Yeah, you can do it with season tickets in peak, or offpeak, but theres no single day peak multimodal. Its a glaring gap

The new pocket timetable for the mid-Cheshire line (Northern guide 17) clearly states that National Rail tickets for journeys to or from stations between Mouldsworth and Navigation Road can be used for travel on the Metrolink Altrincham line on Sundays. TfGM pays Northern to accept them.

I've just checked and it actually says in guide 17:

On Sundays only, rail tickets from stations between
Mouldsworth, Navigation Road and Manchester are
valid on Metrolink Services between Altrincham and
Manchester.

Yeah, you can do it with season tickets in peak, or offpeak, but theres no single day peak multimodal. Its a glaring gap

Oddly enough, I asked System One about this once and, whilst I have lost the e-mail in question somewhere along the way, the gist of it was that a multi-modal, peak-time ticket would attract too many "tourists" and thus cause more issues with overcrowding than there already are. Strange but true.

Is it not something to do with, on Sundays, Northern did not do a Sunday service between Manchester and Altrincham (or even the full line to Chrester) hence they allowed train tickets to be used on the tram instead as an alternative.

Yeah I think it was originally meant to be a temporary thing but it stuck around, even after the service it replaced was reinstated.

Android is the name of the operating system of the phone. Like PCs have Windows as thier operating system, Andrioid is brand name of one of the operating systems some smart phones use.

Ah right...hmmmm, thanks for the info.

Is it not something to do with, on Sundays, Northern did not do a Sunday service between Manchester and Altrincham (or even the full line to Chrester) hence they allowed train tickets to be used on the tram instead as an alternative.

Yes, in the early nighties, gmpte didn't have the pennies to subsidise the route between Alty & Picc. Therefore the trains terminated at Alty and tickets were valid on the trams.

Great Metrolink painting by a guy called Chris Acheson

http://chrisacheson.co.uk/Cornbrook%20RoadDR.jpg

http://chrisacheson.co.uk/cornbrook%20road.htm

http://chrisacheson.co.uk/

Atmoshperic pic, marky. :cheers:

re Interavailablity of tickets on the mid-Cheshire line, here's an extract from the Summer newsletter of the Mid-Cheshire Rail Users Association giving more details (NB end of the para on 'Engineering Work') :-


http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0001-35.jpg


Here's another extract from the newsletter on more general Metrolink matters :-


http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0002-29.jpg


Note the blockade of all Eccles and Alti on 11/12 June. MCRUA suggests it is for connection of the Chorlton line at Trafford Bar and commissioning of Cornbrook. I am also hoping it is to renew the track at Deansgate corner - I noticed this week that the new curved track for it is currently lying in situ in the four-foot. . .

For more info on MCRUA, see

www.mcrua.org.uk

:banana:

Is it not something to do with, on Sundays, Northern did not do a Sunday service between Manchester and Altrincham (or even the full line to Chrester) hence they allowed train tickets to be used on the tram instead as an alternative.

yes, that's it

the gist of it was that a multi-modal, peak-time ticket would attract too many "tourists" .

A more recent change to deter the "tourist" using public transport is to make any under 16 visitor inelligable for child fares and hence the family inelligible for any family ticketing.

Was actually surprised at how early this morning Metrolink replied to my email, was like 7.15.
Thanks everyone for the many replies.

Speaking of the Altrincham area is there a time in the Timetable where there is a Train/Tram going through Navigation road at the same time?

A more recent change to deter the "tourist" using public transport is to make any under 16 visitor inelligable for child fares and hence the family inelligible for any family ticketing.

Any children aged 11 to 16 must have an IGO card from 2 weeks ago, although this moved back 3 weeks as hardly any applied.

From 6 June there is a flat fare for children of £1.50 per trip. Even if the adult fare is £1.50 it's still £1.50. No weekly tickets, day tickets etc. Anyone using a reduced ticket and not showing an IGO card ie "borrowed or bought by someone else etc" will also pay £1.50 .

I think this is a good move as they also sign up to a code of conduct and the fraud with over 16s claiming to be 15 stops. Already this is making a huge difference.
This protects the counciltax payer.

Anyone from outside the area pays the full fare if the child is 11 to 16. I think this is right as they are not contributing then when would they get a reduction? Children in London (not sure of the ages) go free on the bus and when you take your children to London they don't get a discount as they won't have an Oyster, so why should they get it if they come here?

Could someone maybe make a video about Metrolink like the one below about Liverpool's Merseyrail? Merseyrail seems to be quite a proud system (from the outsider like me) and I'd like to see Metrolink put more of an effort into promoting itself to the residents of Manchester. Over the next few years, of course, Metrolink is going to become a lot more available to Mancunians, lets make sure everyone appreciates it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEDc1TAXQEM

Any children aged 11 to 16 must have an IGO card from 2 weeks ago, although this moved back 3 weeks as hardly any applied.

From 6 June there is a flat fare for children of £1.50 per trip. Even if the adult fare is £1.50 it's still £1.50. No weekly tickets, day tickets etc. Anyone using a reduced ticket and not showing an IGO card ie "borrowed or bought by someone else etc" will also pay £1.50 and there's a zero tolerance to be used to encourage them to apply.

I think this is a good move as they also sign up to a code of conduct and the fraud with over 16s claiming to be 15 stops. Already this is making a huge difference.
This protects the counciltax payer.

Anyone from outside the area pays the full fare if the child is 11 to 16. I think this is right as they are not contributing then when would they get a reduction? Children in London (not sure of the ages) go free on the bus and when you take your children to London they don't get a discount as they won't have an Oyster, so why should they get it if they come here?

Under 5's get free travel on everything with TfL. Not 100% sure that applys in the peak tho. For child rate Oyster fares they have a special green photo ID card Oyster you apply for.

Banana 3034 :banana::banana::banana: been spotted on low loader on M602.

Waiting at OT for tram to town. FIVE have gone past the other way! Nothing going this way. Where are the announcements??

Waiting at OT for tram to town. FIVE have gone past the other way! Nothing going this way. Where are the announcements??

Hi

Martin is say this on website

Metrolink Services. Due to an earlier control server failure we are currently experiencing delays of up to 15 minutes. Metrolink appologise for any inconvenience this may cause

Yes I saw that, but thought they might have made announcements for the many people already on the platform as in the end 6 trams went past the other way!!

I'm experiencing similar things. About 6trams in rapid succession just passed Victoria outbound, nothing inbound.

Suspect the failure being experienced at the control room may have also knocked of the communications systems as well. Not heard any announcements about anything today.

Been going on for a few hours now.

..... and when you take your children to London they don't get a discount as they won't have an Oyster, so why should they get it if they come here?

Last time my lad went to London he used his Oyster photo card. Ordered over T'internet, via visitor section of TFL website, download photo, enter passport to prove ID, card arrived within the week. Easy, simple, progressive!

I'm not arguing the rights or wrongs over provision of child fares in different counties/ authorities. Just highlighting that variances do exist, that TfGM is not a leading light, and visitors from afar may be surprised that their child cant have the advertised child fares, especially if they find out at a ticket inspection!

Last time my lad went to London he used his Oyster photo card. Ordered over T'internet, via visitor section of TFL website, download photo, enter passport to prove ID, card arrived within the week. Easy, simple, progressive!

I'm not arguing the rights or wrongs over provision of child fares in different counties/ authorities. Just highlighting that variances do exist, that TfGM is not a leading light, and visitors from afar may be surprised that their child cant have the advertised child fares, especially if they find out at a ticket inspection!

yes, i agree on the rights and wrongs Owd. I suspect a lot behind this was the blatant abuse that is going on as every teenager in Greater Manchester seems to never age past 15.:lol: What this does is tighten everything up and remove the grey areas. I wonder how they deal with this on metrolink though and what happens if no IGO card is shown on inspection?

Yes I saw that, but thought they might have made announcements for the many people already on the platform as in the end 6 trams went past the other way!!

Same right across the system. Another example of non existent Customer Care. Sounds like the 15 minute delays were an very large understatement as well.

Sort of answers why when after the gym and getting my fish and veg off Bury market I was greeted by two Metrolink staff telling me that the trams were not running at around 11.0am today.

What this does is tighten everything up and remove the grey areas. I wonder how they deal with this on metrolink though and what happens if no IGO card is shown on inspection?

It doesn't really, it just moves the grey areas. How does a child prove they're under 11 and don't need an IGO pass? What if a child has some other form of under 16 identification but not an IGO pass? Maybe there should be a national concessionary fare scheme for under 16s, just like there is for senior citizens.

It doesn't really, it just moves the grey areas. How does a child prove they're under 11 and don't need an IGO pass? What if a child has some other form of under 16 identification but not an IGO pass? Maybe there should be a national concessionary fare scheme for under 16s, just like there is for senior citizens.

Maybe there should be, now that would be a good idea.

However, even if a child now shows the old under 16 card, or proves they are under 16 then they still don't get half fare. It's £1.50 for any journey. Full fare for any child who does not live or go to school in Greater Manchester.

As TfGM state now. "WARNING... Without IGO it's no go"

Maybe there should be, now that would be a good idea.

However, even if a child now shows the old under 16 card, or proves they are under 16 then they still don't get half fare. It's £1.50 for any journey. Full fare for any child who does not live or go to school in Greater Manchester.

As TfGM state now. "WARNING... Without IGO it's no go"

What if the adult fare for a particular journey is, say, £3.20? Then the IGO-less child will be getting a better fare.

I don't know if that is actually possible, by the way. I never use the bus.

Someone earlier mentioned about the great Metrolink network Manchester will have in 2016 once all the extensions have completed. I produced a map to show how extensive Manchester's railway network will be by that year;

http://i56.tinypic.com/t0synq.jpg

Dark blue lines are electrified railways
Turqoise is Metrolink
Black is unelectrified railway lines.

Great map Vold...where`s MC gone :(

What if the adult fare for a particular journey is, say, £3.20? Then the IGO-less child will be getting a better fare.

I don't know if that is actually possible, by the way. I never use the bus.

