Rochdale to Oldham line celebrates 150th anniversary

The first tram at the Metrolink stop in Shaw on the Rochdale to Oldham line

The Rochdale to Oldham line celebrated its 150th anniversary with a special public event held at Shaw and Crompton Metrolink stop on Saturday 2 November - a commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the date.

The line first opened on 2 November 1863 and operated as a heavy rail line until it closed in October 2009 for conversion to light rail.

Figures taken in the first year since its re-opening in June 2012 show an increase in passenger numbers, from 1,236,524 rail journeys between October 2008 and October 2009 to over 2,500,000 Metrolink journeys between October 2012 and October 2013.

To further mark the anniversary, a display of photographs, press cuttings and other line memorabilia will be exhibited at Crompton Library this month.