Ardwick is set to become the new fuelling point for DRS 37's and 68's

Ardwick Depot is located on the South East side of Manchester approx 1.25 miles from Piccadilly. It is the new Transpennine Express Depot and main servicing depot for class 185 DMU's. There is also a depot shunter.

A fairly frequent local service operates from Piccadilly to Hadfield/Glossop past the depot and stops at Ashburys Station. This is the closest station and from here a 10 minute walk gets you to the depot.

On leaving the station by the steps you are on Pottery Lane. Turn right and first right (almost immediately) onto Gorton Road. Continue along Gorton Road under the railway bridge and past a few scrap car yards until you come to an unused road on the left which is blocked by large concrete blocks. Walk along this road (avoiding the mounds of dumped rubbish) and under a further railway bridge carrying the freight only line leading to Phillips Park Junctions. After this bridge you can see the depot about 100 metres ahead.

The depot is surrounded by a high security fence which can be seen through but is an inconvenience for photographers. At the time of writing (Dec 06) there is undeveloped land on the north side of the depot allowing access along the fence. Walking round the fence allows the visitor views of stock stabled all round the site including in the main shed and with the use of binoculars stabled stock should be identified.

Currently 01551 is being used as the shed shunter and appears to be regularly seen stabled outside the shed.

On the route described above there is nothing in the way of facilities and the area remains fairly run down although by the look of things in line for redevelopment over the next few years.