Steam trains in South Manchester 1967-68.

Does anyone have any old photos or information from 1967-68 on steam trains running on the Cheshire Lines committee line from Altrincham to Stockport passing through Timperley, Baguley and Sharston. Is there any books on this section of line out there, that I could look for on the internet or in a book store.
Also what type of locos ran this line, if I remember right it was mainly goods traffic on the line. I read that passenger steam service stopped in 1968, did goods steam trains still run the line after 1968 into 1969 or 1970.
As a young boy, I remember the steam trains passing the playing fields of our primary school in Royal Oak, Baguley and all the kids running up to the fence to give the drivers a wave. The school has gone now and made way for new houses.
You might have your own experiences of the line, you would like to share. Any info welcome.

regards
Albert

 

Hi,
As all normal BR standard gauge steam working ended on 3rd August 1968, specials only on 4th and 11th, the answer to your question is that there would have been no steam worked freights in 1969 and 1970.

 

The stations on the line line closed in Nov 1964, therefore the local passenger services were withdrawn at the same time. From memory they were dmus by that time. Steam still made a lot of appearances on the line for freight and holiday excursions to the Lancashire and North Wales coast. Generally steam stopped when the steam sheds servicing the line closed in March/April 1968 but it was still possible to see the occasional steam special after this time. I believe that the line is still used for steam/diesel specials.

HTH

 

The line was originally the Stockport Timperley and Altrincham but almost immediately became part of the Cheshire Lines Committee network linking Liverpool with the M S & L at Godley Junction, a link that was finally broken when a JCB fell into a blank shaft over the Lancashire Hill Tunnel at Tiviot Dale as part of the M60 construction works in 1982.

Accordingly it had main line express status for some ninety years until nationalisation when rationalisation saw this traffic cease and be transferred so far asit was replicated by connections via Manchester Central

The Alty to Stockport Tiviot Dale line thereafter became a secondary passenger and freight route until 1964 when passenger use ceased.

The line was an intensive feight link and carried traffic from South yorkshire via Godley to Liverpool and stone from the High Peak to Northwich etc. Locos from Buxton, Heaton Mersey, Northwich and Speke Junction would have been the main players until the 5th May 1968 when the last - Heaton Mersey - 9F closed. The latter years had been Black Five, 8F, WD and 9F territory.

The line still carries freight from Buxton to Northwich but that is all that remains. There is no longer a junction at Cheadle, merely a curve to Hazel Grove and stone and bin liners from Northenden are now the main stay of the route - but passenger traffic did indeed return via Stockport Edgeley when the Chester trains were diverted that way.