might have! ;-)

Oooh you kept that one quiet!!! Do we get any insider info on it?? ;-)

Oooh you kept that one quiet!!! Do we get any insider info on it?? ;-)

like what??

Removed ;-)

Hi

Have they do any more testing on Chorlton Line today and have anyone be on a tram near G-mex where they be doing work they.

Also do anyone know if next Tuesday be the day when Chorlton line finally opened.

Good Picture to everyone who took them thanks.

Cheers r02 - I have just put some more pictures of those areas on the Metrolink thread :

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584932&page=481#9614

It was only one of the workmen at St Werburgh's who mentioned Tuesday 21st June as the opening day. But it could easily be as soon as that, as the line looks nearly ready. We are all excited and just awaiting the official announcement!!!

By the way, thanks also r02bapurdie for putting me on to the LRTA webmaster's description of the Oldham Town centre route between Westwood and Werneth. On google you can see how it will fit down the middle of the Westwood Business Park, without any need for demolition as I had supposed. Perhaps it's not the prettiest bit of Future Metrolink, but I will amend my tour of Oldham Town Centre as follows :-

This is the site of Westwood tramstop on Middleton Road looking West :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/000_0001.jpg

Heading towards Manchester, the route leaves Westwood stop by swinging round to the left, in a Southerly direction:-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2261.jpg

It will then cross a covered reservoir :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2257.jpg

Continuing Southwards across spare land, heading in the direction of the high rise flats in the background :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2251.jpg

An old wall then crosses the route at right angles, the breakthrough point will be to the left of the trees. Featherstall Road South now runs parallel on the right :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2249.jpg

At the other side of the wall is some derelict land and a green fence, then the route will have a signalled crossing across West Street and pass through another stone wall :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2247.jpg

Beyond the second wall is the main avenue of Westwood Business Park :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2242.jpg

There is evidently plenty of room for the tramlines to pass right down the middle, without disturbing the pub or the garage on the right :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2239.jpg

After breaking through the fence at the far end of the Business Park, the line will dip sharply down to the right, through what is currently the works compound beside the old Werneth station, passing under Featherstall Road South former railway bridge, and re-joining the old Loopline towards Freehold and Manchester :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2231.jpg

Looking down fom Featherstall Road South, some concrete bases are already coming into being :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2229.jpg

I don't know what they are :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2228.jpg

The overbridge is very much under wraps at present, but you can peep out towards Manchester :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2226.jpg

Or back East towards the old Werneth tunnels, which still carry a single track :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2227.jpg

Re-tracing the route towards Westwood, it will presumably be non-stop through the Business Park :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2235.jpg

Heading back through the stone wall and towards the pale green fence :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2237.jpg

The next bit of spare land is to the left of Greenwood Builders on West Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2244.jpg

Just to the left of the fence, some clearance has aready taken place :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2243.jpg

Then the line breaks through the second wall on to the open ground again, rising up to clear the covered reservoir :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2250.jpg

On a continuing rise, the route swings right, back into Westwood tramstop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2259.jpg

The stop will be just this side of Winterbottom Street, which the line will then cross on another signalled junction :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/000_0007.jpg

Still on the right hand verge of Middleton Road, the route encouters the exit slip road from the elevated Oldham Way ring road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/000_0004.jpg

It will then swing right again beside the slip road in a South-Easterly direction, but unlike the descending traffic will remain at a lower level, probably in a cutting already being excavated away from the camera, until it reaches Manchester Street roundabout, to the left of the high-rise flats, on the way to Oldham centre :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/000_0006.jpg

:banana:

The Nine?

Yep! Bizarrely, it's showing up on the journey planner for TfGM, but there's a huge disclaimer on the left saying to ignore any journeys which include Service 9 until further notice.

Timetable can be found here (http://www.traveline-northwest.co.uk/timetableplanner/displayTimetableDetails.do?rid=1308008600297&hss=UWkp430927058).

Cheers r02 - I have just put some more pictures of those areas on the Metrolink thread :

It was only one of the workmen at St Werburgh's who mentioned Tuesday 21st June as the opening day. But it could easily be as soon as that, as the line looks nearly ready. We are all excited and just awaiting the official announcement!!!

By the way, thanks also r02bapurdie for putting me on to the LRTA webmaster's description of the Oldham Town centre route between Westwood and Werneth. On google you can see how it will fit down the middle of the Westwood Business Park, without any need for demolition as I had supposed. Perhaps it's not the prettiest bit of Future Metrolink, but I will amend my tour of Oldham Town Centre as follows :-


Or back East towards the old Werneth tunnels, which still carry a single track :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2227.jpg

:banana:

Are you sure about the single track through the tunnels. The plans I have seen show double track through both Werneth and Central Tunnels and I would have thought the clearnaces were ample for 750v DC OLE.

I presume there will be plenty of others doing their upmost to be on that first tram?

Also, looking like 2nd July is Chorlton pub day :D

What makes you think integrated ticketing would be cheaper? Having a daily cap so it didn't matter which bus or other mode you use would be good though.

Yes, but surely we already have that. It's a system one daysaver, we've had it for over 20 years now.

The only difference is you buy it all at once instead of it adding up with each journey? Or am I missing something?

I presume there will be plenty of others doing their upmost to be on that first tram?

Also, looking like 2nd July is Chorlton pub day :D


God yeah what if the first tram is so crowded that loads of people can't get on?? I will be sad if that happens to me! :(

I'm hoping for a midday start on the first day of trams - I don't want to have to get up really early and work out how to get to St Werbys / Firswood / Piccadilly to catch the first tram.

Speaking of which.

Are we expecting the first pick up point on the new line will be Firswood as the first tram will come off the depot and head straight down to Chorlton presumably?

Or will it run empty and start out at St Werby?

ummmm

Yes, but surely we already have that. It's a system one daysaver, we've had it for over 20 years now.

The only difference is you buy it all at once instead of it adding up with each journey? Or am I missing something?Yes, you got it in your question! The way it works now, when I visit Manchester & Salford I have to decide whether I want to use the bus or the tram or both, in advance. Then I have to calculate whether individual fares or a daysaver will be better value. If a fare cap applied I wouldn't have that problem (unless they had a lower bus-only cap, like in London, but that's a simpler decision to make).

It used to be a real pain in London before rail was included in Oyster PAYG, trying to work out whether I needed a paper travelcard in advance or could use PAYG.

Yes, you got it in your question! The way it works now, when I visit Manchester & Salford I have to decide whether I want to use the bus or the tram or both, in advance. Then I have to calculate whether individual fares or a daysaver will be better value. If a fare cap applied I wouldn't have that problem (unless they had a lower bus-only cap, like in London, but that's a simpler decision to make).

It used to be a real pain in London before rail was included in Oyster PAYG, trying to work out whether I needed a paper travelcard in advance or could use PAYG.

Right, gotcha. makes it easiert o get around without all the sums. was the same when i was in london sunday and monday. Got cheaper fares but didn't use enough for it to add up to a day ticket !

Oldham & Rochdale Line
Vicinity of Oldham Mumps Station
Progress on the junction for new access to Proposed Car Park, Yorkshire and Union Streets is ongoing albeit slowly.

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00400.jpg

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00401.jpg

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00409.jpg


However, I was met with a pleasant surprise to see works progressing at the station. The new tracks seem to be more carefully aligned. JdR correctly identified that this footbridge where I take the photos from will form the main pedestrian access to the station. The photos today show a pedestrian ramp from Oldham way going down towards the station!

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00402.jpg

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00403.jpg

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00404.jpg

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00407.jpg


The next photo shows towards the top right another pedestrian access under construction. For the first time Mumps will get an entrance on the south side.

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00405.jpg

This entrance is to join the cycleway/footway from Alexandra Retail Park to Southlink. The photo below shows this footway, the south access will meet this path at the far extent of this photo.

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00408.jpg

View towards Werneth, Central Park and Manchester. Note the crossover in the distance, which will come into play a lot when Oldham Mumps will be a temporary terminus for the line.

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00406.jpg


:banana:

And just a quick update from out east on the Ashton line. This morning they were setting up the security fences around one of the last missing links to Droylsden. This is at the eastern end of the Cemetery Road stop where the track swings off the road, looking west toward Manchester with the stop on the left. You can just see the existing track at lower right. I think there is only this gap and another further towards the Droylsden stop (near Tesco) to do now and that will be the tracks completed to Droylsden.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/cem_rd.jpg

By the way - notice if you look along this road it points right towards the CIS building.

Thanks Ashtonian, good to see progress slow but steady! I hope they do have a change of heart and keep this section open at least for diversions, still seems like such a waste to build all that to knock it down again.

loweskid, there is one more section just after Velopark station with out tracks, good to see they are finally starting here.

WatcherZero, I didnt think about the Bridge joints under the concrete at Gmex and good point about the lines to Pomona aswell, same style but many years later, sure there must be a good reason why they chose that style of track laying. Its not lasted too badly to say its had a serious amount trams passing over it.

loweskid, there is one more section just after Velopark station with out tracks,

Oh yes, I forgot about that bit. Shouldn't take 'em too long to do that bit though as it's off street.

