Another shot of the completed junction and new road alignment at Merrill Street <> Holt Town :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8680.jpg

Canalside Crossing between Eastlands <> Clayton has also been completed over the weekend :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8682.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8683.jpg

On the Bury line to-day, it looks as though at Abraham Moss the platforms will be staggered. This view taken outbound :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8674.jpg

Smedley viaduct - the depot access branch as seen from the current staff halt (which will be the future site of Queen's Road stop). (Thought: how will they change crews on the Oldham line? I guess they will be based at OT depot) (Another thought: I bet the people in those houses will be glad to be able to get on at last, after listening to the trams stopping here for all these years!) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8676.jpg

Looking South-East along the same depot access branch to where it will join the Oldham running lines, the height differential between the two parts of the viaduct becomes apparent :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8677.jpg

I must say, I still find a ride from Alti to Bury just as exciting as when I first experienced it nearly 20 years ago, even more so now with all these new things happening!! :banana::cheers:

Hi

Transport Briefing reporting today that GMPTE are pushing forward on tram-train running on heavy rail lines

Specifically mentions Marple line

If Port Salford / Stockport lines are Phase 4 - maybe this would be Phase 5?

This is anything about ^^

http://www.gmita.gov.uk/downloads/file/3248/item_11_potential_for_tram-train_to_play_a_role_in_the_development_of_local_train_services_in_greater_manchester

Also I found this on website

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) is proposing to close the Mosley Street Metrolink stop in Manchester city centre.

The closure of the stop will offer passengers faster journey times for outbound services, improve access and visibility to retailers at the rear of the stop and will enable tram traffic to be managed more effectivily through the city centre particular as the network is extended.

Earlier this year, GMITA granted approval to proceed with the formal closure procedure with the Department for Transport. As part of the closure process, the Department for Transport will be launching the public consultation on the proposals this week. Notices will be published in the regional press this week and next week to announce the consultation.

Anyone wishing to respond will have until 9 February 2011 to do so, after which the Department for Transport will collate the responses to allow ministers to make their decision in conjunction with the Office of Rail Regulation.

Transport Briefing reporting today that GMPTE are pushing forward on tram-train running on heavy rail lines

Specifically mentions Marple line

If Port Salford / Stockport lines are Phase 4 - maybe this would be Phase 5?

Cheers ug and welcome to the forum.

Do you have a link to that 'Transport Briefing' or any further info about it? (EDIT: Thanks r2, I have it now) There is a thread called TRANSPORT | Metrolink Phase 2CC & Future where there has been a lot of discussion about this.

:cheers:

More excelrnt photos JdR. I drove the Audenshaw-COMS section today (wont make that mistake again, it took forever!!!). Still, stuck in all those queues I got to have a good nose at it all. Looking at the 'proper' finish of the 'new' bit of road by the school next to the Droylsden stop, I'd definately add weight to the theory it is going to be an island platform.

The Statutory Notice for the closure of Mosley Street Metrolink station appeared in the Daily Telegraph (and the Manchester Evening News) on Wednesday 10th November. It may well appear in the same publications tomorrow (Wednesday 17th November). I quote from the notice: "This notice is made in accordance with Schedule 7 to the Railways Act 2005. GMPTE has notified the Department for Transport that it proposes to cease passenger services at Mosley Street station with effect from 28th February 2011. As required by Section 25 of the Railways Act 2005 and in accordance with the Department's Railways Closures Guidance 2006 (which may be viewed at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/legislation). GMPTE has prepared an initial assessment of the effect of ceasing the services at this station. Anyone wishing to see the initial assessment or a summary of it may inspect either document at GMPTE's offices at 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BG. Alternatively they may obtain copies by writing to Jim Critchley, Planning, Stakeholder and Approvals Manager at the same address or by email from James.Critchley@gmpte.gov.uk.

Representations about the proposal should be sent to the Department for Transport, RLMP division, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR no later than 9 February 2011. The proposals may also be viewed on the Department for Transport's website at www.dft.gov.uk/consulations/open"

Points you could include in a representation if you oppose the closure:

1. Mosley Street is the only station in the Piccadilly Gardens area served by all services to Altrincham. Metrolink does not publish a timetable so pasengers will not know whether the next Metrolink service to Altrincham goes from Piccadilly Gardens or Market Street.
2. The cost of raising the platform to full height has been grossly exaggerated by GMPTE.
3. The disabled access ramp can go round the back of the platform.
4. Mosley Street is one of the busiest stations on the network.
5. If blocking the view of the shops was an issue why was the station built there in the first place?
6. Closure of Mosley Street station will lead to greater numbers of passengers crowding on the narrow platforms at Piccadilly Gardens and St Peters Square. This will get worse with the opening of the extensions to East Didsbury and Manchester Airport.

6. Closure of Mosley Street station will lead to greater numbers of passengers crowding on the narrow platforms at Piccadilly Gardens and St Peters Square.

Yeah, those platforms that were made bigger and wider last year...

I'm glad its closing. Just a shame we will have to wait until at least 1st March 2011 before we see any double bananas :banana::banana:

what is the possibilty, after 2cc is open and Mosely St is closed to buses, that this stop could be rebuilt and reopened?

If Mosley St closes then the for me the trams to Old Trafford will be every 12 minutes from the Picc stop or Market Street stop and I would have no idea which to use. Or I could get the 86 bus save a 15 minute walk from Old Trafford to Chorlton and not have to wait in the cold for 12 minutes for a tram.

My way of protesting against the closer will be to simply avoid the Metrolink system. However the Chorlton line might be open by then if that is the case I won't be catching any Altrincham trams anyway.

what is the possibilty, after 2cc is open and Mosely St is closed to buses, that this stop could be rebuilt and reopened?

Zero. They have said the main reason for closing the stop is operational reasons. Removing this stop will speed up the service.

Im sure I wasnt dreaming, but I think the plan was to put information screens midway between Piccadilly Gardens station and Market Street Station, so you could see which station would be best for your next service.

Yeah the plan is two big digital boards telling you which station the next tram will be, one in the picc delta near Market Street and one where Moseley street stop was.

If Mosley St closes then the for me the trams to Old Trafford will be every 12 minutes from the Picc stop or Market Street stop and I would have no idea which to use. Or I could get the 86 bus save a 15 minute walk from Old Trafford to Chorlton and not have to wait in the cold for 12 minutes for a tram.

My way of protesting against the closer will be to simply avoid the Metrolink system. However the Chorlton line might be open by then if that is the case I won't be catching any Altrincham trams anyway.

Or you could just walk all of 3 minutes to St Peters Square and they would be every 6 minutes still.

And seeing as you mentioned Old Trafford. Once the line to Chorlton opens in Spring 2011, you will have an additional tram to get on, so you will be better off.

Or you could just walk all of 3 minutes to St Peters Square and they would be every 6 minutes still.

And seeing as you mentioned Old Trafford. Once the line to Chorlton opens in Spring 2011, you will have an additional tram to get on, so you will be better off.

Your at Mosley Street, option of Piccadilly Gardens or Market Street every 12 minutes or a 6 minute walk down to St Peters. so if you walk to St Peters, maths says you'll still likely be around 12 minutes because you have to walk and wait. I've done the walk many times, its not far but its more than afew minutes. Best thing is too do get screens up and launch live tram timings online. The other thing is jump on an Eccles tram from Piccadilly Gardens, change at St Peters, Gmex or Cornbrook.

Im sure I wasnt dreaming, but I think the plan was to put information screens midway between Piccadilly Gardens station and Market Street Station, so you could see which station would be best for your next service.

Yeah the plan is two big digital boards telling you which station the next tram will be, one in the picc delta near Market Street and one where Moseley street stop was.

Great ideas - hope the screens will be more reliable than the PIDs. ;)

Has the ballasted track yet been laid beyond Holt Town?

It wasn't down last week, but the sleepers were on site at the Asda end of the Alan Turing tunnel

Just been to drop some one off up at Rochdale, the roads are a mess but the progress is good! Ill get some photos next week in the day time.

The roundabout and monument in front of the station is completely gone, also the curved rails that will take the line from High Level Road into the future Rochdale Railway station station were already on site. They were working away under flood lights tonight.

Did anyone catch the T68 and the banana being tested on the Chorlton line as far as St Werbys?? Pushed by a diesel but still, trams on the line!!!

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/773.$plit/C_71_article_1371600_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?18%2F11%2F2010%2011%3A18%3A40%3A717

The first in a series of tram trials along the south Manchester Metrolink extension have taken place.

These pictures capture trams being pushed along newly-laid lines by diesel locomotives.

Transport bosses say further tests are being planned along what is the first section of track to be completed as part of Metrolink’s ‘Big Bang’ extension programme.

The first trial earlier this week saw two trams being pushed from the new depot at Old Trafford to a point just south of the new station at St Werburgh’s Road before returning on the line back to the depot.

The stop will serve as an interchange for passengers travelling towards either Manchester Airport or East Didsbury.

One of the original 1992 series of trams was tested first, followed by one of the newly-built, yellow-liveried ‘5000’ series.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive confirmed that the trial was successful.

Further tests are expected in the New Year when overhead power lines are energised.

A spokesman said: "The tests pictured here are the very earliest stages of testing on the South Manchester line.

"The tests are known as ‘gauge runs’ and enable us to check things like gauge and platform clearance. The tests went smoothly and people can expect to see further, similar tests in coming months."

Meanwhile the three stations on the Chorlton branch of the line – Firswood, Chorlton and St Werburgh’s Road – are almost complete and awaiting lighting, ticket machines and completion of entrances and lifts.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1371600_first_tests_conducted_on_chorlton_metrolink_line

17/11/2010 - Metrolink Extension to East Didsbury

We are currently building a new Metrolink line from Trafford Bar to Chorlton which will open in spring 2011. We are extending this Metrolink line to Didsbury with new stops at Withington, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Didsbury Village and East Didsbury. This part of the extension will open in Summer 2013.

As part of the works to extend the Metrolink system to East Didsbury, we will shortly be carrying out additional tree and vegetation clearance along the route in preparation for commencing the main construction works. All tree removal has been approved by your local authority and will be complete before the start of the bird nesting season. This work is expected to start week commencing 22nd November 2010.

This area has been surveyed by ecologists for protected species. As with previous work, this work will be carried out in line with the recommendations of the project’s ecologist

^^

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/773.$plit/C_71_article_1371600_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?18%2F11%2F2010%2011%3A18%3A40%3A717



http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1371600_first_tests_conducted_on_chorlton_metrolink_line

amazing :)

amazing :)

Fantastic!!!:):banana::):banana:

Zero. They have said the main reason for closing the stop is operational reasons. Removing this stop will speed up the service.


Operational reasons being what ?? is it anything to do with it being the only split-level platform remaining, that the retractable steps on the T68's are wholey unreliable and that the M5k series vehicles do not have steps at all - hence no chance of a double M5k stopping here (no one could get off the rear unit)

Sorry to bring up a slightly older topic but with reference to Mosley Street the information screens would really solve the problem. I would have no problem with that, but it still won't solve the overcrowding at stations issue.

I actually live in Chorlton but the Old Trafford Station is not too far as there is a walkway at the end of Oswald Road connecting to Chorlton to Firswood. Once the Chorlton line opens I would rarely use the Altrincham line apart from maybe to Altrincham where I will park at Stretford.

Fantastic!!!:):banana::):banana:

Must pop down and have a look tomorrow to see if I see anything. I have got a bit bored of the Chorlton line of late as nothing much has been happening. Also with the weather being cold I am driving far too much so haven't even been using the Metrolink.

Operational reasons being what ?? is it anything to do with it being the only split-level platform remaining, that the retractable steps on the T68's are wholey unreliable and that the M5k series vehicles do not have steps at all - hence no chance of a double M5k stopping here (no one could get off the rear unit)

That is also true, but it seems the operational reasons are a bigger factor.

Yeah the steps issue and the fact you coudnt queue trams to enter the stop it being so close to the junction.

E.g. Tram stopped at Mosley, trams for Altrincham/Eccles cant leave Piccadilly Gardens or Market Street, and because theirs one stopped at Picaddilly Gardens the tram behind it for Bury cant go either, etc....

I presume that these 'super PIDs' that will 'replace Mosley St will be similar (hopefully larger font) to the large boads that are at the top of the escalators at the ticket office on the Euston underground station?

The one that shows the next depatures for both the Bank and Charring Cross branch before you head down to choose your platform?

I think I will drop in on the Policy & Resources Committee this morning, probably 95% chance boring meeting just voting to endorse all the reports but with some of the topics (Mobility Scooters, Bikes, Tram Trains, Northern RUS, HS2) there may be fireworks.

How long do you reckon it will take to get from St Werburgh's Road to Market Street when it's up and running?

How long do you reckon it will take to get from St Werburgh's Road to Market Street when it's up and running?

About 15mins as it is a simialr distance and number of stops as Dane Rd.

About 15mins as it is a simialr distance and number of stops as Dane Rd.

Thanks. I look forward to testing it. It won't quite take me home but it's a start.

Is the technology behind PIDs and signalling linked? Will they need to get the PIDs working before any services run on the chorlton line?

The control centre signalling system also provides the data for the Pids yes. So they will have to get signalling working before they can open the Chorlton line, that doesnt mean the pids have to all be up and running when it opens however and they seem to be going for a phased rollout of pids, Eccles-City Centre-Altrincham-Bury.

Couple of quick ones from me

Sport City now has rails :)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/DSC01115.jpg

Towards Manchester

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/DSC01114.jpg

Towards Ashton

About 15mins as it is a simialr distance and number of stops as Dane Rd.



in theory.....in reality it'll be about 40 minutes. you'd be quicker catching the bus

in theory.....in reality it'll be about 40 minutes. you'd be quicker catching the bus

On what do you base that wild assumption?
I live in Chorlton and can walk the mile to Stretford get a tram into town, turn round and get home all within an hour and with time to do something in town.
Why should it take longer if most of the two miles of walking is almost eliminated and the tram element is slightly shorter?

Had a walk from Ayres Road to St Werburghs Road this afternoon.
A bit of activity at Old Trafford Depot, theywere working on the overhead alongside Ayres Road and had started some landscaping now that the netting fence is down.

