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The CLC through Stockport


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  • 2 weeks later...

On the line from Skelton Junction down the grade to Altrincham and Northwhich, there were two boxes close together. Deansgate controlled the junction from Skelton to the Manchester - Altrincham/Northwich line. Next came Navigation Road controlling the end of the loops from Altrincham and the level crossing. Deansgate box still exists controlling the level crossing but with two bi-directional running lines, one for the trams, the other for the Skelton Junction line (which reverts to double track beyond the original junction). A reversal of fortune in some ways as the Skelton Junction to Stockport route has been freight only for many years but reverted to passenger rating when the trams opened, offering a direct link to Stockport from Altrincham. The trains ex Chester trains continue to Manchester Piccadilly offereing a faster service than the trams.

 

Opposite Deansgate box there used to be a link line linking the Manchester to Altrincham route withe the Skelton Junction to Warrington line.

 

Mike Wiltshire

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Edited by Coach bogie
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Next on the Skelton Junction- Altrincham/Northwich route was Altrincham. Quite a large box controlling a four track station, relief loops and originally a level crossing that was replaced by a large overbridge in the 1980's (I think). I was never sure of the reason for the angled windows at the level crossing end.

 

Mike Wiltshire

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  • 4 weeks later...

After reading in the notices that the line from Glazebrook East Jcn to Partington Jcn had been taken out of use I went with a friend to take a few photos.

When we arrive there was single line working in operation from Warrington Central to Glazebrook East and the AMI acting as Pilotman was an old acquaintance.

we made our way to the box where we were allowed in.

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The approach from the road

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The 80 lever frame.

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The view from the box, the line to Partington is curving away to the right.

While there were no trains we had a walk around

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But I took this view towards Glazebrook station as I left the box.

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Two views of the box, note the "weathering" at the non steps end, either the fire ashes or the contents of the teapot being the cause!

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Views of the sidings.

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Next port of call, after a quick stop at Dunham Massey, was Partington Jcn.

The box was closed, as it was a Sunday, so we had a wander around.

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The view from the nearby bridge looking towards the box and Glazebrook, on the left are the Gas Board sidings and on the right by the box can be seen the CEGB sidings.

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And looking towards Skelton Jcn.

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The box, it appears to have had its base rebuilt at sometime.

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Signal from the CEGB sidings.

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Looking to the box from the Glazebrook direction; the left hand line is the single line and the right hand line is a safety spur.

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The box again.

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As the box was closed we couldn't gain access. Normally when this happens I just take a photo though the window next to the door and hope for the best. Here, however, the window next to the door had been boarded over so by climbing on to the handrail and leaning on the nameboard I was able to take this high level shot. You will notice (if you aren't distracted to the left) that the diagram has had a piece of paper put over the line to Glazebrook Jcn on the diagram and a bag put over the block instrument. The line to Glazebrook was worked by acceptance levers.

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Looking from the box steps towards Glazebrook Jcn

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Rear of the box.

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Standing by the box and looking towards Skelton Jcn.

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standing on the Gas Board siding looking towards Skelton Jcn.

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Looking to the box from the Skelton Jcn direction showing the colour light home signal with subsiary signal for entrance to the CEGB and Gas Board sidings

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After leaving Partington Jcn we went to Skelton Jcn where the was PWay work going on.

When we arrived this train was waiting to come off the Warrington line.

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It couldn't move until 25 224 and another class 25 had taken its train away

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The train from the Warrington line then crossed over to the right line and I think, headed off towards Northenden Jcn.

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We decided to see if we could look in the box.

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Unfortunately, while the Signalman was willing, the AMI with him most certainly was not. I took this photo of 40 004 leaving while I was half back down the stairs.

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There is a footbridge over the line to Deansgate Jcn and this photo of 40 004 and its train was taken from there.

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Looking back to the box from the footbridge.

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Edited by flyingsignalman
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Leaving Skelton Jcn we made our way to Northenden Jcn where I took these pics.

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Looking from the bridge in the Stockport direction, the then fairly new waste transfer sidings are on the right.

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No wide angle lens so I had to photo the box in parts, couldn't get it all in in one!

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Looking back to Skelton Jcn with the cement terminal just visible on the left.

 

We left here and made our way back home along the line from Skelton to Warrington, which I think might be the subject for another topic.

 

I found this colour photo lurking on my computer today. Its of Glazebrook East Jcn and was taken on 25/2/1979 and it shows the "weathering" quite clearly.

