Manchester - Reduction In Platform Capacity

[Bevan Price]

I wonder how hard it would be to re-open Manchester Central...

I think all the tracks seem to of been Metrolinked, but the building itself doesn't seem to be used for much!

I reckon there's definitely the possibility to squeese an up and down track in, splitting out into about 4 terminating platforms, what use it would be though I don't know... I'm definitely getting a bit speculative now, might start a thread if there's enough interest!

Metrolink uses only half of the viaduct width out of Manchester Central, so there would easily be a space for a double track railway -- but only as far as Cornbrook Metrolink station. There would then be an expensive problem of how to connect it to the CLC line via Warrington Central. And even if you made a new connection, you would lose connectivity from the CLC route to Manchester Piccadilly. So I fear that there is little point in reopening Manchester Central.

 

[Mugby]

Much as I'd like to see Central become a station once again, I think you can forget that idea.

It was great for trains to Liverpool or Chester but not so good for anything heading South. The Midland line was a very circuitous route around South Manchester to reach Stockport Tiviot Dale, I believe it was 3 miles longer that the direct line via Levenshulme.

Apart from the fact that it would be impossible to build a link into Stockport Station, hasn't most of the old trackbed from Cheadle Heath towards Manchester been totally obliterated now?

 

[158756]

Much as I'd like to see Central become a station once again, I think you can forget that idea.

It was great for trains to Liverpool or Chester but not so good for anything heading South. The Midland line was a very circuitous route around South Manchester to reach Stockport Tiviot Dale, I believe it was 3 miles longer that the direct line via Levenshulme.

Apart from the fact that it would be impossible to build a link into Stockport Station, hasn't most of the old trackbed from Cheadle Heath towards Manchester been totally obliterated now?

Isn't that the route mostly used by the tram now? If so only the bit between Didsbury and the M60 has disappeared, but the tram section isn't going to return to heavy rail anyway.