, one of the city's main railway terminals, was built between 1875–80 by the Cheshire Lines Committee railway company and served as the terminus for Midland Railway express services to London. The station was notable as an engineering feat - its huge wrought-iron single-span arched roof, spanning 210 feet, 550 feet long and 90 feet high is claimed to be the widest unsupported iron arch in Britain after London St. Pancras. Following the Beeching cuts, the station was deemed surplus to requirements and closed to passengers on 5 May 1969. The listed building survived as a local landmark, and after serving as a car park, the old station was refurbished and re-opened as an exhibition and conference centre. With the opening of the Metrolink system, rail services were able to operate once more from south Manchester to Central Station; however, instead of trains running into the Central Station arch, light rail vehicles now run alongside the south-eastern side of the former train shed, down a ramp which runs parallel to Lower Mosley Street, before reaching street level where they operate as trams and head towards St Peter's Square. The viaduct arches beneath the station, overlooking the Rochdale Canal, have since been refurbished and converted into the Deansgate Locks development comprising bars, restaurants and a comedy club. Central Station featured in early proposals to build a light rail system in Manchester; the station featured in 1984 publicity with an interchange to Deansgate; by 1987, the station had acquired the name 'G-Mex' and the system was now known as 'Metrolink'.
Renaming
In August 2010 Metrolink announced it would be changing the name of the stop from 'G-Mex' to 'Deansgate-Castlefield'. On 2 September 2010, signs at the stop were changed to 'Deansgate-Castlefield'; a couple of days later temporary vinyl GMEX stickers were placed on top which were removed on 20 September 2010 when the name change was made.
2015 redevelopment
It had been thought for some time that the second city crossing expansion would require a third platform at the stop. However, 2011 proposals showed St Peter's Square as a major 4-platform interchange, putting the third platform at Deansgate-Castlefield into doubt. Manchester City Council was also known to be working on a proposal to better integrate the tram stop and Deansgate railway station as well as creating a key interchange, which remained unaffected by the 2011 2CC proposals. At MIPIM 2010 proposals were unveiled for a redevelopment of the area behind the conference centre. The ambitious scheme envisioned a pedestrian skypark walkway along the side of the conference centre to ground level creating better pedestrian access to both the conference centre and the city centre itself; a new bridge to link to Deansgate railway station, replacing the tired and unappealing original; and the creation of a new train shed on the viaduct for the tram stop's three platforms including access to ground level. The new island platform opened in December 2014 and additional green themed modifications were added in 2015.