The new Control and Office Building is looking good now ready for fitting out.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000598.jpg

Two lines of M5000s looking like caged lions!
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000597.jpg

Overhead line gangs working at St Werburghs Road
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000591.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000592.jpg

Work ongoing in the distance to the south of St Werburghs Road Stop
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000593.jpg

Chorlton Stop fitting out work.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000590.jpg


Firswood Stop
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000586.jpg

Landscaping work adjacent to Rye Bank Road Bridge
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000584.jpg

Great photos lads. Exciting to see rails beside Man City. I also like the cuticle shaped lamps at Firswood - I don't think we have seen that design before? I wonder if it will become standard across Phase 3?

19/11/2010 - South Manchester - Overhead Line Equipment and Upcoming Works

Work is underway to build the new South Manchester Metrolink line along the disused railway line from Trafford Bar to Chorlton and to build a new Metrolink Depot on Ayres Road. This extension is due to open Spring 2011.

Please be aware that the overhead line wires along the length of the South Manchester extension and in the new Depot are now energised. This means the overhead line equipment is now electrically powered. You should not try to access the line or equipment, for your own safety.

I would also like to advise you that we will be carrying out works along the length of the new line and Depot area. The work will involve minor finishing works, adjustment of overhead line equipment, landscaping and ducting.

The work will take place:

� On Sunday 12th and 19th December 2010 and 2nd January 2011.
� Between 6pm and 6am from 23rd November 2010 to 23rd December 2010.

During this period you may experience some noise and we apologise in advance for any disturbance this work may cause.

^^

Whoop! Won't be long before some proper testing gets underway!

On what do you base that wild assumption?
I live in Chorlton and can walk the mile to Stretford get a tram into town, turn round and get home all within an hour and with time to do something in town.
Why should it take longer if most of the two miles of walking is almost eliminated and the tram element is slightly shorter?

Ignore him. He probably thinks the MEN comments pages are a balanced representation of the regions thoughts.

Despite what many on here say, overall it is a very reliable service and it is incredibly frequent and fast.

Thank you for the Sport City photos.

Why is the track there not of conventional construction, and ballasted?

Hi

Couple of thing I found on GMPTE Website

No change in bikes on trams policy

http://www.gmpte.com/2009_news.cfm?news_id=9005592?submenuheader=3

GMITA considers interim mobility scooters report

http://www.gmpte.com/2009_news.cfm?news_id=9005593?submenuheader=3

Amazing photos Local & Feel

look how much it has progressed in 11 months:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/golddigga19/metrolink%20161209/DSCF0005.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000592.jpg

Hi Again

Power cut causes Metrolink delays

Tram commuters faced delays after a power failure for much of the morning. Metrolink was hit by a disruption between Sale and Dane Road stations at 9.25am before they began operating again just beforte lunchtime.

A spokesman said the fault was causing delays of up to 20 minutes for travellers on both the Altrincham and Eccles lines.

He said: "There's been a power failure on the Altrincham line which is affecting signalling. It means trams must travel through junctions much more slowly.

"It is having an effect on the Altrincham and Eccles lines," she said. "We are trying to fix the problem but we don't know how long it will take."

Also was MediaCity re-open today because I hear people talking about it.

Why is the track there not of conventional construction, and ballasted?

Too much handy ammunition for lobbing at rival fans......? :D

Ignore him. He probably thinks the MEN comments pages are a balanced representation of the regions thoughts.

Despite what many on here say, overall it is a very reliable service and it is incredibly frequent and fast.

:cheers: Indeed, I suspect that most of the begrudgers have little experience of either using the trams or the buses and not a lot of life experience either.

Thank you for the Sport City photos.

Why is the track there not of conventional construction, and ballasted?

Probably low load bearing ground, the slabs will spread the weight better than sleeper supported rail alone.

Yeah, either its swampy with high ground moisture or theirs a chance of subsidence.

Too much handy ammunition for lobbing at rival fans......? :D

That may well be a good reason.

That's why a lot of the city centre tracks didn't have ballast when they easily could have. It put the cost up by having to use grooved rail and then block paving.
The parts they considered using ordinary track were between Portland Street and London Road using grooved rail to cross (Auburn Street?).
Also across Shudehill and at the side of the Midland Hotel.

As always many thanks for the photos Free........great to see the amazing progress

That may well be a good reason.

That's why a lot of the city centre tracks didn't have ballast when they easily could have. It put the cost up by having to use grooved rail and then block paving.
The parts they considered using ordinary track were between Portland Street and London Road using grooved rail to cross (Auburn Street?).
Also across Shudehill and at the side of the Midland Hotel.

Could another reason perhaps have been that, in order to change to standard rail for such a short section - the cost of fabricating the transition rails (and the added complication that they add) would outweigh the cost of a bit more grooved rail?
I THINK I remember reading that the transition pieces had to fabricated by hand in Manchester, as no standard parts were available, hence the fatigue failures outside Victoria.

Yeah, either its swampy with high ground moisture or theirs a chance of subsidence.

There are said to be multiple mine shafts in the area. I don't know whether they have all been located and capped, though one would like to think so.

There are said to be multiple mine shafts in the area. I don't know whether they have all been located and capped, though one would like to think so.

That'd be a new one.

"Due to a tram falling headfirst into a mineshaft, some passengers may experience severe delays."

:lol:

There are said to be multiple mine shafts in the area. I don't know whether they have all been located and capped, though one would like to think so.

said to be mines in the area? thats putting it mildly to say the least. sports city is the former location of bradford colliery, one of the biggest mines in the country when it was open. it was abandoned whilst still commercially viable because of the subsidence problems it was causing all over the city. i think if i remember rightly, one seam even ran as far as piccadilly gardens...

Slight delay when travelling outbound into MC this morning.

First time I have alighted there.

Quite a busy station these days, busier than any other more 'central' Eccles line stops on my journey.

PIDs on, but appear not to be accurate.

Look very good. Very clear and easy to read.

Cannot wait for them to appear everywhere.

There are said to be multiple mine shafts in the area. I don't know whether they have all been located and capped, though one would like to think so.
There's a chapter about Bradford pit in the book 'Underground Manchester' by Keith Warrender (highly recommended). According to this book there were only two vertical shafts. When the pit closed these were capped with reinforced concrete plugs 30 ft in diameter and 6 ft thick which were placed 120 ft down the shafts, which were then filled to ground level.

it was abandoned whilst still commercially viable because of the subsidence problems it was causing all over the city. i think if i remember rightly, one seam even ran as far as piccadilly gardens..

According to the above book it closed because it was actually losing money. The pit had been profitable from 1963 to 1966 but the following year it lost £1m. Reasons were given as geological faults, an underground fire, and 'failure to keep expensive coal-cutting machinery running for long enough each shift'.

There were many subsidence problems though - a gasholder tilting, a fire station and swimming pool cracked, many homes had to be demolished, sewers and water mains damaged - the list goes on..!

In the book he reports a miner saying he could walk underground from Ashton Moss colliery to Bradford and then westwards to almost under the CIS building by Victoria Station.

As always many thanks for the photos Free........great to see the amazing progress

The walk yesterday afternoon made me realise I'm not as fit as I used to be, I would have walked round to Mauldeth Road to complete the set otherwise. My excuse was that the light was failing!
That comparison that Future Architect has posted is amazing in just 11 months.

There's a chapter about Bradford pit in the book 'Underground Manchester' by Keith Warrender (highly recommended). According to this book there were only two vertical shafts. When the pit closed these were capped with reinforced concrete plugs 30 ft in diameter and 6 ft thick which were placed 120 ft down the shafts, which were then filled to ground level.



According to the above book it closed because it was actually losing money. The pit had been profitable from 1963 to 1966 but the following year it lost £1m. Reasons were given as geological faults, an underground fire, and 'failure to keep expensive coal-cutting machinery running for long enough each shift'.

There were many subsidence problems though - a gasholder tilting, a fire station and swimming pool cracked, many homes had to be demolished, sewers and water mains damaged - the list goes on..!

In the book he reports a miner saying he could walk underground from Ashton Moss colliery to Bradford and then westwards to almost under the CIS building by Victoria Station.

ive read that book too. maybe i should have said, when there were still good coal seams available rather than profitable.

ive read that book too. maybe i should have said, when there were still good coal seams available rather than profitable.

Yes, apparently there's still 300,000 tons of coal reserve down there but, certainly in today's compensation culture, it would be far too expensive to exploit. In fact in 1965 Manchester Corporation had gained powers to control further expansion of the mine because it was causing so many problems with subsidence.

There was also an iron works near there - some excavations (http://www.thisiseast.com/tag/sportcity/) going on at present.

Yes, apparently there's still 300,000 tons of coal reserve down there but, certainly in today's compensation culture, it would be far too expensive to exploit. In fact in 1965 Manchester Corporation had gained powers to control further expansion of the mine because it was causing so many problems with subsidence.

There was also an iron works near there - some excavations (http://www.thisiseast.com/tag/sportcity/) going on at present.
Hardly anything to do with the compensation culture is it? I mean, if you found that work by the NCB was causing your house to fall down you wouldn't just shrug your shoulders and ignore would you?

...just to bring this back on topic for a minute. i remember a guy a while back on here saying the last thing to go in will be the signalling and cables for that. there cant be much left to do now before that starts can there?

Hi

Bridge refurbishment work in Oldham

Ongoing work to refurbish two former railway bridges in Oldham has led to the extension of two road closures.

As part of GMPTE's project to convert the former Oldham loop rail line to Metrolink, Jammy Lane and Block Lane in Oldham were closed to traffic in the summer for major bridge refurbishment works to be safely carried out.

The structures were subsequently found to be in need of more extensive refurbishment than initial surveys had suggested, which has led to the extension of both road closures.

The section of Jammy Lane underneath the former rail bridge will remain closed to traffic until Christmas 2010.

The section of Block Lane underneath the bridge will remain closed to traffic until spring 2011.

In both cases, pedestrian access will be maintained where possible.

These essential closures have been agreed in advance with the local authority, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, and fully signposted traffic diversions will be maintained throughout the closures.

GMPTE is converting the former heavy rail 'loop line' into a new Metrolink line which will be open to Central Park during spring 2011, Oldham Mumps during autumn 2011 and to Rochdale Railway Station during spring 2012.

This was in Oldham Chronicle last Friday

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/49507/residents-fume-over-blocked-lane

Is it me or does most of the moaning about the metrolink building come from its more northerly extension?

I though I'd hear a lot more (understandable) discontent from the Droylsdon/Audenshaw area where practically the whole main road is completely buggered up.

Anybody heard differently?

Shall we start a whinge-o-meter?

Simply out of curiosity, what is the name of the new font that Metrolink use? GMPTE occasionally use it too.

Is it me or does most of the moaning about the metrolink building come from its more northerly extension?

I though I'd hear a lot more (understandable) discontent from the Droylsdon/Audenshaw area where practically the whole main road is completely buggered up.

Anybody heard differently?

Shall we start a whinge-o-meter?

I'll start. Having the choice of a shit 82A/81A ect that takes 50mins into M/Cr instead of 18 mins non-stopper. No rail/bus replacement. A year later and all we see is one dropped bridge, lots of bridge work, and a another year of First bus ripping us off and taking us on bus journeys on routes that to be frank a a waste of pigging time. :)

Simply out of curiosity, what is the name of the new font that Metrolink use? GMPTE occasionally use it too.

Comic Sans Serif:lol:

Simply out of curiosity, what is the name of the new font that Metrolink use? GMPTE occasionally use it too.

It's called Pantograph sans regular (a specially commissioned Metrolink variation on a font created by the Dalton Maag type foundry for a Manchester-based design agency called Hemisphere - this is their website with more on the redesign:http://www.hemispheredmc.com/work/44/rebranding-metrolink But I couldn't find the base font that Dalton started with - could be "Aller Bold", could be "Stroudly" - you can play with their fonts here to see what you think is closest to "Pantograph Sans" http://www.daltonmaag.com/browse/fonts/dama/stroudley

Some nicely researched material here with all the old logos:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Manchester_Metrolink Scroll down to 'Branding and publicity'

Enjoy!:)

Simply out of curiosity, what is the name of the new font that Metrolink use? GMPTE occasionally use it too.

Ah, a fonts query! Unless MarkO jumps in first, I think I can help with that...

That's what I planned to say until he actually did step in!

Metrolink's new font was fabricated by Hemisphere (the design agency charged with the new corporate scheme and bananafication of the network), specifically for Metrolink. The font takes the not-so-creative name of 'Pantograph', and comes in sans serif and serif versions. I won't go into too much detail, but the sans serif version is what we see adorning station signs and so on. Unfortunately I don't think the font is available to the public in any capacity :( - the closest match I found was a font called 'CamingoDos', but even getting your hands on that would require parting with a fair sum of money...

There's a bit more info here (http://www.hemispheredmc.com/work/44/rebranding-metrolink), but it might not be the link I originally had in mind.

GMPTE, on the other hand, frequently uses the Dax font, which is distinctly different although not dissimilar. You can find it in use on the GMPTE website and in all manner of transport publications, such as this Transport Plan brochure. (http://www.gmpte.com/LTP3/documents/LTP3_ConsBrochure.pdf)

Time to wind my inner cartophile back in methinks... it'll come as no surprise to you that one of my favourite aspects of the 'new' Metrolink is the typeface :nuts: ... anyhoo, hope that helps.

...ah, well as MarkO says Hemisphere devised the typeface in conjunction with Dalton Maag (ie. not alone). Just correcting a slight inaccuracy on my part.

Ah, a fonts query! Unless MarkO jumps in first, I think I can help with that...

That's what I planned to say until he actually did step in!

GMPTE, on the other hand, frequently uses the Dax font, which is distinctly different although not dissimilar.

:lol:Nice one Nymanic! Timing huh?! :) BTW I didn't know the name of the brochure font so thanks for that! ;-)

Someone asked how long it will take from Chorlton to Market St.

The equivilent is Dane Rd to MS which I have just timed at 11mins on a Bury direct tram.

Someone asked how long it will take from Chorlton to Market St.

The equivilent is Dane Rd to MS which I have just timed at 11mins on a Bury direct tram.

Chorlton to Central on the original line used to be 7 mins by steam (with no stops in between)

The Dft consultation on Mosley is up (GMPTE has been advertising the website for days while the Dft link has been dead).

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-35/consultation.pdf

A glaring Dft error 'plans to purchase over 90 new trams'. Anyway Dft view is that the time saving of closing the stop of 1.5minutes is optimistic and 1.25 minutes is more realistic, the BCR of retaining the stop with this time saving is -0.55. Effects on ambience and local encironment would be neutral, retaining the station is poor value for money, there are also benefits to passengers from closing so Dft supports the closure application.