Many bus companies charge less than £3 for a maximum fare, futurelink, then it becomes a daysaver, however, I haven't a clue how much metrolink fares are or what they pay without an IGO as it says they will have to,pay a higher fare.The website doesn't say.

Great map Vold...where`s MC gone :(

It's an old map, I'm afraid, I must've forgotten it! :ohno:

I also noticed another mistake - the line after Eccles should still be electrified through Patricroft. Dear me, I rush too much.

What if the adult fare for a particular journey is, say, £3.20? Then the IGO-less child will be getting a better fare.
True, but the IGO holder has the choice of not using it and paying the flat fare instead. (I'm guessing but not certain that there would be a cap of £1.50 on IGO fares?)

@Motortownman: Bus fares are of course a state secret :ohno: but a FirstDay in Manchester is now £4.20 adult/£2.10 child (with IGO card) so some fares could exceed £3 and be lower than the day saver fare if you weren't doing a return trip.

It's an old map, I'm afraid, I must've forgotten it! :ohno:

I also noticed another mistake - the line after Eccles should still be electrified through Patricroft. Dear me, I rush too much.

If you want me to be picky.... Rochdale Town Centre spur, Abraham Moss, and 2CC.
:lol:

But either way, it is a useful map.

It's an old map, I'm afraid, I must've forgotten it! :ohno:

I also noticed another mistake - the line after Eccles should still be electrified through Patricroft. Dear me, I rush too much.


Oh dear Vold...you`ll have to go to the back of the class...:ohno::ohno:

It's an old map, I'm afraid, I must've forgotten it! :ohno:

I also noticed another mistake - the line after Eccles should still be electrified through Patricroft. Dear me, I rush too much.

I feel really mean saying this but shouldn't the Line to Warrington be black after Trafford Park?

But well done on the map, looks rather good. What software you use to do it?

I thought that line was electrified all the way to Liverpool ... ?

Haha :lol: I used MS Paint!

True, but the IGO holder has the choice of not using it and paying the flat fare instead. (I'm guessing but not certain that there would be a cap of £1.50 on IGO fares?)

@Motortownman: Bus fares are of course a state secret :ohno: but a FirstDay in Manchester is now £4.20 adult/£2.10 child (with IGO card) so some fares could exceed £3 and be lower than the day saver fare if you weren't doing a return trip.

It seems that way, however legally they must publish them . They are now on the internet website.

It seems that way, however legally they must publish them . They are now on the internet website.It was individual fares I was thinking of. There is no easy way of finding them out on the interwebs is there?

If you want me to be picky.... Rochdale Town Centre spur, Abraham Moss, and 2CC.
:lol:

But either way, it is a useful map.

...and the Ordsall Curve's missing! You just need a short line between Salford Central and the Windsor Link since it's only a schematic diagram.

Oh...and Mosley Street needs removing...and G-Mex needs renaming. And the stations on the Oldham/Rochdale line need adding/renaming! :)

It was individual fares I was thinking of. There is no easy way of finding them out on the interwebs is there?

Yes fella, I tried to copy a link on but it takes you back the the home page, so here goes;

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/localdefault.aspx?Tag=Manchester

Then bottom left click "fare information"
Page down click "guide to fare information"
At single fares click the link to a page explaining how fares are calculated, then page down and the fare tables for that operator's services are listed! max fare is £2.80 for that operator.

Thanks Motortownman but that's for Stagecoach. I was looking for First Manchester fares, they don't appear to have the same information on their site.

I thought that line was electrified all the way to Liverpool ... ?

Haha :lol: I used MS Paint!

Not unless its been done in the last few years. I grew up in Birchwood so used to know the line well.

Wow, I'm really bad with paint!

Revised and re-done:

http://i53.tinypic.com/343rebs.jpg

:)

Hi

That at good map VoldemortBlack but on Oldham line the two thing wrong, they not going to be a metrolink stop at Oldham Werneth and Dean Lane will be called Newton Heath and Moston Metrolink station. Also where North Heights I notice it on map that the is'nt station called that is it new rail station.

Hey Bapurdie!

Oldham Werneth will make up part of the "temporary" Metrolink (which I hope will stay on after the Oldham Central tramway opens)

North Heights is indeed a new station. I'm in the process of having another brainstorm meeting with TfGM in which I'll address the issue of the lack of train stations on the Atherton Line between Swinton and Salford Crescent. New stations should be built at Pendlebury (despite its' proximity to Swinton), North Heights (for Irlams o'th' Height), and Pendleton (to try and regenerate that area).

So North Heights just makes up part of what I hope will exist on that line in 2016 :)

I'll address the issue of the lack of train stations on the Atherton Line between Swinton and Salford Crescent. New stations should be built at Pendlebury (despite its' proximity to Swinton), North Heights (for Irlams o'th' Height), and Pendleton (to try and regenerate that area).It's been tried before y'know...

http://www.walkdenstation.org.uk/alongTheLine.shtml

Hey Bapurdie!

Oldham Werneth will make up part of the "temporary" Metrolink (which I hope will stay on after the Oldham Central tramway opens)

North Heights is indeed a new station. I'm in the process of having another brainstorm meeting with TfGM in which I'll address the issue of the lack of train stations on the Atherton Line between Swinton and Salford Crescent. New stations should be built at Pendlebury (despite its' proximity to Swinton), North Heights (for Irlams o'th' Height), and Pendleton (to try and regenerate that area).

So North Heights just makes up part of what I hope will exist on that line in 2016 :)

Hi Volde, Werneth isn't opening with the Oldham line. It's gone for good!

Ps, you've a job to do, see the other forum, you need to get painting a yellow arch!

Hi Volde, Werneth isn't opening with the Oldham line. It's gone for good!

Ps, you've a job to do, see the other forum, you need to get painting a yellow arch!

Oi, just cause I'm a teenager ...

Hi Volde, Werneth isn't opening with the Oldham line. It's gone for good!

Ps, you've a job to do, see the other forum, you need to get painting a yellow arch!

Hi

that what I might about werneth station.

A Metrolink stop will not be built at Werneth, historically the former station had low passenger numbers. off irta website.

Oh ... well thanks for that info guys!

Hey Bapurdie!

Oldham Werneth will make up part of the "temporary" Metrolink (which I hope will stay on after the Oldham Central tramway opens)

North Heights is indeed a new station. I'm in the process of having another brainstorm meeting with TfGM in which I'll address the issue of the lack of train stations on the Atherton Line between Swinton and Salford Crescent. New stations should be built at Pendlebury (despite its' proximity to Swinton), North Heights (for Irlams o'th' Height), and Pendleton (to try and regenerate that area).

So North Heights just makes up part of what I hope will exist on that line in 2016 :)

out of interest, what form do these meetings take, and what information do you provide as a case for opening new stations?

Well I've only ever had one meeting, and in that one I spoke to them about my ideas for the Spinn-Picc tunnel (3CC) and the benefits it could bring.

I'm not going to try and persuade them to open new stations, of course they won't because there's all sorts of funding issues. I'd simply like to address the issue so as to make sure it's not "forgotten". I'd also like to know why these stations were closed and never re-opened (I could maybe get more information than what the kind people on here have already given me). I'd like them to consider that Salford has very bad public transport anyway, so a few more train stations along the Eccles/Atherton lines wouldn't go a miss.

I'll also be asking questions about Metrolink - what colour the lines will be, etc, and see if I can get any information on that :) of course I'll post all the useful items on here!

Your enthusiasm is good to see but why the stations closed is pretty simple:
Pendlebury is only 1/2 mile from Swinton
Irlams o'th' Height was there for the factories and railway yard at Agecroft, which aren't around any more (it closed pre-Beeching, which is pretty unusual)
Pendleton is 1/2 mile from Salford Crescent

The Atherton line is an 'inter-urban' service, not a local metro style service so you don't want to delay passengers for Walkden, Atherton and beyond by having lots of stops. The signalling on that line is not practical for high frequency services. It would take an awful lot of cash to bring it up to that kind of standard, though there is more chance of say a tram-train operation than anything else.

Oi, just cause I'm a teenager ...

was only joking, but am hoping you will! pretty please:lol::)

Hi Train Guard.

Lost the quote but still fascinated by your GUIDE BOOK project, places of interest along the Metrolink routes, loving it :grouphug:

Here's a few pix of the Fairfield Moravian Settlement in Droylsden, a semi enclosed community which hasn't changed since about 1785. They use it for filming period pieces and costume drama etc - perfect for Jane Austen, Dickens, that school of thought (apart from the modern cars!). As you say, it can be accessed over the canal from Cemetery Road tramstop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_0005.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_0007.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_2169.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_2168.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_2170.jpg

Also, when we visited the re-opening of Ordsall Hall the other week, I never realised that you have always been able to see it from the Eccles line, between Cornbrook and Pomona!! Until, through the 15th century window, we suddenly saw a t68 go by . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_1983.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_1981.jpg

So on the way back, we checked it out, and there was Ordsall Hall large as life, after being up and down the line for 12 years and never noticing it! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2173.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2170.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2179.jpg

The nearest tramstop, of course, is Exchange Quay.

:banana:

Thats because the building infront of Ordsall Hall was recently demolished, in prepation for the new Irwell River Park scheme.

Finally the site opposite Ordsall Hall is now clear....

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/trakkie/P5140073-1.jpg

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/trakkie/P5140074-1.jpg

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/trakkie/P5140075-1.jpg

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/trakkie/P5140076-1.jpg

This IS Salford

Saw 2001 today all powered up, modded and with tophats. Is it ready?

Saw 2001 today all powered up, modded and with tophats. Is it ready?

All we can do is hope! If they've fitted it with top hats it mustn't be too far away from entering service (otherwise they would've simply fitted them to another tram instead).

What are the tophats?

I saw 2001 running out of service heading towards Cornbrook in the direction of Eccles or Altrincham - it looked very smart and does have the air conditioning units above the cabs (top hats)! It was definately 2001, so might have been under testing and probably not too long before its back in service.

What are the tophats?

Driver cab air conditioners, large box on the roof at the front of the tram that looks like a 'top hat'. I believe 2001 actually had all the modifications months ago before it was repaired.