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thank you very much for posting these pics spent the best part of the nineties working at Glazebrook east jn and loved every minuite was there for the rationalisation and resignaling of the loop from goods to passenger loop and the eventual lifting of the oil sidings .

looking at those pics of the old box most of the frame is still in situ except those that have been used to replace broken levers elswhere in the frame internaly the roof has been lowered and flourecent lighting installed

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Wow! I'm amazed that Northenden Junction still had its CLC nameboard so late. Thanks for the great photos.

 

It still has it as far as i am aware. It was still present a few years back when the box was being re roofed.

 

Mike Wiltshire

Edited by Coach bogie
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It still has it as far as i am aware. It was still present a few years back when the box was being re roofed.

 

Mike Wiltshire

 

It still had it the last time the Google car went past:

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Northenden&hl=en&ll=53.39864,-2.250062&spn=0.000395,0.001018&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=6.558824,16.677246&oq=Northe&t=h&hnear=Northenden,+United+Kingdom&z=20&layer=c&cbll=53.39864,-2.250062&panoid=3EMj9nfLnJVgLo2X6K3n8w&cbp=12,350.84,,0,-3.46

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As usual, when looking for photos, ones I was not looking for surfaced, while the objects of the search remained resolutely hidden!

Some I did find were some more taken on my journey to Sheffield on 25/2/1979 that went over the Glazebrook to Skelton line (and also the Woodhead route). A couple showing signal boxes appeared earlier in this thread.

 

Approaching Partington Jcn with home signal off.

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Nearer the box with CEGB siding signal on left.

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Skelton Jcn home signal with subsidiary off for the loop.

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Standing in the loop while the Driver changed ends for the run down to Deansgate Jcn.

The signal on the right reads (top to bottom) to Warrington, to Glazebrook Jcn, to Deansgate Jcn. the colour light just in the picture on the left is the main line signal for the same routes.

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Signal for our train from the loop. The signal is off for Deansgate Jcn but unfortunately the route indicator is not clear in this view.

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The train drawing out of the loop, the signal in the right background reads only to the line down to Deansgate Jcn. The line to Glazebrook is seen climbing away, the line to Deansgate Jcn drops away to the right and the Warrington line is hidden by the train.

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The home signal from the Deansgate Jcn line, Skelton Jcn box is just sneaking into the photo on the right.

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Deansgate Jcn home signal. Annoyingly (unless you have the eyes of a rat raised in a gents toilet) the fact there is a colour light distant under the semaphore arm is lost to view in the bridge carrying the Glazebrook line behind it.

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Edited by flyingsignalman
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Hi, i'm new on here - really great photos; didn't realize that the Tiviot Dale line was being used by heavy freight until so recently, but are there any photos west of St George's bridge? - particularly interested in the mersey bridges carrying the CLC and Midland lines

 

 

In fact - although it's slightly off topic, but still kind of related is there anything on the Heaton Mersey Midland line??? any previous threads? I'm new to the area and take my dog for walks around the Heaton Mersey station site - now an industrial estate. Love to see some shots of where the line ran parallel to Chapel Street... ?

 

 

 

thanks,

 

 

 

D.

Edited by Dawg
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After reading in the notices that the line from Glazebrook East Jcn to Partington Jcn had been taken out of use I went with a friend to take a few photos.

When we arrive there was single line working in operation from Warrington Central to Glazebrook East and the AMI acting as Pilotman was an old acquaintance.

....

 

The signal post at Partington is a CLC design

 

Regards

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may i ask the flying signalman the unit in the pics is it in the white with a blue band used by wypte for a number of years can remember seeing it on the hueersfield manchester locals at Greenfield around 1979

 

While the unit is one of the refurbished units (in white with a blue band) I don't remember it having any branding for WYPTE. I would imagine it was a unit based at Allerton or Longsight.

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Wow. Been through this thread from start to finish, great pics. For most of my life I have lived next to this line and spent many hours on Sandy Lane Bridge in Cadishead when I started spotting. Went in the signal box a few times at Cadishead aswell. Towards the end of steam though I developed other interests hmmm. Missed all the diesel era. I walk along the remains between Partington and Broadheath occasionally and do a lot of tutting. I have a cabride dvd, home made job I bought that covers some interesting lines around Manchester. Part of it covers Stockport through Skelton Jct as far as the branch line to the power station at Partington Jct. According to the info it was top and tailed by 47600 and 47841. Was a Branch Line Society tour on 29th Feb 1992. There were quite a few people on the bridge near Partington Jct, Anybody got any pics. Thanks to everbody who as contributed to this thread.

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Aft'noon all,

 

Here is a pic of the Tunstead to Portwood stone train on Portwood drops on my Flickr site

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43564631@N08/4274033066/in/set-72157622730543368

 

there are plenty more 80s pics around the area too.

 

Cheers

 

Dave

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