Sixties Spotting Memories of Manchester Victoria

Loco Spotting at Manchester Victoria... a look back at the times spent at the platform end, noting, observing- and having fun! Thank you to the epic photographers below who gave permission for their work to be shown. Thank goodness you had the foresight to take pictures!
William Power www.flickr.com/photos/800maeve/
Trevor Ermel www.flickr.com/photos/1635218...
Ben Brooksbank commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ca...
Bill Watson www.flickr.com/photos/monkeys...
Kevin Lane www.flickr.com/photos/2808313...
Phil Sangwell www.flickr.com/photos/onemana...
Dr. Neil Clifton www.geograph.org.uk/profile/796
David Dixon www.geograph.org.uk/profile/4...
Martin Tester www.geograph.org.uk/profile/6...
Allan McKeever / @allan5919
David Ford www.flickr.com/photos/3480079...
Alan Padley www.flickr.com/photos/alanpad...
Peter van Campenhout www.flickr.com/photos/1016139...
Roger Senior www.flickr.com/photos/1442481...
Gerald England www.geograph.org.uk/profile/2...
Nigel Thompson www.geograph.org.uk/profile/8...
Edwin Bowlas / @edwinbowlas9214
Anistr.com www.anistr.com/Keith Widdowson www.anistr.com/?search=Keith+...
Design Council Archives www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-...
Manchester Libraries www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries
From Wikipedia:
Alan Hampson
Roger Cornfoot
Paul Hermans
Robin Webster
Sue Adair
Mike Peel
Ace Discovery
G-13114

[@PaulJohnson-zw4ef]

Great video about the steam trains at Manchester Victoria i missed all this i was born 1963 so by the time i had some interest in trains 1968 they all been scrapped

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thanks, yes that must be a hard pill… we felt that too, as I would have loved to have seen the Duchesses in the early fifties. And Viccy would have been quite a place then, too. Thanks very much for your comment👍

[@alantunbridge8919]

I.also recall Manchester Victoria from those days. We used to travel up to Manchester Central on the Palatine (Britannia or Scot hauled) walk across to Victoria,the bankers were L&Y 0-6-0’s,only WD 2-8-0’s (no 8F’s) Stanier & Fairburn 2-6-4T’s on suburbans,even caught one to Newton Heath Loco. once. After bunking 26A went on to 26B,10C,9E/17F,9A before returning to Central and catching the 5/55 back home. Also,I remember the oerlikon electrics on the Bury line,Scots appeared ,66A allocated ,on a Glasgow/Edinburgh train. In later years I used to visit when my grandmother moved to Ainsworth(between Bury & Bolton)& travel extensively around Lancashire. Your article evokes pleasant memories of my gricer years.Thank you!

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you for your comment, Alan. I didn't see too many Scots or Brits, so I envy you those memories. Your words recall days of frenetic spotting, bunking sheds and having a great old time! Yes, Lancashire was a great place for a keen spotter, I do still remember those times vividly.

[@uphollandlatic]

This is a lovely film. Your commentary is perfect. It mirrors so many other’s experiences of spotting in the 1960s. My main time was down the ‘Nick’ to the side of Wigan Wallgate where we could see both the West Coast line and Wallgate Station. Then sneaking into Spring’s Branch on Sundays or whole days traipsing round Patricoft, Bolton and Edgeley Park Sheds. Our nickname for a Black Five was ‘Mickey’, I never knew why. I drifted away from spotting as diesels came in but retained a fascination for the railways. Now it’s visits to heritage railways especially the Watercress Line.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you👍 oh, I wish I’d done Wigan… that’s one that got away from me😀. I heard people saying “Mickey” for fives, I didn’t know why either. Like you, I lost interest for many years in the BR scene, although visited a lot of colliery railways… a video is in preparation for that! But the railways weren’t the same. The Watercress line is brilliant. Thanks for your kind words👍

[@uphollandlatic]

Please have a look at some videos of mine filmed at the Watercress Line mainly on family visits to Santa Specials. There’s also some taken at Ravenglass. I didn’t add commentary.

