Manchester Mayfield station

[steam for ever]

I often think about this.
This station is a rare survivor and is the closest thing we have to an unaltered steam age station of a large size.
I think it would make a great museum and even a great starting point for steam tours.
I realise there are plans to reopen it anyway, but surley this is an opertunity not to be missed?
It is, even after fire in a very good condition.

[Deathbyteacup]

It's in pretty poor condition really.

I think the most likely future is that it's going to be demolished and replaced by offices for civil servants. All parties seem to be in agreement at the moment that this is it's most practical future.

Either way, at the moment what remains of the British Railways Board still own it, so it's whoever they sell it too, if at all, which will determin it's fate.

[steam for ever]

Piccadilly station is over run.
It needs an overflow.

If they even dare I am going to chain myself to it as that would be the final straw.
I am serious.

[Tony]

Mayfield has never been a fully operational passenger station. In the early 50's it was used for Royal Mail and parcels traffic. When the first diesel units were introduced, the Macclesfield trains used Mayfield. About 4 0'clock on a Saturday afternoon there was a charge over the footbridge to see the new diesel arrive then a reverse charge to see the 4.30 come in which was headed by the latest Pacific on test out of Crewe works, usually a new Britannia.

[swisstrains]

I don't think reopening Mayfield would improve matters very much as it would only be suitable for terminating local trains and can only be easily accessed (if the track was relayed) from the Stockport line. Another through platform is definitely required to supplement platforms 13 and 14 and I believe that this is under consideration.
I believe the biggest problem is the station throat between Ardwick Junc. and Piccadilly East Junc.where there are far too many conflicting movements. It will be expensive but the only answer is a series of burrowing or flying junctions in this area.
They should have made more use of Victoria station instead of downgrading it.

[steam for ever]

Meybe Exchange station needs to be rebuilt?

[Deathbyteacup]

Originally Posted by steam for ever

Meybe Exchange station needs to be rebuilt?

The cost of that would astronomically outweigh any benefits.

I still think Manchester Victoria could be put to much, much better use.

[steam for ever]

Yes.
17 platforms was for a reason eh.

[NorthMancunian]

Forgive my ignorance, I've not got a lot of knowledge of railways and stations, but why couldn't Mayfield station become a dedicated European destination station for the Northwest of England? you know like a mini St Pancreas.

[steam for ever]

Hello and welcome!

Thats not a bad idea you know.
HS2, which is the next pahse of the high speed rail project is going to need a terminus. It seems like a good idea. That would mean sharing the approach lines, but at a stage this close tot he terminus, trains would be going quite slow anyway.