After two years in the hot-seat, the editor has finally
plucked up the courage to follow the tradition of the Journal Editor
publishing some photos of his home town
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Now a sight unlikely to be seen again in more than one way. 304 036,
one of five 304's that were painted into Regional railways livery, enters
platorm 1 on a service from Deansgate to Hazel Grove. Within the next few
years, the signal box containing over 80 levers will be gone due to the
IECC resignalling scheme centred at Arwick. No 304's are now in service
having been replaced with the new 323's, which while more comfortable, lack
the character of the 304's. Originally this service started from Altrincham
prior to the introduction of Metrolink and its departure point will soon
change again to be Salford Crescent once the electrification from Deasgate
has been completed.
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Looking north again, 158 819 leaves the huge viaduct over the river
Mersey and enters platform 2 on a service to Cardiff. The middle-bottom of
this picture shows the old entry to platform 2b that used to be used for
the services to Oldham and Ashton before the days of Beeching. The viaduct
has been recently restored externally, during which it was found that it
contained large quatities of oil. A quick look in the history books revealed
that this was probably due to a derailment that occured over sixty years
ago involving a train of oil-wagons, many of which had been punctured
during the incident.
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This shot is dated 19th February 1992 during which the approaches to
Manchester Piccadilly were closed due to wholesale track renewal. This led
to many services terminating at Stockport or being diverted to Manchester
Victoria. 43149 has just arrived from Plymouth and terminated in platform 3.
This then left for Longsight where it was serviced. 304013 is pictured in
platform 2a which still exists although I have only seen it occupied around
three times ever. This unit was to form a service to Macclesfield. 158904
was in foreign territory as it left platform 1 for Sheffield. I wonder what
West Yorkshire PTE would have said if they had found that one of their
sponsered units was being used in such a way
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Eagle 61 Contents
