Travels with Timmy Tram and the talking guide book

11’o clock on a sunny morning bound for town on the Cornbrook tram can be a mundane journey.

The towering new residential blocks by Knott Mill, 2024

If you have done it enough times, you can plot the scenery, from the new high-rise developments, to the glimpses of the canal, and watch for the towering new residential blocks by Knott Mill.

But today was different, because as the tram closed in on Castlefield, the driver drew our attention to the new garden in the sky, directing our gaze to the rusty lattice work of metal which was once part of the railway viaduct describing where we could gain access and just what we might see, adding that there were plans to extend it.*

The rusty lattice work of metal, 2024

And then once passed the garden, he explained that after leaving Deansgate Castlefield, we would slow down to accommodate the ramp from railway to road but would have fine views of the historic buildings on either side.

At which point I turned to the woman next to me and expressed the thought that perhaps I wouldn’t alight at St Peter’s Square but travel on in expectation that the talking guidebook would offer up more stories of the route all the way to Victoria and beyond.

Yellow Cornbrook, 2024

Alas he was silent and at Exchange I chose to leave.

Queues form at Cornbrook for the talking tram guidebook, 2024

But I rather think we may be onto something here.

Already Peter Topping and I have begun to think that our new series of books which collectively are entitled “The History of Great Manchester By Tram, The Stories at the Stops” could be enhanced by audio links activated at each stop via your phone connected to our books.**

There is more but I am bound at this stage to keep the plans secret.

Still the first book, Trafford Bar to East Didsbury is in the bookshops and the second following the tram from Cornbrook to Exchange Square is almost ready.

Leaving Cornbrook for town, 2024

Eventually the series will span the entire network, following all eight routes and all 99 stops with stories from me, heaps of old photographs and a collection of original paintings by Peter, which together will make a unique history of Greater Manchester

And like all our books it is designed to be walked, and so with book in hand you can leave the tram at each stop and explore the further reaches of each destination.

It is available from Chorlton Bookshop, and from us at www.pubbooks.co.uk, price £4.99

Leaving me just to say it really did happen and thank you to the unknown driver who lifted the collective feelings of his passengers.

Location; Cornbrook to Exchange Square

Pictures, travelling by tram from Cornbrook to Exchange Square, 2024, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*Castlefield Viaduct, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/castlefield-viaduct

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

At Cornbrook, 2024

Ninety - nine stops ….. heaps of stories …. and a favourite tram destination

The publication of our first book in the new series on The History of Great Manchester By Tram has stirred the pot with plenty of people commenting that it’s a novel way to record the past. *

Arriving at Deansgate Castlefield, 2023

After all there are ninety-nine tram stops across the network and each one will have its own history.

Shudehill after the trams have gone, 2023

And so, Peter and I have decided to explore the entire Metro system, travelling the routes looking for interesting pictures and bits of history.

Peter will paint a picture of the stop and surrounding buildings, and I will find stories about each stop, which will build into a mosaic of tales about Greater Manchester’s past.

And it occurred to me that along the way it would be fun to find out which metro stop comes out as a favourite of those who use them.

I must confess to having several. 

Cornbrook is one because it affords fine views of two canals and the changing landscape as each year more new apartment blocks replace the old industrial brown field sites.

But then Deansgate Castlefield, also has a canal, the old Knott Mill Railway Station and is just a few minutes’ walk away from the city’s own Heritage Park, along with some fine bars and historic pubs.

Sneaking up on Mr's Pankhurst in St Peter's Square, 2022

And both of these stops vie with St Peter’s Square, which has a popular open space from which to take in Central Ref, the Town Hall Extension, the Midland Hotel and Mrs Pankhurst addressing an audience.

In addition, we are close to the Cenotaph, the site of the Peterloo Massacre and that other square which boasts a collection of statues.

Peter is attractedto several but it would be presumptuous of me to reflect on just why Shudehill and New Islington are on his list.

So, that is it.

You can nominate your own selected stop, including a picture and a  few sentences which can be sent to us as a comment via, the blog, social media or an old fashioned postcard.

Busy tram day, Deansgate Castlefield, 2023

Missing the tram from Cornbrook, 2024

Location; Ninety- nine spots in Greater Manchester

Pictures; my tram stops, 2018- 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*Trafford Bar to East Didsbury, The History of Greater Manchester By Tram, The Stories At The Stops, Andrew Simpson & Peter Topping, 2024.  

The tourists at St Peter's Square, 2018

It is available from Chorlton Bookshop, and from us at www.pubbooks.co.uk, price £4.99