Cheers.

At MediaCityUk a New bus stop and shelter being erected - presume for the Salford
Quays-Salford Crescent hybrid shuttle buses - due to start soon:

picture of one on test on flickr:

one of the new hybrid Optare Versa's in a silver and pink livery with Salford Quays Link branding with the plate YJ11ENP and showing route number 9 quoted on the site as being run by Maytree Travel.

www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/5830313510/

www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/5829768411/

Good news from Werby's, 2 ticket machines currently being installed :banana:

Still not seen any PID action, they don't have long to make sure they work if they're aiming for the 27th..!

Meanwhile down in Didsbury, no majorly exciting progress to see, though continues at a pace - I'm still none the wiser about what they're doing in the former Didsbury station cutting though... they have now built up the floor around the central piles previously seen - does this still suggest a tunnel?

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/IMG_1270.jpg

Major drainage issue in the cutting perhaps, such that they have to raise the floor level above it?

Major drainage issue in the cutting perhaps, such that they have to raise the floor level above it?

It looked a bit different in 1975...

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x461/nferguso_wyvern/Manchester%20Railways%20in%20the%201970s/2007-04-17-2205-38_edited.jpg

View taken from the opposite direction on the (than unrebuilt) Wilmslow Road bridge.

Kind regards,

Neil Ferguson-Lee

It looks like they are suspending the track bed on piles through the cutting, either for drainage (as mentioned) or to correct a level issue. Notice the difference in elevation between the track bed and FFL of the car park to the left for example.

Its a pretty big civil engineering undertaking, not that I shall be reading about this (or any other part of the Metrolink development) in the weekly New Civil Engineer publication as none of the sites have a London postcode!

yes it will be similar to that but not been told yet! when the Chorlton line opens it will be running through to victoria! then when the oldham line opens to central park, trams will run central Park to St Werburgh's Road

Took a look at St.Werbergh's at the weekend in the rain. It all makes me rather jealous 'cause still nothing is happening at Central Park yet.

I'm still none the wiser about what they're doing in the former Didsbury station cutting though... they have now built up the floor around the central piles previously seen - does this still suggest a tunnel?

This document, dating from 1999 when the line was supposed to go to Stockport, shows a tunnel (scroll down to the map) ......

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

So it does! Good find Loweskid!

Its hard to get a scale in your head from the photos till you see how small the workers look next to those piles! So it looks like its going to be a pretty long tunnel all in all.

fallowfield_fergy awesome photo, some fairly radical changes around that area. The station was quite impressive, how ever I have a feeling if it had remained into Metrolink times they may well have pulled it down anyway! Bury lines's last vestiges of real railway are disappearing fast!

God yeah what if the first tram is so crowded that loads of people can't get on?? I will be sad if that happens to me! :(

So what day will it be? I was on the first Banana and on the first MC tram... dont forget me...:ohno::ohno:

At MediaCityUk a New bus stop and shelter being erected - presume for the Salford
Quays-Salford Crescent hybrid shuttle buses - due to start soon:

picture of one on test on flickr:

one of the new hybrid Optare Versa's in a silver and pink livery with Salford Quays Link branding with the plate YJ11ENP and showing route number 9 quoted on the site as being run by Maytree Travel.

www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/5830313510/

www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/5829768411/

Paul if you look on non Metrolink tranport thread I posted a picture of the new shelter few days ago. The bus is scheduled to start operating on July 3rd

It looked a bit different in 1975...

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x461/nferguso_wyvern/Manchester%20Railways%20in%20the%201970s/2007-04-17-2205-38_edited.jpg

View taken from the opposite direction on the (than unrebuilt) Wilmslow Road bridge.

Kind regards,

Neil Ferguson-Lee

Welcome fallowfield, hope you enjoy the banter!!

Paul if you look on non Metrolink tranport thread I posted a picture of the new shelter few days ago. The bus is scheduled to start operating on July 3rd

Cheers Wingtips:
can you post a link to this other thread - there seems to be so many ... !
PauL W

Paul if you look on non Metrolink tranport thread I posted a picture of the new shelter few days ago. The bus is scheduled to start operating on July 3rd

Cheers Wingtips:
can you post a link to this other thread - there seems to be so many ... !
PauL W

duhhhh not sure how to...but if some one will do the honours...

This is the link to the post refered to in the other thread:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=79448938&postcount=2372

This is the link to the post refered to in the other thread:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=79448938&postcount=2372

Cheers ashley...I must learn how to do that...:bash::bash:

Yep! Bizarrely, it's showing up on the journey planner for TfGM, but there's a huge disclaimer on the left saying to ignore any journeys which include Service 9 until further notice.

Timetable can be found here (http://www.traveline-northwest.co.uk/timetableplanner/displayTimetableDetails.do?rid=1308008600297&hss=UWkp430927058).

Ah it's the Metroshuttle-esque Media City service. Odd that Maytree have got it! & It probably isn't running yet because of the mess that is Church St/The Crescent (Or more probable the contract hasn't started)

Most of that is obslete now that I've read on!!
Those Versa's do look rather good like that though!

This document, dating from 1999 when the line was supposed to go to Stockport, shows a tunnel (scroll down to the map) ......

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

Yes, it does indeed show a tunnel, but nowhere near the putative tunnel at School Lane/Wilmslow Road.

Yes, it does indeed show a tunnel, but nowhere near the putative tunnel at School Lane/Wilmslow Road.

Eh..? That's exactly where it shows a tunnel! On the yellow line...

Odd that Maytree have got it!

I think they run the one in Bolton too... the service looks like it's going to be a good one, let's just hope it doesn't get snarled up with traffic. I notice they are not having it go down Langworthy Road via the 10/110 route, but down Fitzwarren Street instead... I reckon this is to avoid traffic, as Langworthy road can get quite bad. Looks like it links both of Salford's bus hubs though, so hats off to them.

I think they run the one in Bolton too... the service looks like it's going to be a good one, let's just hope it doesn't get snarled up with traffic. I notice they are not having it go down Langworthy Road via the 10/110 route, but down Fitzwarren Street instead... I reckon this is to avoid traffic, as Langworthy road can get quite bad. Looks like it links both of Salford's bus hubs though, so hats off to them.

Originally it was routed via Langworthy, however since the advent of MC Langworthy traffic has increased dramatically... traffic jams on Langworthy peak time now the norm..

They also built a relief road all the way from Eccles at New Bridge into Salford Quays which would help out Eccles New Road considerably, however they haven't signposted it at all. Wonder how many people actually know about it? It takes no more than 3 or 4 minutes from the M602 exit 2 at Gilda Brook Road to get to mediacity and minutes longer to Salford Quays.

Is this shuttle a free service? It seems like quite a short route to be collecting fares...

No, I think it's £1 single, £1.60 return. Can't remember where I saw it, but I saw it somewhere...

all the system 1 tickets will presumably be valid?

Unless you actually have a system 1 weekly it will add considerably to a weekly ticket as it's joining the mostly Firstbus area, so if you use a Firstweekly then you'd need to pay again or pay more for a system 1.
In a way, having different operators in the same area can work as a disadvantage. Say if firstbus had won the tender, then it would have been more coordinated. But we're stuck with this system so eyes to Yorkshire I think!

Welcome Fallowfield Fergie fellow, and what a fabulous fusty old faded photo for a first-footer!! Is it the case that those platforms are now buried in earth?

Freel, I didn't mean to suggest that Werneth will be single-track, just that there is only one there at present!

Cats - July 2nd, not heard that before, is it a new official date?

Motor and I took a trip down to Chorlton this affo for a quick shufty, but were only just in time to catch the last tester going home to the depot! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2795.jpg

Nice coffee at the deli again though, martin, and we had a look at Firswood, probably one of the most secluded stops on Metrolink - tightly closed in on all sides, so difficult to get any long shots :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2809.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2799.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2806.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2807.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2803.jpg

They were fitting the ticket machines here also martin - can't be long now :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2802.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2801.jpg

I am making an album of external portraits of all the stops that now have their yellow diamond logo flags. I rather like them - I will post a link when I have done all the stops that have them. Here's a couple more examples :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_1367.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4715.jpg

:banana:

Welcome mr ferguson lee.that is a tremendous picture. Of course you or one of the south side snappers should try to take a picture fromthe same position as the 70s photo.

Eh..? That's exactly where it shows a tunnel! On the yellow line...

Bugger, I need new glasses!

Nice photos there JDR, for me I think the Chorlton line will be one to avoid at school's-out time, nothing worse than sharing a tram with a hundred horrible schoolkids!!

(Disclaimer - yes I know not all schoolkids are horrible, but they don't half get on my nerves at times!)

Welcome mr ferguson lee.that is a tremendous picture. Of course you or one of the south side snappers should try to take a picture fromthe same position as the 70s photo.

That's a nice idea! It's pretty much unrecognisable now to what it was in that photo... might give it a go at some point :-)

Snapping as an Eastsider, would this happen to be anywhere near the mark? (don't know the area all that well, but I think the broad kerb, bottom right, is in the same position as the old bridge parapet?) :-

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x461/nferguso_wyvern/Manchester%20Railways%20in%20the%201970s/2007-04-17-2205-38_edited.jpg
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_1394-1.jpg

That is more or less exactly the same spot!

