epw016488 ENGLAND (1926). Engineering Works at Timperley Junction, Altrincham, 1926

Opened 1879, closed by the GCR in 1903. It was, for three years from its opening, the only available route from Stockport Tiviot Dale to Manchester Central for the Midland Railway. In 1881, they got a link to the South District line at Heaton Mersey Junction, and reached Manchester Central through Didsbury and Throstle's Nest junction. Did Edward Watkin, the Chair of what became the the GCR use it to get from Manchester to his house at Northenden over his own metals?

I think this bridge was just about new at the time the photo was taken, and replaced a much older structure, which was black!

...and i'm pretty sure I'm correct that it was later replaced by a steel bridge that during my childhood was painted green! The cut through via the tunnels was only for the fearless and/or foolish!

This was an LNWR line until 1923. The others, apart from the MSJ&A which runs at toughly 90 degrees to them across the picture, are Cheshire Lines railway - and were until 1948.

Part of the MSLR promoted Stockport, Timperley and Altrincham Junction Railway,opened from Altrincham to Portwood, before the stations were ready and open - it was always a line for shifting coal - on 1 December 1865. The stations opened in 1866.

This link was known as 'the branch'.

Opened (late, it had been planned for 1865) in Feb 1866 from Broadheath to Skelton Junction and Stockport, (Tiviot Dale) along with the stations at Baguley, Northenden (for Wythenshawe) and Cheadle.