Operationally the old ways continued but with rapidly decreasing traffic. The rise of the private car
decimated passenger levels and improving roads and bigger lorries killed all but bulk goods traffic.
All the former L&Y branch lines closed as did a number of secondary lines such as the North Lancs
Loop. There was even talk of closing the L&Y main line and concentrating through traffic on the LNW
trans-pennine line.
Happily, in the years since the mid-1990s things have improved. Most of the remaining former L&Y
lines are now run by Northern Rail who are working hard to improve matters. Passenger traffic has
grown considerably and continues to grow. The service frequency is excellent and the rolling stock
is being replaced and upgraded.
Manchester Victoria which has been run down for many years is to be refurbished and modernised
as part of a multi-million pound scheme for the part of the city.
Aspinall A class 0-6-0 as No.52351 hauling a mixed goods train in the late 1950s.
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