[@iainrobinson6566]

@@uphollandlatic thanks, I will😀

[@rodericfindlay4147]

Good photos and excellent commentary.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@eeclass20]

I had the pleasure of driving out of here for 18 years, sadly only the first 8 of those were in the station we see here. Nights were even more surreal as vans full of newspapers were delivered to waiting trains.

[@iainrobinson6566]

I can imagine the atmosphere in the station as the parcels vans were loaded. It must have been very fine to drive over those lines, some great memories I am sure. From your handle, I'm guessing you have a soft spot for class 20's :-) Thanks for your comment!

[@terencebennison6275]

You hot it right; the smell, the atmosphere and the excitement of being on the platforms amidst those wonderful steam loco's, happy days!

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you! It hit you, didn't it... as you walked in- the atmosphere of the place. Very special, glad you remember it too.

[@user-lt9py2pu6u]

Manchester Victoria hadn't changed that much in the eighties either, the semaphore signals had gone of course but a lot of the infrastructure was more or less the same. I remember being on that station on a very cold foggy night in November 1976 when all the trains to Chester had been cancelled due to the fog it was the same from Oxford Road and Piccadilly. Anyway, when we explained our predicament to one of train drivers, can't remember if it was at Victoria or Piccadilly, we had tried to get a train from both, the drivers very kindly let us spend the night in their mess room.

[@iainrobinson6566]

I remember in the autumn of '76. that great summer, there were a lot of fogs. How kind of the locomen to let you use their mess. Thanks for your comment!

[@fredericknalaremah939]

That takes me back. I lived in Bolton and used to ride my bike over to Balshaw lane in Euxton or Back Lane at Leyland both on the main line. Always a thrill to see Jubs, Scotts, Pats, Brits and Semis thundering through with the occasional double header for the long hill at Shap Fell. Stink was the cry as an old faithful like Conqueror came through.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Yes, we used to abuse poor old "Seahorse"... how I wish I could see her today! Bolton was a great spot, I bunked the shed there a couple of times. We rode our bikes for miles didn't we, without a thought of the distance. I used to ride up to Standedge to watch the trains and take photos...great days. Thanks for your comment!

[@martinu6]

I have a small Athena print of a painting by L S Lowry showing Exchange Station from the Cathedral, very evocative..

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thanks for the comment... yes, I love Lowry's work too. My tiny claim to fame is that I met the great man once... he was very affable and humourous... not what I expected. Exchange was a great loss...can't believe that only the footbridge remains of the station!

[@ChapelEndJunctionUK]

Brought back some great memories from my youth , will certainly be following you . Lower Darwen sheds was my area .

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you, it’s nice to think back to those days! I never visited Lower Darwen, to my regret, although I’ve read about it. I’m a hound for the L&Y😅, can’t resist stuff like that. Like your channel and videos and have followed back. Thanks for your comment👍

[@allan5919]

This excellent video really takes me back to the times I spent at Victoria during my summer school holidays . Some super old photographs from the contributors and very well narrated by your good self. A most interesting overview of Victoria and thanks for the on screen credit for my short contribution. Regards - Allan McKever.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thanks very much, Allan, for your kind words. Your film is great, it has a real flavour of the place. I'm sore about what they did to Viccy, but at least it was replaced by trams, which are very nice IMHO. I gave a link to your film in the description as well... thanks so much for your contribution. I wish I still had my photos of Victoria... oh well, they wouldn't be as good as your film and my contributors pics, that's for sure. Cheers for your comment.

