Ordsall Chord

Location type

Place

Name and dates

Ordsall Chord (2017-)

Opened on the Ordsall Chord (Network Rail).

Description

This new double track 300m curve allows direct running between the two principal station in Manchester, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria. It is also known as the Castlefield Chord, after an earlier proposal and the district.

The purpose of this chord is to allow further through services to Manchester Airport and allow trains which would have terminated in Piccadilly to continue via the through platforms to Victoria.

There are nine bridges notably the Irwell Crossing and Trinity Way Viaduct which are linked with 'dips' or 'swooshes' to give the appearance of a single bridge.

The approach to Manchester Liverpool Street, the 1830 Manchester terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, was severed by this curve as it crossed it on the level. Stephenson's bridge over the Irwell has been restored.

Tags

Viaduct



News items

29/06/2023Ordsall Chord footbridge opens reconnecting Salford and Manchester [Network Rail]
10/12/2017First train crosses the Ordsall Chord and makes railway history [MEN]
08/12/2017Ordsall Curve to Open to Traffic [Northern Rail]
09/11/2017Ordsall Chord Preview [Manchester Evening News]
21/02/2017Ordsall Chord bridge lifted in [Rail News]
30/03/2016Construction partnership set up to deliver Ordsall Chord [Rail News]
25/03/2016One man battle to derail Ordsall Chord finally comes to an end as Judge dismisses appeal [Manchester Evening News]
14/10/2015Ordsall Chord: Rail link plans backed by High Court despite protest [BBC News]
17/05/2014Steam trains will no longer run to historic Liverpool Road station at MOSI under 'Ordsall Chord' plan [Manchester Evening News]
11/05/2014'Oldest railway station in the world' threatened by Network Rail plans [Independent]