Manchester Ship Canal Railway
8th January 2007

A view showing whats remaining of the Manchester ship canal railway. Once the largest privately owned railway network in the country, now trains only run on a daily basis between Trafford park & Barton container terminal. Most of the railway lines have long gone with little remains however much of the trackwork still exists around Ellesmere Port & Eastham albeit in poor condition.

<-- Index | Showing 1-36 of 38 pictures | Next -->
The disused MSC line to Eastham refinery near Bowaters 01/01/09
The disused MSC line to Eastham refinery near Bowaters 01/01/09
 Ex BR class 08's 08823 & 08913 on hire to the Manchester ship canal co seen next to the Kelloggs factory at Barton dock road depot, Trafford park 06/09/08
Ex BR class 08's 08823 & 08913 on hire to the Manchester ship canal co seen next to the Kelloggs factory at Barton dock road depot, Trafford park 06/09/08
 Former Mode Wheel workshops 13/11/08
Former Mode Wheel workshops 13/11/08
 View outside one of the sheds at Mode Wheel in 1981 with sentinel DH24 on the right along with other Hudswell Clarke shunters including MSC 4001 on the left. Photo by Andrew Salmon
View outside one of the sheds at Mode Wheel in 1981 with sentinel DH24 on the right along with other Hudswell Clarke shunters including MSC 4001 on the left. Photo by Andrew Salmon
27 Years later than the previous photograph showing a similar view of the rather unchanged Mode Wheel workshops which now forms part of an industrial estate 13/11/08. Note the remaining section of track in the concrete.
27 Years later than the previous photograph showing a similar view of the rather unchanged Mode Wheel workshops which now forms part of an industrial estate 13/11/08. Note the remaining section of track in the concrete.
 Mode Wheel engine sheds now forms part of an industrial estate 13/11/08
Mode Wheel engine sheds now forms part of an industrial estate 13/11/08
 Hudswell Clarke diesel electric MSC 4002 in the yard at Mode Wheel workshops 1981. Photo by Andrew Salmon
Hudswell Clarke diesel electric MSC 4002 in the yard at Mode Wheel workshops 1981. Photo by Andrew Salmon
 MSC 4002, now preserved at the East Lancashire railway seen outside Mode Wheel workshops 1981. Photo by Andrew Salmon
MSC 4002, now preserved at the East Lancashire railway seen outside Mode Wheel workshops 1981. Photo by Andrew Salmon
Mode Wheel workshops 13/11/08, the same sheds seen behind MSC 4002 in 1981 on the previous photo.
Mode Wheel workshops 13/11/08, the same sheds seen behind MSC 4002 in 1981 on the previous photo.
 Hudswell Clarke shunters D3 & D11 in the yard outside Mode Wheel workshops 1981. Photo by Andrew Salmon
Hudswell Clarke shunters D3 & D11 in the yard outside Mode Wheel workshops 1981. Photo by Andrew Salmon
 A collection of Manchester ship canal locomotives at Mode Wheel workshops 1981. Photo by Andrew Salmon
A collection of Manchester ship canal locomotives at Mode Wheel workshops 1981. Photo by Andrew Salmon
 Former Mode Wheel locomotive workshops 13/11/08. The same sheds seen in the previous photo of the shunters in 1981.
Former Mode Wheel locomotive workshops 13/11/08. The same sheds seen in the previous photo of the shunters in 1981.
Ellesmere Port docks line before it re-opened, heading underneath the M53 motorway bridge towards the connection near Ellesmere Port station 2004
Ellesmere Port docks line before it re-opened, heading underneath the M53 motorway bridge towards the connection near Ellesmere Port station 2004
 The Ellesmere Port docks line seen in 2004. Compare this to the previous shot showing the current track alignment. The line at the bottom left is the remains of the compound where the MSC sentinel's were kept.
The Ellesmere Port docks line seen in 2004. Compare this to the previous shot showing the current track alignment. The line at the bottom left is the remains of the compound where the MSC sentinel's were kept.