Outstanding Johnny! :-D

Snapping as an Eastsider, would this happen to be anywhere near the mark? (don't know the area all that well) :-



That does look pretty much spot on :banana:

Oldham & Rochdale Line
Vicinity of Oldham Mumps Station
Progress on the junction for new access to Proposed Car Park, Yorkshire and Union Streets is ongoing albeit slowly.
The photos today show a pedestrian ramp from Oldham way going down towards the station!

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00402.jpg

The next photo shows towards the top right another pedestrian access under construction. For the first time Mumps will get an entrance on the south side.

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00405.jpg

:banana:

Thanks for those groundbreaking shots, Ash - amazing that the railway will now have a Southern access after all these years, and for such a short-term temporary purpose! Does the footway pass under Oldham Way? Looking at the convoluted pedestrian ramp to the high footbridges, I am wondering if it would be quicker to exit to the South side, then come up under Clegg Street etc . . .

Great pictures Johnny, there's no city like Manchester in the sun! Beautiful!

Cheers matey - here's another one of MediaCity from an unusual angle :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2790.jpg

Thanks Ashtonian, good to see progress slow but steady! I hope they do have a change of heart and keep this section open at least for diversions, still seems like such a waste to build all that to knock it down again.

loweskid, there is one more section just after Velopark station with out tracks, good to see they are finally starting here.

WatcherZero, I didnt think about the Bridge joints under the concrete at Gmex and good point about the lines to Pomona aswell, same style but many years later, sure there must be a good reason why they chose that style of track laying. Its not lasted too badly to say its had a serious amount trams passing over it.

The problem with the temporary station at Mumps is that the footbridge deposits passengers at the start of a rundown backstreet that must be traversed in order to reach Union Street and the town centre. Forget about the lack of shelter on the footbridge in inclement weather; the priority is surely to have strong street lighting and CCTV cameras for safe access to and from Union Street at night.

Train Guard

This document, dating from 1999 when the line was supposed to go to Stockport, shows a tunnel (scroll down to the map) ......

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

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall that a section of track converted into a linear park would be restored as a 'cut and cover' tunnel....but nowhere near Didsbury Village. Neither is the tunnel section on this map.

Train Guard

The map shows the tunnel as a continuation from East Didsbury stop, which is a diversion from the old railway line. In terms of the line now being built, it would have continued straight after the Kingsway bridge, across the compound not down the Trans-Pennine Trail.

It also has an extra stop at 'Withington Hospital' (Burton Rd) and the Princess Road (now Withington) stop is on the other - more sensible - side of the dual carriageway.

Cheers ashley...I must learn how to do that...:bash::bash:S'easy, just right click the post number on the right.

This post is #9807, or http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=79638252&postcount=9807 ......................................................................................^^

It also has an extra stop at 'Withington Hospital' (Burton Rd) and the Princess Road (now Withington) stop is on the other - more sensible - side of the dual carriageway.

The Withington Hospital stop is being built though isn't it, just under the name Burton Road?

Of course it is! Brain fade...

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall that a section of track converted into a linear park would be restored as a 'cut and cover' tunnel....but nowhere near Didsbury Village. Neither is the tunnel section on this map.

Train Guard

It isn't at all clear but if you look closely there is a length of tunnel Wilmslow Road/School Lane.
I missed it until Martin made me look a bit closer.

It isn't at all clear but if you look closely there is a length of tunnel Wilmslow Road/School Lane.
I missed it until Martin made me look a bit closer.

Yes, I put it on a higher resolution, and there it was! I took a look at the section in question the other day. It looked like they were constructing the base and sides of a concrete box, with a row of pillars down the centre to support the overall roof.....

Train Guard

Yes, I put it on a higher resolution, and there it was! I took a look at the section in question the other day. It looked like they were constructing the base and sides of a concrete box, with a row of pillars down the centre to support the overall roof.....

Train Guard

I mentioned the said same section the other week about the rebars and foundations for columns. Can never get to grips with uploading pictures on ssc but martin2345uk added one when I mentioned I'd been down. Someone also added that it was going to be cut and cover tunnel with useable land for sale above though only thing I could think of was making a larger car park behind the bars and resaurants.

I mentioned the said same section the other week about the rebars and foundations for columns. Can never get to grips with uploading pictures on ssc but martin2345uk added one when I mentioned I'd been down. Someone also added that it was going to be cut and cover tunnel with useable land for sale above though only thing I could think of was making a larger car park behind the bars and resaurants.

Have you seen what they charge for car parking these days?

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1423686_two-workmen-spend-8-months-watching-metrolink-trams-in-bid-to-solve-junction-problem

Engineers have spent eight months sitting in a van next to a Metrolink line watching trams going through a problem junction. The men have been stationed next to the track at the point where the MediaCity spur meets the Eccles line at Salford Quays since October.

Transport chiefs say the men are carrying out ‘manual monitoring’ which is estimated to have cost more than £15,000 so far.

The two workmen, who are sub-contractors of engineering firm Thales UK, have been seen waiting in a white van and working on the track points. Transport chiefs say they have been monitoring the junction as part of the ‘complex operation’ to integrate the new system.

A spokeswoman for Thales UK said: "Thales UK has had engineers on hand, observing and monitoring the new system as it has been bedding in, as we would with any new system. The service, using the new system, is now running well."

The £19.75m extension to MediaCity opened in September. A shuttle service to the complex has now been operating for several weeks.

Figures revealed by the M.E.N. in February showed the spur had been the site of 24 failures since it opened as part of the Eccles route, causing delays of up to five hours.

We revealed that the cause of all the problems was the new computerised tram management system, called TMS, being tested on the spur.

The junction where the spur meets the Eccles line is one of the most complex on the Metrolink network. The TMS system is due to be rolled out across the whole network. It controls points and signals and can pinpoint trams to within metres, giving passengers real-time updates. Transport for Greater Manchester say it will be vital to expanding the network.

Philip Purdy, TfGM Metrolink director, said: "The contractor, Thales, is constantly monitoring the junction to the new spur and carrying out necessary adjustments.

"The integration of the new system has, on occasion, led to some disruption of services and the on-site presence has kept that to a minimum. It also ensures that, if any further issues arise, they can be dealt with quickly." It is understood the engineers are being posted there at no extra cost to TfGM.

S'easy, just right click the post number on the right.

This post is #9807, or http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=79638252&postcount=9807 ......................................................................................^^

ah ha right many thanks for that.

This is my first post here. I am wondering if anyone knows where the Havley tram stop will be, cause I have seen three different plans.

This is my first post here. I am wondering if anyone knows where the Havley tram stop will be, cause I have seen three different plans.

Welcome WTF! Here is some information I previously posted on my tour of the Airport route. The plans for Haveley tramstop have changed several times, but this seems to be the latest position (for full tours of future routes, click my signature link below - hope it works!) :-

The current Phase 3b route, however, turns Eastwards: there are many miles of wide verges in Wythenshawe. Martinscroft station was originally intended to be by the church on the hill :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4795.jpg

Update April 2011However, in order to reduce the number of stops, it seems that this one will now be called Haveley, replacing the original Haveley stop over the M56 further East. The plans in 2009 showed Martinscroft as a 2x side platform stop on the summit of the green between St Martin's Church and Hollyhedge Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/havelynewseries_0001.jpg

Now in Feb 2011 as Haveley stop, it seems to have changed to an island platform, and the alignment will join Hollyhedge Road immediately East of St Martin's, continuing in the road as far as Benchill, now a fairly long schlep without a tramstop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/havelynewseries_0002.jpg

Moving further East, the original Haveley stop was to have been on a new bridge over the M56, and on the 2009 plans the off-road alignment involved some fairly convoluted road crossings :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/havelynewseries_0003.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/havelynewseries_0004.jpg

However, under the 2011 proposals these have been eliminated :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/havelynewseries_0005.jpg

This is the new site of Haveley, on the green immediately in front of St Martin's church, here looking East :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_1434.jpg

And looking back West :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_1443.jpg

Looking East again from the tramstop towards the M56, here the route will now descend left to right into the roadway :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_1436.jpg

I think there has been an intermediate proposal, to place the new combined tramstop on the large tree-covered area between Heybrook Road (left) and Hollyhedge Road, just West of the M56. But now that Haveley stop has been moved further back West to Martinscroft, it seems there will not be a stop just here after all :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4799.jpg

However, the area has now been cleared of vegetation, either for that earlier purpose or perhaps for a works compound :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_1448.jpg

Although I was intrigued by the idea of a platform dangling high above the motorway, I guess the new arrangement makes more sense in terms of reduced cost of an additional bridge and associated works, and the elimination of conflicting traffic movements, as well as improved journey times :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_0744.jpg

(Back to May 2010) One day, one banana may cross another? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4803.jpg

:banana:

I'm still none the wiser about what they're doing in the former Didsbury station cutting though... they have now built up the floor around the central piles previously seen - does this still suggest a tunnel?