Apologies if this has been posted before but there is a planning app for Didsbury village stop is online

094623/MO/2010/S2

Someone asked how long it will take from Chorlton to Market St.

The equivilent is Dane Rd to MS which I have just timed at 11mins on a Bury direct tram.

i did bowker vale to cornbrook this morning....a very similar distance.

40 minutes.

i did bowker vale to cornbrook this morning....a very similar distance.

40 minutes.

But the city centre is the slowest section. It takes about 6 minutes to get from stretford to gmex. I think the 11 minute estimate is optimistic (id say about 2 or 3 minutes longer) but not that far off.

Thats about 50% longer and across the whole city centre to boot.

Dane Rd to Picc is 20mins.

The first morning tram leaves DR at 06:02.

I can easily be on the main train station platform by 06:22, that includes getting from the Metrolink platform up the two sets of escalators.

I grant at 6am the route across the city centre is pretty smooth.

Dane Rd to Picc is 20mins.

The first morning tram leaves DR at 06:02.

I can easily be on the main train station platform by 06:22, that includes getting from the Metrolink platform up the two sets of escalators.

I grant at 6am the route across the city centre is pretty smooth.

i appreciate the metrolink can be a very good service at off peak hours (6 AM even :)) but it can be horrific at rush hour.

Yep. It can have it's issues.

No one denies that.
The reasons for those problems are often quite complex though and the solution may not be as simple as people doing their jobs 'better'.

Fact is though, it's a shed load better than what we had before the conversion to light rail. Passenger numbers reflect this.

The 11min journey left DR at 2:55 (1min late) and reached MS at 3:06.

Was an 'ideal' journey with all signals and lights in our favour.

Deliberately timed it having remebered the question from the other day.

FOUR T-68s running on the Eccles line today, and only two M5000s. It's great to see a variety of colours on each line once again.

Just had a read of that report on the closure of Mosley Street station.

300 thousand pounds to close the station?! Seems like a hell of a lot of money, those demolition contractors must be rubbing their hands!

Futurelink, I posted on the other thread, 6 M5000s out on the Bury-Picc-Altrincham circuit today, including 3013.

Was similar yesterday, also noticed 3006 has significant stability problems, on straight smooth track was fine but on the unreplaced track was rocking horribly, but it was also doing it stopped at platforms due to people getting on and off! once it started it just carried on like one of those executive toys, needs much stiffer dampener settings. I wonder if the seating arrangement on the M5000 makes it worse, the seats are attached horizintally to the sides of the tram rather than vertically to the floor so all the weight isnt centred its on the sides. Its a low centre of gravity roll that the M5000 makes.... at just around the height the seats are attached as opposed to a centre of gravity below the floor.

Also was thinking if we do have tram-trains travelling regularly at higher speeds then they REQUIRE proper rail bogie suspension rather than just relying on dampeners.

Just had a read of that report on the closure of Mosley Street station.

300 thousand pounds to close the station?!

I think it does cost a lot of money to close stations, hence the ghost train service over the Stockport-Stalybridge line for example. One train a week must cost less than closing Reddish South and Denton.

I suppose there could be one tram a week to Mosley Street but it would be an untidy solution!

4/5ths of the cost lawyers, public consultation costs, etc rather than just demolition.

I think it does cost a lot of money to close stations, hence the ghost train service over the Stockport-Stalybridge line for example. One train a week must cost less than closing Reddish South and Denton.

There was a programme on Radio 4 last month about these 'ghost trains'. Apparently it costs about £50 per week to run the Stockport-Stalybridge train, far less than the cost of closing the line.

Unfortunately the programme is no longer available on the iPlayer but there's a synopsis here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vhhcf)

There was a programme on Radio 4 last month about these 'ghost trains'. Apparently it costs about £50 per week to run the Stockport-Stalybridge train, far less than the cost of closing the line.
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£50 seems remarkably cheap to run a train. At that price I'd almost be tempted to order the occasional special for myself! The odd thing is they choose to run it at a time when it's least likely to make attract passengers 9-22 Fridays off Stockport I think - I suppose it wouldn't do to accidentally make a profit on the service.

The £300k figure to close Mosley Street does seem quite mind boggling but as said above, I think lawyers fees will swallow a hefty chunk of that. I shall miss Mosley Street as I have always found it a most useful stop, but I suppose if it's part of the price we have to pay for overall development then it has to be. I quite like the idea of a Ghost Tram though! Would be fun.

Not a good day again for Metrolink today firstly this morning a tram broke down at Deansgate/GMEX or whatever its called this morning now just checking on Metrolinks website the following is reported:

Metrolink Services

A student protest in the St Peter’s Square area of Manchester is currently affecting Metrolink services across the system. This follows an earlier United Utilities power failure which is continuing to affect signalling in the city centre. Metrolink staff are working to address both issues, and passengers are advised to check this website for regular service updates.

Metrolink would like to apologise for any inconvenience or disruption this has caused to your journey today.

Last update was at 15:34 with no updates since, so I'm guessing trams are running but with horendous delays with services/drivers in all the wrong places

Not a good day again for Metrolink today firstly this morning a tram broke down at Deansgate/GMEX or whatever its called this morning now just checking on Metrolinks website the following is reported:

Metrolink Services

A student protest in the St Peter’s Square area of Manchester is currently affecting Metrolink services across the system. This follows an earlier United Utilities power failure which is continuing to affect signalling in the city centre. Metrolink staff are working to address both issues, and passengers are advised to check this website for regular service updates.

Metrolink would like to apologise for any inconvenience or disruption this has caused to your journey today.

Last update was at 15:34 with no updates since, so I'm guessing trams are running but with horendous delays with services/drivers in all the wrong places


Why don't they just terminate all Altrincham and Eccles trams at G-Mex and all Bury trams at Piccadilly?

Or just run over the students?

Double post.

Call me a pedant if you will, but I have completed an investigation into which is the best stop to get off at for the Lowry if you're traveling from town. All times are taken with the Metrolink running at full speed, ordinarily things would be much slower of course. :cheers:

1. Alighting at Media City. Distance walking: 0.36km. Time taken to walk: 3:12 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 5:17. Total time: 8:29 minutes.
2. Alighting at Harbour City. Distance walking: 0.76km. Time taken to walk: 6:46 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 3:23. Total time: 10:09 minutes.
3. Alighting at Anchorage. Distance walking: 1.04km. Time taken to walk: 9:15 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 1:54. Total time: 11:09 minutes.
4. Alighting at Salford Quays. Distance walking: 0.91km. Time taken to walk: 8.06 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 0. Total time: 8.06 minutes.

So, it pays to walk. I spent 20 minutes locked in a tram at Harbour City today. This amply illustrates another benefit of walking, avoiding the continuing mess at Media City points.

Every time ive been on the tram weve overtaken the people that got off at the previous stop, usually while their half way to Media City.

Another quick one from me. I would have took more at Rochdale, if only I had of known how hard it is to park near the station now.

This is the view looking the site of the old roundabout in front of the railway station. Not particularly exciting at present

Oh It turns out the rails I saw the other night were in fact the old Rochdale Corporation tramways that had simply been tarmac'd over all those years ago.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/DSC01117.jpg

Call me a pedant if you will, but I have completed an investigation into which is the best stop to get off at for the Lowry if you're traveling from town. All times are taken with the Metrolink running at full speed, ordinarily things would be much slower of course. :cheers:

1. Alighting at Media City. Distance walking: 0.36km. Time taken to walk: 3:12 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 5:17. Total time: 8:29 minutes.
2. Alighting at Harbour City. Distance walking: 0.76km. Time taken to walk: 6:46 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 3:23. Total time: 10:09 minutes.
3. Alighting at Anchorage. Distance walking: 1.04km. Time taken to walk: 9:15 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 1:54. Total time: 11:09 minutes.
4. Alighting at Salford Quays. Distance walking: 0.91km. Time taken to walk: 8.06 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 0. Total time: 8.06 minutes.

So, it pays to walk. I spent 20 minutes locked in a tram at Harbour City today. This amply illustrates another benefit of walking, avoiding the continuing mess at Media City points.

You missed out Broadway!

Based on yesterday:

5. Alighting at Broadway. Distance walking: 0.7km. Time taken to walk: 6:30 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 27:00. Total time: 33:30 minutes.

^Given broadway is the stop after Media City now it would be pretty silly to include it? Who would stay on the tram and get off at Broadway for the Lowry when it's just been into the Media City stop?

Why don't they just terminate all Altrincham and Eccles trams at G-Mex and all Bury trams at Piccadilly?

Or just run over the students?

Oh I do like that idea mate. Let me know when you've done it please/

Here's a link. It's intended only for anyone with a sense of humour and who won't be offended.:lol: Also you shouldn't really like students as a group.:lol:There's some expletives in it so if you click and watch please don't complain......:lol::lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SV8snu-zVU

Based on yesterday:

5. Alighting at Broadway. Distance walking: 0.7km. Time taken to walk: 6:30 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 27:00. Total time: 33:30 minutes.

The Broadway stop should be closed in my opinion.

The Broadway stop should be closed in my opinion.

For me it Pomona, but if Broadway closed there is a long gap between Harbour City and Langworthy in the daytime if the proper services start up and trams from Eccles don't (hopefully) use mediacity.

However if it's gonna cost over £1/4 million to close Mosley Street the chance of any more stops closing may be slim?

[QUOTE=Local Lad;67740869Oh It turns out the rails I saw the other night were in fact the old Rochdale Corporation tramways that had simply been tarmac'd over all those years ago.

/QUOTE]

When I were a lad back in the 60s that track was the first thing you saw when you came out of Rochdale Station! It had just been left exposed since 1932. I used to give me a kick to see it, as I was already a sad tram fan in those days.:lol:

Pomona would probably have to be maintained as an evacuation route anyway, if you closed it trams would still need to slow to a virtual stop for the tight corner, you wouldnt get the time savings you would on a straight allignment.
And despite this ghost talk I do regularly see people using it, more than Woodlands Road anyway.

Call me a pedant if you will, but I have completed an investigation into which is the best stop to get off at for the Lowry if you're traveling from town. All times are taken with the Metrolink running at full speed, ordinarily things would be much slower of course. :cheers:

1. Alighting at Media City. Distance walking: 0.36km. Time taken to walk: 3:12 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 5:17. Total time: 8:29 minutes.
2. Alighting at Harbour City. Distance walking: 0.76km. Time taken to walk: 6:46 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 3:23. Total time: 10:09 minutes.
3. Alighting at Anchorage. Distance walking: 1.04km. Time taken to walk: 9:15 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 1:54. Total time: 11:09 minutes.
4. Alighting at Salford Quays. Distance walking: 0.91km. Time taken to walk: 8.06 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 0. Total time: 8.06 minutes.

So, it pays to walk. I spent 20 minutes locked in a tram at Harbour City today. This amply illustrates another benefit of walking, avoiding the continuing mess at Media City points.

City... interesting illustration....why not forward this to Mr Purdy at Metrolink and await his response

A problem of ghost tram stops would be their ongoing maintenance and will be prone to vandal attack.

So, it pays to walk.
Hmmm. 1/3 mile walk to save 20 seconds. I think you would have difficulty selling that to Lowry customers!

You also gain exercise and therefore health leading to longer life.

But yes I agree that this would be a hard sell to your typical Lowry Outlet Mall customer!

I often do similar things. For example bus down Oxford Road (e.g 42, 43, 86 etc) to Picciddily station. I get off opposite the BBC and walk down Charles Street and Granby Row, it is far far quicker than staying on the bus to Picciddily then walking to the station from there.

You also gain exercise and therefore health leading to longer life.

But yes I agree that this would be a hard sell to your typical Lowry Outlet Mall customer!

Feel free on weds afternoon when the tram is packed with old dears to tell them to get off at Salford Quays and walk.
Me and a friend have been trying the get off at Habour City and see if we can beat the tram and also Salford Quays but I have to say the tram is faster unless you walk fast or the tram gets stuck at the signal into media city. Once both platforms are in use this should sort the speed issues out.

Call me a pedant if you will, but I have completed an investigation into which is the best stop to get off at for the Lowry if you're traveling from town. All times are taken with the Metrolink running at full speed, ordinarily things would be much slower of course. :cheers:

1. Alighting at Media City. Distance walking: 0.36km. Time taken to walk: 3:12 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 5:17. Total time: 8:29 minutes.
2. Alighting at Harbour City. Distance walking: 0.76km. Time taken to walk: 6:46 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 3:23. Total time: 10:09 minutes.
3. Alighting at Anchorage. Distance walking: 1.04km. Time taken to walk: 9:15 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 1:54. Total time: 11:09 minutes.
4. Alighting at Salford Quays. Distance walking: 0.91km. Time taken to walk: 8.06 minutes. Time added from SQ on tram: 0. Total time: 8.06 minutes.

So, it pays to walk. I spent 20 minutes locked in a tram at Harbour City today. This amply illustrates another benefit of walking, avoiding the continuing mess at Media City points.

Did you actually walk and time these, or did you just measure and estimate?

If your distances are correct, the walking speed is 4.2 miles per hour which for most people is almost a jog.

Did you actually walk and time these, or did you just measure and estimate?

If your distances are correct, the walking speed is 4.2 miles per hour which for most people is almost a jog.

I walked the Salford Quays one and the rest are derived from working out the average pace and calculating distances on Google Earth.

I do walk quickly but on this occasion I actually tried to slow down a bit to make it more realistic.

If you walk slowly then obviously the timings will be slightly different.

Bear in mind (or bare in mind???) todays service is not the final service we're getting.

Once we get the Cornbrook shuttle the daytime trams won't be calling at both Broadway & MC.

just passed Central Park on train.

Platform furniture now going in, looking very yellow.

Is LOS in operation?

Just boarded at Victoria, tram was entering the station before double ahead was leaving (inbound).

I thought inbound LOS only operated after leaving Victoria?

as mentioned in other forum, tram has failed on the sharp turn just after langworthy.

Wirlie G- The signal just before the station and one at the platform at Vic , have both had the Blackbag and white cross combo on for quite some time.

Managed to get off my tram at Market Street, run across the delta and catch up the direct Alty tram in front of me today at Mosley Street :D

When Mosley St disappears it's going to be a long run to SPS with a laptop bag :)

Managed to get off my tram at Market Street, run across the delta and catch up the direct Alty tram in front of me today at Mosley Street :D

When Mosley St disappears it's going to be a long run to SPS with a laptop bag :)

So why not wait at Market Street for the next one in 5 minutes or so?

