lines?

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/...MMB_05_390037_323239_142003_142033_142043.jpg

In addition there used to be a building at the end of platform A (as it was known at the time - now platform 1). Does anyone know when this building was knocked down as I've not been able to find out?

Finally I have found pictures in a book about Wartime Woodhead which shows that most of the platforms didn't extend beyond the roof, whereas now they all do. Does any one know when the platforms were extended?

 

[Senex]

Does anyone know if / when the platforms were rebuilt as I can't see how the 3rd set of lines would fit down the middle of the current lines??

It was all done when the station was rebuilt and resignalled for electrification at the end of the 1950s, commissioned IIRC in 1959. Significant use was made of Mayfield for diversions whilst the work was being done.

 

[Zerachiel76]

It was all done when the station was rebuilt and resignalled for electrification at the end of the 1950s, commissioned IIRC in 1959. Significant use was made of Mayfield for diversions whilst the work was being done.

Ahh thanks, considering how big a process it must have been I can't find any photos of it or much info about it at all. Was the entire station closed during the refit?

 

[Senex]

Ahh thanks, considering how big a process it must have been I can't find any photos of it or much info about it at all. Was the entire station closed during the refit?

Never entirely, as I recall. Services were diverted away from London Road, and the Mayfield platforms were invaluable, but London Road continued to function as a railway station throughout. There were some interesting diversions. One I was on one Sunday ran from Stockport to Mayfield via Heaton Norris, Denton Jn, Droylsden Jn, Park Station Jn, and Ardwick Jn.

 

[Taunton]

Was the entire station closed during the refit?

Not the main station, but platforms 13/14 and the approach from Oxford Road were. Initially the main service to these platforms on the Fairfield Street bridge had been the 1500v dc overhead service to Altrincham, which terminated there. This was cut back to Oxford Road, the structure was then completely rebuilt, being reduced from three platforms to the present two as an island, and when reopened 25Kv ac electrics from Crewe then used it, running on to Oxford Road which became a dead end from both directions for the different electrification systems.

 

[Welshman]

Never entirely, as I recall. Services were diverted away from London Road, and the Mayfield platforms were invaluable, but London Road continued to function as a railway station throughout. There were some interesting diversions. One I was on one Sunday ran from Stockport to Mayfield via Heaton Norris, Denton Jn, Droylsden Jn, Park Station Jn, and Ardwick Jn.

IIRC, some services were also diverted via Denton and Droylsden to Manchester Victoria.

 

[Ash Bridge]

IIRC, some services were also diverted via Denton and Droylsden to Manchester Victoria.

Nothing wrong with your memory, currently looking at a shot of EE Class 40 D219 passing through Victoria having just departed from Manchester Exchange with the Up Mancunian for Euston on 4th. June 1960, the caption states it will run via Droysden Junc. and Reddish South to join the mainline at Heaton Norris Junc.

It goes on to say that during the rebuilding of the ex-LNWR side of London Road Station some services from Euston (but not the Mancunian ) also operated to/from Manchester Central, running via Sandbach, Middlewich and Northwich.

 

[Taunton]

Nothing wrong with your memory, currently looking at a shot of EE Class 40 D219 passing through Victoria having just departed from Manchester Exchange with the Up Mancunian for Euston on 4th. June 1960, the caption states it will run via Droysden Junc. and Reddish South to join the mainline at Heaton Norris Junc.

If I am not mistaken this was an established route for certain London trains back to LMS days at least, which would detach a portion (not the whole train) at Stockport, to work to Manchester Victoria and onward to Bolton and Blackburn etc.

 

[Ash Bridge]

If I am not mistaken this was an established route for certain London trains back to LMS days at least, which would detach a portion (not the whole train) at Stockport, to work to Manchester Victoria and onward to Bolton and Blackburn etc.

Indeed so, I believe there was a portion from Colne up until I think the early sixties that upon arrival at Stockport Edgeley was attached to a Manchester - London Euston service, would these trains have ceased to operate once the early examples of AC Electric locomotives started to come on stream?

 

[Zerachiel76]

It was all done when the station was rebuilt and resignalled for electrification at the end of the 1950s, commissioned IIRC in 1959. Significant use was made of Mayfield for diversions whilst the work was being done.

I've found the photos in the Scenes from the Past book which I hope I'm ok to share. (I'll remove them if necessary if there are any copyright complaints).

These show that by 1960 the internal rebuild was complete. For me this is incredible considering you say it was only started in 1959. Compare this with how long the Victoria renovations are taking which is about 4 years so far!!!

My memory was also a little incorrect as a couple of the platforms did extend beyond the roof. Also the building at the end of platform A was still there in 1957.

 

[yorksrob]

I would recommend a very good book:

"An Illustrated Historical Survey of a Great Provincial Station, Manchester London Road"by John Hooper. Lots of good pictures before, during and after the modernisation.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I've found the photos in the Scenes from the Past book which I hope I'm ok to share. (I'll remove them if necessary if there are any copyright complaints).

These show that by 1960 the internal rebuild was complete. For me this is incredible considering you say it was only started in 1959. Compare this with how long the Victoria renovations are taking which is about 4 years so far!!!

My memory was also a little incorrect as a couple of the platforms did extend beyond the roof. Also the building at the end of platform A was still there in 1957.

I have the same book here, but that image on the left which looks across to the AC platforms shows what appears to be a rake of early mk2 stock in blue/grey livery, this photo must be at least 1964 onwards as neither mk2's or blue/ grey livery were around in 1960.

 

[Zerachiel76]

I would recommend a very good book:

"An Illustrated Historical Survey of a Great Provincial Station, Manchester London Road"by John Hooper. Lots of good pictures before, during and after the modernisation.

Thanks, ordered it off Amazon

 

[yorksrob]

Thanks, ordered it off Amazon

You're welcome

 

[Zerachiel76]

I have the same book here, but that image on the left which looks across to the AC platforms shows what appears to be a rake of early mk2 stock in blue/grey livery, this photo must be at least 1964 onwards as neither mk2's or blue/ grey livery were around in 1960.

Lol, great spot. Gotta love rail forums for spotting mistakes in books