(Photo 7 © Arnie Furniss)

When the Manchester Ship Canal was built, the Warrington-Stockport railway had to be re-routed to cross the water at a high level. This deviation was carried out by the London & North Western Railway and included Latchford Viaduct, opening on 8th July 1893. Built from wrought iron, it features a main span of 285 feet and side spans of a little over 100 feet. The structure weighs more than 1,200 tonnes.

The line saw its last passenger services in 1962 but continued to carry freight until July 1985. Closure was due in no small part to the viaduct's poor condition and the unsustainable cost of refurbishing it.