The Snap
Established Member
- Joined
- 10 Jun 2005
- Messages
- 3,147
Hi all,
I've been researching the Midland Pullman today for something to do, and have found it very interesting. My first query was it's route out of Manchester Central, as to my knowledge the station points towards Liverpool, which is the complete wrong direction for St. Pancras and the Midland Mainline. I discovered it ran via Chorlton and Didsbury, Heaton Mersey and Hazel Grove - this line has been removed entirely, and only begins again as Hazel Grove. In theory, that means a massive by-pass line around South Manchester was removed...how useful that would be nowadays! Incidentally, the tracked between Manchester Central and Didsbury is due to be re-used for the Metrolink extension.
Google Earth is an excellent resource for spotting old trackbeds, with lines of trees running for miles being a dead giveaway. I followed it to Chinley, where I came across another query.
Can anyone clarify that the line between Chinley the old station at Millers Dale via Peak Dale (now the freight-only line to the Peak Forest quarry site) was the route that the Midland Pullman took to access Derby? (I believe Millers Dale and the stations before and after it for the Monsal Trail, which yorkie may well know something about?)
I only ask as I did that section of track with 40145 in 2007, and was not aware that it was once a busy mainline - a far contrast from the current, freight-only slow line!
Thanks for any information in advance,
I've been researching the Midland Pullman today for something to do, and have found it very interesting. My first query was it's route out of Manchester Central, as to my knowledge the station points towards Liverpool, which is the complete wrong direction for St. Pancras and the Midland Mainline. I discovered it ran via Chorlton and Didsbury, Heaton Mersey and Hazel Grove - this line has been removed entirely, and only begins again as Hazel Grove. In theory, that means a massive by-pass line around South Manchester was removed...how useful that would be nowadays! Incidentally, the tracked between Manchester Central and Didsbury is due to be re-used for the Metrolink extension.
Google Earth is an excellent resource for spotting old trackbeds, with lines of trees running for miles being a dead giveaway. I followed it to Chinley, where I came across another query.
Can anyone clarify that the line between Chinley the old station at Millers Dale via Peak Dale (now the freight-only line to the Peak Forest quarry site) was the route that the Midland Pullman took to access Derby? (I believe Millers Dale and the stations before and after it for the Monsal Trail, which yorkie may well know something about?)
I only ask as I did that section of track with 40145 in 2007, and was not aware that it was once a busy mainline - a far contrast from the current, freight-only slow line!
Thanks for any information in advance,