Geograph - photograph every grid square

Sunday 11 August 1968 saw the last operation of main line steam by British Railways, marked by the operation of the Fifteen Guinea Special from Liverpool to Carlisle via Manchester, and return.

On the leg from Manchester to Carlisle the train was hauled by Britannia class Pacific 70013 'Oliver Cromwell', the last steam locomotive to be overhauled by British Railways. At this time BR was adamant that no further steam operation would be allowed, but the ban lasted a mere 3 years, and steam operation on the national network is now a common feature.

The structure above the tracks is the signal box, placed here for lack of suitable room when the fast lines were added in 1904. They were taken out of service earlier in 1968 (note the rust!). There is now only a single track through the station Link .