This odd-looking structure is in fact a new retaining wall - it is not a tunnel. The wall will be an L-shaped structure - the bottom of the 'L' will be a concrete slab across the width of the trackbed and supported on the new piles. The vertical part of the 'L' will be a concrete wall to support the east side of the cutting.

The piles are a 'shear key' which will prevent the whole structure from sliding across the cutting under the horizontal load.

The existing retaining wall on the east side of the cutting was inadequate and the new wall is required to support it.

Hope this helps.

Hi concretebob, great post, very informative!! Thats cleared up that mystery! Are you working on the project or just an industry insider?

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1423686_two-workmen-spend-eight-months-sitting-in-a-van-watching-metrolink-trams-in-bid-to-solve-mediacity-junction-problem

Ah the usual M.E.N 'lets have a jab at Metrolink story.
I've added a comment which I'm wondering will be reported by the 'newspaper' *coughs*
I say comment more a contructive piece mentioning the fact that the paper nearly always comes in on the doom angle on Metrolink.
I did point out that the spur was funded by Peel and I'm sure that that the contractors will be having to foot the costs till it's working correctly. We shall see if my comments are added by the moderators and how many anti Metrolink people the story whips up.

Hi concretebob, great post, very informative!! Thats cleared up that mystery! Are you working on the project or just an industry insider?

Glad to be of assistance. I work on the project and can provide a bit of an insight into the engineering side of things. Having said that, this forum is already very well informed!

I enjoy seeing all the picture updates from across the Metrolink project so keep up the good work everyone!

What a useful guy to have on the forum! Do you know anything of the condition of the existing tunnel immediately north of the cutting? Is it completely infilled or just barriered off at the southern end?

Oh! my comment was added by the M.E.N I'm in shock lol
Well there was a possative comment from a Rabecca on the comments section and she was slating the reporter for the story and had utter praise for the men doing the monitoring of the points at MediaCity.There was the usual 'this is not rocket science' from someone else but there you go what do you expect. As I said that sort of story always fuels up those who like to give Metrolink a good slagging off.

What a useful guy to have on the forum! Do you know anything of the condition of the existing tunnel immediately north of the cutting? Is it completely infilled or just barriered off at the southern end?

Martin - The tunnel has never been infilled. Last time I was down there it was blocked up at both ends with masonry walls (with doors for access) but it has probably been opened up since then.

The tunnel is a reinforced concrete box structure with a central wall to separate the inbound and outbound lines. At the north end the tunnel joins up with Wilmslow Road bridge so the tunnel portal isn't visible from the road.

Thanks a lot Bob! I can't wait to see the tunnel portal uncovered! I wouldnt like to be the first worker going in there though... they creep me out do unused tunnels!

Oh! my comment was added by the M.E.N I'm in shock lol


They add everything so long as it is relevant and not offensive to a fellow poster.

People openly critisise the MEN all the time on there.

Why did the tunnel not go around Craig Road?

Where's Craig Road?

Heaton Mersey.

Not been posting for a bit of a while, lost my beloved cat on Sunday so been too upset/shocked to bother with anything Metrolink.

:-( sorry to hear that mate, that's never an easy thing to go through!

Fascinating information Bob, I too have often tried to peer into that gloom from a distance! So perhaps the platforms in Fallowfield's photo are still there even ???

Paul - you are on the wrong tunnel - that one was going to be on the Stockport extension which has no funding, and they are thinking again about which way to get Metrolink into Stockport (again, click on my tours below for more info) The tunnel mentioned above is between Wilmslow Road and School Lane at Didsbury Village.

Any more news on July 2nd Cats, and whether that is the official date for St W's opening?

Anyway, breaking news from the East - the points are arriving East of Droylsden for the turnback trambaan :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2826.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2825.jpg

And . . . I think this is another historic moment . . . from the East, Banana presents, guess what?: the first bit of track to appear on Phase 3b! :banana::banana::banana: :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2818.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2820.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2821.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2814.jpg

And in the middle of a roundabout too! Just think, for the previous 15, 20, 25 years, we struggled to believe that these things would ever happen in our lifetime, and even just one year ago anything beyond Phase 3a was looking very doubtful!

When the Big Bang was first announced by Uncle John Prescot in 2001, we didn't know how they would distribute the workload - would they finish one line before starting another, or extend them all in bits progressively? But we never imagined so many things going on all at once as they are now - it's turning out to be the longest slow orgasm ever!!:tongue4:

:banana:

:-( sorry to hear that mate, that's never an easy thing to go through!

Yes, just read that JoyDiv - it's a difficult moment, been there a couple of times, to some extent inevitable with pets, but never easy to prepare oneself or recover from. We're all with you matey.

Hi

Great picture of Oldham bit Johnny and ashtonian also East manchester line. So hopely in three weeks times trams on Chorlton line will have passenger on them hopely but for line to central Park it look like maybe August or September by the time we can catch a tram to they and will it delayed the line to Mumps too.

I myself can't believe how quick things are progressing with the Ashton section. I too thought that the work would be all completed to Droylsden before the section to Ashton or at the very most just the services works. Was down at Ikea a bit ago before it poured down and work outside Aldi is progressing stripping back the grass and taking the soil away and some hardcore was also being delivered.

I found this on TFGM website about Old B&Q at Oldham

Major milestone in construction of Metrolink Interchange

The next major milestone in the construction of Oldham town centre's new Metrolink line will be marked this week with work beginning on Thursday 16 June to remove the disused B&Q building on Yorkshire Street.

As part of the proposals for the Oldham Mumps area, the site of the B&Q building will be used to create a new Metrolink stop next to modern bus stops, a Park and Ride site with around 250 spaces and a link road between Union Street and Oldham Way.

This new Mumps Metrolink interchange, situated on the town centre tram line, is an integral part of regeneration plans for Oldham Mumps, which include a new highway arrangement replacing the current Mumps roundabout.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chair of Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: "We've developed the plans for the Metrolink line and interchange at Mumps in close consultation with Oldham Council and we believe it represents the best strategic fit for the town centre.

"The removal of the disused B&Q building is a very visible step towards creating the new interchange, which will provide Metrolink passengers with easy access to the bus network and Park and Ride facilities, encouraging more people to use public transport."

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council's Cabinet Member for Transport and Regeneration added: "The construction of Mumps Metrolink interchange is a major step in integrating public transport in Oldham town centre.

"This work will continue the remodelling of Mumps and open up the whole area for further long-term development and investment which can only be of benefit to the town and the Borough."

http://www.tfgm.com/2009_news.cfm?news_id=9006985?submenuheader=3

Also u can look at latest Vacancies for Metrolink jobs know on Metrolink website

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/recruitment/recruitment.aspx

Yes, just read that JoyDiv - it's a difficult moment, been there a couple of times, to some extent inevitable with pets, but never easy to prepare oneself or recover from. We're all with you matey.

Thanks :) and thanks to Martin too, feeling a bit better now, but he was my work colleague as well. He always watched and learned from what I was doing, he was also my alarm clock, always come up to see me the same time every morning.

I even used to joke with him that I will take him on the tram when it opens :ohno:

Has their been any news on the Chorlton side of things? I had a look yesterday but nothing new from what I could tell. Is testing still going on daily?

Cheers matey - here's another one of MediaCity from an unusual angle :-



I love the view from up there. The only thing that puts you off is, just to the left of your photo is (i think) a human waste processing plant :lol:

Sorry to hear it, JoyDivision.

Just passed Werbys - no less than five ticket machines, as well as Boarding Point signs and one of the shelters is now glazed, with the glass panels for the other half lying ready on the platform. :-)

And on the way back, there's a scally walking along the track behind the far platform. Idiot.

That is more or less exactly the same spot!

Outstanding Johnny! :-D

Bullseye! Just one boring point: I tried to post yesterday (had links to Photobucket) and it was put on moderation. This happened once before and it seems if a post of mine goes onto moderation, it never escapes!

Anybody know the score?

Neil

Definitely worth it then!

It's a shame about Wythenshawe Hospital though... you'd think they wouldn't make the "Hope Hospital" mistake again. Neither Ladywell or Weaste are convenient for Hope. I too hope that they build the western loop, as it will open up Metrolink to even more people.

Perhaps TfGM could take a leaf out of Vienna's book, where Vienna has lots of feeder buses which feed into the metro system. A set of short-distance, tram-service frequency feeder buses into the Metrolink network might do the trick.

Could that might be a good way of extending the benefits of Metrolink to the western side of Wythenshawe? TfGM could bring in a few of them accross the network and give them an "M" numbering system perhaps (now Arriva have shook off the last shackles of Ribble's numbering with the M10 in Eccles/Salford)?

Just a thought, one I'm sure has been discussed here before!

Stagecoach do this in Sheffield. Linking Stannington to Malin Bridge and Stocksbridge to Middlewood. It offers integrated ticketing between the tram and their buses in the city too.

Stagecoach keep the revenue from Supertram so they have different priorities over there in Sheffield.

Welcome to the board Fallowfield Fergy. Sorry I can't help with your problem.