When Mosley Street is closed there will be 3 trams every 12 minutes going from Market Street towards Cornbrook so the straps on your laptop bag wont snap !! lol

So why not wait at Market Street for the next one in 5 minutes or so?

When Mosley Street is closed there will be 3 trams every 12 minutes going from Market Street towards Cornbrook so the straps on your laptop bag wont snap !! lol

Hey, there's a point... we don't officially have an opening date for the Central Park-St. Werburgh's stretch, do we? It's a nuisance how the vague 'Spring 2011' date essentially allows for 3-4 months of contingency at the expense of accuracy... but it is better than getting passengers' hopes up.

It would make a lot of sense to coincide the Chorlton opening with Mosley Street station's closure - at the very least, they could somehow extract some positive publicity (not to mention yet another photo op :lol:) boasting that the closure would be offset by the increased capacity, so Altrincham passengers would have more trams to board and could change further down the line. The downside is that Market Street probably can't handle larger passenger numbers like Picc Gdns/ St. Peters Sq; time will tell on that front. Still, it might be easier from an operational perspective, too - for starters you'd only need to amend the platform route maps once.

So... chances of a 28/02/2010 opening for Chorlton? I'd like to think it's possible.

Out of interest considering 1013 is going to be off for a while now, have Metrolink got enough spare trams available that can work the signalling system on the Eccles Line, I'm guessing one of the Trafford Park units could be dragged out to cover as most of these have got TOS fitted as thats why they arent in use at the moment

BTW 1013 was still at Langworthy at 21:10 last night as it saw it when I passed on the Rail Replacement Bus so not to sure what time it eventually went back to depot.

Also believe it or not there were still delays at about 21:40 last night as the tram I was on from Harbour City spent about 5minutes sat at the signal just after Pomona resoning apparantly from control was due to a failed vehicle (1013) earlier still causing delays across the system

Makes me wonder how many trams Metrolink have got out of service now and whether the other trams that snapped its pantograph in a similar incident at Timperley is still out of service.

I had a ride out to Eccles yesterday (Friday). Was stood at Cornbrook for ages, 3 Altrincham trams went before 3012 showed up for Eccles, packed to the steps. I just about squeezed on and had the joy of travelling on the Harbour City line for the first time.
As I was now rather later than planned I decided to come back on the same car. On the return journey we missed out Media City - causing a brief confusion for the automatic voice - presumably to catch up time as every platform was packed with the inevitable exception of Pomona. 3012 ran sweetly and quietly up to Cornbrook, after that she swayed and rocked like a cradle on the high speed bit. Didn't trouble me, but I could image some folk getting sea-sick.
Never seen the Eccles line so busy, and the trams seemed to be doing good business generally. Earlier I set off from Bury on a twin tram and almost every seat was taken there. People were standing from Radcliffe!

Out of interest considering 1013 is going to be off for a while now, have Metrolink got enough spare trams available that can work the signalling system on the Eccles Line, I'm guessing one of the Trafford Park units could be dragged out to cover as most of these have got TOS fitted as thats why they arent in use at the moment

BTW 1013 was still at Langworthy at 21:10 last night as it saw it when I passed on the Rail Replacement Bus so not to sure what time it eventually went back to depot.

Also believe it or not there were still delays at about 21:40 last night as the tram I was on from Harbour City spent about 5minutes sat at the signal just after Pomona resoning apparantly from control was due to a failed vehicle (1013) earlier still causing delays across the system

Makes me wonder how many trams Metrolink have got out of service now and whether the other trams that snapped its pantograph in a similar incident at Timperley is still out of service.

I don't think it would take long to fit a new pantograph. I think 1020 was the one that did the damage at Timperley a few months back and I seem to remember seeing it the next week.

They should have more than enough trams. They need 6 for the Eccles line inc. stopping at MediaCity. They should just use M5000's for that I reckon. It then leaves plenty of T68's that can be doubled up on the Bury-Alti line.

I don't think it would take long to fit a new pantograph. I think 1020 was the one that did the damage at Timperley a few months back and I seem to remember seeing it the next week.

They should have more than enough trams. They need 6 for the Eccles line inc. stopping at MediaCity. They should just use M5000's for that I reckon. It then leaves plenty of T68's that can be doubled up on the Bury-Alti line.

Are you sure? It takes 6 to operate the Eccles line normally without going into Mediacity, sure they don't need 7 or 8?

Only one bit of Ashton New Road is now missing a single rail :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8855.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8856.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8911.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8910.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8795.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8861.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8862.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8873.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8872.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8865.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8866.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8851.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8912.jpg

Edge Lane tram stop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8917.jpg

Great set there JDR. Thanks once again :)

They should have more than enough trams. They need 6 for the Eccles line inc. stopping at MediaCity. They should just use M5000's for that I reckon. It then leaves plenty of T68's that can be doubled up on the Bury-Alti line.


Incorrect - 6 vehicles are required to run a NON MediaCity service 7 are required to run the current MediaCity service - 7th vehicle leaves QR approx 25 mins b4 the service starts running into Media

Not all M5K vehicles can be used on MediaCity. Out of the entire fleet of M5k and T68 vehicles only about 8 or 9 have fully working systems compliant with the tOS operation

Hi

Is this what people talking about Eccles line last night please note is was in Manchester Evening News last night

Metrolink passengers faced rush-hour delays on the Eccles line tonight after problems with the overhead power lines.

Trams were suspended between Broadway and Eccles after the problem was reported in the Langworthy area of Salford at about 5pm.

Services were running between Manchester Piccadilly and MediaCityUK, but replacement buses were running between Harbour City and Eccles.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive said: "Technicians are working to address the issue."

Passengers were told they could use valid Metrolink tickets on the 33 bus, which stops at Langworthy Road and Eccles Interchange.

Services on the Altrincham and Bury lines were unaffected.

Hi

Is this what people talking about Eccles line last night please note is was in Manchester Evening News last night

Metrolink passengers faced rush-hour delays on the Eccles line tonight after problems with the overhead power lines.

Trams were suspended between Broadway and Eccles after the problem was reported in the Langworthy area of Salford at about 5pm.

Services were running between Manchester Piccadilly and MediaCityUK, but replacement buses were running between Harbour City and Eccles.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive said: "Technicians are working to address the issue."

Passengers were told they could use valid Metrolink tickets on the 33 bus, which stops at Langworthy Road and Eccles Interchange.

Services on the Altrincham and Bury lines were unaffected.

yes pal, that was it... havoc again!

Hopefully when they open the new extensions they'll improve on reliability. If they don't, it simply will not work out for them!

Hi

Is this what people talking about Eccles line last night please note is was in Manchester Evening News last night

Metrolink passengers faced rush-hour delays on the Eccles line tonight after problems with the overhead power lines.

Trams were suspended between Broadway and Eccles after the problem was reported in the Langworthy area of Salford at about 5pm.

Services were running between Manchester Piccadilly and MediaCityUK, but replacement buses were running between Harbour City and Eccles.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive said: "Technicians are working to address the issue."

Passengers were told they could use valid Metrolink tickets on the 33 bus, which stops at Langworthy Road and Eccles Interchange.

Services on the Altrincham and Bury lines were unaffected.

That doesn't sound like an MEN report, usually they massively exaggerate (like most newspapers) and make it sound like a world shaking event as they take a few punches at Metrolink!

The Mumps area of Oldham itself is becoming quite a wide open space as more and more of the viaduct disappears. Looking South across the A62 roundabout, towards the old and temporary Mumps stations behind the grey fence in the far background :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8930.jpg

The second bridge will be going next year :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8931.jpg

Looking down Bell Street Summer 2010 :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_6716.jpg

To-day, the pedestrian route is still there, minus its wise counsel! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8928.jpg

Similarly down Brook Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_6719.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8924.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8923.jpg

Looking the other way, in between Bell Street and Brook Street; Before :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4475.jpg

Just after August Bank Holiday 2010; :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_7274.jpg

And Now, rising up from ground level towards Derker :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8927.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8926.jpg

Like Media City construction it seems to be attracting many local photographers.

It's amazing how big the bridge was...it changes the topography of the area and made a barrier...from an design perspective that is me convinced on cuttings and cover being the best option...much, much more airy and people friendly without the great slab of railway.

Nothing big to report at Chorlton or St. Werburgh's Road - but PIDs are now visible at the latter.

I'll whizz round with the camera if I get the chance, but can't right now due to lack of memory card.

Hi

I found this on GMPTE Website about weather

Passengers in Greater Manchester are being advised to consider allowing extra time for their journeys in light of the freezing weather conditions.

Metrolink will run "ghost trams" through the night in a bid to keep overhead power lines clear of snow and frost to limit any disruption.

Check www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.metrolink.co.uk before travelling for service updates on train and tram services in Greater Manchester.

http://www.gmpte.com/2009_news.cfm?n...ubmenuheader=3

Oldham to Newbold some pictures c/- rob793

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0003-10.jpg

Before moving North, we look towards Oldham Mumps from the top of Brook Street:-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3403.jpg

Looking back from Meek Street towards Derker :-

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000958a.jpg[/URL]
picture c/- Freel07

The bridge at Derker has been painted into this yellow colour. We were wondering if its just an undercoat or will all the bridges eventually carry this shade of banana? :banana: Not much else happening there just yet :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8933.jpg

Moving further North into open country :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8936.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8940.jpg

We weren't quite sure whether these bullhead rails were the old ones abandoned, or new ones waiting to go in :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8941.jpg

The signal box at Shaw & Crompton is now history - it was on the right here :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8947.jpg

Under the new Tram Operating System signalling, Beal Lane crossing will no longer need barriers for the 12 minute service to Rochdale. The other 12 minute service will start from a side headshunt platform, on the South side of the crossing, to provide an aggregate 6 minute headway from here to Chorlton St Werburgh's Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8946.jpg

Looking North from Beal Lane, the station has been completely obliterated! :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3394.jpg

A lovely view north from Linney Lane :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3384.jpg

Further North into the woods at Jubilee :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8951.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8952.jpg

Just before the northern Milnrow Road bridge, there is a foot crossing that leads to what looked like an abandoned mill :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3375.jpg

From the foot crossing looking North :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3382.jpg

and back South again :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3379.jpg

Metrolink passengers here will have many beautiful views of the surrounding hills and moorland, greatly enhanced by the forward (&aft) vision afforded by trams :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3373.jpg

It's a surprisingly rural area for a tramway - should be a pleasing ride with all-round vision :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8956.jpg

From Two Bridges Road, looking North :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3371.jpg

and South :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3372.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8958.jpg

Approaching Newhey with its elegant church :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8953.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8955.jpg

Suddenly, in the bushes, we thought we saw a mirage from the past :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_2470.jpg

However, in a flash it was gone again, to be replaced by the first signs of incipient Metrolink life :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8961.jpg

Newhey, the site of the former station beside the old cotton warehouse :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3369.jpg

From the same point looking north towards Rochdale :-

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad220/rob793/Metrolink%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20October%202010/DSCN3370.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8964.jpg

No useful picture was possible at Milnrow station just now, as it is simply an inaccessible building site.

At Newbold, the bridge over Kingsway looks like it is being renovated. The associated embankment on the left is being lowered and will make a fairly steep descent to ground level. The tram stop itself will be out of shot on the left here, alongside Morrison's car park (one of no less than four stops on phases 1, 2 and 3a to be abutted by that particular supermarket!) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8966.jpg

As regards the area in front of Rochdale Railway Station, it's a case of "least said, soonest mended" at present! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_5202-1.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8971.jpg

Never fear, just look away, Keep Calm and Carry On Banana! . . . :banana::banana::banana:

Great pics Jonny!

The Oldham/Rochdale line in winter will be interesting....

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8971.jpg


I realy love this church, great photos as usual. It seems to be at the stage that chorlton was at a year ago.

Great photo's JdR, as ever, first I've seen of the work along such a long stretch of that, and yes how rural in the middle there!

:-)

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0003-10.jpg

I have to say these photos are screaming at me "what is the point in running a tram through the countryside!!!!!" there is NO catchment area for gods sake!!!!

I have to say these photos are screaming at me "what is the point in running a tram through the countryside!!!!!" there is NO catchment area for gods sake!!!!
Them Hills Have Eyes :eek2:

I have to say these photos are screaming at me "what is the point in running a tram through the countryside!!!!!" there is NO catchment area for gods sake!!!!

'Countryside' (proper) is the likes of the Lakes or Peak District.

What you see in those photos is 'ruburia' or 'ruburban. Density not high enough to be suburban, but rural neither.

Goes all the way along the Calder and Colne Valleys.

I have to say these photos are screaming at me "what is the point in running a tram through the countryside!!!!!" there is NO catchment area for gods sake!!!!

Cheers for the pictures JDR

Disco Steve, theres only one small part of the line that is out in the countryside. Milnrow and Newhey for example people could park easily and ride in by train. Honestly you would be surprised how many people still come to me and ask when the next train to Newhey is! The stations on the Oldham line will be generating traffic all day long I'm sure.

I have to say these photos are screaming at me "what is the point in running a tram through the countryside!!!!!" there is NO catchment area for gods sake!!!!

Point A: People
Point B: Place people want to be
Connect point A to Point B: Profit???

Honestly you would be surprised how many people still come to me and ask when the next train to Newhey is! The stations on the Oldham line will be generating traffic all day long I'm sure.

Same at Piccadilly, you get people stepping off a Pendolino, travelling on business, asking for places like Denton (not exactly rural), then they look at you, like you are taking the piss, when you say the place gets one train a week, which doesn't even run from the city centre.

I cannot see the problem with lightweight rail serving rural communities, its ideal because of its lower costs! Some of the Karlsruhe network isn't exactly megapolis territory.

I have to say these photos are screaming at me "what is the point in running a tram through the countryside!!!!!" there is NO catchment area for gods sake!!!!


On the shot approaching Shaw, it looks far more rural than it actually is. I live behind that hill on the left hand side (towards the West).

There is no real break in urban sprawl from the West heading South West into central Manchester. The Metro here is literally skirting around the edges of the sub region.

I have to say these photos are screaming at me "what is the point in running a tram through the countryside!!!!!" there is NO catchment area for gods sake!!!!

Steady on, Disco - that was very much a 'grasshopper' photo-shoot, picking out the most picturesque shots on a sunny Winter's day in Autumn! As Local Lad and others have mentioned, the quasi-rural bit is only a small proportion of the route linking otherwise poorly-connected townships, between the two major conurbations of O&R.