[@edwardwest5035]

Lovely, thank you Ian. I still have a book somewhere that gave you directions to all the sheds. Edward

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thanks very much, Edward… yes, I remember that, it usually said “follow the cinder path…” great stuff, wish we could still see those sheds. 👍

[@pauldoggett7801]

I remember 40015 and 40063 Fowler 2-6-2T on the fish dock pilot also Eastern region Rod 2-8-0s from Gorton and the L&Y 0-6-0s as bankers at exchange the station pilot were 2P 4-4-0s.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thanks, Paul. By the time I got to Victoria, there were just class fives on the wall side banker lines. I would have loved to have seen the ex-L&Y 0-6-0s.

[@TheDaf95xf]

We’ll presented 👍🏻 I missed steam as I was 11 in 68 in Urmston Manchester but had lots of happy memories of Exchange and Victoria. My parents took us too Butlins holiday camp in Pwllheli behind a steam locomotive 😊 loved red bank carriage sidings especially the long foot bridge across all lines 👍🏻

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you. Glad you have memories of the stations before the ruination happened. I remember standing on platform 11/3 when I was about 8 and my Dad telling me it was the longest platform...it felt very special. Pwllheli is just down the road from here where I live now...and we see the double headed 37's grumble past quite often. Red Bank was great, I agree!

[@spud3607]

In the early 60's, when I was about 3 to 4 years old, I remember standing on the pedestrian bridge at Exchange waiting for the Blackpool train to pass underneath. I got enveloped in smoke and often got soot in my eyes but I loved it. Sadly sometimes it was pulled by a diesel much to my disappointment. I can still smell it now. They were all gone before I was old enough to go spotting.

[@iainrobinson6566]

There's something magical about that smell, I agree. Occasionally find myself travelling back in my mind at preserved railways when I get a whiff of the "essence"!

[@BJHolloway1]

Excellent

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you very much👍

[@mriggst]

Manchester Victoria and Exchange........ Only 1 visit in 1961 on the way to Doncaster. Got home at midnight after a five mile walk from Lichfield. And all at 13 years of age.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thanks for your comment, that sounds like an epic trip! A five mile walk as well, oh the determination of youth and enthusiasm! And at 13… the mind boggles…👍

[@mriggst]

That was the norm in those days. On another occasion I traveled the Potteries Loop Line through an inky black morning (never seen it pitch black) - arrived in Manchester in bright sunshine - walked out to Newton Heath and then across the top of Manchester to Agecroft and back to Manchester of course. Getting a taxi or a bus was unheard of. Thanks for your comment.@@iainrobinson6566

[@paulnolan1352]

Cheers Ian, very evocative I was just about there until modernity jolted me back!

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you very much, Paul, I'm really glad you enjoyed it... yes, I'm not a big fan of modernity myself :-)

[@1951GL]

Ramshackle describes Victoria/Exchange in the 60s. But, as you say, it was busy. Commuter traffic to Wigan, Bolton, Southport, Preston and Blackpool - but the real heavy duty passenger trains were the Liverpool / Newcastle runs, Patriots in the early 60s, then Peak diesels. Have seen its new version just twice - basically a diesel hangar with the old station frontage, cleaned up, attached. Excellent video. The 1940 air raid led to platforms 12, 13, and 14 having wooden ends on the western side.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you, that's interesting. I wasn't sure where the air raid damage was. Yes, the new platforms inside are dismal and smelly, although the tram part is nice. Thanks very much for your comment and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@malcolmsleight9334]

I remember both Victoria and Exchange. My family used to visit my gran every couple of weeks, and depending on the schedule, we either arrived/departed Victoria/Exchange.

[@iainrobinson6566]

A good memory, with associations with your Gran. We used Exchange too and my Dad always used to tell me about the length of the platform...every time :-) Thanks for your comment!

[@robinjones6999]

Brilliant - Thanks

[@iainrobinson6566]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.