Smashing pictures everyone. A couple from me, Droylsden terminus cross-over/switch-back thingy...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5836727809_11c7913bf7_b_d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/5836727523_10c829a755_b_d.jpg

Stagecoach keep the revenue from Supertram so they have different priorities over there in Sheffield.

Still they wouldn't do it if it didn't make money for them, perhaps it shows that a similar TfGM service feeding into the Metrolink could work.

Yes, it makes money for them in Sheffield where they keep the revenue from both systems.

In Manchester Stagecoach have ZERO incentive to increase the passenger numbers on Metrolink through providing feeder bus services.

There is as much incentive for First Bus, Magic bus or any of the other 60 odd bus operators to provide feeder buses to Metrolink as there is to Stagecoach.

The fact is, in Manchester ALL the bus companies, including Stagecoach are in competition with Metrolink.

In Sheffield ALL the bus companies EXCEPT Stagecoach are in competition with Supertram.


If it was going to make economic sense for a bus operator to provide feeder bus service to Metrolink in Manchester one of the 60 odd companies would have done it by now. The fact they have not suggests to me that it is not economically viable.

Hence the reason why we need regulated bus services back... the way I see it, there shouldn't be competition with Metrolink on the proviso that the fares are the same, by which we would need a zonal or flat rate system that charged the same with bus, train and tram.

I really don't see the point in all the investment in Metrolink, say, to Ashton, if, upon Metrolink opening, Stagecoach launch a "Route Rider" weekly pass which is 50% of the cost of the tram. If we take out those that are snobby about using buses (who I would argue are currently car drivers) the everyday man/woman/child on the street will choose the cheaper option, moreso in disadvantaged communities which line some of the route Metrolink are expanding into.

I'm all about giving people the choice between bus and tram, but if the costs for buses end up cheaper, Metrolink will be at a disadvantage and could turn into a white elephant, which lets face it, none of us, me included, want!

Just passed Werbys - no less than five ticket machines, as well as Boarding Point signs and one of the shelters is now glazed, with the glass panels for the other half lying ready on the platform. :-)

Blimey! Isn't that as many as Piccadilly? They must be expecting some large crowds on that line.

I've always thought we should have zones, which apply to all modes of transport in Greater Manchester.

Say you live in Zone 3 and want to get to the central zone, you can get your ticket and then use any mode of transport (bus, tram, train, boat) to get there. Change as many times as you like along the way, it only uses the same amount of fuel anyway. That would be my ideal.

The problems with it though are that it doesn't cover people wanting to travel from Zone 3 (say, Whitefield) to Zone 3 Stretford. This would technically be travelling in the same zone, but you'd have to go through the city centre first, and that's where it gets complicated.

13 years of a Labour government failed to deliver regulated buses.

Don't hold your breathe now since it just ain't going to happen.

What may potentially happen in West Yorks may possibly work with quality bus contracts. It may also explode all over the place and create a shit storm. Hopefully that will go well and TfGM will have the confidence and ability to proceed in the same way more certain that they are not about to starve the poorest in society from what public transport they do have today.

We do have zones A is Bury - Whitefield, B is The next three stops and so on. D being city centre, E Cornbrook to Stretford etc etc.

Blimey! Isn't that as many as Piccadilly? They must be expecting some large crowds on that line.

Yeah it is a lot isn't it... I wonder how many people will use St Werburghs while it's the terminus...

I agree Voldemort, I also see the problems that crossing the city centre would pose. How do they do it in London, as surely if you're going from the most northern extremity of the tube system to the most southerly extremity, surely they must have some sort of routing guide in place for that?

It would be nice if at the end of these Metrolink extensions, a proper zonal system was introduced. However, I don't think central government like us Mancs having too much control over our transport! Hence the GMN/GMS split back in the 90's when GM Buses was deemed "too big a company" by central government. Strangely, they didn't do that with Travel West Midlands (or whatever Birmingham's bus company was called!)


boat

Are you a supporter of the Waxi? Seems folly to me! (Just my opinion!)

It'll be a busy station, tram wise. 15tph towards town and airport and Dids the other way.

We do have zones A is Bury - Whitefield, B is The next three stops and so on. D being city centre, E Cornbrook to Stretford etc etc.

We're talking about a GM-wide zonal system for all modes...

For those crying out for zones - do you not remember the original ticket machines and network map?

The one with zones on?

Those zones still form the basis of ticketing today and you occassionally see them refered to.

The railway also has three zones, they don't match with Metrolink for good reason, you would want Alty to be the most expensive Metrollink stop but you would not want it in the most expensive train zone.

Having more flexibility does have benefits.

The railway also has three zones, they don't match with Metrolink for good reason, you would want Alty to be the most expensive Metrollink stop but you would not want it in the most expensive train zone.

Having more flexibility does have benefits.

I agree to some extent, but frankly, I don't see the point of the trains from Altrincham, even for through passengers from stations on that line. There was a hoo-har a while back when some were curtailed to Stockport. I've been on that line, and it is S-L-O-W. A perfectly good, fast, hi-freq, green transport mode exists between Altrincham and Manchester; those trains should terminate at Altrincham, and their tickets include Metrolink between Altrincham and Manchester.

I agree Voldemort, I also see the problems that crossing the city centre would pose. How do they do it in London, as surely if you're going from the most northern extremity of the tube system to the most southerly extremity, surely they must have some sort of routing guide in place for that?

It would be nice if at the end of these Metrolink extensions, a proper zonal system was introduced. However, I don't think central government like us Mancs having too much control over our transport! Hence the GMN/GMS split back in the 90's when GM Buses was deemed "too big a company" by central government. Strangely, they didn't do that with Travel West Midlands (or whatever Birmingham's bus company was called!)

Are you a supporter of the Waxi? Seems folly to me! (Just my opinion!)

Precisely. Would make it a hell lot easier getting to the Trafford Centre, for example. Get a ticket to the Trafford Centre, take the train from Stockport to Piccadilly, tram from Piccadilly to Shudehill, bus from Shudehill to TC. All in one ticket.

Or, instead of zones, maybe just have a system which lists all bus stops/interchanges/train stations & tram stations, allowing you to choose from where you're travelling from to where you want to go. Would be so simple :)

Yes I'm a supporter of Waxi's. It's a great way to connect Leigh, Boothstown and the Trafford Centre to Salford Quays, Cornbrook, Spinningfields & Victoria (and Canal Street & Piccadilly). Why not? :)

to LGN, we're talking about a zonal system which covers all modes of transport throughout the county, so that you can change between systems no matter how many times you like, all on one ticket.

Of course we both realise it's not possible in the near future because of all the different bus/train companies out there, but it's food for thought.

Yeah it is a lot isn't it... I wonder how many people will use St Werburghs while it's the terminus...

I shall be near daily, for University purposes. :D

Also another long time lurker, planned on joining earlier but not had the chance. Been keeping an eye on the Chorlton line from here - fantastic work with all the pictures by the way - been great seeing the amount of progress, especially recently with the testing. Here's hoping when I move back to Manchester in a few weeks I won't need the bloody 85 anymore. :banana:

Or, instead of zones, maybe just have a system which lists all bus stops/interchanges/train stations & tram stations, allowing you to choose from where you're travelling from to where you want to go. Would be so simple :)

I think *all* bus stops might be a bit challenging! :lol: I personally would like to see just three zones. Zone 3 would be the very outer-most extremities of the county, Glossop/Western side of Wigan, Zone 2 between those areas and the M60, Zone 1 as Inner M60. Or perhaps Z3 County Boundary-M60, Z2 M60-Outer Ring Road, Z1 Outer Ring Road-City Centre. There are plusses and minuses to such a system though, such as short-hop-cross-border journeys (e.g. Clifton-Swinton)

Maybe we've gone off the Metrolink topic here though :-/

:ohno:This was beginning to sound like the inner and outer circles of the dreaded congestion charging scheme :ohno:

:ohno:This was beginning to sound like the inner and outer circles of the dreaded congestion charging scheme :ohno:

Yeah.... unpopular as it was, I supported it, even though I would have had to have paid as I lived literally 250 metres into the outer zone at the time and would have crossed it for every journey I make (unless I was off to Bolton, randomly)

Zonal systems are pretty standard in most major European Cities...

Bullseye! Just one boring point: I tried to post yesterday (had links to Photobucket) and it was put on moderation. This happened once before and it seems if a post of mine goes onto moderation, it never escapes!

Anybody know the score?Not enough posts?

I agree Voldemort, I also see the problems that crossing the city centre would pose. How do they do it in London, as surely if you're going from the most northern extremity of the tube system to the most southerly extremity, surely they must have some sort of routing guide in place for that?They assume you have travelled through Zone 1 and charge you from the farthest outermost zone to the centre. No different to Metrolink, where Altrincham-Bury is the same fare as Altrincham-Piccadilly or Bury-Piccadilly (£4 single).

People using PAYG Oyster to cross London without going through Z1 can avoid the higher Z1 charges by touching special purple card readers to prove they have gone the long way round.

Not enough posts?

I was going to suggest that but Neil posted a picture with his very first post. Maybe you get the first one allowed then you're on probation for 5 or 10 posts?