As it happens, there's not much else to photo at present in the urban majority of the line - the only activity is mostly building sites like the one at Derker, this sort of thing is all you can see just now :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8933.jpg

At Milnrow, another example, there is nothing visible at all except a grey fence, presumably with digging going on behind it, so we didn't bother! The same applies at Maclure Road, Rochdale, which we could only see because the railway platform happens to be at a high level above it.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8971.jpg

So patience, friends, all will no doubt be revealed in the next year or two! :banana::banana::banana::cheers:

On a practical note, it looks like they have removed all the old knackered rail along this quite lengthy alignment, perhaps learning from the original cost-cutting mistakes of 1992 . . .

Oops, didn't expect that torrent of responses - it just seems to me that for best value and patronage the Metrolink should be going where the most people are - so that makes the 'best value' lines the Alty, Eccles, E Didsbury and Ashton ones (solid suburbia all the way). I suspect but I don't know the Bury line has some green spaces so possibly less 'possible patronage per running mile' than the previous ones I mentioned.

Many comments have been made about the service reduction (in time) that the Rochdale/Oldham patrons are going to get (loss of train service) and I can see why. I really don't know the area but are the 'green gaps' are as big as the Mersey Valley where the Airport line will cross from Chorlton to Northendon?

Out of interest is there documented anywhere the 'possible patronage per running mile' for each line?

And maybe there is a hint of annoyance here that Stockport alongside Wigan are the two most populous boroughs in GM (outside Manchester itself) which has NO Metrolink and is never likely to TBH...

I would bet good money there would be some form of Stockport line under construction by the end of the decade, either east didsbury extension or Altrincham tram-train.

My money is on Marple/Rose Hill conversion to tram-train. So many stakeholders want it, and there is little/no chance of any decent rolling stock coming to the route.

It'd also save the taxpayer a small fortune (long-term).

My money is on Marple/Rose Hill conversion to tram-train. So many stakeholders want it, and there is little/no chance of any decent rolling stock coming to the route.

It'd also save the taxpayer a small fortune (long-term).

Living in Romiley exactly 367 yards from that line, then this is a good thing :)

But the trains are generally OK from Romiley into Piccadilly anyway... what I really want (as posted elsewhere) is the extension from E Didsbury into Stockport and out the other side to Marple giving them and us a service into Stockport (for the first time in 40 odd years).

Living in Romiley exactly 367 yards from that line, then this is a good thing :)

But the trains are generally OK from Romiley into Piccadilly anyway... what I really want (as posted elsewhere) is the extension from E Didsbury into Stockport and out the other side to Marple giving them and us a service into Stockport (for the first time in 40 odd years).

Yes the closure of the Romiley-Stockport-Central line was a big mistake in retrospect. Traffic between Stockport and Marple in rush hours is a nightmare and there's no easy or cheap way to solve it.

Sadly the Tiviot Dale services were always few and far between; it was almost as if the powers-that-be wanted as few passengers as possible. Building the tram extension in its place is probably the best solution but it will be costly and as Stockport isn't part of Greater London I'd be surprised if it happens before 2025 at best. By which time Stocky will probably be jammed solid 24/7.

Places like Shaw and Newhey have similar populations to the more suburban looking regions on the network. It's just that more people live in tightly packed terraces so there is more room for countryside hence it looks less suburban (because it is) but it is actually more urban.

I have to say these photos are screaming at me "what is the point in running a tram through the countryside!!!!!" there is NO catchment area for gods sake!!!!



I can;t believe some people can be so NUMB as to make such a comment !

When the phase 2 line opened it ran through stops between Gmex to Weaste where there was pretty much bugger all there, apart from a disused quayside and the remnants of a bygone industry

Metrolink has been one of the leading causes of investment into the area with apartment blocks vying for spaces to be close to the line. Many businesses relocated to be next to tram stops. Dwellings, leisure facilities, employers, cultural attractions - all have been 'fed' by the Metrolink leading to inward investment in the billions

As our population grows, that countryside will (sadly) diminish giving way to new developments as the Oldham/Shaw/Rochdale conurbations merge into one another

What a fantastic 'place' to have a light rail network, srving the city centre and with links to the airport ......

Who knows, as housing developments and suchlike flourish into this catchment area, maybe more stops will be added en route to serve this burgeoning requirement for efficient, clean transport

Oops, didn't expect that torrent of responses - it just seems to me that for best value and patronage the Metrolink should be going where the most people are - so that makes the 'best value' lines the Alty, Eccles, E Didsbury and Ashton ones (solid suburbia all the way). I suspect but I don't know the Bury line has some green spaces so possibly less 'possible patronage per running mile' than the previous ones I mentioned.

Many comments have been made about the service reduction (in time) that the Rochdale/Oldham patrons are going to get (loss of train service) and I can see why. I really don't know the area but are the 'green gaps' are as big as the Mersey Valley where the Airport line will cross from Chorlton to Northendon?

Out of interest is there documented anywhere the 'possible patronage per running mile' for each line?

And maybe there is a hint of annoyance here that Stockport alongside Wigan are the two most populous boroughs in GM (outside Manchester itself) which has NO Metrolink and is never likely to TBH...

Keep in mind that the line from Shaw and Crompton to Rochdale used to support a 30 min headway heavy rail service - it looks rural, but that's only between some stations. I don't see how a 12 min headway is a loss of service on that line. It may take longer because of running through Oldham centre, but there are still the fast trains from Rochdale to Manchester Victoria.

I can;t believe some people can be so NUMB as to make such a comment !

When the phase 2 line opened it ran through stops between Gmex to Weaste where there was pretty much bugger all there, apart from a disused quayside and the remnants of a bygone industry

Metrolink has been one of the leading causes of investment into the area with apartment blocks vying for spaces to be close to the line. Many businesses relocated to be next to tram stops. Dwellings, leisure facilities, employers, cultural attractions - all have been 'fed' by the Metrolink leading to inward investment in the billions

As our population grows, that countryside will (sadly) diminish giving way to new developments as the Oldham/Shaw/Rochdale conurbations merge into one another

What a fantastic 'place' to have a light rail network, srving the city centre and with links to the airport ......

Who knows, as housing developments and suchlike flourish into this catchment area, maybe more stops will be added en route to serve this burgeoning requirement for efficient, clean transport

And I can't believe some people can be so NUMB to suggest that building all over the countryside is a good thing either!!!! GMEX to Weaste was a industrialised brownfield site, an eyesore if you will which has been redeveloped in a positive manner - I am sure the people who live in the green field areas I commented on would NOT want the same thing NOR would the local councils allow it - doh!

As to the other comment about reduction in service - it is the journey time I was referring to not how often a tram/train came by.

Yes the closure of the Romiley-Stockport-Central line was a big mistake in retrospect. Traffic between Stockport and Marple in rush hours is a nightmare and there's no easy or cheap way to solve it.

Sadly the Tiviot Dale services were always few and far between; it was almost as if the powers-that-be wanted as few passengers as possible. Building the tram extension in its place is probably the best solution but it will be costly and as Stockport isn't part of Greater London I'd be surprised if it happens before 2025 at best. By which time Stocky will probably be jammed solid 24/7.

As far as I can tell, many (most) people thought the closure of the line was a big mistake before it happened. I think others on this forum have the "scenes from the past" book on Tiviot Dale, but for those who don't, I've typed part of a letter featured in the book, sent by Mr Brady of Buxton to the Stockport Advertiser in 1961:


Sir, It is refreshing to see the improvements in train service to and from Stockport Edgeley resulting from electrification of this line ...
... although I rather wonder whether people who are not actually in the very close proximity to the station will be so encouraged to use the new service ...

However, in contrast to this a remarkable lack of imagination is shewn with regard to Stockport's other station - the one nearest to the present shopping centre, the proposed Merseyway development and a good deal of Stockport's office zone - Tiviot Dale.
Tiviot Dale is the answer for the person who at present takes more time reaching Edgeley Station than for the rest of the journey into Manchester by rail; the answer to the crowded roads and buses in the mornings and evenings westwards ... and eastwards, ... and the answer for the many people present in Chapel-an-le-Frith, Chinley, New Mills and district, Marple and Romiley who like - or would like - to shop or work in Stockport without driving their cars through the ever increasing traffic.

What is the present Service? Nothing to Altrincham, nothing to Hyde; from Chinley, New Mills, Marple, etc. we have only four trains a day in the morning and afternoon to Tiviot Dale (although there are another five trains between 6-24 p.m. and 11-16 p.m.!! Of these the 10-03 a.m. arrival waits at Stockport for half an hour (offering a through timing from Chinley to Manchester of almost an hour and a half); the 12-56 arrival is more often than not anything up to 20 minutes late; the 3-27 p.m. arrival goes no further; and only three trains in the day out of the total of nine enable the inhabitants of the fast growing and already well-populated Chapel to travel to Stockport without either changing and waiting for anything from nine minutes to 13 minutes or walking two and a half miles to the country village junction of Chinley.

This sort of service is hardly an inducement to use the railways and it cannot be a very paying proposition... It would appear that the men at the top are purposely setting out to eliminate yet another line of passenger stations...
Let us hope that Dr. Beeching will move in the right direction ... But he must remember that any moron can stop a concern losing money by closing it down; the clever man makes it run at a profit...


I presume the people in charge though that the motorway would do a much better job of taking people into Stockport. How wrong they were.

Perhaps this is for another thread though...

And I can't believe some people can be so NUMB to suggest that building all over the countryside is a good thing either!!!!


Yes one of the prime objectives of green belt land is to prevent the coalescence of urban areas into one - thus encouraging better land use of the pre-existing urban areas.

And maybe there is a hint of annoyance here that Stockport alongside Wigan are the two most populous boroughs in GM (outside Manchester itself) which has NO Metrolink

Fully with you on that one, matey!

I really don't know the area but are the 'green gaps' are as big as the Mersey Valley where the Airport line will cross from Chorlton to Northendon? Out of interest is there documented anywhere the 'possible patronage per running mile' for each line?

I think the gaps are probably bigger on Oldham/Rochdale but at least the tram will be able to get a move on with all that forward vision!

On constituencies/potential footfall etc, they must always do very detailed viability studies in advance of determining route alignments (although with O/R being an extant rail line, this one is mostly a fait accompli). The only published info of this type I have seen, in summary form, was after the Airport route Public Inquiry in 1996, viz:-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMGhoughvis_0003.jpg (please note those are out of date now as the Western Loop will not be built)

Many comments have been made about the service reduction (in time) that the Rochdale/Oldham patrons are going to get (loss of train service) and I can see why. . .

Right, you lot, this is my hobby horse!! :horse: I am going to stick my neck right out now, you heard it here first, and if I am wrong at the end of the day I promise to do two forfeits!! :eek::eek:

My predictions are :-

1. The inbound Phase 3a Metrolink service from Mumps to Victoria, even with the additional stops at Freehold, South Chad, Central Park & Monsall, will be no slower, and might well even be quicker, than the previous non-stop train service.

2. Phase 3b, via Oldham Town Centre, will only add 3-4 minutes to the overall timing.

My reasons for making these egregious predictions are:

# The train service nearly always had to wait 3-4 minutes before entering Victoria, clearly due to pathing difficulties which were built into the timetable (i.e. Dean Lane - Vic fully 9 minutes, but only 6 outbound)

# For this reason also, timings were virtually identical (19-20 mins) between the fast Mumps-Victoria, and the slows with four extra stops! (Outbound, however, the fasts were much quicker at 13 mins)

# trams have shorter dwell times & better acceleration, and the new stops, (esp Newton Heath & M; Central Park; & Monsall) are very close together, followed by a clear run into Victoria.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG-21.jpg

# On Phase 3b, Union Street will be cleared of other traffic, and the remainder of the route is more or less segregated, apart from 2-3 road crossings, at which, if the Tram Operating System is to be believed, the LRV will call priority in advance . . .

(PS I am also sticking to my prediction (despite erudite opinion to the contrary!) that Ashton-u-L to Picc will be no more than 24 mins . . .)

:cripes:Well, we will see when the cookie crumbles - veremos - voyerons . . . !!!:eek::eek::eek:

Fully with you on that one, matey!



I think the gaps are probably bigger on Oldham/Rochdale but at least the tram will be able to get a move on with all that forward vision!

On constituencies/potential footfall etc, they must always do very detailed viability studies in advance of determining route alignments (although with O/R being an extant rail line, this one is mostly a fait accompli). The only published info of this type I have seen, in summary form, was after the Airport route Public Inquiry in 1996, viz:-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMGhoughvis_0003.jpg (please note those are out of date now as the Western Loop will not be built)



Right, you lot, this is my hobby horse!! :horse: I am going to stick my neck right out now, you heard it here first, and if I am wrong at the end of the day I promise to do two forfeits!! :eek::eek:

My predictions are :-

1. The inbound Phase 3a Metrolink service from Mumps to Victoria, even with the additional stops at Freehold, South Chad, Central Park & Monsall, will be no slower, and might well even be quicker, than the previous non-stop train service.

2. Phase 3b, via Oldham Town Centre, will only add 3-4 minutes to the overall timing.

My reasons for making these egregious predictions are:

# The train service nearly always had to wait 3-4 minutes before entering Victoria, clearly due to pathing difficulties which were built into the timetable (i.e. Dean Lane - Vic fully 9 minutes, but only 6 outbound)

# For this reason also, timings were virtually identical (19-20 mins) between the fast Mumps-Victoria, and the slows with four extra stops! (Outbound, however, the fasts were much quicker at 13 mins)

# trams have shorter dwell times & better acceleration, and the new stops, (esp Newton Heath & M; Central Park; & Monsall) are very close together, followed by a clear run into Victoria.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG-21.jpg

# On Phase 3b, Union Street will be cleared of other traffic, and the remainder of the route is more or less segregated, apart from 2-3 road crossings, at which, if the Tram Operating System is to be believed, the LRV will call priority in advance . . .

(PS I am also sticking to my prediction (despite erudite opinion to the contrary!) that Ashton-u-L to Picc will be no more than 24 mins . . .)

:cripes:Well, we will see when the cookie crumbles - veremos - voyerons . . . !!!:eek::eek::eek:


That'd be ideal. Anything under half hour for 3B would be great imo.

I've been getting the 'express' replacement bus, the X82 for just over a year and it is dreadful. Unreliable, slow and uncomfortable.

how many trains in/out of Victoria on the remaining heavy rail line stop at Rochdale? and what are the journey times like? these should remain quicker than going 'round the houses' via Oldham on the tram, shouldn't they?