I'm not going to try and persuade them to open new stations...

Any chance you could mention Droylsden? Worst bottleneck in East Manchester (on the roads) and a sleepy railway just needing a couple of platforms.

If I drank a couple of Red Bulls per hour I reckon I'd have your energy, I'm so jealous! Keep up the fascinating work bud!

Any chance you could mention Droylsden? Worst bottleneck in East Manchester (on the roads) and a sleepy railway just needing a couple of platforms.

If I drank a couple of Red Bulls per hour I reckon I'd have your energy, I'm so jealous! Keep up the fascinating work bud!

Only thing is in a few years when the Ordsall chord opens it will become much busier with many of the trans pennine trains using it, so wonder if there is room to have more stopping trains on that section?

JDR hope you enjoyed your visit to Ordsall Hall, and now the industrial unit has been removed from across the Rd it makes it more visible and gives it a better setting.

Hey Hi-fi!

Thanks for the kind words. I posted a map of my far-in-the-future desires for the Manchester railway network in the other Metrolink thread, but it seems to have gone by unnoticed. On the map itself I placed several new stations along the Ashton rail line, including one at Littlemoss (is this Droylsden?);


http://i51.tinypic.com/2a5lq29.jpg

^^ hope you're happy :)

Thanks for the kind words. I posted a map of my far-in-the-future desires for the Manchester railway network in the other Metrolink thread, but it seems to have gone by unnoticed.

^^ hope you're happy :)
Your enthusiasm is great, but can we keep the speculative maps to the other thread please! There is a fair amount of thread drift anyway (I'm no innocent there :nuts:) but maps of non-existent networks do nothing for me, especially when I think it's about new content relevant to the current network.

I'll get my coat now... :banana:

No, no, no, you make a good point. I posted this on the Metrolink 2CC, 3CC or whatever thread but sadly someone else posted a better map at the exact same time I did, so everyone was awarding him etc and mine got ignored *sad face*.

Sorry about that, I just wanted to show Hi-Fi my future map to confirm I had already been thinking about adding stations on the said line :)

I think the other thread should actually be renamed "Metrolink 2CC, 3CC or whatever".

I saw 2001 running out of service heading towards Cornbrook in the direction of Eccles or Altrincham - it looked very smart and does have the air conditioning units above the cabs (top hats)! It was definately 2001, so might have been under testing and probably not too long before its back in service.

Yeah I just saw 2001 at market st station on test it's looking very smart indeed

No, no, no, you make a good point. I posted this on the Metrolink 2CC, 3CC or whatever thread but sadly someone else posted a better map at the exact same time I did, so everyone was awarding him etc and mine got ignored *sad face*.

Sorry about that, I just wanted to show Hi-Fi my future map to confirm I had already been thinking about adding stations on the said line :)

I like your map fella. Just like all of us your first version needed some revision but it's a good map. I've thought about doing such a map but haven't had the time. The network map being changed to fit the future network is just the current trend.

Driver cab air conditioners, large box on the roof at the front of the tram that looks like a 'top hat'. I believe 2001 actually had all the modifications months ago before it was repaired.

It had the coupler cover, but the top hats appear to have been fitted only recently.

I can't wait to see the old bird back!

Hi

I notice this on the news website

Man hit by Manchester tram is critically injured

A man has been critically injured when he was hit by a tram in Manchester city centre.

The 67-year-old was struck by the tram in Piccadilly Gardens at about 0015 BST on Sunday.

Metrolink services were stopped to allow police officers to carry out investigations at the scene.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police appealed to any witnesses or anyone with any information to contact the force.

JDR hope you enjoyed your visit to Ordsall Hall, and now the industrial unit has been removed from across the Rd it makes it more visible and gives it a better setting.

You bet! And won't it all look fabulous along there when the riverside walk has been completed, presumably all the way from the Soapworks? I didn't realise.

And here's another one, Train Guard, for your eagerly anticipated Guide Book -Clayton Hall, now with its eponymous tramstop (They seem to be revising a lot of these diagrams - e.g. I noticed the Newbold one no longer shows the turnout to the railway engineering/stock transfer loop):-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG-35.jpg

Just step across the tramlines :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9133-1.jpg

(NB there will be a wide sloping descent at this point, from high platform to pavement level, as I posted on the other thread) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2458.jpg

And Clayton Hall is now open to the public on the third Saturday of the month :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9130-1.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9147-1.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9140-1.jpg

:banana:

You jammy so and so Johnny - I've been to Clayton Hall four times now trying to get a decent photo of it and every time there's been a car or van parked right in front of it...:bash:

I wouldn't have minded if it had been parked at the side as in your picture - I could easily get rid of that in Photoshop.

Johnny, have they replaced all the street lighting on the New Road so they can hang the overhead on them, or are they using what is there already do you know?

They are fitting new poles - the existing lighting poles are nowhere near strong enough. I don't think the new poles will be carrying lights as they are not installing any cable conduit. The base of the poles are set in a massive block of concrete extending the full width of the pavement and 4 or 5 feet deep at least. I'll try to get a photo sometime - if Johnny doesn't beat me to it...:)

Does anyone know what's happening at Cornbrook? Went past yesterday and they seemed to have dug several large circular holes alongside the old turnback platform.

Cheers Lowes - that van is nearly always there as I think Clayton Hall has been used as a depot for Manchester Corporation Works dept if there is still such a thing. However, with the new public openings on third Saturdays, it seems at last they are realising its potential as a visitor attraction.

All the old street lamps are going Motor, and the ohle bases are as Lowes describes, and in Tameside we are apparently going to have nice paving around them!.

A lot seems to be happening at Cornbrook right now Ashley- over the weekend all the signals stayed red and trams were having to phone for SPAD permission (Signals Passed at Danger). Although irritating at the time, all exciting portents of things to come!

Does anyone know what's happening at Cornbrook? Went past yesterday and they seemed to have dug several large circular holes alongside the old turnback platform.


they are putting a porta-cabin there, restroom/toilets for staff!

A lot seems to be happening at Cornbrook right now Ashley- over the weekend all the signals stayed red and trams were having to phone for SPAD permission (Signals Passed at Danger). Although irritating at the time, all exciting portents of things to come!

The tram I was on stopped at the Junction for around five minutes, then the driver announced that all passengers should take a seat and hold on tight in case of a sudden stop!

http://www.contactmcr.com/ seemed to be going on today on my way home from town.

Most odd.

toilets for staff!

Well that explains the large circular holes.

http://www.contactmcr.com/ seemed to be going on today on my way home from town.

Most odd.

Which tram was being used? I'd quite like to pay it a visit.

Hi

The bury line is set to have a Upgrade

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/stationinfo/bury-stop-information.asp

Services seemed a bit disrupted today, there were twice as many trams to Altrincham than Bury all day, MediaCity/Eccles services seemed to be working on a 2:1 ratio, two Eccles then a MediaCity then two Eccles again.

Retarded woman with pram walking out in front of an incoming tram, couple of other bystanders had to yell at her to get out of the way. The galling thing was she wasnt on the phone or using headphones just not looking.

^^

Were there any customer service announcements about what was happening on the lines?

Nice find by the way Bapurdie.

Which tram was being used? I'd quite like to pay it a visit.

I wondered what T68 1012 was doing with "SPECIAL" on its destination boards. It was Alty bound from Mosley St at about 17:30.

Which tram was being used? I'd quite like to pay it a visit.

It was a :banana: going to MediaCity. Tbh I didn't take note of the number.

When we got on (in the undercroft) they were 'acting' a footballer escaping the paporatzi (I think).

I wondered what T68 1012 was doing with "SPECIAL" on its destination boards. It was Alty bound from Mosley St at about 17:30.

It was a :banana: that I was on.

Some Beeb folk (I think) boarding in Piccadilly looked most confused :)

Totally unrelated to current subjects but I was going through some of my photos over the weekend and found these pre-Metrolink images. They show the demonstration organised by British Rail and GMPTE as a precursor to Metrolink in 1987.

The first 2 show DLR car 11 passing through Ardwick on its way from Longsight Depot to Hyde Road on the Fallowfield Line.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/1987_02_07%20Project%20Light%20Rail%20Debdale%20Park/IMG_050.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/1987_02_07%20Project%20Light%20Rail%20Debdale%20Park/IMG_051.jpg

The next 3 show Car 11 running with a pantograph between Hyde Road junction and Reddish Depot. The 750v DC power came from a Class 303 EMU parked up on the stub of the Fairfield leg of the line using its transformer recifier to convert the 25kV AC to DC for the DLR car.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/1987_02_07%20Project%20Light%20Rail%20Debdale%20Park/IMG_054.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/1987_02_07%20Project%20Light%20Rail%20Debdale%20Park/IMG_053.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/1987_02_07%20Project%20Light%20Rail%20Debdale%20Park/IMG_052.jpg

Totally unrelated to current subjects but I was going through some of my photos over the weekend and found these pre-Metrolink images. They show the demonstration organised by British Rail and GMPTE as a precursor to Metrolink in 1987.

Absolutely wonderful pictures! Thank you so much for sharing them, I've only ever seen a few grainy images of the DLR vehicle test up by Debdale. Amazing how things change, the notion of dragging an LRV all the way from London then jury rigging a 750v supply from a borrowed EMU seems like a different world altogether!

(I note the Peak on the pointy end of the special train, they must have been fairly rare into Piccadilly as well?)

Very best regards,
Slip

Where exactly is that second photo? Brilliant stuff :)

Absolutely wonderful pictures! Thank you so much for sharing them, I've only ever seen a few grainy images of the DLR vehicle test up by Debdale. Amazing how things change, the notion of dragging an LRV all the way from London then jury rigging a 750v supply from a borrowed EMU seems like a different world altogether!

(I note the Peak on the pointy end of the special train, they must have been fairly rare into Piccadilly as well?)

Very best regards,
Slip

Thanks for the comments. I was lucky I worked on BR at the time and got to hear about the special just in time. I was then even luckier to be given the job of installing a radio system at Debdale Park for the event. DLR 11 was brought to Longsight by road and then dragged to Piccadilly where the Peak ran round before taking it on to Hyde Road. the whole event was a triumph of co-operation between BR, GMPTE, Balfour Beatty and GEC.