I never had any problems when I had to change over to a new user name. Seems interesting. Is it this site moderating or is it Photobucket? Ive never known either to do this. Odd!

Also really impressed to see rails down on the By-pass. Cheers JDR. It surely cant be too long we see the railway sleepers being placed down the central reservation. Best part of the line for me anyway!

Cheers r02 - I have just put some more pictures of those areas on the Metrolink thread :

Sorry for the late response, but thanks for that Johnny! I pass that way every day and have been scratching my head working out how they were going to manage that route without demolishing the mini industrial estate.
Isn't it going to be a major headache for the companies having trams going through their yard on a 3-5 minute basis?
BTW the pub is The Millon, an indian restaurant where I had a celebratory curry with my colleagues after the birth of #2 son in 1998. Wife's still bitter about it....

It'll be a busy station, tram wise. 15tph towards town and airport and Dids the other way.

Yes, but Dids isn't opening for another couple of years. They could've spared a few for the time being and used them for the Oldham/East Mcr line instead.

Also just realised that this thread has now overtaken the main Metrolink one :banana: just shows how much is actually happening right now!

The zones don't have to work round Manchester. Greater Manchester is rare in that there are largish towns all round it possibly no more than 10 miles from the City Centre.
I've just come back from holiday in the Rhein Ruhr area of Germany and they work the zone system, and it doesn't work round a central area.
Not everyone in this area has a life that revolves round Manchester. Many live work and take leisure in their own town.

So if you look at the map of the Greater Manchester Council boundaries

Here's a link;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Greater_Manchester_outline_map.png

The the zones are already on there! Use the council boundaries, but maybe overlap them each by half a mile so it makes it fairer ie the Manchester/Stockport boundary at McVities would change to Levenshulme Albert Road and Warwick Road in Stockoprt, then nobody gets penalised for short distances.

Then there's the fares. Simples!

Day 1 zone (all modes) Peak £5
Day 1 zone (all modes) OPeak £4
Weekly 1 zone (all modes) £15

Day 2 zones (all modes) Peak £6
Day 2 zones (all modes) OPeak£5
Weekly2 zones (all modes) £20

Day 3 zones (all modes) Peak £7
Day 3 zones (all modes) OPeak £6
Weekly 3 zones (all modes) £25

1-10 zones (all modes) Peak £8
1-10 zones (all modes) OPeak £7
Weekly 1-10 zones (all modes) £30

Single fares

Can be decided locally.

The fares work on how many zones you travel through, so Bolton to manchester is 3 zones, Bolton to Trafford is also 3 zones. Nobody is being penalised for having to travel through the Central zone.
Just a thought!

On the subject of Saint WB’s stop, I have a few reservations about being able to ever catch a tram from there, especially when the Didsbury and Airport lines open, due to the volume of people likely to use the metro these areas along the line. Anyone else think similar?

On the subject of Saint WB’s stop, I have a few reservations about being able to ever catch a tram from there, especially when the Didsbury and Airport lines open, due to the volume of people likely to use the metro these areas along the line. Anyone else think similar?

I'm sorry, but I've read this 3 times & can't makes sense of your question!

Do you mean that because of stops prior to St Werburgh's (towards Manchester), the trams will be full & you won't get on?

If this is the case, then you needn't worry, there'll be a tram every 6 minutes from East Didsbury & the same from the Airport - should give a tram every 3 minutes.

Until mid 2012 St Werby's is the terminus of the line, so you should never have a problem getting on.

Hope this answers your question?

Since I was in the area an hour ago I stopped by St. WBs in an attempt to finally see some action. Finally!

Final works were being done on the ramp down. The crossing was manned and the pathside metal fencing on the ramp side was gone:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/privateme71/St%20Werbys%20June%2016th%20trams/IMG_0446-1200.jpg
Hopefully the steel shuttering on the far side will be painted similar to that next to the platform

Workmen everywhere on the stairs painting / applying (hopefully) anti graffiti covering:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/privateme71/St%20Werbys%20June%2016th%20trams/IMG_0445-1200.jpg

And look at the destination blind:
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/privateme71/St%20Werbys%20June%2016th%20trams/IMG_0435-1200.jpg

Another look (despite the LEDs being camera unfriendly)
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/privateme71/St%20Werbys%20June%2016th%20trams/IMG_0438-1200.jpg

3 of the ticket machines
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/privateme71/St%20Werbys%20June%2016th%20trams/IMG_0440-1200.jpg

3 trams were stopped, no doubles, with lots of orange jackets
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/privateme71/St%20Werbys%20June%2016th%20trams/IMG_0444-1200.jpg
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/privateme71/St%20Werbys%20June%2016th%20trams/IMG_0441-1200.jpg

Whilst taking pictures one of the jackets shouted over "bet I`ve got better ones than that!" - no abuse or arguing :)

Up on the road bridge, I arrived just in time to see 3034 leaving towards the depot. 3031 followed a few minutes later, then I was surprised to see 3033 behind it pull into the station for all of 5 seconds then leave again straight away chasing 3031 - surely a test of the TMS? Got a nice wave off the driver too :)

Just been down to St Werburghs.
First, a gang working on the ramp and chatting to another who I overheard saying "that's bull sh!t, nobody has the faintest idea when it will open" Could have been talking about something other than Metrolink.
Second, taking down all the scaffolding around the steps and lift shaft.
Third, remaking one of the pedestrian crossings, big time! Ripping up tar mac etc.
Fourth, walking past the platforms and suddenly my ears were regaled with the dulcet tones of a young lady saying "this is a test announcement blah blah blah". Well she didn't actually say blah blah blah but fill in with your own words for testing the PA.

What does it say on those destination blinds??

And look at the destination blind
One press too many (or too few)?

'T' destinations:
The M5000 Tram
Timperley
Tram on Test

Looking a bit more complete, I need to some how pick up the courage to go down there again sometime.

Am I right in reading the previous threads that early July is looking more likely?

What does it say on those destination blinds??Timperley

Hopefully the steel shuttering on the far side will be painted similar to that next to the platform



Do you think so?
It's earth coloured at the moment and as the vegetation cascades over it it will blend in whereas painted it would stick out like a sore thumb and need constant maintainance.

I'm sorry, but I've read this 3 times & can't makes sense of your question!

Do you mean that because of stops prior to St Werburgh's (towards Manchester), the trams will be full & you won't get on?

If this is the case, then you needn't worry, there'll be a tram every 6 minutes from East Didsbury & the same from the Airport - should give a tram every 3 minutes.

Until mid 2012 St Werby's is the terminus of the line, so you should never have a problem getting on.

Hope this answers your question?
Yea you did, missed out an "in" from my question

I guess I just figured the trams coming from Didsbury will be pretty busy, probably filling up at each of the stops before reaching Chorlton. I dont have any experience of using the Metro (as I mostly lived in Chorlton) so I may be talking out of my arse here with these concerns!

Hi

Good picture of St Werburghs Road marni1971. :banana:

I know it's not an official source and I could be barking up totally the wrong tree but paypoint have sent further communications to work regarding the inclusion of all then new chorlton and central line stops on there machines and the 1st line reads:-

On the 21st of June metrolink will be opening the following new stops, then lists all the new chorlton and central line stops.

Hope I'm not reading too much into this because but really do hope they open sooner rather than later.

The new trams could in theory get to Timperley over the coming weekend during the blockade - they cannot go south though until Network Rail agree.

I know it's not an official source and I could be barking up totally the wrong tree but paypoint have sent further communications to work regarding the inclusion of all then new chorlton and central line stops on there machines and the 1st line reads:-

On the 21st of June metrolink will be opening the following new stops, then lists all the new chorlton and central line stops.

Hope I'm not reading too much into this because but really do hope they open sooner rather than later.

I'm guessing that was the original plan as they needed time to set up their systems before it went live. More likely the earliest Paypoint could go live. But a sign that TfGM is getting their partners ready for the opening means there is hope of an opening sooner rather than later.

Anyone else planning on spending some time on the old Aryes Rd above the new junction on Saturday to see how smoothly any testing of the new signalling is going?

I will be down there in the morning but suspect most of the activity will be in the afternoon.

Loads of orange his-vis today all over the place, especially looking at the junctions from the depot directly onto the Alty line.

Ayres Road or Elsinore Road? Where do you get the best view of the junction?

The road, whatever it is called, above TB stop leading into the sole remaining factory up there.

Which will come 1st, the opening of the Chorlton line or the 10,000 post on this thread?

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who's contributed with all the fantastic info and photos. You've all kept me enthralled!

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

BTW. I walked down to Morrisons about 7.30 tonight and saw a work gang in a cafe, having their tea and two guys still working on the ticket machines!
Overtime! They must be getting close.

Anyone else planning on spending some time on the old Aryes Rd above the new junction on Saturday to see how smoothly any testing of the new signalling is going?

I will be down there in the morning but suspect most of the activity will be in the afternoon.

Loads of orange his-vis today all over the place, especially looking at the junctions from the depot directly onto the Alty line.

I noticed a lot of cabling in orange tubing has appeared today alongside the Inbound junction at Trafford Bar.

Might see you on Elsinore Road then LNG, will say hi this time if I do!