Disco - the reason for the rural and round the houses nature of the line between Oldham and Rochdale is the topography between the two towns is hilly due to Tandle Hill when the direct line is taken. Along the direct route (i.e. A671) you have dense settlements such as Coldhurst, Royton, Summit, Balderstone and Kirkholt with very little in the way of countryside. Due to the gradients it was always difficult to build a railway along the direct, more populated route. Hence the more circuitous railway route between the two towns. The stations on the railway route act as magnets for commuters.

The heavy rail line journey from Rochdale to Victoria takes approx 20 mins. On the Oldham Loop line, to travel from any stations north of Shaw and Crompton it made more sense to change at Rochdale. From all the other stations it would have been quicker to go via Oldham. The service frequencies reflected this - on the Oldham Loop half the number of trains used to terminate at Shaw and Crompton.

how many trains in/out of Victoria on the remaining heavy rail line stop at Rochdale? and what are the journey times like? these should remain quicker than going 'round the houses' via Oldham on the tram, shouldn't they?

Disco. There's 4 trains per hour to Rochdale and all of them stop there. Two are none stop and the others are all stations. 13 mins and 19 mins respectively.

While Im here. JohnnyDR. I don't suppose you have the plans for the approach to Droylsden station. Is it going to be running on its own separate alignment? I just wondered what all the work was for in front of the library, when it seems it could of just ran down the middle of the road?

Cheers in advance!

how many trains in/out of Victoria on the remaining heavy rail line stop at Rochdale? and what are the journey times like? these should remain quicker than going 'round the houses' via Oldham on the tram, shouldn't they?

Yes, the direct train from Rochdale, often a Yorkshire express, is quicker and much more direct. Anyone going from Rochdale to Manchester would not be using the Oldham loop, either before when it was a slow train, or in the future when it will be smooth and slinky Metrolink. Unless, perhaps, you were not in a hurry and wanted to make a through journey, such as to Deansgate-Castlefield or Chorlton St Werburgh's Road?

I am now wondering, would it even then be quicker to take the fast train and change at Victoria, climbing up, up and down, down those horrible steps into the bowels of the MEN Arena? No doubt these and many other questions will be answered in the fullness of time!! (2012)

Slinky! :runaway:

.
While Im here. JohnnyDR. I don't suppose you have the plans for the approach to Droylsden station. Is it going to be running on its own separate alignment? I just wondered what all the work was for in front of the library, when it seems it could of just ran down the middle of the road?

Cheers in advance!

There has beeen a last minute change of plan on the alignment at Droylsden, and for this reason the diagram has been withdrawn by GMPTE.

This was the original plan :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0002-17.jpg

Beside the Library, the tracks have to be widely spaced to allow for the right-turn pocket into Tesco, and so the Westbound line has to take the space previously occupied by the footpath. But right beside it is a 15 foot drop to the canal basin, so they have had to widen the alignment by building a new footbridge over this gap, to accommodate the new footpath further to the South.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0001-22.jpg

On the old plans, above, the Metrolink station for Droylsden was going to be on the North side of the road carriageway, out of the traffic. However, you can see how this needed a very sharp slew for the Westbound track across the junction with Market Street at Villemomble Square.

It is now beginning to look like the tram stop will be relocated in the middle of a new dual carriageway, more or less the same as at Edge Lane. Road traffic has now been routed to where the stop was going to be, and the new kerbing suggests a bus stop in that location.

Looking East :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8274-1.jpg

And West :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8281.jpg

If this is the case, as at Edge Lane, it means that the curves will be less severe, and by dividing and merging with the road traffic in each direction(rather than crossing it), it does away with two conflicting movements.

:cheers:

Ahhh. Brilliant thankyou for that. I guess this means that (hopefully) as you mentioned a while back that nice square can be kept, even if they have dug half of it up! It should give Droylsden a nice European feel with its central station.

Two photos to link to aswell from the Northern extremes again - Milnrow

Thankyou 'Milnrow train rider' of Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5204252012_09f1730240_z.jpg

Harbour Lane Bridge 1

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5218083502_a343dfcaeb_z.jpg

and again. Almost demolished.

I'm never really sure what the point of having stops slewed to one side of the road is. If there are fields on one side of the road and a housing estate on the other maybe. Otherwise, it just seems a way of annoying motorists by having more stop signals than is necessary...

I'm never really sure what the point of having stops slewed to one side of the road is.

Isn't it to make tram stops more accessible to passengers?

and only half the people need to dice with death crossing the road to get to where they want to go

On the Eccles line, the skewed stops (which I've renamed Waste, Longwaity and Lady-not-very-well as I'm a bit bored today) tend to share traffic lights with exisitng road junctions (which probably should have lights anyway) so it isn't a big issue.

Two photos taken on the way home today

Irk Valley Viaduct now has wires.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/DSC01120.jpg

Towards Central Park and Oldham

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/DSC01119.jpg

Towards Manchester

best quote of the year

'It should give Droylsden a nice European feel with its central station.'

Yep, brought a wry smile to my face too. Also where is the nice square? There's Villemomble which is usually full of chavs eating their only meal of the day. The Grove chippy is fine dining for a lot of Droylsden folk. The rest of the people loitering will be waiting for Boots to open so they can pick up their methadone. Nice? Nope.

There's always scope for the Costas and Cafes Rouges of this world to move into the square with terraces for the summer. ;)

Out of interest is there documented anywhere the 'possible patronage per running mile' for each line?

Bit of a rough and ready measure, but I can provide the number of postcodes within 500m of each ex-BR "rural" stop on the Rochdale line:

Derker - 3805
Shaw and Crompton - 4439
New Hey - 2351
Milnrow - 3792

And for the Bury line:

Market Street - 10333
Shudehill - 10142
Victoria - 8359
Woodlands Road - 5035
Crumpsall - 6212
Bowker Vale - 4345
Heaton Park - 416
Prestwich - 5218
Whitefield - 3738
Radcliffe - 3447
Bury - 2469

(yep, I realise I've missed Besses'o'th'Barn out! :) )

Caveats apply.

Best regards,
Slip

Slip:

The stations between Oldham and Rochdale appear to have comparable catchments to the Bury line stations, give or take.

I guess this means that (hopefully) as you mentioned a while back that nice square can be kept, even if they have dug half of it up! It should give Droylsden a nice European feel with its central station.


Spot on, Local Lad, well said! I fully agree that if the stop is going to be a central island (purely surmise at present of course, but it is looking like it) it will give it a continental feel, rather like the pictures of Stuttgart posted by Motor recently.

Before it was gouged out for the Metrolink building works, Villemomble Square was attractive enough in its own way, a dainty Clock Tower bearing the legend "Our Town - Droylsden", and plenty of seating for the elderly and mothers out shopping, etc., who always seemed to me to be the main users of the square.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_3786.jpg

Of course it is a wreck at the moment, and the construction work has been a severe blow to local businesses on top of the recession, but we are told that the clock tower etc. will be put back, and perhaps the best time to judge it will be when we see the final product.

Nice pix also, Local, of the Irk Valley - can't be long now before they start testing along there, and only a few months before we can alight at that fantastic Central Park station in the sky, which has lain idle for the first 5 years of its life! (It might not be all that busy in the short term either, more patience required . . .) But the bit of the Oldham line I am looking forward to especially is in the next section of Phase 3a (Autumn 11), when we will get to see the line traversing that 'twisted fin' bridge over the railway at Thorpes Bridge - with a double banana it should be quite a spectacular movement. :banana::banana:

In the meantime, the adverse weather has brought all work to a standstill over here on the East Side (and probably everywhere else as well?)

New Islington 1.12.10 :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9035.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9037.jpg

Merrill Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9029.jpg

Holt Town :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9024.jpg

The Medlock bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9023.jpg

Bradford, rounding the corner entrance of ASDA :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8994.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8995.jpg

Lowry-esque figures going shopping? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9000.jpg

The Velodrome is still awaiting the footbridge across from its eponymous tram stop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8989.jpg

But is ready to receive it :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8990.jpg

In the meantime, a solitary tree has been planted, along the new footpath down to the canal beside ASDA :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8991.jpg

Seen from the other side, is it for Xmas?! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8998.jpg

Further along, just past Canalside Crossing, the line runs above the fence on the left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_8984.jpg

All quiet at Edge Lane station. Just noticed that the 6 big silver flags announcing the 'City Limits' of Tameside have disappeared - I hope they will eventually be replaced as well . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9042.jpg

Let's also hope that the big freeze doesn't last too long - the building industry usually closes down for a couple of weeks at Xmas anyway, so fingers crossed for All the Best! :cheers::cheers:

Wow Johnny, you really are putting the hours in. Thank you so much! :cheers:

Wow Johnny, you really are putting the hours in. Thank you so much! :cheers:

Ditto to that^^ Johnny! It's soooo great to see those snow-to-graphs - even if a little quiet construction wise at the mo.

With TfGME in the air and the end of the end of the year nigh, I sense a 'best of 2010 photo journal' in the air comparing before and after...any takers??

:-)

South Manchester Line

A couple of weeks ago I was in the Chorlton area. Previously I'd skate by the periphery of the area, but when I visited it this time - I was surprised to see such a densely populated area that has been a backwater in terms of public transport.

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.447957,-2.276949&spn=0.003412,0.006899&z=17

I was on B5217 Manchester Road and saw a new parapet on the bridge. Why green instead of the new corporate Metrolink colours (yellow/black)?

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink-S-Mcr/P101110_1515.jpg

I couldn't see south from the bridge because of the pipe services bridges blocking my view.

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink-S-Mcr/P101110_1516_01.jpg

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink-S-Mcr/P101110_1516.jpg

The view north was more clearer - to what appears to be Firswood Tram stop.
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink-S-Mcr/P101110_1517.jpg

By the bridge there are lots of allotments with a path, from which I tried to get a shot of the line.
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink-S-Mcr/P101110_1520.jpg

I found it impossible to get to that tram stop because the streets were severed by a High School. I hope the locals will be able to make their way towards their nearest tram stop.

Certainly there's affluence in the area and I am sure that there will be significant patronage on the new line.

is this Old Trafford? I love MU so much, im from VietNam

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9000.jpg

U ManU U?

Clearly No.

is this Old Trafford? I love MU so much, im from VietNam



No, its the Council House.

It's Manchester City Stadium, Manchester City Football club in East Manchester. Manchester United are based in Trafford, West Manchester.

Cheers Ashton. I have trod that path myself many times by the allotments! Yes it is a very well-to-do area, heavily populated with lots and lots of commuters. GMPTE have estimated that Chorlton will be the most heavily used stop on the network - they will be wanting to get it open quick for all that scrumptious revenue!! £:nuts:£

Local - is the overbridge at Harbour Lane North (Milnrow) going to disappear altogether?


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5218083502_a343dfcaeb_z.jpg

and again. Almost demolished

[QUOTE=Ashtonian;68332709]South Manchester Line

A couple of weeks ago I was in the Chorlton area. Previously I'd skate by the periphery of the area, but when I visited it this time - I was surprised to see such a densely populated area that has been a backwater in terms of public transport.



Sorry Ashtonian. Had to grin a bit at what you said there....:lol:

26 buses an hour into Manchester isn't really a backwater, 12 x 86 6 x 85 2 x 16 2 x 84 4 x 46/47 per hour of which 14 of those serve different areas on the way... 8 x per hour to Stretford, 6 x to Stockport and twice towards Droylsden plus some smaller bus services. The trams will have 10 per hour serving a smaller section of the city centre and not a lot in between so although faster and better quality are not replacements for the buses as not everyone wants to go into Manchester. Also 10 - 15 minutes walk from Stretford tram stop.

[QUOTE=Ashtonian;68332709]South Manchester Line

A couple of weeks ago I was in the Chorlton area. Previously I'd skate by the periphery of the area, but when I visited it this time - I was surprised to see such a densely populated area that has been a backwater in terms of public transport.



Sorry Ashtonian. Had to grin a bit at what you said there....:lol:

26 buses an hour into Manchester isn't really a backwater, 12 x 86 6 x 85 2 x 16 2 x 84 4 x 46/47 per hour of which 14 of those serve different areas on the way... 8 x per hour to Stretford, 6 x to Stockport and twice towards Droylsden plus some smaller bus services. The trams will have 10 per hour serving a smaller section of the city centre and not a lot in between so although faster and better quality are not replacements for the buses as not everyone wants to go into Manchester. Also 10 - 15 minutes walk from Stretford tram stop.

I should have emphasised that I meant to say backwater in terms of heavy and light rail. There were certainly plenty of buses going around and through the area that day. Apologies for the misunderstanding.

Two photos taken on the way home today

Irk Valley Viaduct now has wires.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/DSC01120.jpg

Towards Central Park and Oldham

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/DSC01119.jpg

Towards Manchester

Looked out of my bedroom window the other day to find rails in place Oldham bound and sleepers in place Manchester bound, so track laying is progressing past Newton Heath and Failsworth towards Hollinwood!!

I am a bit worried about how the line might effect Chorlton especially the night life. Chorlton used to be a great place for a night out but over the past year it has seen a greater number of people coming from other areas. This means it has become more commercial and a lot of the bars are now crap at weekends.

I am worried the line may make Chorlton to even more of a night life destination with all the problems which goes with that.

The other major issue is parking as far as I can tell none of the stations will have any parking provision which means more people taking up spaces in what is an already very overcrowded town.

Thankfully the Firswood stop will be 12 minutes walk and the Chorlton one about six minutes so parking should not be a problem where I live.

That said I am currently having to drive to Stretford to get the tram (I won't risk parking near Old Trafford but will sometimes walk to that stop) so it will be great to have a tram stop so close. It means the city centre is really 20 minutes away from stepping out of my house. On the 86 it is currently 30+ minutes and the tram will be cheaper for return journeys.

[QUOTE=Motortownman;68352825]

I should have emphasised that I meant to say backwater in terms of heavy and light rail. There were certainly plenty of buses going around and through the area that day. Apologies for the misunderstanding.

I am sure you aware Chorlton did have a train station until 1968 (I think) it was closed under Dr Beeching.

Closing the station was a rather short sited decision.

Really though as said the 86 is already very frequent the real bonus for me personaly will be the ability to get one tram to my mates in East Manchester and the ability to get trams to Didsbury. I often go out drinking in Didsbury as I have mates in Fallowfield.

It won't be enough to replace my car but I can see it reducing some of my car journeys.

