G-Mex Metrolink station
Encyclopedia
Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink station (formerly named G-Mex Metrolink station) is a station on the Metrolink
light rail
system which operates in Greater Manchester
, England
. It is located in the Castlefield
area of Manchester city centre
, immediately next to the former Manchester Central station
, which is now the Manchester Central Conference Centre.
The Metrolink station used to take its name from the previous identity of the conference centre, which re-opened after its refurbishment in 1986 as the Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre (G-Mex). As the centre has since been rebranded with the name of the former railway terminus, the Metrolink station's new name reflects the actual location of the stop.
Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink station serves as an interchange station with National Rail
services from Deansgate railway station
- the two stations are linked by a footbridge. There is another footbridge linking the Metrolink station to The Great Northern Warehouse
, and staircase exits to Collier Street (Mamucium Roman Fort) and to Deansgate Lock on Whitworth Street West.
Deansgate-Castlefield station is the point where the Manchester Metrolink
changes between 'tram-mode' for street-running through the city centre and 'train mode' for running on the former British Rail
lines.
, one of the city's main railway terminals, was built between 1875–80 by the Cheshire Lines Committee
railway company and served as the terminus for Midland Railway
express services to London. The station was notable as an engineering feat - its
huge wrought-iron single-span arched roof, spanning 210 feet (64 m), 550 feet (168 m) long and 90 feet (27 m) high is claimed to be the widest unsupported iron arch in Britain after London St. Pancras
.
Following the Beeching cuts, the station was deemed surplus to requirements and closed to passengers on 5 May 1969. The listed building survived as a local landmark, and after serving as a car park, the old station was refrubished as re-opened as an exhibition and conference centre.
With the opening of the Metrolink system, rail services were able to operate once more from south Manchester to Central Station; however, instead of trains running into the Central Station arch, light rail vehicles now run alongside the south-eastern side of the former train shed, down a ramp which runs parallel to Lower Mosley Street, before reaching street level where they operate as trams and head towards St Peter's Square. The viaduct beneath the station, overlooking the Rochdale Canal, has since been refurbished and converted for leisure purposes - bars, clubs.
Central Station featured in early proposals to build a light rail system in Manchester; the station featured in 1984 publicity with an interchange to Deansgate; by 1987, the station had acquired the name 'G-Mex' and the system was now known as 'Metrolink' .
In August 2010 Metrolink announced it would be changing the name of the stop from 'G-Mex' to 'Deansgate-Castlefield'. On 2 September 2010, signs at the stop were changed to 'Deansgate-Castlefield'; a couple of days later temporary vinyl GMEX stickers were placed on top which were removed ON 20 September 2010 when the name change was made.
Manchester Metrolink
Metrolink is a light rail system in Greater Manchester, England. It consists of four lines which converge in Manchester city centre and terminate in Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Chorlton-cum-Hardy. The system is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester and operated under contract by RATP Group...
light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
system which operates in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is located in the Castlefield
Castlefield
Castlefield is an inner city area of Manchester, in North West England. The conservation area which bears its name is bounded by the River Irwell, Quay Street, Deansgate and the Chester Road. It was the site of the Roman era fort of Mamucium or Mancunium which gave its name to Manchester...
area of Manchester city centre
Manchester City Centre
Manchester city centre is the central business district of Manchester, England. It lies within the Manchester Inner Ring Road, next to the River Irwell...
, immediately next to the former Manchester Central station
Manchester Central railway station
Manchester Central railway station is a former railway station in Manchester City Centre, England. One of Manchester's main railway terminals between 1880 and 1969, it now houses an exhibition and conference centre named Manchester Central.-History:...
, which is now the Manchester Central Conference Centre.
The Metrolink station used to take its name from the previous identity of the conference centre, which re-opened after its refurbishment in 1986 as the Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre (G-Mex). As the centre has since been rebranded with the name of the former railway terminus, the Metrolink station's new name reflects the actual location of the stop.
Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink station serves as an interchange station with National Rail
National Rail
National Rail is a title used by the Association of Train Operating Companies as a generic term to define the passenger rail services operated in Great Britain...
services from Deansgate railway station
Deansgate railway station
Deansgate is a railway station in Manchester city centre, England. It is situated approximately west of Manchester Piccadilly in the Castlefield area, at the junction of Deansgate and Whitworth Street West....
- the two stations are linked by a footbridge. There is another footbridge linking the Metrolink station to The Great Northern Warehouse
The Great Northern Warehouse
The Great Northern Warehouse is a former railway goods warehouse building of the Great Northern Railway, which has been redeveloped as a car park and leisure complex. The building is located at the junction of Deansgate and Peter Street in Manchester city centre, England...
