I notice, on Google Streetview, that a lot of the track on the southern branch has been removed recently (since I had a walk around the estate in late 2011).
On the Northern branch (to Cerestar), a lot of fences have been erected blocking the alignment and in places the track tarmaced over.
It's a shame but that's how railfreight is changing, even from the 1980's and 1990's.
Google Streetview / Satellite is a good way of studying the remains of the entire Trafford Park and Ship Canal lines. Odd bits of track, road crossings etc.
In recent years, 3 basic lines;
1) The Manchester Ship Canal railway from Trafford Park to Containerbase. This is the one in use most recently. Commences at the sidings at Trafford Park near the Bridgewater Canal, runs westwards alongside Barton Dock Road then goes off road to finish at Containerbase near to the Trafford Centre. From another forum "The line to Containerbase, which used to also serve Kelloggs, is part of the Ship Canal system which has always been separately owned and managed. Kellogg's traffic stopped in the 80s when they started to use bigger pallets that would not fit in the BR air-braked vans".
2 and 3) The Trafford Park Estate network, much reduced from its original extent, runs from sidings at Trafford Park (near Norbert Dentressangle on Google Maps) heads north alongside Europa Way then west along Trafford Park Road. Shown on Google maps to this point. The line then split into 2 branches, the southern heading off 'cross-country' behind Village Way, re-appearing at Ashburton Road West and running as far as 'Tenmat' (on Google Maps). The northern branch continuing along Trafford Park Road to its end at Cerestar, underneath the A576 Centenary Way.
The site linked to above, showing lots of photos, shows a good proportion of the visible remains.
