140-year-old loop is finally broken

A DAY of celebration marked the closure of the Oldham loop line as rail enthusiasts said goodbye to the 140-year-old service.

Northern Rail renamed one of its trains the Gracie Fields after the Rochdale singer and actress to commemorate the end of an era.

Gracie’s nephew Dougie Wakefield unveiled the Gracie Fields at Manchester Victoria alongside Oldham Mayor Jim McArdle and youth mayor Mohammed Adil.

The train, which will now be used across other regional routes, then embarked on its journey along the loop line with Councillor McArdle, Councillor Alison Firth, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, and Rochdale Mayor Keith Swift on board.

Later in the day there was a treat for steam train buffs when the Scots Guardsman pulled into Oldham Mumps at 7pm on a special loop line excursion.

The very last scheduled train was the 11.28pm from Manchester Victoria.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, chairman of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, said: “The loop line has served Oldham and Rochdale well for over 140 years.

“We should not only celebrate its rich history, but look forward to the bright future of the Metrolink.

“It’s going to be a modern, high-quality service when it opens offering more frequent connections to more locations.”

However, not everyone is as enthusiastic about the loop line closure to make way for Metrolink in autumn 2011.

Regular train users Sandra Eckersley and John Buchan from Springhead don’t believe the extra buses put in place for shoppers and commuters will cope with the demand.

John (66), who used the train to get to work every day before his retirement and regularly travels to Manchester, said: “I think the loop line was the best thing about Oldham, there were four trains an hour that got you to Manchester in 12 minutes — buses cannot do that.

“I can see the benefits of Metrolink but we will have to suffer for a very long time and there is no viable alternative. The train line is not broken so I don’t see why we have to try and fix it.”

Sandra (64), who uses the line several times a week, added: “I really enjoy the convenience and speed of the train — bus travel is slow and tedious.

“But I think the Metrolink is like childbirth — we know there will be pain and it will be difficult but I am sure the end result will be enjoyable.”

Steve McDonald regularly takes daughters Rubie (one) and four-year-old Lilly on the train.

He said: “I would never drive to Manchester as the train was so convenient so I am not happy about the closure and I don’t see why it has to happen.

“Buses are not a suitable replacement and taking two children and a pram on a bus is not an easy task.”