Scenes from a tram stop ......

Victoria, 2016

Now it is a given that behind every picture there is a story, but of course the stories can change, be adapted or turn out to be something entirely different.

So here are some  tram pictures.

I know where and when they were taken and have written about each one.

But viewed just as a photograph with just a location and a date any one can create their own tale wrapped around what they see and how they imagine the scene can spin off.

As a historian I have to say it may not be history but I have enough writing chums to know that such a project can be fun.

That said for me the stories will be factual and have a purpose, because later in the year I will be getting serious with the new book, The History of Greater Manchester By Tram – The Stories at the Stops*

Market Street, 2014

It is another of those collaborations with Peter Topping where he paints the pictures and I tell the stories.

Each of the stops on the network will be painted by Peter and I will find a story for each, which tells a bit of the history of Greater Manchester.

The book will be ready for the summer allowing readers the opportunity to jump on a tram and  travel the routes and in the process learn about where we live.

A few of the stories have already been written and some are slowly emerging as Peter and I set about the great adventure of travelling from Chorlton to Media City, across to the Airport and off to Ashton, Oldham and Rochdale in the east and Bury, Altrincham and Eccles.

We have even walked bits of the new route out to Trafford Centre.

Market Street, 2017

My favourite story at the moment is the one about Clayton Hall but I am pretty sure that over the next few months others will bubble up and take pride of place.

We did wonder about whether there would be somewhere with no tale to tell.

My friend David muttered darkly about one stop on the way to Oldham which offered just a car park and a sign.

But he underestimates us, and there will always be a story from the one about the 27 Steps to "The Dog, the Donkey and the car boot sale".

Market Street, 2015

In the mean time here are four photographs,  all taken between 2014 and 2017 from a metro stop.

Some were taken in high summer and others as November rolled into December and there was a promise of Christmas to come.

And for those who really want to know exactly where they were taken, the first was on Victoria Station and the remaining three at Market Street.

Location Manchester

Pictures; Scenes from a tram stop, 2014-2017, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*A new book on the History of Greater Manchester by Tram, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/A%20new%20book%20on%20the%20History%20of%20Greater%20Manchester%20by%20Tram