IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Millow Street, MANCHESTER, M4 4DR

Due to the major improvement works being carried out at Victoria Station, Manchester Metrolink services through this area are being altered for next nine months with single line working only possible through the station area to Shudehill. Trams are running in both directions over the outbound line, but not stopping at the old platform. The existing facing cross–over, previously used for trams from Bury and terminating at Victoria, is being used for inbound trams crossing over to the outbound line. A form of token working is being used. The driver must carry the token; unless there is to be more than one tram in the same direction, when he must be shown the token and given the authority to proceed. A temporary shelter has been erected to house the ‘signalman’ who controls the line. Here, the tram on the left (3061) is approaching the control box where the driver will stop to hand the token to the controller (who is wearing the hi-vis jacket), before continuing the journey to Bury. The token will be passed on to the driver of the waiting tram (3020) once the line is clear for it to proceed to Shudehill. Single line operation commenced on Monday 24th February 2014 and is expected to continue for approximately nine months.

Due to the major improvement works being carried out at Victoria Station, Manchester Metrolink services through this area are being altered for next nine months with single line working only possible through the station area to Shudehill. Trams are running in both directions over the outbound line, but not stopping at the old platform. The existing facing cross–over, previously used for trams from Bury and terminating at Victoria, is being used for inbound trams crossing over to the outbound line. A form of token working is being used. The driver must carry the token; unless there is to be more than one tram in the same direction, when he must be shown the token and given the authority to proceed. A temporary shelter has been erected to house the ‘signalman’ who controls the line. Here, the tram number 3034 is crossing from the inbound line to the outbound line before proceeding towards Shudehill. Single line operation commenced on Monday 24th February 2014 and is expected to continue for approximately nine months.

Eastward out of Manchester Victoria towards Yorkshire all main-line trains had to tackle straight away, for about 1½ miles to Miles Platting, an incline of about 1-in-50, so had to be banked. On this very busy Summer Saturday, when during that summer much extra traffic was being diverted from Manchester London Road/Piccadilly owing to the rebuilding and electrification work there, the regular banking engines had to be supplemented in this instance by a 4-6-0 working 'backwards' (tender-first). The train is the 'Lancastrian', 15.46 to London Euston, which will be diverted at Droylsden down to Stockport via Reddish. The banker is Stanier Class 5 No. 44890 (built 9/45, withdrawn 7/68 - one of the last). The big Cheetham Hill Bridge is just behind the photographer.

BR standard 5MT 73157 prepares to tackle Miles Platting bank. Beyond, an ex-LMS 'Black Five' approaches light engine, probably from Newton Heath depot.

Due to the major improvement works being carried out at Victoria Station, Manchester Metrolink services through this area are being altered for next nine months with single line working only possible through the station area. Trams are running in both directions over the outbound line, but not stopping at the old platform. The existing facing cross–over, previously used for trams from Bury and terminating at Victoria, is being used for inbound trams crossing over to the outbound line. A form of token working is being used. The driver must carry the token; unless there is to be more than one tram in the same direction, when he must be shown the token and given the authority to proceed. A temporary shelter has been erected to house the ‘signalman’ who controls the line. Single line operation commenced on Monday 24th February 2014 and is expected to continue for approximately nine months.

Railway undercroft off Aspin Lane near Victoria Station.

Northern Rail Class 150 Sprinter Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) 150140 approaches Manchester Victoria Station from the east.