 MSC 4001 built in 1959 & originally named 'Alnwick Castle' seen outside Winfields outdoor shop at Haslingden on a short piece of track. This locomotive is the sister to 4002 currently preserved a few miles away at the East Lancashire railway 09/02/08
MSC 4001 built in 1959 & originally named 'Alnwick Castle' seen outside Winfields outdoor shop at Haslingden on a short piece of track. This locomotive is the sister to 4002 currently preserved a few miles away at the East Lancashire railway 09/02/08
 Hudswell Clarke built diesel electric MSC 4001 languishing outside Winfields outdoor shop near Haslingden 09/02/08
Hudswell Clarke built diesel electric MSC 4001 languishing outside Winfields outdoor shop near Haslingden 09/02/08
The entrance to the disused Cawoods coal container terminel at Ellesmere Port 02/02/08
The entrance to the disused Cawoods coal container terminel at Ellesmere Port 02/02/08
 The only line now in operation at Ellesmere Port. This continues through the dock estate to Manisty wharf where coal is loaded. The disconnected line to the right went to the former Cawoods coal terminal. Just visible on the left is whats left of the compound where the MSC Sentinel shunters were kept until the whole site was abandoned in 1996. 02/02/08
The only line now in operation at Ellesmere Port. This continues through the dock estate to Manisty wharf where coal is loaded. The disconnected line to the right went to the former Cawoods coal terminal. Just visible on the left is whats left of the compound where the MSC Sentinel shunters were kept until the whole site was abandoned in 1996. 02/02/08
 Since the line to Manisty wharf was re-instated in 2005, this line to the former Cawoods export terminal has become disconnected after the coal traffic from south Wales finished in the early 90s 02/02/08
Since the line to Manisty wharf was re-instated in 2005, this line to the former Cawoods export terminal has become disconnected after the coal traffic from south Wales finished in the early 90s 02/02/08
 At the same location as the previous photograph of sentinel 3004 only 12 years later. This line was re-instated to Manisty wharf in 2005 to carry imported coal by rail to Fiddlers Ferry. 02/02/08
At the same location as the previous photograph of sentinel 3004 only 12 years later. This line was re-instated to Manisty wharf in 2005 to carry imported coal by rail to Fiddlers Ferry. 02/02/08
Just beyond the points are where sentinel's 3001 & 3005 were stood on one of the previous photographs. 02/02/08
Just beyond the points are where sentinel's 3001 & 3005 were stood on one of the previous photographs. 02/02/08
 The loop line / reception sidings at Eastham refinery now becoming increasingly overgrown 27/01/08
The loop line / reception sidings at Eastham refinery now becoming increasingly overgrown 27/01/08
 Just before Eastham refinery the line splits into a loop 27/01/08
Just before Eastham refinery the line splits into a loop 27/01/08
 The disused line to Eastham refinery 27/01/08
The disused line to Eastham refinery 27/01/08
The line from Ellesmere Port to Eastham refinery is still connected and in relatively good condition 27/01/08
The line from Ellesmere Port to Eastham refinery is still connected and in relatively good condition 27/01/08
 The shed is used to store vehicles used on the docks today but has still retained the locomotive inspection pit inside 27/01/08
The shed is used to store vehicles used on the docks today but has still retained the locomotive inspection pit inside 27/01/08
 This was the maintenance shed for the sentinel shunters up until rail operations finished here in 1996. 27/01/08
This was the maintenance shed for the sentinel shunters up until rail operations finished here in 1996. 27/01/08
 MSC Shunters 3004 along with 3001 & 3005 (all built 1963) on the right at Ellesmere Port docks 20/07/96. At this time rail operations had just about finished here at the docks and the shunters were left discarded out in the open until eventually being sold on or scrapped
MSC Shunters 3004 along with 3001 & 3005 (all built 1963) on the right at Ellesmere Port docks 20/07/96. At this time rail operations had just about finished here at the docks and the shunters were left discarded out in the open until eventually being sold on or scrapped
Ship canal sentinel shunters 3001 & 3005 (both built 1963) stood at Ellesmere Port shortly before rail operations finished here at the docks 20/07/96
Ship canal sentinel shunters 3001 & 3005 (both built 1963) stood at Ellesmere Port shortly before rail operations finished here at the docks 20/07/96
 Railway bridge still in situe just nearby Moore lane swing bridge 2006
Railway bridge still in situe just nearby Moore lane swing bridge 2006
 A section of original MSC railway track still in situe near Randles sluices 18/06/07
A section of original MSC railway track still in situe near Randles sluices 18/06/07
 MSC brakevan seen at Ellesmere Port 15/10/87 TE
MSC brakevan seen at Ellesmere Port 15/10/87 TE
MSC shunters D2, D6 & 4002 at Barton dock road depot 05/03/88. 4002 has been preserved at the East Lancashire railway. TE
MSC shunters D2, D6 & 4002 at Barton dock road depot 05/03/88. 4002 has been preserved at the East Lancashire railway. TE
 Hudswell Clarke locomotives 4002 (built 1959, preserved at the ELR) D6 (built 1960) & D2 (built 1960) at Barton dock road depot 05/03/88 TE
Hudswell Clarke locomotives 4002 (built 1959, preserved at the ELR) D6 (built 1960) & D2 (built 1960) at Barton dock road depot 05/03/88 TE
 Ship canal sentinel 3003 (built 1963) stood Ellesmere port 15/10/87. Also of note is the MSC brake van which I believe is now preserved. TE
Ship canal sentinel 3003 (built 1963) stood Ellesmere port 15/10/87. Also of note is the MSC brake van which I believe is now preserved. TE
 Ship canal shunter 3001 (built 1963) stabled at Ellesmere Port on 20/07/96. The illfated 'River Andoni' is seen detained in the background. Ship canal rail operations at Ellesmere Port finished shortly after this date.
Ship canal shunter 3001 (built 1963) stabled at Ellesmere Port on 20/07/96. The illfated 'River Andoni' is seen detained in the background. Ship canal rail operations at Ellesmere Port finished shortly after this date.
© 1998-2009 J Eyres - All copyrights rest with the Author
[ Index ]