Mayfield, Manchester - April 2012

[B'loody Mary]

Although this is technically my first explore, fenrir already did one (same day explore) so I decided to do that other one first (which I've now been told is called Springfield, not Springhead, but oh well xD) But then I was poked into doing this other report...


History section same as fenrir's since it's the same place, same day etc etc:

Opened on 8 August 1910 by the London & North Western Railway, Manchester Mayfield was built alongside Manchester London Road station (later Piccadilly) to handle the increased number of trains and passengers following the opening of the Styal Line in 1909. It was connected to London Road via a high-level footbridge. It was mainly used by suburban services to the south of Manchester, but a number of main line services used it during busy periods.

Mayfield suffered the effects of bombing during World War II, when it was hit by a parachute mine. During the 1950s, the sole passenger usage consisted of the arrival of the Pines Express from Bournemouth West at about 5pm. It came into its own for a brief period during the electrification and modernisation of what was to become Piccadilly Station in the late 1950s, when many services were diverted to it after a restoration of sorts. It was closed to passengers on 28 August 1960.

The site was converted into a parcels depot which opened on 6 July 1970. Royal Mail constructed a sorting office on the opposite side of the main line and connected it to Mayfield with an overhead conveyor bridge which crosses the throat of Piccadilly Station. The depot closed in 1986 following the decision by Parcelforce, Royal Mail's parcels division, to abandon rail transport in favour of road haulage. The building has remained disused ever since, with the tracks into Mayfield removed in 1989 as part of the remodelling of the Piccadilly Station layout. The sorting office was briefly reused as an indoor karting track, but has now been rebuilt as the Square One development, prestige offices used by Network Rail; the parcel conveyor bridge was removed in 2003.

Just some cabling





Looked like a bomb had hit - or 28 Days Later





A proper damp day - lots of nice reflections though. Also got fascinated with all the glass on the floor.


Forlorn trolley


Had a venture down these and the lower flight, but the next rooms looked iffy - I did get some shots but they didn't come out well (owing to me needing more practice with manual settings)





Chair

Definitely a fantastic (if over-shot) place. Would love to go again and this place has roots as my first ever explore!

Hope you liked it!

[fenrir]

At last!
Love the cable shot! Didn't even see that trolley though... And would like to see pictures of the "iffy" rooms- couldn't see a thing...

[coops]

Great reopt mate still need to get over and see this place

[birdinanaviary]

Stairs Shot for the win

Good stuff

[Nicola]

Nice work - upgraded

[Rebel]

Superb, looks a good mooch.

[B'loody Mary]

Thanks Nicola

Glad you like my stuff, and thanks for appreciation of a noob type

[BB]

Always good to see mayfield! Nice job!

[gibbo]

Check out the TV programme The Last Train which was filmed here.

[fidget64]

Tried and failed with this place twice, would love to see it. Well done