It won't be enough to replace my car but I can see it reducing some of my car journeys.

This is just brilliant!:cheers: JD

This is the kind of pragmatic common-sense statement that warms the cockles of the hearts of environmentalists and transport campaigners alike.

Unless you are in a city with an incredibly dense network of multiple transit modes running to every part of the conurbation, few car owners are gonna drop them completely (or be willing to pay road charges for when they use it), so these are the kind of sentiments that should be music to the ears of every tram-fan IMHO. :)

No, its the Council House.

It's Manchester City Stadium, Manchester City Football club in East Manchester. Manchester United are based in Trafford, West Manchester.

thanks you:)

This is just brilliant!:cheers: JD

This is the kind of pragmatic common-sense statement that warms the cockles of the hearts of environmentalists and transport campaigners alike.

Unless you are in a city with an incredibly dense network of multiple transit modes running to every part of the conurbation, few car owners are gonna drop them completely (or be willing to pay road charges for when they use it), so these are the kind of sentiments that should be music to the ears of every tram-fan IMHO. :)

London is such city where not having car won't be a problem especialy if you live in the central area.

I do about 4000 miles a year and need my car as I cannot trasnport the heavy goods I often have to by public transport. When I am socialising though even if I am not drinking I prefer to use public transport.

It is also common sense, for me it is entirely pointless driving into the city centre and in fact I have never done so. If I needed to get to Didsbury from Chorltob at 7pm then driving is the only logical choice. In the time I spent waiting for the 23 to arrive I could be home and nice and warm.

Something new, if only a small thing . . .


http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0002-17.jpg

Beside the Library, the tracks have to be widely spaced to allow for the right-turn pocket into Tesco, and so the Westbound line has to take the space previously occupied by the footpath. But right beside it is a 15 foot drop to the canal basin, so they have had to widen the alignment by building a new footbridge over this gap, to accommodate the new footpath further to the South.

:cheers:

Well whad'ye know!! No sooner had we mentioned the new bridge beside Droylsden's Art Deco Library, than they opened it to the public this very week (with even less publicity than Media City!)

Do you remember the GMPTE media splash when they lowered the new footbridge into place over the canal basin, back in June 2009? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/m47_Droylsden_bridge_liftA-28June09G.jpg

Well, now at long last we can walk over it in person. The tramway will be where the footpath used to be :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9058.jpg

And a new footpath has been created over the drop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9071.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9070.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9069.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9072.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9068.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9067.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9061.jpg

Quite nice - all it needs is the Library's stonework cleaning up a bit. . .

just come through the city centre and saw 4 trams all not in service, 2 towards victoria 2 coming the other way will these be the ghost trams that were advertised as running to try and keep the system up and running during this cold spell?

thats right, they have been doing this recently to TRY and avoid disruption in the mornings

I know it was historically much larger but does anyone think the naming of the Withington stop on the South Manchester line is a bit confusing and slightly irrelevant?

My general view of the area boundaries is that the location of the stop is in the South-western tip of what most people would refer to Withington (The fact that it's on west side of the parkway suggests it's actually in Chorlton).

I'm not one to get overly concerned about boundaries but anyone getting the Met to Withington to meet a friend will have a one way ticket to confusionville.

Wouldn't Princess Road/Parkway not be more appropriate? Especially as a primary use of that stop is as an interchange with buses. Or am I missing something?

No you're right I think it is a very confusing name as well. Isn't there going to be a West Didsbury stop? That would make a lot more sense if you were going to go to Withington.

The Parkway is the border of Chorlton and West Didsbury but a bit further up it breifly becomes the border of Chorlton and Withington/Fallowfield. If the stop was on the opposite site to Hough End it would actually be in Withington just about.

It would be like having a stop in the Mersey Bank estate and calling it Chorlton though, techncially correct but would confuse a hell of a lot of people.

Withington does still exist as a ward which consists of Burange, Chorlton, Didsbury and of course Withington.

Even wards can be a bit mis-interpretive when viewing area. The Western side of Burton Road in West Didsbury (the main street) is in Chorlton Park rather than West Didsbury.

Of Course Withington Hospital is in the area too but that predates Withington being sucked into Manchester 100 or so years ago. I can only imagine it's some nod to this historical connection. It's irrelevant now though.

When the line was a proper train line the West Didsbury (metrolink) stop was called Withington and Albert Park at one point (then Withington and West Didsbury I think).

OK so not exactly about Metrolink construction, well not anything to do with construction but I know you guys know what your talking about...

Anyone see the tram crash in Coronation Street tonight?

At first you would think the tram was one of the bananas - but no... its actually a Yellow Livered T68a - confirmed when you see a close up of the driver and can see the seats and inside windows behind him - also the front skirt on the tram gives it away.

But then when the back half of the tram swings in the air and lands - its clearlly the new banana style tram - as seen in the publicity photos shown earlier in this thread.

I know its only going to be a select few who notice this but suprised with Metrolinks involvement in the storyline that they decided to jeopardise continuity...

OK so not exactly about Metrolink construction, well not anything to do with construction but I know you guys know what your talking about...

Anyone see the tram crash in Coronation Street tonight?

At first you would think the tram was one of the bananas - but no... its actually a Yellow Livered T68a - confirmed when you see a close up of the driver and can see the seats and inside windows behind him - also the front skirt on the tram gives it away.

But then when the back half of the tram swings in the air and lands - its clearlly the new banana style tram - as seen in the publicity photos shown earlier in this thread.

I know its only going to be a select few who notice this but suprised with Metrolinks involvement in the storyline that they decided to jeopardise continuity...

Pictures were posted on the main metrolink thread a while back. Take a look:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584932&page=409

Hi

21.35 Altrincham, Bury, Eccles and Weatherfield line

Metrolink Services

Metrolink service have been suspended on Weatherfield line because of bad incident" :lol:

A 12 minute service is operating on the Altrincham and Bury lines.

A 12 minute service is running on the Eccles line

http://www.itv.com/coronationstreet/corrieextra/tramcrashnewsflash/tramcrashnewsflashpart1/#intcmp=790903_123_2

Pictures were posted on the main metrolink thread a while back. Take a look:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584932&page=409

Nice one - thank you... sorry didn't realise there was another thread!

Suprised no one picked up then either on the two different type's of trams being used - maybe its just me being anal :cheers:

Even wards can be a bit mis-interpretive when viewing area.

Try living in 'Bradford'.

People say 'Beswick', 'Clayton', 'Sportcity', 'Eastlands', but very rarely refer to 'Bradford' or 'Bradford-with-Beswick', the traditional name. Most think of West Yorkshire, likewise 'Tameside' being near London (Thameside).

Must say Droylsden looks cracking. Always thought the area around the library had masses of potential when I used to work in there. Opening up the back makes the place seem much bigger, and more modern with the new canalside housing. Blue houses, yellow trams, all we need is some sunshine too!!

Even wards can be a bit mis-interpretive when viewing area. The Western side of Burton Road in West Didsbury (the main street) is in Chorlton Park rather than West Didsbury.

Of Course Withington Hospital is in the area too but that predates Withington being sucked into Manchester 100 or so years ago. I can only imagine it's some nod to this historical connection. It's irrelevant now though.

When the line was a proper train line the West Didsbury (metrolink) stop was called Withington and Albert Park at one point (then Withington and West Didsbury I think).

Withington Hospital is in West Didsbury!

Withington Hospital is in West Didsbury!

And of course Withington Hospital was originally Chorlton Workhouse, but that wasn't Chorlton cum Hardy workhouse but Chorlton Row or Chorlton on Medlock workhouse:lol:

Hi

21.35 Altrincham, Bury, Eccles and Weatherfield line

Metrolink Services

Metrolink service have been suspended on Weatherfield line because of bad incident" :lol:

A 12 minute service is operating on the Altrincham and Bury lines.

A 12 minute service is running on the Eccles line

http://www.itv.com/coronationstreet/corrieextra/tramcrashnewsflash/tramcrashnewsflashpart1/#intcmp=790903_123_2


:lol: I watched the said incident on my overgrown webcam. Seems a gas explosion took out part of the viaduct in the path of a running tram. It'd be safe to say that the Met won't be running in Weatherfield for a while.

01/12/2010 - South Manchester Metrolink - Overnight Working

Work is underway to build the new South Manchester Metrolink line along the disused railway line from Trafford Bar to Chorlton and to build a new Metrolink Depot on Ayres Road. This extension is due to open Spring 2011.

We will be carrying out works along the existing Metrolink line between the Cornbrook and Stretford stop. The work will involve the adjustment of the overhead line and associated equipment. This work requires the use of hand tools and road/rail vehicles.

The work will take place:

- 12am to 5am on Thursday 9th December until Thursday 23rd December 2010

- 12am to 5am on Tuesday 4th January until Sunday 30th January 2011

^^

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2766/manchester8thdec2010030.jpg

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/3008/manchester8thdec2010032.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/4696/manchester8thdec2010031.jpg

Very nice! :banana::banana::banana:

Great photos Flange!

Hi

I found this on GMPTE Website

Major new layout unveiled for Oldham's Manchester Street roundabout
http://www.gmpte.com/2009_news.cfm?news ... nuheader=3
http://www.gmpte.com/pdf/Mcr_St_roundab ... al_map.pdf

How does the new stop open it up to the Abraham Moss centre? Woodlands road is only 250 metres away!! Are people really that lazy?

How does the new stop open it up to the Abraham Moss centre? Woodlands road is only 250 metres away!! Are people really that lazy?
Take a look at Broadway, MediaCity and Harbour City - there's your answer.

The Mrs is from that neck of the woods.

She relaibly tells me that although the track is only 250m from WR to AM, to walk from one to the other takes a very long time due to the route of the paths / roads in the area.

Take a look at Broadway, MediaCity and Harbour City - there's your answer.

They plan to close WR;

http://www.gmpte.com/2009_news.cfm?news_id=9005716?submenuheader=3

Woodlands Road has a very low patronage due to its location. The new stop is adjacent to Abraham Moss and also close to Woodlands road so should not really inconvinience the current few who use WR whilst gaining custom from AM and the surrounding houses towards Crumpsall lane.

They plan to close WR;

http://www.gmpte.com/2009_news.cfm?news_id=9005716?submenuheader=3

Woodlands Road has a very low patronage due to its location. The new stop is adjacent to Abraham Moss and also close to Woodlands road so should not really inconvinience the current few who use WR whilst gaining custom from AM and the surrounding houses towards Crumpsall lane.

...which when closed will bring the total number of "ghost" stations (abandoned/re-sited/closed) on Metrolink to THREE! (Woodlands/High St-Market St/Mosely St) Quite impressive considering the size and relative newness of the network so far, and when the Oldham Town centre section opens will there be any others I'm trying to figure out? Well Werneth I suppose??

...which when closed will bring the total number of "ghost" stations (abandoned/re-sited/closed) on Metrolink to THREE! (Woodlands/High St-Market St/Mosely St) Quite impressive considering the size and relative newness of the network so far, and when the Oldham Town centre section opens will there be any others I'm trying to figure out? Well Werneth I suppose??

Werneth isn't going to open as a metrolink stop, low numbers as a rail station makes this somewhat pointless. Freehold (3A) and Westwood (3B) will fill in the gap.

Werneth isn't going to open as a metrolink stop, low numbers as a rail station makes this somewhat pointless. Freehold (3A) and Westwood (3B) will fill in the gap.

I didn't realise - thanks!

Wonder if they will completely remove all trace of Woodlands? Although High Street is a ghost it has left no trace (as Mosley no doubt will too). Also technically speaking, the current version of Market Street is not the original, which too has gone without trace (a ghost platform more than a ghost station). Funny as Pomona is a ghost station is operation.

I think they are missed a trick with the design around Piccadilly. They should have built a junction station on the delta instead of Mosly/Picc Grdns/Market Street. With platforms serving all services within much closer vicinity, people could interchange better and the more agile could always be on the next tram to bury/alt no matter its origin

I think they are missed a trick with the design around Piccadilly. They should have built a junction station on the delta instead of Mosly/Picc Grdns/Market Street. With platforms serving all services within much closer vicinity, people could interchange better and the more agile could always be on the next tram to bury/alt no matter its origin

How would that be set up in terms of the track? The only way I can think of is having a triangular platform with bi-directional track on each side and 3 crossover junctions.
I have a feeling that would create pileups around that delta.
Also think of the scale of this triangle - each side would have to be long enough to have a double unit at the platform.

http://kriis.host56.com/deltaplatform.jpg

Funny as Pomona is a ghost station is operation.
Pomona isn't completely dead i suppose, people do use it. It is also going to serve as a line interchange for the Trafford Centre line in a few years, and I guess they've always kept that in mind that's why it was never closed sooner.

Also, I think they should definitely review number of ticket machines at Metro stops. For example, Pomona has two ticket machines, although I doubt each are used more than a dozen times per day, whereas Ladywell only has one on each platform, but has to deal with hospital workers, park&ride customers and local residents.
I was recently forced to queue at Ladywell for about ten minutes whilst Football fans tried to work out how to operate a touch-screen. Missed my tram and almost missed the next one by a couple of seconds.
Your solution for this would be "use the machine on the opposite platform". Ah, well that wasn't an option either as I needed a Day ticket and the opposite ticket machine was one of those pointless ones which reads "Single and return tickets only for all Metrolink destinations." (What is the use in these? I see them at stops such as MediaCity and Saint Peter's Square and am simply left baffled!)
They could do with taking a machine from ghost stops like Pomona, and putting an extra one in at busier ones like Ladywell and Brooklands. :bash:

Backup, if theirs only one at Pomona and its out of order its a major problem with handling passengers from it. now even a second can fail at the same time but at least there is some redudancy.

As to triangular platform, yeah it would have to have sides of 60 metres, dont even want to think what the volume of square that would be lost would be.

Disco - the reason for the rural and round the houses nature of the line between Oldham and Rochdale is the topography between the two towns is hilly due to Tandle Hill when the direct line is taken. Along the direct route (i.e. A671) you have dense settlements such as Coldhurst, Royton, Summit, Balderstone and Kirkholt with very little in the way of countryside. Due to the gradients it was always difficult to build a railway along the direct, more populated route. Hence the more circuitous railway route between the two towns. The stations on the railway route act as magnets for commuters.

The heavy rail line journey from Rochdale to Victoria takes approx 20 mins. On the Oldham Loop line, to travel from any stations north of Shaw and Crompton it made more sense to change at Rochdale. From all the other stations it would have been quicker to go via Oldham. The service frequencies reflected this - on the Oldham Loop half the number of trains used to terminate at Shaw and Crompton.