Where exactly is that second photo? Brilliant stuff :)

Taken from the footbridge at Ardwick station, the first one was taken from the old eastbound platform there.

Well well amazing pictures. And yes volt boy, Manchester was really that grimy. Can I speculate and ask if those ancient dlr vehicles could still run on mancunian rails, ie the unloved marple/ Rose hill/ swinton corridors? A super cheap proposal....... Or we now looking at those parry cars?

You referring to me there? If so you read my mind ;) Beeb staff think they have it bad now, look how it used to be!

Although my Dad and I took a detour on our way back from Boston (Lincs) this morning and veered off the motorway and went through Halifax instead. I have to say it's a completely different world out there, so so so rural. Of course, it's what many of the Leeds forumers regard to be their "dense, inner-city suburbs" but seriously, they're some mighty hills out there!

Parry Cars *shiver*. Christ, they're basically a Ring-and-Ride on rails, aren't they? :ohno:

Y'all gonna wish me good luck in my exams tomorrow? :)

Hi

The bury line is set to have a Upgrade

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/stationinfo/bury-stop-information.asp

Cheers.....

Curious heaton park is getting done up on heaton park's special day. Sorry if this has been answered if heaton Parkin cakes wants a heaton park old metro link grey and white sign then aside from loitering on construction day, who should I email?

Well well amazing pictures. And yes volt boy, Manchester was really that grimy. Can I speculate and ask if those ancient dlr vehicles could still run on mancunian rails, ie the unloved marple/ Rose hill/ swinton corridors? A super cheap proposal....... Or we now looking at those parry cars?

No the first batch of DLR cars are now full blown trams in Essen having been sold shortly after the Bank extension opened I think.
Proper Tram trains have been suggested for Marple.

You only need luck if you haven't done yer revision.

It occurs to me and somewhat worries me that we probably share the same tram in the morning, whilst it is driven by various other forumistas and Kurt s and his ever changing names flies over us. Zero I am enjoying your contributions on another forum.

Done plenty. Ask me anything on History from 1900 to 1950 and Biology :)

Y'all gonna wish me good luck in my exams tomorrow? :)What heatonparkincakes said. And what are you doing looking at SSC when there is serious panic^H^H^Hrevising to be done! :banana:

Because, erm erm erm ...

Seriously though, I don't like to bragg but we did mocks last term and I got 2 A*'s, 3 A's, 4 B's and a C. Improvements to be made on the C in maths, of course, but we don't have a maths exam tomorrow so ... :)

And by the way sorry to all the people expecting to learn about another day of hassle and disruption on Metrolink only to find me bragging, I'd hate it if someone else was doing it.

post removed

Good luck to Ed for his exams! And I like the sound of Kurt and his ever changing names, whoever that is! I do love this forum :-)

Because, erm erm erm ...

Seriously though, I don't like to bragg but we did mocks last term and I got 2 A*'s, 3 A's, 4 B's and a C. Improvements to be made on the C in maths, of course, but we don't have a maths exam tomorrow so ... :)

And by the way sorry to all the people expecting to learn about another day of hassle and disruption on Metrolink only to find me bragging, I'd hate it if someone else was doing it.

Good luck mate. What level biology is it? I may be able to help you out with some questions :D

From the Metrolink website....
Due to a communications fault, Ticket Vending Machines are currently not accepting payment by either Credit or Debit cards.
Passengers are advised to use either the note or coin facility on the ticket vending machines to purchase tickets.

Metrolink apologises to passengers for the inconvenice this causes.

Eek, what happens if you arrive at a station with no cash??

Eek, what happens if you arrive at a station with no cash??

Basically they can't penalty fare you as they can't provide the service. Works that way on the railways. If they did try and do it to you just fight it as they would be in the wrong.

As it would be reasonable to expect them to have their machines working and you are willing to pay at the earliest chance.

As in all cases like this, to be safe I think you'd need to call customer services before boarding a tram to tell them the problem you have in getting a ticket - you can't expect ticket inspectors to join the dots in this sort of situation, sadly.

Many congrats to the driver of 2005 arriving at Picc gardens around 10.55. You managed to keep the doors open for about 10 secs before shutting them, trapping ppl at all 4 doors who hadn't got off. If it hadn't been for my size 11's keePing one of the middle doors open, there would have been a lot of unhappy customers. Shame on the instructor who glared at me from the cab for forcing the doors so passengers cod actually get off... Knob!!

Many congrats to the driver of 2005 arriving at Picc gardens around 10.55. You managed to keep the doors open for about 10 secs before shutting them, trapping ppl at all 4 doors who hadn't got off. If it hadn't been for my size 11's keePing one of the middle doors open, there would have been a lot of unhappy customers. Shame on the instructor who glared at me from the cab for forcing the doors so passengers cod actually get off... Knob!!I hope you are going to put in a claim to Metrolink for a new pair of shoes! They will be able to trace the driver from the unit number as well.

Shoes all present and correct, however everybody around where I was stood was talking about it.

Many congrats to the driver of 2005 arriving at Picc gardens around 10.55. You managed to keep the doors open for about 10 secs before shutting them, trapping ppl at all 4 doors who hadn't got off. If it hadn't been for my size 11's keePing one of the middle doors open, there would have been a lot of unhappy customers. Shame on the instructor who glared at me from the cab for forcing the doors so passengers cod actually get off... Knob!!

You should definitely write in with a complaint about that, trouble is it will be the drivers word against yours although the on tram black box should be capable of showing how long the doors were unlocked for. Suggest they check the data.

Almost the opposite with 2004 on the way back to alty. The doors were opening automatically before the tram had even come to a complete stop!

You should definitely write in with a complaint about that, trouble is it will be the drivers word against yours although the on tram black box should be capable of showing how long the doors were unlocked for. Suggest they check the data.

I've complained in the past and never had so much as a reply!!

7 Jun 2011, 17:14

Transport for Greater Manchester said Metrolink passengers are set to benefit from a package of works that will see improvements to security, safety and facilities at tram stops along the Bury line.

The work will start next Monday 13 June and run until December, but TfGM, formerly known as the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, said Metrolink services will not be affected.

Besses o'th' Barn, also known as Besses, Bowker Vale, Bury, Crumpsall, Heaton Park, Prestwich, Radcliffe and Whitefield are all set for stop enhancements.

TfGM said better lighting, new seats, shelters and cycle facilities will form part of the improvements that will be delivered over the coming months.

Cllr Keith Whitmore, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: "More than 20 million passengers use Metrolink every year, and we are committed to improving the safety, security and attractiveness of the entire network for the benefit of all users.

"The work on the Bury line forms the next step in making improvements across the network, which will provide a high standard of facilities along the line."

Existing buildings and canopies at Besses and Bowker Vale will be removed, with new waiting shelters and stop furniture installed with an aim at improving visibility between the platforms and entrances.

The roof over the footbridge at the Heaton Park stop is also being removed, with an aim at improving lighting and visibility.

At the Bury stop, TfGM said the platform waiting room will be removed to prevent anti-social behaviour and new seating will be installed.

The project cost was not disclosed.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/1000x655/jun_11/pnw__1307460501_Heaton_Ex_Roofless_6.jpg

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/1000x509/jun_11/pnw__1307460418_Bowker_Vale_7.jpg

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/1000x509/jun_11/pnw__1307460343_Besses_1.jpg

Hi

A 1021 tram had be derailed at Market Street.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mancmetrolink/attachments/folder/68923993/item/1623292648/view

Due to a problem with a tram at Market Street our sevices will run as follows.

Bury to Victoria every 6 minutes however passengers may experience delays.

Eccles, MediaCityUK and Altrincham services will run every 6 minutes from Picadilly station to both destinations only. Some passengers may experience delays to their journey.

Metrolink sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause.

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/todaysdisruptions/index.asp?id=7

Hi

A 1021 tram had be derailed at Market Street.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mancmetrolink/attachments/folder/68923993/item/1623292648/view

Due to a problem with a tram at Market Street our sevices will run as follows.

Bury to Victoria every 6 minutes however passengers may experience delays.

Eccles, MediaCityUK and Altrincham services will run every 6 minutes from Picadilly station to both destinations only. Some passengers may experience delays to their journey.

Metrolink sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause.

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/todaysdisruptions/index.asp?id=7

Beat me to it.

Looks like exactly the same place 1008 derailed a few months back.

Let's hope poor 1021 is okay!

I saw a patrol checking for obstructions yesterday lunch time then ironically Piccadilly Garden points failed last night too.

Here a more detail of derailed tram

A tram has derailed in Manchester city centre – causing commuter chaos.

The Metrolink service from Bury was pulling out of the Market Street stop when its front came off the tracks at 5.40pm today.

Transport chiefs said the tram was travelling at a slow speed at the time of the incident and confirmed that no passengers were injured.

The derailment means that services from Bury will terminate at Victoria Station. Services from Altrincham and Eccles will end at Piccadilly gardens.

Travellers were warned to expect delays.

A spokesman for Transport for Greater Manchester, which runs Metrolink, said that recovery of the tram should take two to three hours.

The track will then be inspected and made safe before normal service resumes.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1423002_commuters-hit-by-delays-after-metrolink-tram-derails-on-market-street

Sorry for bumping two threads on this one peice of information but it's relevant to both threads.

Altrincham's new transport interchange

I don't know if this has been heard of on here or not, but I've had a booklet lying around for a while now regarding Altrincham's (and Bolton's) new transport interchanges. I'm terribly sorry about the quality of the photos, but I don't have a scanner or a digital camera, so these are phone images. I hope you can make out at least some of the characteristics :ohno:

Front cover:

http://i53.tinypic.com/14d0rqd.jpg

The characteristics of the new interchange (if you can't read them, send me a request and I'll list them out for you.)

http://i53.tinypic.com/2i0uc8z.jpg

A few more pictures:

http://i53.tinypic.com/n2e8gk.jpg

This is taken from the "bus part" of the Interchange (the main entrance)

http://i55.tinypic.com/2rdug4x.jpg

Railway & Metrolink platforms:

http://i54.tinypic.com/6pcody.jpg

Glass is the answer to all of our troubles! :D

Love it, not a small upgrade at all.

