Dubaimike Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 (edited) In the 1970s I lived near the site of RAF Handforth, (61 maintenance unit) in Cheshire, and visited frequently. Although completely abandoned by then, there were many remains of a large internal railway system, including much track and a two road loco shed. The site had been served by a connection to the Manchester-Crewe line between Cheadle Hulme and Handforth stations. I'd really like to know more about this railway system. Can anyone point me to any references such as a track diagram and/or photographs of the railway at work? Many thanks in advance. Mike Edited July 24, 2021 by Dubaimike punctuation 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Holliday Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 old-maps website has a 1970's OS map showing the out of use system. Part of it as this snapshot from their website. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubaimike Posted July 24, 2021 Author Share Posted July 24, 2021 That's great Nick, much appreciated. I'll have a look at the website, but I can immediately see the loco shed I referred to! Thanks Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 Unfortunately the NLS maps for the area don't include those of the era. A search for RAF Handforth 61 MU bought up a lot of other info. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 2 minutes ago, PenrithBeacon said: Unfortunately the NLS maps for the area don't include those of the era. A search for RAF Handforth 61 MU bought up a lot of other info. I've on there too haha From the name of one of the roads mentioned on one site, Dairy House Lane, I've got the site as being near to the Total Fitness gym, but it was a dispersed site so it was scattered about. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubaimike Posted July 24, 2021 Author Share Posted July 24, 2021 (edited) Thanks Gents. I've done the usual searches but I haven't come up with any pictures of the railway in use. It was indeed a dispersed site but the railway served (I think) only the largest of the separate parts. The junction with the LMS/BR was on the east side of the line, south of the Stanley Road overbridge. Edited July 24, 2021 by Dubaimike missing word Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium airnimal Posted July 24, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 24, 2021 (edited) There some photographs of this facility in Eddie Johnson's book on Manchester to Crewe part two. There are a couple of pages of text but without a track plan. This is a fantastic book on this line but might be an expensive way for the small amount on this subject. Perhaps you could order it from your local library. Sorry didn't notice your location. Might struggle with the local Library . Edited July 24, 2021 by airnimal 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 It might be worth emailing the RAF Museum to see what they have. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubaimike Posted July 24, 2021 Author Share Posted July 24, 2021 Thanks Airnimal. No, I don't think the local library has that one. However I lived around that line until I was 18, so buying the book is tempting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim76 Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 I understand the shed later went to Dinting Railway Centre and later the ELR where it was dismantled and remains unused in pieces. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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