epw048631 ENGLAND (1935). Cheetham Hill Junction and environs, Collyhurst, 1935

A couple of steam locomotives downgraded to stationary boilers to provide steam for heating the coaches. Note the very high extension pipes in the chimneys.

Now the site of the first Metrolink Tram Depot

Collyhurst Road

Collyhurst Road

This area is now occupied with new lower density housing, with trees and greenery. There seems to be a completely new road layout.

Not really visible in this image, but the River Irk passes through here, towards Manchester and the River Irwell as it passes to the right of the image.

All of these houses have gone, replaced by a much lower density housing estate with a differing road layout.

The darker line between the two tracks is the wooden top shielding to the side contact third electric rail. This could be either side of the track but was normally in the middle. This unique system became past its operating life and not renewable, so the line was a first option for the introduction of the Metrolink Tram system to Manchester, continuing past Manchester to Altrincham.

This former railway line was closed for many years but has been reopened as a Metrolink tram line and leads off to Oldham after which it sweeps off to Rochdale- not the fastest route from Manchester to Rochdale but a new link connecting Oldham to Rochdale.

This central portion of line running underneath the Manchester-Bury line, no longer exists although the track bed is visible on the ground.

Off to the right this railway line leads to Manchester Victoria Station. It has now been converted to Metrolink Tram usage. The junction with the line leading off to the top of the picture was removed but has been reinstated for a Metrolink extension to Oldham and then Rochdale, now open.

This railway line no longer exists, although the track bed is visible on the ground. This was once a line to Manchester Victoria off to the Right.

This railway line leads off to the left towards Heaton Park, Bury, and formerly Bacup. It was unusual in using side contact third rail electrics and when this became uneconomic the line was one of the first Metrolink Tram Lines, ceasing at Bury. The old line to Bacup is now terminated at Rawtenstall and is operated by the East Lancashire Railway - steam and diesel.