MANCHESTER AREA RAIL AND METROLINK LINES are shown in this map. I've superimposed the main Metrolink lines (in turquoise) and railway lines (in black) onto the main map. Most of these lines carry passenger trains - some carry freight only. Piccadilly and Victoria are the two main city centre stations. Oxford Rd is also important.

Metrolink was opened in 1992, and is the showpiece of Manchester's transport system. The trams use the old railway lines to Bury and Altrincham and join traffic on the streets when they cross the city centre

A new Metrolink line to Eccles is under construction, and crosses Salford Quays using a number of bridges, passing by the Lowry arts centre. It'll be a spectacular ride. Further Metrolink lines are planned to Ashton, Didsbury and the Airport.

Railway lines radiate out to the west, north east and south east, carrying both local and long-distance trains. Most of the lines were built in the 19th century, though the Styal line to Wilmslow was opened in the 1920's. In the 1960's, there were drastic cuts to the British railway network following the report by Lord Beeching. Many lines and stations were closed, including the magnificent Central Station, later converted into G-Mex. On the plus side, the Piccadilly to Euston line was electrified in 1960. But the 1980's saw some new railway developments - the Windsor Link, near Salford Crescent was built with support from the EU, and links the south Manchester railway network to the north, allowing trains to run from Bolton to Stockport & the Airport. In the 1994, the Airport spur was completed, along with an award winning new station.

Under the Conservative government, British Rail was carved up and sold off to private operators, including North West Trains, Virgin Trains, and many others. Railtrack own railway buildings, tracks, equipment, land and other property. Renovation is taking place slowly, - many parts of the local rail network are urgently in need of renewal. Things are improving, but I don't think it will ever be like the hey-day of the railways in the 20's and 30's, when steam trains linked Manchester with destinations all over the UK and beyond (see the restored canopy at Victoria Station)

The age of steam is still alive on the East Lancashire Railway, which operates between Bury and Rawtenstall (off the map to the north). A new extension to Heywood was approved in 1998.

You can travel the the Greater Manchester rail network (excluding Metrolink) using a "Dayranger" ticket, but check the times of the trains first, they don't always depart when you need them!

Here's the old map from Victoria Station, showing the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway network as it was when incorporated into British Rail in 1948.

Any comments? Please e-mail me.