The Anonymous Widower

On To Southport And Manchester

I don’t ever remember ever going to Southport and I certainly have never been there by train. I took these pictures as I finished my trip to Manchester after my walk on the beach.

It is a pleasant route and as Merseyrail don’t seem too bothered if you break your journey, it is an interesting excursion, with lots of opportunities for a walk.

Note in the pictures approaching Manchester the new electrification work.

Is this line from Manchester to Southport one of those extra lines that will eventually be electrified under the developing plans for the Northern Hub? It must have strong claims as Southport is a town of 90,000 people and is still a major resort for the beach and golf. It certainly has a clean modernised station, which almost uniquely is in the main shopping street.  It also already hosts electric trains, so it might be an easy line to upgrade.

In Wikipedia’s article on the Manchester to Southport line, there is this paragraph.

Additionally Network Rail has identified electrification of Wigan to Southport, together with Ormskirk to Preston Line and the Burscough Curves as a possible source of new services.

So it looks like Network Rail is on the job.

Upgrading the Ormskirk to Preston line would enable better Liverpool to Preston services and the curves would help all services in the area, according to campaigners.

April 8, 2014 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Electrification, Liverpool, Manchester, Northern Hub, Preston