Here a more detail of derailed tram

A tram has derailed in Manchester city centre – causing commuter chaos.

The Metrolink service from Bury was pulling out of the Market Street stop when its front came off the tracks at 5.40pm today.

Transport chiefs said the tram was travelling at a slow speed at the time of the incident and confirmed that no passengers were injured.

The derailment means that services from Bury will terminate at Victoria Station. Services from Altrincham and Eccles will end at Piccadilly gardens.

Travellers were warned to expect delays.

A spokesman for Transport for Greater Manchester, which runs Metrolink, said that recovery of the tram should take two to three hours.

The track will then be inspected and made safe before normal service resumes.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1423002_commuters-hit-by-delays-after-metrolink-tram-derails-on-market-street

It looked like the back wheels on the front bogie(?) of 1021 had tried to go right when the front wheels had gone straight on as it pulled out of Market Street towards Piccadilly. A few small paving stones were damaged, Metrolink staff were having a look at the damage to 1021's wheels.

I suspected something was up when arriving at St Peter's Square. Plenty of people were waiting (usually a sign of a long wait for a Bury tram), and when a double unit heading to Piccadilly pulled in, I decided to get on (no announcement had been made at SPS about any disruption).

I haven't had the best of weeks on Metrolink - delays and breakdowns getting home on Thurs and Fri evening, as well as tonight. But at least tonight the service running to/from Victoria seemed to be running well - providing you could walk to Victoria - it wasn't the 'chaos' the MEN describes.

Sorry for bumping two threads on this one peice of information but it's relevant to both threads.


http://www.tfgm.com/upload/library/10-0309_Altrincham_Int_Cons.pdf

Consultation occured last year, was briefly discussed in the forum I believe.

Did something sit down at Mosley street as well about 1pm today? Or just epic stacking around the triangle/market street?

The kids at Blessed Thomas Holford school will have a smashing time at Alty station !!Theyre the reason for the Perspex now! Not a day would go by without the sound of smashing glass on the bridge 20yrs ago when I went there!!

It looked like the back wheels on the front bogie(?) of 1021 had tried to go right when the front wheels had gone straight on as it pulled out of Market Street towards Piccadilly. A few small paving stones were damaged, Metrolink staff were having a look at the damage to 1021's wheels.

I haven't had the best of weeks on Metrolink - delays and breakdowns getting home on Thurs and Fri evening, as well as tonight. But at least tonight the service running to/from Victoria seemed to be running well - providing you could walk to Victoria - it wasn't the 'chaos' the MEN describes.

I find this rather depressing! Noticed that the points at around this location had failed around 12:30hrs today; any connection?? Doesn't bode well for the opening of the Chorlton, Ashton, Oldham & Rochdale lines, will the city centre line be able to cope? Given present levels of reliability I have serious doubts, but I hope I am wrong.

Theres hundreds of trams a day over them, sadly all it takes is a bit of rubbish in the wrong place.....

From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-13684701):

Metrolink second city crossing 'vital' for Manchester

Business leaders in Manchester have said plans for a new cross-city tram link are "vital", despite concerns that small businesses could be hit hard.

Transport bosses want to build an alternative Metrolink route called the Second City Crossing (2CC) by 2016.

As consultation gets under way, companies have been warned they could face years of "major disruption".

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is urging small businesses to find out how the proposals will affect them.

Richard Critchley, the chamber's policy manager for transport, agreed congestion was a major problem for struggling businesses.

Continue reading the main story
Second City Crossing plans
Alternative tram link from St Peter's Square to Victoria Station
New tram stops at St Peter's Square and Exchange Square
Road closures including part of Princess Street
Construction work set to begin in 2013
But he said the construction of a second city crossing was "vital for the future expansion of Metrolink".

"There will be a huge disruption during the construction phase - that's inevitable with any major project like this," he said.

"There will be a number of permanent road closures and they will impact on businesses in the long term so people need to look at these plans now."

If approved, construction of the 2CC scheme would begin in 2013 with the extension up and running by late 2016.

The proposed tram link would take passengers on a new line from St Peter's Square to Victoria Station via Princess Street and Cross Street.

The existing tram stop in St Peter's Square would be moved and a new stop would be created at Exchange Square.

Cut in two

But a section of Princess Street would be closed to all traffic except buses and taxis, effectively cutting the city in two and blocking off an east-west through route via Bridge Street and John Dalton Street.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) acknowledged the difficulties facing small businesses but said its strategy was to support a "strong and prosperous economy".

Passenger numbers on Metrolink are forecast to rise from 6,000 to 20,000 in the next decade However, it said that with passenger numbers set to to treble by 2021, an alternative city centre route was "essential" to cope with increased demand created by expansion of the Metrolink network.

A new line to MediaCityUK has recently opened and Metrolink extensions to Chorlton, Droylsden, Oldham and Rochdale will open during 2011 and 2012.

In addition, Metrolink extensions are under way from Chorlton to East Didsbury, from Droylsden to Ashton-under-Lyne town centre, through Oldham and Rochdale town centres and to Manchester Airport.

TfGM is also working with Manchester City Council to accommodate the new tram link with plans to pedestrianise St Peter's Square and relocate the Cenotaph to a position close to the Town Hall.

Public consultation on the crossing and Cenotaph plans will continue until 9 September, details of which can be found on the TfGM website.

Metrolink second city crossing 'vital' for Manchester Plans include a new tram stop in Exchange Square
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
City's cenotaph 'could be moved'
Call to rethink tram fares rise
Tram extension plans get go-ahead
Business leaders in Manchester have said plans for a new cross-city tram link are "vital", despite concerns that small businesses could be hit hard.

Transport bosses want to build an alternative Metrolink route called the Second City Crossing (2CC) by 2016.

As consultation gets under way, companies have been warned they could face years of "major disruption".

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is urging small businesses to find out how the proposals will affect them.

Richard Critchley, the chamber's policy manager for transport, agreed congestion was a major problem for struggling businesses.

Continue reading the main story
Second City Crossing plans
Alternative tram link from St Peter's Square to Victoria Station
New tram stops at St Peter's Square and Exchange Square
Road closures including part of Princess Street
Construction work set to begin in 2013
But he said the construction of a second city crossing was "vital for the future expansion of Metrolink".

"There will be a huge disruption during the construction phase - that's inevitable with any major project like this," he said.

"There will be a number of permanent road closures and they will impact on businesses in the long term so people need to look at these plans now."

If approved, construction of the 2CC scheme would begin in 2013 with the extension up and running by late 2016.

The proposed tram link would take passengers on a new line from St Peter's Square to Victoria Station via Princess Street and Cross Street.

The existing tram stop in St Peter's Square would be moved and a new stop would be created at Exchange Square.

Cut in two

But a section of Princess Street would be closed to all traffic except buses and taxis, effectively cutting the city in two and blocking off an east-west through route via Bridge Street and John Dalton Street.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) acknowledged the difficulties facing small businesses but said its strategy was to support a "strong and prosperous economy".

Passenger numbers on Metrolink are forecast to rise from 6,000 to 20,000 in the next decade However, it said that with passenger numbers set to to treble by 2021, an alternative city centre route was "essential" to cope with increased demand created by expansion of the Metrolink network.

A new line to MediaCityUK has recently opened and Metrolink extensions to Chorlton, Droylsden, Oldham and Rochdale will open during 2011 and 2012.

In addition, Metrolink extensions are under way from Chorlton to East Didsbury, from Droylsden to Ashton-under-Lyne town centre, through Oldham and Rochdale town centres and to Manchester Airport.

TfGM is also working with Manchester City Council to accommodate the new tram link with plans to pedestrianise St Peter's Square and relocate the Cenotaph to a position close to the Town Hall.

Public consultation on the crossing and Cenotaph plans will continue until 9 September, details of which can be found on the TfGM website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-13684701

From Gareth on the Metrolink mailing list...

2001 made its return to passenger service on the afternoon of Tuesday 7th June - its first runs in service for around four years.

More on this story can be found at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/jun11/newsmanchester2.html


June is turning into a very good month.

- Engineering Work - 11 & 12 June 2011
On Saturday 11 June and Sunday 12 June There will be no trams running on the Altrincham and Eccles lines. Trams will run from Bury to Piccadilly only. There will be no through services to Altrincham.

Does this mean the last tram home from St Peters Square to Altrincham won't be at the normal time of 00:54 on early Saturday morning?

No.

It means that once the Friday services finish at about 1am on the Saturday, that is it until about 5:30am on Monday on the Alty Eccles lines.

Apprently a cyclist has just hit a tram in Picc Gardens with a loud thump...

From Gareth on the Metrolink mailing list...



June is turning into a very good month.

It says that 2001 (and 2003) have the revised livery that the 1xxx's have, how's it different to what the rest of the 2x's have?

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/jun11/news2001.jpg
Original Livery

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/259-1002b.jpg
'Revised' Livery

Play spot the difference :)

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/jun11/news2001.jpg
Original Livery

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/259-1002b.jpg
'Revised' Livery

Play spot the difference :)

I see. One says 1002 and the other says 2001. Any more:lol:

One says Da Vinci the other does not, the only other difference I see, is that the top of one is in turquoise and the other is in white.

The top blue, yellow/orange strips top and bottom, front number, might have been a slightly different shade of white as well (cream vs white) but I forget. It is 'revised' not different after all :)

No garish adverts on the first one.

The top blue, yellow/orange strips top and bottom, front number, might have been a slightly different shade of white as well (cream vs white) but I forget. It is 'revised' not different after all :)

Yes, they have a different shade of white. The newer shade was simply named 'revised white', not really sure what the difference is.

22 metrolink officials on trafford bar as I type. No idea what they are all there for

Lots of Orange coats around the depot/chorlton junction and several trams lined up by the gates

Tram tests are on Martin! Tram at firswood

If they were re-liverying 2001, why not the new yellow/grey livery? Or are all the T-68(a)s going to stay in the old livery?

