Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Electrification
Following the 1923 Grouping, ownership and operation passed to the MSJ&A Railway Committee representing the L.M.S and L.N.E.R. The L.N.E,R. were keen on electrification; the L.M.S. perhaps less so. After a difficult period, an electric service using 1500 volts d.c. finally started operation in 1931, using standard 3-car electric trains of a design already in use on the L.M.S.

MSJ&A overhead electric unit at Altrincham circa 1930 (Public Domain)
In 1971, following conversion of the line to the British Rail standard of overhead 25 kV a.c. electrification, a modernised service was introduced on the line using Class 304 Electric Multiple Units. This class, introduced in 1960, was built in three batches as 4-car sets and were widely used. Maximum speed was 75 m.p.h. and I enjoyed some spirited runs travelling on this class, particularly after 1984 when refurbishment of the class reduced them to 3-car sets.

3-car Class 304 near Sale (Photo: Wikimedia Creative Commons)
This electric service continued until the end of 1991 when the line was closed to allow Manchester Metrolink to take over much of the line. Many of the existing overhead supports were retained as part of a new 750 volts d.c. scheme using modern trams. Towards Manchester, significant re-routing was made and the Metrolink trams now use part of the abandoned C.L.C. route, including the listed 'Birdcage' viaduct as far as the site of Manchester Central (whose arched train shed remains, converted into the G-MEX exhibition centre, forming part of the Manchester Central Convention Complex) before descending to street level through the centre of the city then passing through the Undercroft of Piccadilly Station. Piccadilly was the original terminus of Metrolink but the success of the project has led to a number of new extensions.

Manchester Metrolink: Deansgate-Castlefield with a 'double' unit arriving from St. Peter's Square direction.
Related posts on other websites
Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway (Wikipedia).
British Rail Class 505 (Wikipedia).
British Rail Class 304 (Wikipedia).
The Manchester South Junction & Altrincham (BR Class 505) Stock (LNER Encyclopedia).
Metrolink Altrincham Line (Wikipedia).
Usual disclaimer: the above links worked when this post was published but may cease to work in the future if the site owner makes changes.
Related posts on this website
To Altrincham via the former C.L.C.
Manchester by Rail
The Cheshire Lines Committee Routes Today
Book References
[1] ‘British Electric Trains’ by H. W. A. Linecar (Ian Allan) 2nd edition 1949.
[2] ‘DC Electric Trains and Locomotives in the British Isles’ by R. L. Vickers (David & Charles) ISBN 0-7153-8674-3.
My Pictures
Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures included in this blog post may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you may find most images by following the links below which allow display or download in various resolutions.
Manchester Metrolink.
Manchester Area Rail.
Altrincham Station