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A visit to the Irlam area.
The first photos show the station building at Irlam, out of use at this date. In 1893, prior to the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal, the line was moved to the south to pass over the Canal on Railway Deviation No.5; the station building was rebuilt at a higher level.
The later photos are taken from a train passing over the 1893 viaduct over the Manchester Ship Canal. The viaduct itself, but not the approach embankments, was built wide enough for four tracks. To allow refurbishment of the normally-used span, the tracks were deviated over the never-previously used northern span.