If they were re-liverying 2001, why not the new yellow/grey livery? Or are all the T-68(a)s going to stay in the old livery?

When they finally get around to applying the new livery to the older trams, they are having a total refurb. The interiors will then look similiar to the M5000's. Also they will be totally re-wired from what I understand. Each tram will take months to do.

Tram tests are on Martin! Tram at firswood

Yay!! Get some photos! Woohoo

When they finally get around to applying the new livery to the older trams, they are having a total refurb. The interiors will then look similiar to the M5000's. Also they will be totally re-wired from what I understand. Each tram will take months to do.

I thought they were getting a new interior based on the current layout, so they remain retain their high seating capacity!

It is a high seating layout, though the seats themselves would be the same as in the M5000 and it would have the required wheelchair spaces.

Apologies if it's been posted already but it states in the Salford Advertiser that this weekends closures of the Alty and Ecc lines are for the replacement of the rails at the curve before Deansgate-Castlefield

Nope, thats new news to me! But it's good, that work's been a long time coming!!

18/06/2011 - Engineering work 17-19 June 2011

The will be no trams running on the Altrincham line from 2100 on Friday 17th June until 1100 on Sunday 19th June 2011.

^^

So when will Chorlton be connected? 11th or 18th? Surely they can't leave it until three days prior to the opening can they?

My money is on the 11/12th.

I reckon that they may run a 24hr ghost service from 2100 on the 17th right through to 1100 on the Sunday.

From that time they may even allow customers on the Alty line whilst continuing the Chorlton service empty.

No trams on the Alti line next week will be fun with the Kings of Leon concerts at Old Trafford Cricket Ground! Whoopsie.

My money is on the 11/12th.

I reckon that they may run a 24hr ghost service from 2100 on the 17th right through to 1100 on the Sunday.

From that time they may even allow customers on the Alty line whilst continuing the Chorlton service empty.

I hope they continue testing this weekend, it's just about the only time I can make it down there.

The ghost service should be interesting - if we beg, they may even let us have a little ride :lol:

It would make sense for them to continue over the weekend, if they're connecting up the lines there's no reason why they can't still run trams on the Chorlton line :-)

Indeed, there is not a huge amount of connecting to do.


I'd imagine they'll commision the neew junction and the Cornbrook turnback at the earliest stage and then run tram across both as much as possible during whatever time they have spare.


I wonder if the next weekend closure relates to a 'mixed' running of both the Alty and Chorlton line. Done as a ghost service in case it all collapses.

I hope so, it would be cool to stand on Elsinore Road and watch alternate trams passing over the junction with some swerving off to the left to Chorlton, some going straight on to alty, and some rising up as if from out of the ground as they emerge from the Chorlton line! :-)

A tram was rolling into St Werburghs Road as I cycled past this morning. Exciting!

Great! What time was that? They starting earlier? :)

Half ten.

Some pics i posted on 10 july 2008 ,a few changes since:lol:, i will post the other pictures later .scroll down a bit
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584932&highlight=chorlton+metro&page=193

Some pics i posted on 10 july 2008 ,a few changes since:lol:, i will post the other pictures later .scroll down a bit
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584932&highlight=chorlton+metro&page=193

Quite a transformation in just three years!

Which is what makes me wonder how it is going to be 5 years until the airport line opens.

Anyone who has been to Wythenshawe can see how much work has gone on down there.

Some pics i posted on 10 july 2008 ,a few changes since:lol:, i will post the other pictures later .scroll down a bit
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584932&highlight=chorlton+metro&page=193

I don't see anything, what is the reply number?

I don't see anything, what is the reply number?
#3845

If you click on the post number you get a link to that post:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=22461820&postcount=3845

(And yes, it's changed a bit in the last 3 years! Must get over there to have a proper look.)

To those of you which dont understand 'hunting' the first segment of this program has a great explanation, along with other good explanations of rail technology.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0121l52/Richard_Hammonds_Engineering_Connections_Series_3_Bullet_Train/

Anyone ridden the GMEX curve today??

Anyone ridden the GMEX curve today??

Yes, did it just after 3pm. Still goes about 5mph. Wonder why, it's not as tight as some of the curves where they go faster!

Old speed limit was 10mph, possibly more testing to do before its lifted.

martin: Anyone ridden the GMEX curve today??

I'll ride that curve anyday!!

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2722.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2724.jpg

They still have to take it slowly and steadily till the newness wears off :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2770.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2771.jpg

I think there's a station round the corner :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2726.jpg

And another curve just waiting to be ridden :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2727.jpg

Come on down! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2728.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2747.jpg

Still plenty Chorlton testanana :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2736.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2737.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2739.jpg

Some parts of the depot are beginning to look quite pretty :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2742.jpg

The coloured line descriptions now seem to have more detail than I remembered - if you look closely at the Brown one, it now says MediaCityUK runs to Cornbrook only - this would seem to confirm that the new arrangements with the Chorlton line are about to begin :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2744.jpg

The signalling at Cornbrook was all to cock again today, as it was all the way through from MC to Mosley Street - I wondered if the reason might be a further roll-out of TOS teething problems into the city? The driver kept having to phone through for over-rides, and in some places (Anchorage, Salford Quays, Lower Mosley Street) the lights held back the tram whilst changing two or three times, both for and against the road traffic :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2753.jpg

Here the signal is 'off' for Altrincham, although we are for MediaCityUK ! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2759.jpg

Another phone call sorted it out. I guess the days of that letter 'E' are numbered? (for Eccles line, a Metrolink curiosity along with the A and B at Bury) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2761.jpg

Way back East at Edge Lane, lots of platform erections were being delivered this very afternoon :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2776.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2778.jpg

:banana:

The maps have always shown the Mediacity service only going as far as Cornbrook.

I'll ride that curve anyday!!


http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2724.jpg



Why is the track in bedded in concrete blocks like that?

It's not normal rail and it's not the street running rail either. It always looks like it has to ride on the concrete blocks which surely isn't good for the wheels?

In case the structure shifts, its not concrete in the gaps but polymer which has some give. The angle of the image also makes the groove look smaller than it is which you can see by looking on the right.

Good shots again Johnny. I will have a gander up to the depot tomorrow, see whats goin down. I think if they were laying the lines on the bowstring bridge today that the set up would be somewhat different. I guess the technology for tramway track laying wasnt particularly advanced back in 1990 and Manchester was of course the first. They would probably just have bolted straight into concrete like on parts of the new extensions if was constructed today.

Its the join between the ramp and the original viaduct, I assume that it wasnt embedded straight to ground because they thought the two structures may shift their relative positions, there would also be extreme lateral forces from the tight corner. Most of the viaduct is simple track on ballast but there are other places with track like that though, notably at Pomona and the bridge, the Eccles underpass and Piccadilly Undercroft.

I was down at Chorlton stop today, didn't see any trams, probably at lunch, but there were a lot of suits wandering around (trousers tucked in socks!) looking important and doing a bit of measuring.
I wondered if they were signing off the stop?

The maps have always shown the Mediacity service only going as far as Cornbrook.

Yes, but have those detailed descriptions always been there, I never previously noticed the brown strip across the bottom (where else?!), perhaps my declining observational faculties :nuts:

Yep, that has always been there.

Interested to see what colour the Chorlton line will be.

After that only the airport and the Shaw service will need to be added.

....and Droyslden/Ashton line!

Why is the track in bedded in concrete blocks like that?

It's not normal rail and it's not the street running rail either. It always looks like it has to ride on the concrete blocks which surely isn't good for the wheels?

The curves on the outbound line don't look as though they've been replaced to me in this photograph although those taken during the work do seem to show rails out on that line.

....and Droyslden/Ashton line!

They'll be yellow and blue - continuation of the Alty and Bury to Picc lines.

The curves on the outbound line don't look as though they've been replaced to me in this photograph although those taken during the work do seem to show rails out on that line.

Maybe lined up for next weekends closure????

Actually, is the Eccles line closed next weekend or just the Alty line?

They'll be yellow and blue - continuation of the Alty and Bury to Picc lines.

Ah right! :)

Maybe lined up for next weekends closure????

Actually, is the Eccles line closed next weekend or just the Alty line?

Just alty I believe...

Few bits and pieces from a trip on the system south of the city centre: Tuesday
morning.

1. Altrincham has had some lengths of rail dumped between the tracks on
platform 1 (for track replacement??).
2. Platform 2 at Altrincham seems to see little use: uptil the Summer
blockade, all trams between 7 - 8pm used to use it to keep the signals working.
3. Banana trams stop short of the normal T68 terminal point at Altrincham as
apparently they don't fit further down platform 1. They also have a 30mph speed
limit from Dane Rd (about the M60 bridge) inbound to Stretford to cut the
bounce.
4. The portacabins have disappeared from Old Trafford Station outbound
platform - presume these were connected to the building of the depot?.
5. Whilst the rails are connected from the Altrincham line for the Chorlton
line at Trafford Bar, the access crossover from inbound to outbound for the
depot still has a rail missing.
6. A number of bananas standing outside the depot on the Chorlton line
with several men in orange standing around.
7. Changing at Cornbrook for Eccles line, banana on the media city shuttle
seemed to have difficulty in deciding where it was! On leaving Pomona, the
announcement said the next station was Pomona, then it repeated but said it was
Exchange Quay. On leaving Exchange Quay there were several back to back
announcements alternating between the next stn being Exchange Quays or Salford
Quays! think it was 5 announcements on the bounce!
8. The tram signals didn't clear at the crossover near the blue cranes til a
call to control appeared to allow the tram to pass over the road - after two
complete cycles for the road traffic. By which time, the following "Eccles"
bound banana had caught up and followed to Harbour City - seemingly slowing to
allow ours to stop and clear the stop before it slowly entered the stop.
9. MediaCityUk everything seemed ok and all trams were using Platform A
10. New bus stop and shelter being erected - presume for the Salford
Quays-Salford Crescent hybrid shuttle buses - due to start soon: picture of one
on test on flickr: "one of the new Optare Versa's in a silver and pink livery
with Salford Quays Link branding with the plate YJ11ENP and shown on the site as
being for Maytree Travel". www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/5830313510/ and
www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/5829768411/
11. Into the city centre and then back out to Altrincham, our T68 crawled up
the ramp at G-Mex as the signal at the top was against us. There was no tram
immediatley in front so this seemed to be slow to clear.?
12. The sharp curve at GMex is still subject to 5mph restriction, after the
track being replaced last weekend.
13. Has anybody ever seen the Cornbrook turnback in use since it was connected
up?
Presume this and the Eccles/ Altrincham junction at Cornbrook will be critical
for the TMS to work. Is this the reason for the curious closure this
weekend from 9pm Friday til 11am Sunday on the Altrincham line?? (rather than allday Saturday and Saunday) or is it linking the Chorlton line in and testing from Trafford Bar to St W Rd?