[@stuartbroome1258]

Victoria was a lovely old station. I photographed its demolition before and after whilst working for BR. What a sad sight it was, and even sadder for it to be replaced by a concrete monstrosity, which never should have been allowed. Like a mini Birmingham New St! But fond memories of the old station live on. Thanks for posting. 👍

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you for your comment… you must have some painful memories from the destruction of Viccy. I wouldn’t have liked to see it first hand like that. I don’t know how they got away with it, but then think Birmingham, Euston, and hundreds of other smaller stations too. I suppose we’re lucky to have what we have since the powers that were thought that Manchester had “too many stations” and wanted to close Victoria. Thanks again, glad you enjoyed the vid👍

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

To someone who doesn’t know the area, your comment is very misleading; I would not talk about Victoria’s ‘…demolition’ whilst so much of the original still remains including the lovely facade with its canopy.

[@iainrobinson6566]

@@elaineblackhurst1509 Thank goodness the facade remains👍

[@davidf70060]

This was very enjoyable. I first visited Vctoria in October 1967 on my way to an interview at the University. I arrivedearly so spent some time taking photos. Then while at University I visited now and then but couldn't afford to take many photos. The photos you used are very evocative of the place and time. Thank you.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you, I’m really pleased that you enjoyed the video… I was the same, at art college in Manny, up in Piccadilly during the late sixties, so Victoria was relatively easy to walk down to. Great days!

[@Geo46115]

Well well Iain, One of your best to date, not that the others weren't by any means (honest)! My old haunt Vic Station being an ex BR fireman from Newton Heath, all the distant memories came flooding back. My, the bay platforms were so busy, which now are buried and the Metrolink dominates that 'patch'. Why, that elbow on 45255 might well be mine, as quite simply "...been there and dunnit" - if there is a date, I could consult my poorly handwritten diaries! Now if I were to 'go on' about Newton Heath MPD, ohhh I'd be on for an eternity!!! 😅 An excellent 'production' yet again Iain, very well compiled, the finished article worthy of an 11/10. So keep 'em coming.👍 George.

[@iainrobinson6566]

I hoped that you would enjoy this, George! The smell of the place dominates my memories, now replaced by diesel fumes of course. Yes, Newton Heath was a hell of a place, it seemed so big to me as a fifteen year old lad. It must have been great to work there, on locos in and out of Viccy. I envy you those memories! Thanks for your lovely comments and yes, I am working on another video!

[@epj900]

Aw thanks a lot for this great video! really atmospheric and nostalgic for me who like you lived through the end of steam

[@iainrobinson6566]

I’m really glad you enjoyed the film, thank you for your comment👍

[@willderbyshire4043]

This was wonderful! Thank you!

[@iainrobinson6566]

You’re very welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed the vid👍

[@Maelli535]

That's so sad about your photos! I got a similar camera from my parents as well, but by then steam was gone.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you… it still burns😡 it was quite a good camera, the photos I managed to keep were fine. Yes, 68 was not a great year😢thanks very much for your comment👍

[@Maelli535]

Visited 8A in 1987 - all the earthworks and all the steel of the coaling ramp, including some track, were still there, but the shed building was gone. The steep incline to get into Lime Street must have been a pain! Also found, on the other side of the main line, Peco (?) tunnel, toward north Liverpool. In 1987, I entered via the then still existing tunnel from Tavistock Street. Oh, nearly forgot: Brilliant video, you were lucky to have a movie camera in the 60s, what was it?

[@iainrobinson6566]

If you haven’t seen Gandy Dancer’s videos of Edge Hill you are in for a treat! It’s interesting, but a little sad trying to find these places…there’s always some clue though, a length of rail etc. I’m glad you enjoyed the video… I didn’t have a movie camera, it was my mate Dave… don’t know what it was, sorry. Thanks for your comment!👍

[@Maelli535]

@@iainrobinson6566 I was having trouble with my PC and that comment was indeed meant to land on his video about Edge Hill! Yours on Patricroft shed is no less brilliant, and it was what got me thinking about trains and sheds again, so thanks very much to all concerned!

