Hartford, Cheshire

[mickey]

Heading south on the WCML, just before you get to Hartford there's a branch goes off to the left. Presumably it links with the Chester-Altrincham line somewhere west of Greenbank. And it always gets me thinking...

1. Is it ever used?
2. Why is it electrified, when the Altrincham line isn't?
3. How easy would it be for trains to cross over the WCML tracks here? If the Chester line were ever connected to Manchester airport - as has been suggested several times - would it permit, for example, MIA>RUN>LPY services? There would be a market for them.

 

[Scousefandan]

If it is electrified, it'll end just before Greenbank.....and yes, how good would it be to have Stockport-Runcorn-Liverpool or Prestion services!!

 

[sprinterguy]

It's a freight only spur that does indeed link onto the Chester-Altrincham line to the west of Greenbank, not sure what traffic uses it. The electrification will only extend a short distance over the spur, as it will just be a convenient place to end that length of wiring.

 

[YorkshireBear]

having some services to liverpool running via stockport would help with capacity issues of P13/14 wouldn't it?

 

[mickey]

having some services to liverpool running via stockport would help with capacity issues of P13/14 wouldn't it?

Yes but the time taken (and reversal needed at MAN) would be very prohibitive. I was thinking more of providing a link for Runcorn and south Liverpool direct to the airport, not Stockport.

Incidentally, though I'm aware it's going well off topic, I've always wondered whether 13/14 ops could be improved by using the facility already in place to have two different trains on the platform at once... They've done it (very) occasionally when I've been there, and I'm sure it would make things more efficient, e.g. when there's two passenger workings to get out of the way before a container train comes through.

 

[CosherB]

It'd make more sense if the Altrincham - Piccadilly line was returned to heavy rail instead on remaining a tramway!