Not enough posts?

Fair point - must try harder!

I'm planning an epic trip to celebrate Chorlton's opening:

Wirksworth to Derby (Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and East Midlands Trains)
Derby to Piccadilly
Piccadilly to Chorlton

Thats two reopened lines in one trip. Definitely worth a celebratory pint but not as many as when Didsbury reopens.

Neil

Came home from work at 11.30 last night & they were driver training at that time.Certainly seems there is an intensive effort at the moment.

I'm planning an epic trip to celebrate Chorlton's opening:

Wirksworth to Derby (Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and East Midlands Trains)
Derby to Piccadilly
Piccadilly to Chorlton



Why not substitute the Derby-Piccadilly portion of the route with the Transpeak bus? It sticks a little closer to the old railway route, and the scenery's pretty spectacular. But do bear in mind that it takes about three hours!

You could even alight at Stockport and roughly trace the closed rail route/proposed Met route by bus (23/23A).

Why not substitute the Derby-Piccadilly portion of the route with the Transpeak bus? It sticks a little closer to the old railway route, and the scenery's pretty spectacular. But do bear in mind that it takes about three hours!

You could even alight at Stockport and roughly trace the closed rail route/proposed Met route by bus (23/23A).

That's a pretty fair proposal but I think I might die of boredom on the TransPeak. Your Stockport suggestion definitely holds water though: If I got through to St Werbergh's Road, then I could actually finish the journey at Central.

Nice thought!

Came home from work at 11.30 last night & they were driver training at that time.Certainly seems there is an intensive effort at the moment.I suppose it makes sense to practice driving at night as well as during daylight!!

All these things point to something imminent, no doubt about it! We could even be back in with a shout for June 21st.

As well as all this overtime working, today they have laid relays (? - is that what they are - something arranged in a square with wires!?) in places between the four-foot on the Alti line approaching the Chorlton junctions in either direction. Tried to get a pic but the bloody bulkhead of the banana got in the way!

I will certainly be down Elsinore Road way on Saturday morning about 11am. I would bet my shirt and underwear that they will be testing vehicles over the junction and underpass this weekend. And, yes, cats I agree, wouldn't be surprised if that's what the Timperley bit is all about?

Elsewhere the shelters at Edge Lane are coming on slowly :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2877.jpg

Nighty night and see you Saturday!

:banana:

Il try to get down sometime around lunchtime on Saturday. I'm working 17.30 - 4.00 Fri night so Il see when I wake up.

A couple of weeks ago I emailed Metrolink as to whether the Chorlton and Central Park lines would be opening at the same time, and whether there would be a service running between St Werbys and Central Park.

Here is what I got back:

The infrastructure on the South Manchester Metrolink line to Chorlton is now very close to completion with only minor 'snagging' works and finishing touches being carried out.
*
The initial phases of driver training have now started and engineers are currently installing and testing the new tram management system on the line. This is an extremely complex process and requires this new system to be integrated with the existing network, so thorough testing is necessary to ensure the safety and reliability of services.
*
To carry out some of the testing, services on other lines will have to stop for short periods, during which replacement buses will be provided. We will endeavour to minimise disruption to passengers and will, for example, avoid closing the Altrincham line on a day when there was an event at Old Trafford.

The opening date of the South Manchester line will be dependent on the outcome of current testing, which will see at least one further period of significant weekend work. Only once this testing has been successfully completed will it be possible to confirm the date when the line is open to passenger service.
*
Once the opening date is confirmed, we will be communicating this to residents and businesses in the local area. *Information will also be available on our website www.tfgm.com. Youremail address is already added to our Priority Stakeholder database, so you will receive any future notifications in relation to the opening of the line via email. *
*
If you would like any further information, please contact us on 0161 244 1555 or future.metrolink@tfgm.com.


It really doesn't answer my question. At all. In any way.
It's just the same email which is being copied and pasted to everyone else.
:bash:

No, I get the impression that TfGM are so wanting to keep their options open they are simply ignoring any email questions that they receive and giving out the same dull repetative crap in response.

It is very fustrating that a publicly funded body can simply ignore the public and clearly not feel that they have to respond to them in any way.

Imagine if you emailed a retailer asking about when they were opening the shop that they were fitting out in Manchester. Could you possibly imagine a commercial company treating their customers anything like as badly as TfGM do?

If you asked a store when they were launching their new season or what they were going to price them at, etc they wouldnt tell you because their commercial information. Many companies wont even give you a direct telephone number or email address.

Yes, but this is not commercially sensitive information.

In any way.

This is a simple question relating to the equivilent of the opening of a new store with zero commercial implications.

Yes, but this is not commercially sensitive information.

In any way.

This is a simple question relating to the equivilent of the opening of a new store with zero commercial implications.

Yeah but if they say "Were opening the line on 21st June" and then for some reason it doesn't. Tossers like Dean Kirby @ M.E.N. will have a field day.

I don't think it'll open in June. First week of July for me.

Yes, but it is NOT questions about when they are opening that they are refusing to answer.

I asked when were Thales contracted to have TMS signed off for different lines - no answer. How is that commercially sensitive?

Above someone has asked if the Central Park line opens on the same date as the Chorlton line. That is not opening on the same time.


If they really don't want to give us the information they really shouls stop treating us like idiots as well. They should simply say we don't know if the Central Park line will open at the same time as the Chorlton line because of x, y & z. Not simply send out the exact same information that they send to everyone, no matter what the question.

It is piss poor by TfGM that a commercial company would never try to get away with.

oh and Dean Kirby etc may be a little less over the top is TfGM actually communicated regularly and explained why things are as they are.

When you put the blockades up and then something clearly isn't quite right people will make a big deal about it when they find out. Communicating throughout, through the media, with continual updates shoudl provide no surprises and no shock horror headlines as nothing is a shock and everything would be understood.

Yes, but it is NOT questions about when they are opening that they are refusing to answer.

I asked when were Thales contracted to have TMS signed off for different lines - no answer. How is that commercially sensitive?Do you really need an answer to that? Thales will have been in competition with other suppliers for that contract. I have little doubt that there will be some heavy non-disclosure agreements in there, one reason being to stop the losing bidders from finding out what Thales offered so they can react next time there is a contract up for grabs. It may be 'public' works looked at from Metrolink/TfGM but Thales are a private company and will want few contract details made public, even something as innocent as contractual deadlines.

Example (all made up!): Say the Chorlton contract had a target date of 1st May. If the line isn't ready until 1st July that gives Thales' competitors a lever in their next contract negotiations - "Look at Thales, 2 months late delivering Metrolink. We can do better than that."

I do not NEED it.

If there are non-disclosures in the contract why not say so in the email that they sent back as opposed to the usual stuff that they send to everyone.

The fact is, they could say that we cannot tell you the answer to that question for these reasons.

They don't, they send you stuff entirely irrelevant to the question you asked.

That is VERY annoying and a commercial company would not get away with it!

No, I get the impression that TfGM are so wanting to keep their options open they are simply ignoring any email questions that they receive and giving out the same dull repetative crap in response.

It is very fustrating that a publicly funded body can simply ignore the public and clearly not feel that they have to respond to them in any way.

Imagine if you emailed a retailer asking about when they were opening the shop that they were fitting out in Manchester. Could you possibly imagine a commercial company treating their customers anything like as badly as TfGM do?


If you've ever worked in the public sector you'd know that generic vague responses are the only way to go.

Such a major project isn't plain sailing so if TfGM stated anything specific they're potentially just digging a hole for themselves.

There are unknowns so it isn't like TfGM aren't reflecting the reality.

I do not NEED it.

If there are non-disclosures in the contract why not say so in the email that they sent back as opposed to the usual stuff that they send to everyone.

The fact is, they could say that we cannot tell you the answer to that question for these reasons.

They don't, they send you stuff entirely irrelevant to the question you asked.

That is VERY annoying and a commercial company would not get away with it!

The contract with Thales is commercial in confidence, Thales are a private company.

If you look at council minutes you will find huge amounts redacted whenever they start talking about contracts or actual spend rather than budgeted spend.

So why not say that in the response to the email rather than talking about how the testing on the Chorlton line is ongoing?

I asked when Thales had been contracted to sign off TMS on the different lines.

This is the reponse I got...




Thank you for your enquiry.



The infrastructure on the new Chorlton Metrolink line is nearly complete with ‘snagging’ works currently being carried out.



The next stage is to install and commission the new Tram Management System and then commission and test the operation of the new line. This work is complex and requires integration with the existing network and thorough testing is needed to ensure the safety and reliability of services. The opening date for the South Manchester Line will be dependent on the outcome of the testing of the new tram management system. Once installation and testing is complete, we will carry out a programme of staff and driver training before we open the Chorlton line for passenger service.



Once the opening date is confirmed, we will be communicating this to residents and businesses in the local area. Information will also be available on our website www.tfgm.com. I will add your email address to our Priority Stakeholder database, so you will receive any future notifications in relation to the opening of the line via email. Please let us know if you would like it to be removed.



If you would like any further information, please contact us on 0161 244 1555 or future.metrolink@tfgm.com.



