A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Today we're looking at part of the cities of Manchester and Salford, divided by the River Irwell.  First we'll cross the railway near Victoria station and find Boddington's Brewery, when it was in action in 1990.

A great place to drinks "Boddies" was the Braziers Arms, sadly now demolished.

Back in 1984, Whitbread were still making beer at the old Threlfall's Brewery.

Salford Central is a little used affair. 142 048 passes through (Creative Commons License).

The Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, Salford (Creative Commons License).

There's a few pubs to do in Salford. First up is the Black Lion.

The Dock & Pulpit is long closed.

Thankfully, there's plenty of ale at the Kings Arms.

The New Oxford is also known for its well kept beer.

The Old Pint Pot is a modern pub with a decent selection of real ales.

Travelling back in time, we find the Angel, a Wilson's house. I don't think it exists now.

SELNEC/Greater Manchester Transport was the main bus operator in Salford.

Lancashire United had a share of the traffic as well.

Ribble were operating minibuses through Salford in 1988.

Back to the railway and 08 372 is seen at Windsor Bridge Junction, Salford.

Not far away, Salford Crescent station. 150 145 calls in 1992.

The nearby pub called the Crescent was once a brilliant boozer. Sadly, it closed in 2017.

Down now, to an area of Manchester called Castlefields (see the map here). Coronation Street was filmed here and visits to the set were possible.

There's a compicated networks of canals and basins in the Castlefields area.

Situated in Castlefields Basin is a pub called the Wharf. I'm told it has 12 handpumps.

The first lock on the Rochdale Canal is in Castlefields.

Not far away, another lock, closer to Deansgate.

Here is Deansgate, circa 1915.

The Manchester Metrolink has a stop called Deansgate-Castlefields.

Over the road is Deansgate railway station. Longer distance trains pass through.

The Knott Bar was below Deansgate station. Sadly, it's now closed.

So, that's where I'll leave this post. Next time we'll see a museum, another of Manchester's stations and a few pubs, of course.









 

A TALE OF TWO STATIONS

We're arriving at Manchester Victoria station, sometime around 1967. Here's one of those unusual EMUs from Bury.

A few other shots at Manchester Victoria around the same time.

In the later years of the 1970s, a parcels DMU stabled in the station.

Now for a few shots from the 1980s.

47 645 departs westwards.

Back inside the station, the famous L&YR tiled map.

Preserved Oldham Corporation Leyland no. 304 photograohed outside Manchester Victoria station.

Greater Manchester PTE used this spot to stop their buses.

There was once a Victoria bus station.

A new bus station has been opened just outside Victoria station. It's called Shudehill.

Two generations of Metrolink trams near Shudehill.

Shudehill once had a hen market.

The Rovers Return (where have I heard that name before?) once served market goers.

Today, drinkers are catered for in the excellent Hare & Hounds.

Connected to Manchester Victoria station by Platform 11, Manchester Exchange closed in the 1960s. Here are the through platforms, circa 1967.

And here are the terminal platforms, out of use.

Exchange station was handy for the Cathedral and the trams.

 

Manchester Exchange No. 2 signal box in pre-grouping days.

The closed remains of Exchange station in 1980.

That's where I'll leave your for this post. Next time there'll be pubs, breweries and lots more.