How come T68, the inside dot matrix gives the same words as the voice message
"this is an Altrincham tram, the next stop is ...." whereas on Bananas whilst
the voice message is the same as T68s, the dot matrix just say "Tram to ...
Next: ..." on the display.

A discovery for me: On Banana trams, you can click the "door open" button at any
point and it will open when at next stop whereas T68's you can only click it
when illuminated at a stop.

Think thats all for now!

Paul W

The MC-SCS-MC Bus is scheduled to start operating on 3rd July 2011 !!

Yes, but have those detailed descriptions always been there, I never previously noticed the brown strip across the bottom (where else?!), perhaps my declining observational faculties :nuts:

yes Johnny,

And it seems they can't add up as it says the time from Piccadilly to Eccles is 34 mins when it's 31 mins as checked on the timetable:ohno:
It's useless information anyway as it's the same poster on every station/stop/halt/ passenger waiting location *(*delete as appropriate). It doesn't even give the time of the first tram in the morning from your own stop,only from the terminus which is a bit useless really if you live further down the line. :nuts:

And it seems they can't add up as it says the time from Piccadilly to Eccles is 34 mins when it's 31 mins as checked on the timetable:ohno:



Does that include when it stops at MediaCity though?

A link for recruitment from the front page and a new recruitment page seem to have appeared today, though its not listing any vacancies it seems to indicate their gearing up for another recruiting drive.

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/images/recruitment/recruitment-banner.gif
http://www.metrolink.co.uk/recruitment/recruitment.aspx

I didn't look at that apologies, maybe the extra 3 mins is for that?

That whole box is a bit rubbish though really. I can't imagine what it's going to look like when the new lines open and a simple timetable for each stop would be much easier or at least times of first and last trams from your own stop.
ie

First 05XX

and every xx mins till

XX

then every xx mins till xx

last tram at xx

?

Seems they treat the tram drivers to better conditions than the bus drivers.
:)

This is not helping my third-life-crisis of wanting to jack in my office job and try to become a tram driver!! :(

Heh, so I'm not the first to spot the recruitment link.

No doubt they'll have something to advertise soon. Maybe they'll wait for the Chorlton line to 'sell itself' before benefiting from the curiosity and intrigue generated.

...unless, of course, it all goes a bit 'MC'...

I enquired about vacancies a couple of months ago and they said any future vacancies would appear on the website, so looks like that link needs to be regularly checked!!

I enquired last year and was told they would do a big public recruiting campaign for the spring lines, they never did.

Just went over the gmex curve - much faster now!

Just went over the gmex curve - much faster now!

Sweet. I'll try to remember to take notice later on. :)

Here's a plug for the July edition of 'Tramways & Urban Transit', on sale now. Lots of pictures and stuff about Manchester Metrolink, including a 5 page centre article, and a full report from the UK LIght Rail Conference held here last month. Don't want to reproduce too much (as a LRTA member I would like to encourage people to buy the mag!), but here are a couple more shots of the interior of Old Trafford Depot :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0002-32.jpg

The magazine coverage is not entirely free from factual inaccuracy (Abraham Moss didn't replace Navigation Road! and the Brown line is missing from the diagram shown), but altogether it's quite a splash about Manchester, and I must repeat these two magnificent quotes from the Conference :-

# Philip Purdy: "Trains are a mode of transport. I always say that trams are part of the community." (I must remember that when people write to the Tameside Advertiser to say we don't need Metrolink, you can get from Ashton to Victoria in 10 mins while the tram will take 50 mins)(sick 9.6.11). And,

# Chairman Ian Brown CBE, winding up the Light Rail Conference: "I still think there's an opportunity in this country to go large and seeing what Manchester is doing, going large means seriously large . . . we're at a bit of a turning point."

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0003-16.jpg

:banana:

"House upto 96 trams"

Is that bit accurate?

Here's a plug for the July edition of 'Tramways & Urban Transit', on sale now. Lots of pictures and stuff about Manchester Metrolink, including a 5 page centre article, and a full report from the UK LIght Rail Conference held here last month. Don't want to reproduce too much (as a LRTA member I would like to encourage people to buy the mag!), but here are a couple more shots of the interior of Old Trafford Depot :-

The magazine coverage is not entirely free from factual inaccuracy (Abraham Moss didn't replace Navigation Road! and the Brown line is missing from the diagram shown), but altogether it's quite a splash about Manchester, and I must repeat these two magnificent quotes from the Conference :-

# Philip Purdy: "Trains are a mode of transport. I always say that trams are part of the community." (I must remember that when people write to the Tameside Advertiser to say we don't need Metrolink, you can get from Ashton to Victoria in 10 mins while the tram will take 50 mins)(sick 9.6.11). And,

# Chairman Ian Brown CBE, winding up the Light Rail Conference: "I still think there's an opportunity in this country to go large and seeing what Manchester is doing, going large means seriously large . . . we're at a bit of a turning point."

:banana:

Beat me to it! Nice to see Manchester having a good article. And multiple banana's on the cover!

For anyone curious the cover shows 3031, 3023 & 3030.

"House upto 96 trams"

Is that bit accurate?

That would be the combined capacity of both depots.

Originally posted by XCH some time ago:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz87/njsoper/Metro3BPlan.png

This is without a shadow of a doubt my favouite Metrolink future map of them all. Looks so huge and yet it doesn't include the Trafford Centre line!

Wow, well done XCH.

Just went over the gmex curve - much faster now!

Forgot to mention, they've actually taken down the 5mph sign that was stuck over the original 10mph sign :-D

Originally posted by XCH some time ago:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz87/njsoper/Metro3BPlan.png

This is without a shadow of a doubt my favouite Metrolink future map of them all. Looks so huge and yet it doesn't include the Trafford Centre line!

Wow, well done XCH.

I'm not sure if it has been mentioned on here but I believe the Drake St stop on the Rochdale line is no longer going ahead. I believe it was reported in the Rochdale Observer. A sensible decision in my opinion as there is to be a stop at Rochdale Railway Station and Rochdale Town Center which is less than a ten minute walk. The 3 stops would have been too close together.

^^

Yes there's a lot of errors with it, but that's only because it was posted last year or something.

- Woodlands Road won't exist.
- There's no MediaCity line.
- Albert Square wont exist
- Second city crossing won't go to GMEX
- GMEX is now called Deansgate-Castlefield

Amongst a few others.

And all the Chorlton stops changed names.

Couple of things from the TW&UT article.

Mistakenly confusing Nav Rd with Woodlands Rd.

Stagecoach contract to operate is only until 2017.

MPT have contract to maintain until same date.

Port Salford seems to be well and truely back on, likewise Stockport is still on the books.

Much more in TW&UT. Think you can get a copy from the book shop on Picc Approach. Strongly suggest anyone who wants a decent read on Metrolink gets a copy - is very good.

Theres only one place I have ever seen sells it, the WH Smiths at Man Pic. Since im but a pauper (and the magazine usually concerns itself 95% with non-uk stories) I skim it as I pass once a month.

Theres only one place I have ever seen sells it, the WH Smiths at Man Pic. Since im but a pauper (and the magazine usually concerns itself 95% with non-uk stories) I skim it as I pass once a month.

Ian Allan on the Piccadilly Approach sells it too.

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/jun11/news2001.jpg
Original Livery

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/259-1002b.jpg
'Revised' Livery

Play spot the difference :)

I thought they were yellow now???

I thought they were yellow now???

The old style trams won't be yellow for a few years.

I thought they were yellow now???

This actually relates to something I was thinking about earlier.

Apparently people can't determine the difference between T-68s and M5000s, apart from the colour obviously. I just can't imagine it myself - they are different in almost every way.

But yes, GanEden, the T68s aren't receiving the yellow livery for years yet.

It is rather unlikely that anything will have used the Cornbrook reversing siding (apart from during a possession) because the signalling relating to it has not yet been commissioned.

The reason that this weekend's engineering blockade finishes at 11.00 on Sunday is due to a Kings of Leon concert at Old Trafford cricket ground. If only Network Rail were as responsive to customer needs when planning blockades....

This actually relates to something I was thinking about earlier.

Apparently people can't determine the difference between T-68s and M5000s, apart from the colour obviously. I just can't imagine it myself - they are different in almost every way.

But yes, GanEden, the T68s aren't receiving the yellow livery for years yet.

I know they are obviously different trams full stop, I was refering to the 'new' livery. Why go and repaint them all aqua again when the new livery is yellow and silver? Seems stupid.

Mind you in Melbourne, trams are all kinds of colours and shapes.

The T68a were re-branded in this scheme MANY years ago. The yellow re-branding only started about 2 years ago.

Found this interesting...

http://www.tfgm.com/upload/library/Statement_of_Accounts_2010.pdf

Page 18 shows how long the accountants expect the Metrolink assets to last.

It is rather unlikely that anything will have used the Cornbrook reversing siding (apart from during a possession) because the signalling relating to it has not yet been commissioned.

The reason that this weekend's engineering blockade finishes at 11.00 on Sunday is due to a Kings of Leon concert at Old Trafford cricket ground. If only Network Rail were as responsive to customer needs when planning blockades....

Is this why the blockade started at the apparently random time of 9pm last night?

Was that brough foward 4 hours to allow them the time they needed to do the work overnight?