, and staircase exits to Collier Street (Mamucium Roman Fort) and to Deansgate Lock on Whitworth Street West.
Deansgate-Castlefield station is the point where the Manchester Metrolink
Manchester Metrolink
Metrolink is a light rail system in Greater Manchester, England. It consists of four lines which converge in Manchester city centre and terminate in Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Chorlton-cum-Hardy. The system is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester and operated under contract by RATP Group...
changes between 'tram-mode' for street-running through the city centre and 'train mode' for running on the former British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
lines.
History
Manchester Central railway stationManchester Central railway station
Manchester Central railway station is a former railway station in Manchester City Centre, England. One of Manchester's main railway terminals between 1880 and 1969, it now houses an exhibition and conference centre named Manchester Central.-History:...
, one of the city's main railway terminals, was built between 1875–80 by the Cheshire Lines Committee
Cheshire Lines Committee
The Cheshire Lines Committee was the second largest joint railway in Great Britain, with 143 route miles. Despite its name, approximately 55% of its system was in Lancashire. In its publicity material it was often styled as the Cheshire Lines Railway...
railway company and served as the terminus for Midland Railway
Midland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
express services to London. The station was notable as an engineering feat - its
huge wrought-iron single-span arched roof, spanning 210 feet (64 m), 550 feet (168 m) long and 90 feet (27 m) high is claimed to be the widest unsupported iron arch in Britain after London St. Pancras
St Pancras railway station
St Pancras railway station, also known as London St Pancras and since 2007 as St Pancras International, is a central London railway terminus celebrated for its Victorian architecture. The Grade I listed building stands on Euston Road in St Pancras, London Borough of Camden, between the...
.
Following the Beeching cuts, the station was deemed surplus to requirements and closed to passengers on 5 May 1969. The listed building survived as a local landmark, and after serving as a car park, the old station was refrubished as re-opened as an exhibition and conference centre.
With the opening of the Metrolink system, rail services were able to operate once more from south Manchester to Central Station; however, instead of trains running into the Central Station arch, light rail vehicles now run alongside the south-eastern side of the former train shed, down a ramp which runs parallel to Lower Mosley Street, before reaching street level where they operate as trams and head towards St Peter's Square. The viaduct beneath the station, overlooking the Rochdale Canal, has since been refurbished and converted for leisure purposes - bars, clubs.
Central Station featured in early proposals to build a light rail system in Manchester; the station featured in 1984 publicity with an interchange to Deansgate; by 1987, the station had acquired the name 'G-Mex' and the system was now known as 'Metrolink' .
In August 2010 Metrolink announced it would be changing the name of the stop from 'G-Mex' to 'Deansgate-Castlefield'. On 2 September 2010, signs at the stop were changed to 'Deansgate-Castlefield'; a couple of days later temporary vinyl GMEX stickers were placed on top which were removed ON 20 September 2010 when the name change was made.
Service Pattern
- 10 tph to Altrincham
- 15 tph to Piccadilly
- 5 tph to Bury
- 5 tph to Victoria
- 5 tph to St Werburgh's Road
- 5 tph MediaCityUk
Future
It had been thought for some time that the second city crossing (2CC) expansion would require a third platform at the stop. However, 2011 proposals show St Peter's Square as a major 4-platform interchange, putting the third platform at Deansgate-Castlefield into doubt. Manchester City Council was also known to be working on a proposal to better integrate the tram stop and Deansgate railway station as well as creating a key interchange, which remain unaffected by the 2011 2CC proposals. At MIPIM 2010 proposals were unveiled for a redevelopment of the area behind the conference centre. The ambitious scheme creates a pedestrian skypark walkway along the side of the conference centre to ground level creating better pedestrian access to both the conference centre and the city centre itself; a new bridge to link to Deansgate station, replacing the tired and unappealing original; and the creation of a new train shed on the viaduct for the tram stop's three platforms including access to ground level. The scheme linked to office development of the surrounding area could be operational by 2014 and create a principal southern rail and tram interchange for the city centre similar to Victoria and Piccadilly. The plan is continuing but remains dependent on the proposed local redevelopment proceeding.External links
- Tram times and station information for Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink station from Manchester MetrolinkManchester MetrolinkMetrolink is a light rail system in Greater Manchester, England. It consists of four lines which converge in Manchester city centre and terminate in Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Chorlton-cum-Hardy. The system is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester and operated under contract by RATP Group...
- Manchester Central proposal (from roughly 5:15)