[@iainrobinson6566]

@@Maelli535 Ha, that's funny! Glad you enjoyed both videos anyway👍

[@tonylarkin7564]

Thanks, Excellent video and Great content. Have memories of Aussie Stations Not as Good as yours though. Keep up Your Good Work .Regards Tony 🇦🇺 🇦🇺 🇦🇺

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thank you, Tony, I’m really glad you enjoyed the vid👍 Good job we’ve got our memories. I’ll do my best to keep up the content, thanks for your support!

[@cedarcam]

When they modernised the station they ruined it for me too. It's an awful gloomy place now. I always thought the old one was ramshackle but it had character and certainly lighter. I only knew it after steam but still with banking engines at the ready. Braunton drifted though Huddersfield and filled the station with that wonderful aroma that took me back to my early memories of steam, brought back to reality when my new plastic train, 15 minutes after, was delayed by 8 minutes. 'This was due to the preceding train filling the tunnel with smoke' 'We apologise for the delay and any inconvenience this may cause'

[@iainrobinson6566]

Yes, it’s a gloomy, stinky place now, you are right… and the new roof leaks! 😂 I can’t imagine the train drivers of the sixties being bothered by a bit of smoke, how the world has changed. I really don’t like the new dmu’s and emu’s, they are plastic, I agree. I guess they a re pleasant enough to travel in, certainly better than a pacer🤪

[@iainrobinson6566]

But am I wrong to want to travel in a steam loco hauled train with windows you can stick your head out in?😁

[@cedarcam]

@@iainrobinson6566 Some new trains are OK but many seats have no good window view and poor seating. For sure better than a pacer a train I avoided as much as possible.

[@cedarcam]

@@iainrobinson6566 Oh for the return of the days you could do that. Even our heritage railways are facing a threat of bars on the windows and door locks. No longer a world where common sense prevails, now we have to be locked in so we cannot step out of the train in the middle of a tunnel.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Yes, it’s all gone a bit mad. I am bewildered by it sometimes. Fair enough if the train is a TGV, but for ordinary services that rarely manage sixty, you should be able to stick your head out occasionally- there’s not even the danger of soot in your eye! Oh, the Pacers… a journey between Haltwhistle and Carlisle is etched on my memory… and my bum😂 what a nightmare!

[@gainsbourg66]

Never heard a converstaion where anyone said 'Blackie' it was generally 'Class 5'. For example: 'What have you seen today?' 'Two 8F's, a 9F, and Four Class 5's'.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thanks for your comment! I can remember other names we had for locos, such as “semi’s” for Duchesses, “Frank’s” for Franco Crosti’s, and “Spaceships” for 9F’s. Perhaps we were a perverse lot. 👍

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Used to do it as a kid in 60,s

[@iainrobinson6566]

Good times! Thanks for the comment.

[@stevie8763]

Why do mums destroy photos, mine did the same and they were my treasures.

[@iainrobinson6566]

Aw, sorry to hear that, your photos become more precious the older you get. Like you, I have so few from my spotting days.

[@andrewganley9016]

Back when Victoria had character and charisma unlike todays plastic imitation

[@iainrobinson6566]

Ah, yes, I agree totally. Few new buildings have character these days, it’s sad. Thanks for your comment👍

[@colinmeredith7114]

Such nostalgia...and the voice to go with it....until you showed the tin boxes on wheels, that is!! The ruination of the whole railway system, they're not trains today, just mere apologies for what we gave the world...and then, in the name of stupid modernisation, we had to copy them!! The country has gone to pot...don't vote for any of them!

[@iainrobinson6566]

Thanks very much, Colin, and for your kind words about my voice. It's pretty awful, what they did to Viccy, at least they kept the frontage, that's something. And yes, don't worry, I won't be voting for them... any of them :-) Steam rules!

[@davidsnapebrcrosslane8782]

I agree - non of em are worth a vote. Excellent video 👍

[@iainrobinson6566]

@@davidsnapebrcrosslane8782 Thank you, David👍