Sunday, December 28, 2025

THREE MORE RAILWAY STATIONS, BUT ONLY ONE REALLY SURVIVES

Opening in 1830, Liverpool Road was the first railway station in Manchester. The site of the station is now used by a preservation group. Here are a few items of motive power there in the 1990s.




Almost adjacent is the Science & Industry Museum with several railway exhibits.




In a nearby building is the aviation section.



There are two pubs nearby, on Liverpool Road itself. Both Cask and the White Lion serve decent beers.


Manchester Central station was once an important place, served by the Midland & Great Central railways.




Today, there's no more trains, but it's now an entertainment complex called G-Mex (Craig Sunter CC BY 2.0).


There's plenty of development happening around here.


Oxford Road is next, when there were trams.


Oxford Road station is a busy place.




Stagecoach buses were to be found outside in 2022.



At the bottom of some steps beside Oxford Road station is the Salisbury Ale House.

That's where I'll finish this post. Next time, we'll go right into the heart of the city.

Friday, December 19, 2025

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.










 

THREE MORE RAILWAY STATIONS, BUT ONLY ONE REALLY SURVIVES

Opening in 1830, Liverpool Road was the first railway station in Manchester. The site of the station is now used by a preservation group. He...