Fairfield railway station (England)

Fairfield railway station serves the Fairfield area of Droylsden, Tameside, Greater Manchester and is 3.1 miles (5 km) east of Manchester Piccadilly station. It was opened by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway in 1892, when the branch to Chorlton-cum-Hardy opened, and was replaced an earlier station that had opened with the line in 1841. The original station was west of the present site. For a suburban station, Fairfield has very low passenger usage (see figures right).

Fairfield
LocationDroylsden, Tameside
England
Grid referenceSJ904971
Managed byNorthern
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeFRF
ClassificationDfT category F2
Key dates
1841first station opened
1892resited
Passengers
2015/16 24,554
2016/17 33,968
2017/18 37,868
2018/19 41,296
2019/20 43,316
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Before Beeching, this station (then known as Fairfield for Droylsden) was a junction, with a pair of lines from the east breaking off and running to the south; this thereby facilitated a route to Longsight, south Manchester and Manchester Central railway station. By means of a switchback to Gorton and Openshaw, this branch enabled the turning round of locomotives without need for a turntable in the area. This could have been invaluable for servicing both the Guide Bridge yards and the facilities of "Gorton Tank" and Beyer, Peacock loco factories. This line was known as the Fallowfield Loop Line; it was closed to passengers in July 1958 and to all traffic in 1988.

The station currently has two platforms, but for many years had six,[1] with two island platforms and two side platforms. Two were used for local services, two for express services between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield, and two for services for Fallowfied Loop.

The station name was changed from Fairfield for Droylsden to Fairfield on 6 May 1974.[2]

Facilities

The amenities offered at the unstaffed station are very basic, with no ticket provision or permanent buildings other than basic waiting shelters. Train running information is provided by telephone and timetable posters. No step-free access is provided, with only staircases in place to the main entrance from both platforms.[3]

Services

At Fairfield, there is an hourly service to Manchester Piccadilly and towards Rose Hill Marple via Guide Bridge; the evening service is limited and there is no Sunday service.[4]

Manchester-Glossop Line trains do not serve Fairfield, running fast between Ashburys and Guide Bridge.

References
  1. Price, Bevan; Wright, Paul. "Fairfield Station". Disused Stations.
  2. Slater, J.N., ed. (July 1974). "Notes and News: Stations renamed by LMR". Railway Magazine. London: IPC Transport Press Ltd. 120 (879): 363. ISSN 0033-8923.
  3. Fairfield station facilities National Rail Enquiries
  4. GB eNRT December 2016 Edition, Table 78
Preceding station   National Rail   Following station
Northern
Mondays-Saturdays only
Disused railways
Guide Bridge
Line and station open		   Great Central Railway
Fallowfield Loop		   Hyde Road
Line and station closed


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