Yes, presumably the blockade started at 21.00 on Friday so that the work could be completed by 11.00 on Sunday but how much work they manage to do remains to be seen. It will also be interesting to see how they interface between the TMS signalling at Trafford Bar and the remaining block signalling towards Altrincham.

As per comments in the expansion thread - NO DRIVER TRAINING TODAY

As per comments in the expansion thread - NO DRIVER TRAINING TODAY

Says who?

(I'm not doubting you BTW)

A driver messaged Jonny yesterday.

Council bosses have 'no plans' for traffic lights at Moseley Street Metrolink crash hotspot

Exclusive: Dean Kirby

June 17, 2011

Cars and trams collide at a Manchester city centre accident hotspot once every three months, the M.E.N can reveal today.

New data shows there have been 21 'car versus tram' prangs at the junction of Mosley Street and Nicholas Street since January 2007.

The hotspot is the only junction on Mosley Street without traffic lights for cars that want to cross the tram-tracks.

Trams have the right of way at the junction and large 'stop' signs have been erected to warn drivers the trams are passing.

Bosses at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the new name for GMPTE, say they plan to work with Manchester council to cut the number of incidents.

But Manchester council says it has no plans to erect traffic lights because of a risk they would cause trams to block nearby Princess Street.

Paul Andrews, the town hall's executive member for neighbourhood services, said the crashes were being kept under review.

He said: “We recognise that there have been a number of incidents at this location over the years and various safety improvements have been implemented at this junction.

“However, low vehicle flows and the risk of stopped trams blocking Princess Street, causing gridlock and more safety issues, mean that the introduction of traffic signals at this junction is not a feasible improvement option.”

The crash data was obtained by the M.E.N from TfGM under the Freedom of Information Act.

There were five collisions at the junction in 2007, seven in 2008 and two in 2009.

There were four crashes at the junction last year and three crashes there in the first three months of this year.

One car was struck as its driver tried to reverse after out of the way of an oncoming tram after he overshot the junction.

In another incident, a car was shunted into a signpost by a tram after its driver failed to stop.

A TfGM spokeswoman said: “Metrolink is aware of a number of incidents at this junction in which cars have failed to stop and have been involved in collisions with trams.

“TfGM and Metrolink's operator, Stagecoach, are therefore looking into potential options for traffic management at the junction.

“Once this work is complete, Metrolink will discuss those options with Manchester city council, with the aim of working with the council to reduce the number of incidents.”

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1424108_council-bosses-have-no-plans-for-traffic-lights-at-moseley-street-metrolink-crash-hotspot

Typical Evening News scaremongering! The reason there are so many crashes on there is because car drivers ignore the stop signs and white stop line on the road - hardly the fault of Metrolink or its drivers. I have travelled on loads of trams through the city and cars are always trying to edge out, or take a chance of getting across the junction before the tram reaches them - some of them clearly mis-judge it.

There were some photos on here a few months ago of one such accident, but does it really need a FOI request for the data - surely the blame here is with stupid drivers who don't observe the highway code. Where are the comments from the police about the disregard for tram staff and passenger safety due to inconsiderate motorists.

Perhaps if they had police at the junction for a couple of days and prosecuted the drivers who flout the rules then that would send out a much clearer message to the motorists - but then that wouldn't sensationalise how dangerous the trams are in MEN world.

Lazy and un-necessary journalism in my opinion! Rant over!

While I'm on an 'Evening News' rant, when did the newspaper's policy on Metrolink change? At one time the paper was supportive of the trams and did a lot of work to back the 'big bang' with strong editorials and other good news stories. These days, you would struggle to find a positive story about Metrolink in there and if a good news tram story happened, I doubt they would run it (or would give it minimal column space if they did).

Was there a change of editor, as there has certainly been a change in editorial policy towards the trams?

I say this with my car owner and keen motorist hat on. All those accidents are the drivers own stupid fault. Just like the ones that tailgate the buses and get spiked by the rising bollards, they're all ****wits who need their eyes testing and/or the driving license taking away!

I say this with my car owner and keen motorist hat on. All those accidents are the drivers own stupid fault. Just like the ones that tailgate the buses and get spiked by the rising bollards, they're all ****wits who need their eyes testing and/or the driving license taking away!

The best one at Nicolas Street got in the front page. The driver of the mercedes said "I saw the tram coming and kept going , but it didn't stop" And how, I ask myself, did he get a license to drive a car? :ohno: :lol::lol::lol:

Just read the MEN aritcle and it got me raving. I just posted this on the MEN comments page


What silly comments yet again. A car can stop much where quickly than a tram. No matter how good the brakes are on a tram the shear weight means that the stopping distance is poor compared to a car.

Why can't the MEN publish something positive about Metrolink for a change?


I have only driven trams on simulators and I know how much longer they take to stop, I've also driven class 1 HVGs round a lorry park on a training day just for a bit of fun. When you've driven something like that, you soon make sure you get out of the way of lorry drivers!

I am a driver of my beloved Fiat Panda and I am a typical selfish motorist, but in the case of these tram crashes the car drivers are to blame.

While I'm on an 'Evening News' rant, when did the newspaper's policy on Metrolink change? At one time the paper was supportive of the trams and did a lot of work to back the 'big bang' with strong editorials and other good news stories. These days, you would struggle to find a positive story about Metrolink in there and if a good news tram story happened, I doubt they would run it (or would give it minimal column space if they did).

Was there a change of editor, as there has certainly been a change in editorial policy towards the trams?

Change of editor and change of ownership has happened, plus the thick necks at the men and other rags will often focus onto the more sensationalist story to sell their papers.

And as we saw with the c charge debate there isa tiny but hugely vocal hardcore of professional petrol sniffers who lobbied against any public transport and whinge on about roundabouts.

I think you'll find car owners are far more than a tiny minority - much as you may not like it, it is the default choice for a huge number of people . . .

yes, but only a tiny minority of car users express the views that are common place on the MEN comments page.

Reading those you'd believe that the vast majority of the public want zero public transport whatsoever and absolutely everything being organised for the car.

For a start Market Street should never have been pedestrianised

I think you'll find car owners are far more than a tiny minority - much as you may not like it, it is the default choice for a huge number of people . . .

Nobody is slating 'car owners', they're slating the kind of idiots who cause these accidents, and the idiots who defend them simply because they're so anti-public transport.

Found this interesting...

http://www.tfgm.com/upload/library/Statement_of_Accounts_2010.pdf

Page 18 shows how long the accountants expect the Metrolink assets to last.


Very interesting. However, don't assume that these are definite life spans for any of the quoted assets. What they are are depreciation times for the assets. In other words, if the asset is say £1,000,000 and the expected life is 10 years then the value shown in next year's accounts will be £1,000,000 less depreciation of 10% ie the revised value will be £100,000 less and so it goes on until the value of that asset reaches zero. The fact that they "expect" trams to last 30 years only means that they will have no value in their accounts after 30 years. They may, in fact, last 100 years.

Lots of double units today on the piccadilly line, not sure exactly why but thought it worth mentioning

Lots of double units today on the piccadilly line, not sure exactly why but thought it worth mentioning

Isn't there some sort of concert on in Trafford..?

Isn't there some sort of concert on in Trafford..?

Yes there is a concert on at the LCC I believe...

'Kings Of Leon' concert (whoever they are).

Also the Manchester Day Parade is on today as well - might have summat to with it.

Hi

Lots of double units today on the piccadilly line, not sure exactly why but thought it worth mentioning

I notice it say this on Metrolink website

A 12 minute service is running on the Bury and Altrincham lines. A 12 minute service is running on the Eccles/MediaCityUK line.

A concert is taking place today at Lancashire County Cricket Club (Old Trafford). Services on the Altrincham line and in the City Centre will be extremely busy. Please allow addditional time for your journey

Services will operate on a 12 minute frequency prior to the last departures. Double trams will operate wherever possible to increase capacity.

Kings of Leon are massive, used to be a massive fan ten years ago but they have sold out recently. I did walk down though to get a bit of a 'free gig'. I thought the Metrolink was still closed last night, but it seems it wasn't.

It is when you have massive concerts like that which makes the general public realise the value of Metrolink.

there were signs for replacement bus services at OT stop last night at 10.30 as i went to pick someone up......was Metrolink running in the end??

Metrolink was running from about 11am yesterday, as advertised.

I was at the gig last night and even though organisation wasn't great at LCCC (Toilets, bars etc), the Metrolink was good!

Very organised (I like the way turnstiles are used to avoid fare dodging) and there were double trams aplenty, with some heading in the direction of Alty showing 'Not In Service', to avoid people using the Alty trams to sneak off at the next station and get on an empty double back towards the City Centre before it calls at OT!

Even people who tried to climb over the fences, got ushered to the back of the (long) queue by Metrolink officials who were stern, but fair (and good natured!)

All those empty M5000's at the depot would've been handy too! But overall, was happy with the tram situation last night! :)

3014 is doing Piccadilly - Altrincham today. :banana:

3014 yesterday

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h456/nistromo/m3014.jpg

Hi

On Saturday 25 June and Sunday 26 June There will be no trams running on the Altrincham line. Trams will run from Bury to Piccadilly, and Eccles to Piccadilly only. There will be no through services to Altrincham.

Replacement Buses

Altrincham replacement bus services will run Altrincham to Piccadilly, calling at all stops to Piccadilly Station except Mosley Street.

The nearest bus stop for Mosley Street is Piccadilly Gardens (on London Road, outside the Tesco Metro).

Journey Times

As replacement bus services are in operation, please allow more time for your journey.

Altrincham to Piccadilly - 62 mins approx.

The last replacement bus times are the same as the usual last tram times - information is up at all stops.

The last tram times from Piccadilly to Bury are as follows;

Saturday 0047
Sunday 2234

Please allow enough time to make your connection.

Normal tram services will resume from the start of service on Monday morning, 27 June 2011.

Please buy your ticket from a Metrolink ticket machine before boarding the bus.

Metrolink apologises for any inconvenience

I wonder how many people on that tram realised they were one of the first to travel on it?

I wonder how many people on that tram realised they were one of the first to travel on it?

Probably none :lol: