The Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway (MSJ&AR) was a suburban railway which operated an 8+1⁄2-mile (14 km) route between Altrincham in Cheshire and Manchester London Road railway station (now Piccadilly) in Manchester. The MSJ&AR line operated with three different systems of electrification within a period of about 60 years. The fast, frequent service resulting from the introduction of the first generation of electric trains in 1931 was a significant contributor to suburban development in the Stretford, Sale and Altrincham districts, south-west of Manchester. The southern part of the MSJ&AR's route has been part of the Manchester Metrolink light rail system since 1992. The northern section between Manchester Piccadilly and Deansgate stations is now an intensively-used section of the National Rail network, used by trains running north and west of Manchester. Route Map Stations Manchester Piccadilly Manchester Oxford Road Deansgate Old Trafford Stretford Dane Road Sale Brooklands Timperley Navigation Road Altrincham Hale Rolling Stock British Rail Class 304/305 British Rail Class 56 The Manchester Metrolink is a light rail scheme introduced in the Manchester area in the early 1990s with the aims of reducing traffic congestion by providing modern, attractive public transport options for journeys into the city centre, and offering more convenient interchange between the rail systems north and south of the city. Phase I of Metrolink involved converting the British Rail lines from Victoria to Bury and Piccadilly to Altrincham to light rail operation, and linking the two by a street-running section through the city centre. The conversion of the Altrincham line to Metrolink was originally stated to require no more than six weeks. In the event, the line was closed for some six months, during which time both all-stations and a rush-hour express (first stop Sale) substitute bus services were provided. Rail tickets were valid on the replacement buses, operated by the North Western Road Car Company and running daily except Sundays. Two other operators provided the extra weekday peak-hour services. The last conventional service 25 kV AC train on the MSJAR was the 21:05 Oxford Road to Altrincham on 24 December 1991. The line reopened on 15 June 1992, with Metrolink light-rail vehicles running from Altrincham through Manchester's city streets to Piccadilly and Bury. During rebuilding, a number of changes were made to infrastructure along the MSJ&AR route. Overhead electrical supply was converted from 25 kV AC to 750 V DC. Most of the existing overhead supports were retained. Nine stations were reconstructed to Metrolink standard, providing full disabled access, upgraded lighting, public address and information systems and Metrolink signage and automatic ticket machines. Several stations were renamed: the former Old Trafford became Trafford Bar, while Warwick Road became Old Trafford. New signalling was installed, appropriate to light-rail conditions and controlled from the Metrolink control centre. A new underpass was built at the former Cornbrook Junction, which carried the Metrolink tracks beneath the British Rail line to Warrington Central. The Manchester – Warrington Central – Liverpool line was still a busy main line, used by local and long-distance trains, and is electrified at 25 kV AC for a short distance west of Manchester to provide access for electric trains to Trafford Park freight terminal. After passing beneath the Warrington line, the Altrincham Metrolink route used the refurbished former CLC viaduct from Cornbrook to Manchester Central, before entering the street-running section in St. Peter's Square. In the Altrincham area, two independent, parallel single tracks were arranged between Deansgate Junction (south of Timperley) and Navigation Road. The western (former Manchester-bound) track is used by Metrolink services in both directions, while the eastern (formerly Altrincham-bound) is used by trains from Stockport to Altrincham and on towards Chester. The heavy-rail section is still used by freight trains and passenger services on the Mid-Cheshire Line, which continue to use two of the four platforms at Altrincham station. When Metrolink opened, a 12-minute frequency was provided between Altrincham and Piccadilly, enhanced at peak hours by a second 12-minute frequency from Altrincham to Bury via Manchester city centre. Off-peak passenger demand for the new service proved stronger than expected, not least due to the availability of concessionary fares for students and pensioners on Metrolink in common with local bus services. Consequently, the 6-minute frequency was extended to operate all day Monday to Saturday, with trams alternating to Piccadilly and Bury. By contrast, peak-hour demand proved lower than originally forecast due to fare increases over those previously in force for British Rail services. you can also see relevant suggestion here: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/mid-cheshire-lines-1990-via-sale.97579/ EDIT: Mid-Chesire Lines is better appropriate pricing: £24.99
