The Stockport–Stalybridge line is a railway line in Greater Manchester, England, running from northeast to , via Guide Bridge. The line is today used mainly by freight and empty stock workings, although it once had a frequent passenger service; from 1992, it had been served by a single train. From 2018 this service was increased to twice a week one service in each direction. Services are operated by Northern Trains usually with a Class 150 unit. This minimal service, termed a parliamentary train for historical reasons, avoids the official procedures of terminating a passenger service. The re-routeing of TransPennine Express services from to station and in May 1989 removed the main reason for its passenger service, with passengers who formerly used the Stalybridge–Stockport shuttle avoiding the need to change stations in Manchester, travelling via Manchester Piccadilly and changing there instead. The service was initially reduced to five trains per day (three in one direction and two the other) but, by 1992, had been cut to its present minimal level. The northern part of the route (from Guide Bridge to Stalybridge) is now used by the re-routed express services between Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly. The scarcity of services on the line has led to it becoming popular with rail enthusiasts, as well as real ale connoisseurs visiting the station buffet at Stalybridge. The line serves the following places: History The southern stretch of the line between Stockport and Guide Bridge was built by the Manchester and Birmingham Railway, at around the time of its merger into the London and North Western Railway (LNWR). The contract was let to John Brogden and Sons in October 1845. The northern section from Guide Bridge to Stalybridge was built by the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Railway in 1845. This later became part of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (MS&LR). Guide Bridge avoiding line Congestion around Guide Bridge led to the LNWR building a new line to avoid Guide Bridge station. Known as the Stalybridge Junction Railway, it ran from Denton Junction, then under the MS&LR main line east of Guide Bridge, and then ran parallel to the existing Guide Bridge-Stalybridge line, before joining the main line again just west of Stalybridge station. As well as relieving congestion, it also had the advantage of allowing LNWR trains to bypass MS&LR tracks altogether. The line was completed in 1893, with stations at and . A local