Interesting to recall that there was a direct tram link between Rochdale - Oldham - Ashton (along what is now the A671) in the 1880s - it being one of the longest UK steam tram routes and then superseded by the electric trams. Interestingly there were several "trans-Rochdale" routes operated both in steam tram days (Royton - Rochdale - Littleborough) and in early electric tram days (from 1904) when a through Hathershaw - Oldham - Royton - Rochdale - Norden service was provided! No through steam tram service ran directly through Royton due to a change of gauge there from narrow to standard.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36844288@N00/3537938351/

Hi

£300k to shut tram stop as new one is built a quarter of a mile away

A tram stop could be demolished at a cost of £300,000 as part of a bid to boost links to a school and community complex.

Transport chiefs are building a new stop at Abraham Moss in Crumpsall and want to close the Woodlands Road stop less than a quarter of a mile away.

Building the Abraham Moss stop and keeping Woodlands Road would increase journey times on the Bury line by 30 seconds. But closing Woodlands Road will mean a longer walk for some people. A thousand protesters have signed a petition against the closure.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1388707_300k_to_shut_tram_stop_as_new_one_is_built_a_quarter_of_a_mile_away

Hi

£300k to shut tram stop as new one is built a quarter of a mile away

A tram stop could be demolished at a cost of £300,000 as part of a bid to boost links to a school and community complex.

Transport chiefs are building a new stop at Abraham Moss in Crumpsall and want to close the Woodlands Road stop less than a quarter of a mile away.

Building the Abraham Moss stop and keeping Woodlands Road would increase journey times on the Bury line by 30 seconds. But closing Woodlands Road will mean a longer walk for some people. A thousand protesters have signed a petition against the closure.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1388707_300k_to_shut_tram_stop_as_new_one_is_built_a_quarter_of_a_mile_away

Can one make counter-petitions ?

Pomona isn't completely dead i suppose, people do use it. It is also going to serve as a line interchange for the Trafford Centre line in a few years, and I guess they've always kept that in mind that's why it was never closed sooner.

I never understand the argument of keeping Pomona as an interchange with the Trafford centre line, as it would be only interconnecting with the Eccles line!! One stop further along at cornbrook would ultimately interchange with trams to ALL destinations. The developments that were to benefit from Pomona have never materialised and are unlikely to for many years. Surely it would be best to close it and keep it as an emergency refuge until the area is developed.

I never understand the argument of keeping Pomona as an interchange with the Trafford centre line, as it would be only interconnecting with the Eccles line!! One stop further along at cornbrook would ultimately interchange with trams to ALL destinations. The developments that were to benefit from Pomona have never materialised and are unlikely to for many years. Surely it would be best to close it and keep it as an emergency refuge until the area is developed.

The Trafford Centre line may well continue onto Cornbrook, but the big deal about Pomona is that that will be the first transfer interchange if you're travelling from the Trafford Centre city-bound.

I doubt they will, however, extend the TC line to Cornbrook because otherwise it'll become too congested with ...

... The Eccles, MediaCity, Altrincham, East Didsbury AND Airport lines all checking in there at once.

What would be the point of Trafford centre trams NOT going to cornbrook!!!!! I live in timperley and going on what youre suggesting I would have to get a tram to cornbrook, change to an Eccles tram for one stop, then change again at Pomona!!!! Too many changes if your plan is take cars off the road as it would be less hastle to drive!!

Yes, I don't think there's any suggestion that the Trafford Centre services (or Port Salford, still being shown on up-to-the-minute diagrams) would actually terminate at Pomona- they will surely all continue through Cornbrook to Manchester central area (probably Vic or Picc).

My understanding of the long overdue Tram Operating System is also that it will enable Cornbrook Viaduct to cope with more than 80 trams per hour if needed.

Withington

Totally off topic, I apologise - but the most random thing has just happened... literally as I am reading this post, Sky News on in the background and the presenter links to a report "Mike McCarthy reports from Withington in Greater Manchester" - now how often do Sky News report from Withington - even more bizare as I'm reading a post about it...

:nuts:

Back on topic, and born and bred in Manchester, I agree the naming of the Withington stop doesn't sit quite right and I think vunerable people may get confused by it.

A stop called Withington to me, would first thing of the Copson Street (Sky News reporting from) / Wilmslow Road area - I wonder how many of the elderly getting the tram in future years would expect that the top was actually here and instead be exiting the tram in what really is just the edge of a council estate and playing fields :ohno:

Just a quick one. I came back the scenic way after work. The Square in Droylsden has now had all the fencing took down again, so it looks like JDR's prediction of the new station location was correct. Villemobile Square will be back to its former glory in no time :lol:

How would that be set up in terms of the track? The only way I can think of is having a triangular platform with bi-directional track on each side and 3 crossover junctions.
I have a feeling that would create pileups around that delta.
Also think of the scale of this triangle - each side would have to be long enough to have a double unit at the platform.

http://kriis.host56.com/deltaplatform.jpg

No I didn't mean it as a triangular station. I meant that the Bury-Alt line platforms should be an island outside Burger King. The Alt-Picc would leave this line where Mosley St station is and the Bury-12Picc would leave Market Street. Using a sharper curve to bring both lines perpendicular to the Bury-Alt, the current Picc Gdns platforms would be much closer making it effectively all one station.

If you look now an Alt-Bury double can wait clearly on the delta allowing movements to and from Piccadilly from both Bury and Alt. The space could be improved by taking some of the bus station to bring the junction further into Mosley Street. So you would have 2 straight Island platforms able to handle doubles and providing much better interchanges.

This would be the same line/platform/junction configuration as Aldgate and Aldgate East Stations on the tube (but with the advantage of being 1 station).

Just a quick one. I came back the scenic way after work. The Square in Droylsden has now had all the fencing took down again, so it looks like JDR's prediction of the new station location was correct. Villemobile Square will be back to its former glory in no time :lol:

Cheers, LL. We residents of Droylsden received a letter only today, about a series of four public presentations in Droylsden - unfortunately 3 of them had already happened last week by the time we got the letter, so I don't know how many people would have been there!! (Nor were they mentioned on the GMPTE Future Metrolink website, although the Oldham ones were . . .)

The FM website is also deficient or out of date in other respects, including the future location of Droylsden station. However, I can now confirm that it will be an island stop in the centre of Ashton Road, East of Market Street, with road traffic running either side. How do I know? - GMPTE have provided a large new map of the line, currently on display in the Clayton Cafe at the top of Ashton New Road (excellent small, medium or large breakfasts, plus a wide variety of other meals at great value!)

Anyway, the last presentation at Droylsden is on Thursday 16th (1630-1900 at Manchester Road School, opposite Buxton Lane), so I will bob along to that and see what the crack is.

Thanks also, Local, for pointing out on the Future thread, the latest changes of stop names on the Ashton Line :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9097.jpg

Eastlands City Stadium I think makes a lot of sense. Football commentators were never going to keep repeating the mouthful "The City of Manchester Stadium" when referring to City's ground. I think it was they who coined the moniker 'Eastlands', as it is now generally reported in the media nationally and world-wide.

Velopark also logically refers to the fact that there will now be other cycling activities such as BMX on site, as well as just the Velodrome itself.

Clayton Hall, however, is the one that intrigues me most. It's laudably an attempt to make the area sound more up-market, but it will also draw attention to this little gem of a building in uncharacteristic surroundings, which otherwise tends go unnoticed as it is more or less hidden from the main road by trees.

Clayton's War Memorial is also in this area, immediately East of St Cross' Church. The Hall itself, though modified several times over the centuries, is still accessed only by a stone bridge over its surrounding Mediaeval moat, the only surviving example of such a thing in Manchester. However, the moat is currently dry, so perhaps TfGM will be able to claim a few gallons of water on expenses, and perhaps even throw in a duck island for good measure?!!

Here are a few pix of the Hall and its surroundings, showing the proximity of the new tramline and Clayton Hall stop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9139.jpg

In the next shot:
Left - St Cross; Centre - War Memorial; Right - Clayton Hall :-

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

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

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9137.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9162.jpg

At the other side of the tram stop in this view, you can see the last couple of houses remaining on Eccleshall Street, where a whole warren of terraced streets, previously full of potential passengers, has been flattened since the Metrolink was planned, for no apparent reason. Clayton Hall stop will therefore now be in the middle of a green or brownfield site.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9160.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9163.jpg

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http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_9157.jpg

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

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

Clayton Hall :banana:

Cheers Johnny! :banana:

I don't know why they don't just call the stop "Manchester City Football Club"

Cheers Johnny! :banana:

I don't know why they don't just call the stop "Manchester City Football Club"

As there is more to it that just that! Manchester National Squash Centre, Manchester Regional Arena (a 6,500 capacity stadium), Manchester Regional Tennis Centre, Manchester Sport and Leisure Trust offices, and English Institute of Sport offices too.

I'd have preferred to keep 'Sportcity' (for COMS), but the new 'Velopark' one is more apt.

Eastlands City Stadium I think makes a lot of sense. Football commentators were never going to keep repeating the mouthful "The City of Manchester Stadium" when referring to City's ground. I think it was they who coined the moniker 'Eastlands', as it is now generally reported in the media nationally and world-wide.
No, 'Eastlands' pre-dates the football by a long way. It was the name given to the area when Manchester bid for the 2000 Olympics back in 1993.

Wasn't it called Eastland's because it's actually Bradford which has obvious confusing connotations.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (JEC: News ) was awarded a contract to provide detailed design and construction support services to MPact for the construction of extensions to the light rail Metrolink system in and around Manchester, United Kingdom.

Officials did not disclose the contract value, however indicated that the total construction value is estimated at $590 million.

The company said that the new lines are expected to add 16.4 miles and 33 stops to the system, extending it out to Manchester Airport, East Didsbury and Ashton-under-Lyne, as well as covering both Oldham and Rochdale town centres.

^^Probably old news but oh well...^^

Just had a very quick mooch around the chorlton line, sorry no photos worth posting. I've never seen so many people working on it. Lots of workers for some telecomms company instaling cabling and there where a few people up cherry pickers adjusting the overhead lines.

Actualy, changed my mind about the photos - behold:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/golddigga19/IMG_0270.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/golddigga19/IMG_0269.jpg
Quite impressed with my iPhone 4's camera

You deffinatley get a sense that the end of construction is immenent.

^^Probably old news but oh well...^^

Just some trivia .......

Allott and Lomax --------> Babtie ----------> Jacob's Babtie -------> Jacobs Engineering

Wasn't it called Eastland's because it's actually Bradford which has obvious confusing connotations.
The pedant in me is tempted to say it's never been Eastland's, always Eastlands, but I won't. :bash:

Anyway, Bradford covers a wider area than the sports developments, which were targeted at the former gas works site.

The pedant in me is tempted to say it's never been Eastland's, always Eastlands, but I won't. :bash:

Anyway, Bradford covers a wider area than the sports developments, which were targeted at the former gas works site.

Eastlands does indeed cover a much larger area than the sports developments, taking in not only Bradford but also Beswick,Openshaw, Gorton and chunks of Longsight and Levenshulme.

Just some trivia .......

Allott and Lomax --------> Babtie ----------> Jacob's Babtie -------> Jacobs Engineering

Interesting. Company lineages are always interesting to delve into.

C S Allott & Son -------> Allott and Lomax

Allott, Charles Sneath

Born Lincoln, 17 May 1842; died Manchester 27 February 1907. Civil engineer and bridge builder. Pupil of W S Moorsom on Ringwood-Christchurch Railway. In 1862 he joined staff of Fairbairn Engineering Co, Manchester, and remained there until its liquidation in 1875: he had charge of works including roofs of Albert Hall, and Liverpool Street station and bridges on the Intercolonial Railway in Canada. In 1875 set up on his own and built the iron viaduct and bridges on the CLC between Manchester Central station and Cornbrook. He reported on all LYR iron underbridges and afterwards prepared drawings for strengthening many. In 1897 he took his son Henry N Allott into partnership under the name of C.S. Allott & Son.

It wouldn't surprise me if C S Allott provided some of the old infrastructure that these Metrolink extensions are now reusing and which Jacobs are advising on.

Update from GMPTE on works soon to commence in Rochdale

Week commencing 4th January 2011
� Worksites will open on Drake Street to divert gas and water mains. As shown on the attached traffic management diagram, this will lead to Drake Street becoming one-way southbound (heading uphill) until approximately April/May 2011. Following this work, the section of Drake Street from Smith Street to Water Street will permanently close to all traffic (except buses, trams and emergency vehicles).

� Northern section of Maclure Road (outside the church and primary school) will close to traffic for approximately 12 weeks. Richard Street will remain open.

� Further utilities trial work will be carried out on Drake Street near the junction with Smith Street.

Week commencing 17th January 2011
� Water main diversion works will start on Baron Street

Also a link to a PDF map showing works around Droylsden for the next couple of months via the TAG Manchester website. Gracias

http://www.tag-mcr.org.uk/files/Droylsden%20Audenshaw%20(Jan%20Feb%202011)%20v2%20(5).pdf

5 week intensive works program. All systems go in 2011!

This map also shows Droylsden station in its updated location.

Central Park update.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz309/razzledazzle_2010/P1010793.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz309/razzledazzle_2010/P1010819.jpg

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Great pics of Central Park and the addition of the Metrolink yellow back lighting on the bridge. This station still looks as sharp as the day it was built and strange to think it was completed a couple of years ago. One thing that stood out like a sore thumb to me was the use of those shelters. What's the point??? there is one massive canopy stretching across the the whole platform. Those shelters to me don't work very well against the design of the station that was already built.Would have just been better putting seating in and the travel boards and leaving the shelters off.

I guess it balances the side that is more open to horizontal rain and so needs that protection from behind.

Great pics of Central Park and the addition of the Metrolink yellow back lighting on the bridge. This station still looks as sharp as the day it was built and strange to think it was completed a couple of years ago. One thing that stood out like a sore thumb to me was the use of those shelters. What's the point??? there is one massive canopy stretching across the the whole platform. Those shelters to me don't work very well against the design of the station that was already built.Would have just been better putting seating in and the travel boards and leaving the shelters off.

I thought that too. they look really tacky

Mr Cool - thanks for the photos. You visited the station at night, how did you feel overall with regards to safety and security? For at least several months Central Park will be the terminus for new Metrolink services.