Regards,



Tina Yourelis
Public Liaison Officer, Metrolink Projects
Transport for Greater Manchester

2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BG

If it is commercially sensitive why not say so?

Why give an answer to a question that was not asked?

They don't, they send you stuff entirely irrelevant to the question you asked.

That is VERY annoying and a commercial company would not get away with it!

You've obviously never had any dealings with BT, Virgin, British Gas, Scottish Power, United Utilities, several banks I could name, etc. etc. etc...ad nauseum..... :)

Maybe.

However I raised a FOI to SYPTE to ask about their plans for four more trams, they responsed within an day witht eh exact information I asked for.

I had a further question and simpoly replied to the original email at 6am, I had the final confirmation before 7am!

Compare to TfGM who are simply not interested in answering the public questions. It really is very poor.

Not been a TfGM meeting since the local elections so a 2 month holiday however next week the meeting schedule returns and we start getting reports again. Not a lot of meat as theres a lot of adminsrative housekeeping to do at the meeting, selecting committee members, chairs, etc...

Theres a Metrolink report 'to follow' but in the meantime a report into the Transpennine Trail issues. If you remember they had proposed steps and a cycle groove with a diversion for wheelchair users while locals wanted the trail diverted along the street or along the banks of the Mersey way from their homes. TfGM were asked to come back with options and they have come back with more than half a dozen.

Option A: Previously mentioned steps, cost £261k
Option B: 120m long ramps either side of the bridge to provide disabled access, considered unsighly, cost £875k and would delay East Didsbury construction by two months. Locals object as it would provide rear access to their homes.
Option C: Lengthen the bridge and knock through a ground level pedestrian underpass, requires purchasing a local garden but provisional terms have been agreed. cost £448k, no delay. Police warn scallies may use ballast as ammunition against local homes.
Option D: Keep bridge as is and tunnel through the embankment, rejected straightaway on cost and complexity.
Option E: Reroute TPT along the banks of the Mersey, has the support of some locals but not others, MCC and police but would require approval from EPA, 3km of new bridleway cost £594k and have running costs of £30k per year due to need for ongoing flood management.
Option F: keep existing on street diversion, cost just £30k in new signage. refused permission by TPT governing body.

TfGM is reccomending option C.

http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/download/4052/item_15_east_didsbury_metrolink-update_on_transpennine_trail_issues

Maybe.

However I raised a FOI to SYPTE to ask about their plans for four more trams, they responsed within an day witht eh exact information I asked for.

I had a further question and simpoly replied to the original email at 6am, I had the final confirmation before 7am!

Compare to TfGM who are simply not interested in answering the public questions. It really is very poor.

I think this is getting boring. Its a bit like a kid continually pestering for his Christmas or Birthday present early. It will open when its ready. They will make an announcement when they have the final clearance to open and not until. Contractrual agreements between clienst and contractors are sensitive and I wouldn't expect disclosure of contractual dates.

I have stopped asking them for information.

I simply point out the response you get from TfGM is not anything like as good as say SYPTE.

They COULD have said sorry, cannot answer that for x,y and z reason.

INstead they got loads of people involved and sent a generic answer back.

I repeat - I did not ask when it was opening. If they could not answer for contractual reasons all I wanted was that as a response.

I agree to some extent, but frankly, I don't see the point of the trains from Altrincham, even for through passengers from stations on that line. There was a hoo-har a while back when some were curtailed to Stockport. I've been on that line, and it is S-L-O-W. A perfectly good, fast, hi-freq, green transport mode exists between Altrincham and Manchester; those trains should terminate at Altrincham, and their tickets include Metrolink between Altrincham and Manchester.

I agree about the through tickets, but not about trains terminating at Altrincham.

A couple of years ago I went for a long weekend in Chester (from Sheffield). This involved two trains one Sheffield - Stockport and one Stockport to Chester. This was about at my upper end of tolerance for a couple of days away. If I'd had to stay on the train an extra ten minutes or so, and then get all of the way to Metrolink (not that convenient with luggage from the Liverpool platform) then go on a relatively slow service to Altrincham and then change yet again...

...Well, I wouldn't have; I'd have gone to Liverpool instead.

Even if I was going directly from Manchester to Chester I'd rather take the direct but convaluted train trip than change in Altricham. Even if the service is about 30 years behind the times, once you've got a seat you can relax and enjoy the scenery as it trundles by.

I'm sure there's been recent research that shows that when there's engineering work on the railway, passengers would rather stay on one train, even if it takes quite a bit longer, than change on and off a connecting coach.

Trains and trams are different solutions to different problems, they can't just be interchanged willy-nilly. Someone should maybe invent some kind of tram-train hybrid. :cheers:

Option E: Reroute TPT along the banks of the Mersey, has the support of some locals but not others, MCC and police but would require approval from EPA, 3km of new bridleway cost £594k and have running costs of £30k per year due to need for ongoing flood management.

Why would 3km of new bridleway *have* to be constructed when the other options do not feature any provision for horse riders? (Maintenance costs are only £23k per year btw, but I fear these have been conflated so that the committee can choose the option they want to rather than the most sensible one)

Hi

I found this on TFGM Website taking about putting track down in Shaw.

The arrival of Metrolink in Shaw will take a step closer next week with highway works beginning in preparation for track to be laid and a new signal controlled junction to be introduced across the former railway level crossing at Beal Lane.

In order for this work to be completed, a series of footpath and lane closures, controlled by temporary traffic signals, will be in place on Beal Lane, close to the former crossing, for four weeks from Monday 20 June.

At the same time, Oldham Council will carry out footpath resurfacing work along Beal Lane.

Following the completion of preparatory highway works, Beal Lane will be fully closed from Monday 18 July for two weeks, when the tram tracks will be laid across the road.

During this time, Oldham Council will also carry out essential resurfacing work from the Eastway junction to the level crossing. While the temporary road closure is in place, a diversion route will be signposted along Grains Road, Hillside Avenue, Buckstones Road, Milnrow Road, Crompton Way and Rochdale Road.

Information regarding affected bus services will be available on the Traveline number, 0871 200 2233, with further information on the temporary diversions and on-street parking restrictions available at www.oldham.gov.uk/metrolink_alerts

Transport for Greater Manchester's Metrolink Programme Manager, Kim Dorrington, said: "When we begin to lay the new track and convert the former railway level crossing into a signalised junction to safely manage tram and road traffic, people will really begin to see the new Metrolink line taking shape.

"This work is an essential stage in bringing Metrolink to Oldham and Rochdale and I would like to thank residents, commuters and businesses for their patience while the construction is underway."

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council's Cabinet Member for Transport and Regeneration, said: "Across the borough we can clearly see how Metrolink will transform communications.

"Inevitably as work is carried out this will mean some localised disruption; Oldham Council is working closely with Transport for Greater Manchester to ensure that this is managed as effectively as possible."

Transport for Greater Manchester and Oldham Council will continue to keep local residents and businesses informed as the work progresses.

Its 3km of new or widened public footpath and cycleway along the banks of the river wide enough for maintence access and with alterations to embankments to prevent erosion from public use and flooding. That section of the report was actually prepared by MCC so you cant argue bias as MCC are in favour of the Mersey bank idea. I dont believe in the current environment of cuts that MCC were willing to take on such a large annual upkeep.

Presumably this relates to the work that went on last summer from Jacksons Boat at Sale Water Park to the tram lines westwards?

The south bank along there has had a major refurb recently.

Hi

I found this on TFGM Website taking about putting track down in Shaw.

Interesting that, I noticed some woman on the bus into town from Shaw the other day with a letter from the TfGM, must have been that.

All those lorries working their way up Grains Rd and along Hillside Ave to Buckstones won't be very nice for the local residents!

I suspect it may be closed again at some point for the installation of the overhead wiring?

Its 3km of new or widened public footpath and cycleway along the banks of the river wide enough for maintence access and with alterations to embankments to prevent erosion from public use and flooding

...and equestrian use (e.g. lowering footpath under Kingsway) - but none of the other options cater for horses, so it's not a like-for-like comparison, that's all I'm pointing out. The footpath already gets used by walkers and cyclists, and in my (admittedly) limited experience the "flooding" isn't any worse than other sections of the TPT that get muddy from time to time.

I suspect it may be closed again at some point for the installation of the overhead wiring?

If they can work as fast as they did on the Merill Street junction on the East Manchester line they can be done in one or two nights! Good news at Shaw though

On a related note, I had to go to Rochdale today, no real changes, just took one photo though...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/DSC01250.jpg

Work has now started on what will be the final approach to Rochdale Town Centre station just outside the bus station, yay! Two guys looking down the hole, one from Parsons Brinckerhoff and the other from TfGM.

I also went to to Trafford Depot to see some testing but it was all closed up :( Two sleeping trams on the mainline. All the trams were powered up with most showing Altrincham and Bury on the front. Also I thought my eyes were playing tricks but I saw 3014 out today twice, so they must have fitted the ATS stuff. Hoorah!! Also saw 2001 out aswell

I also went to to Trafford Depot to see some testing but it was all closed up :( Two sleeping trams on the mainline. All the trams were powered up with most showing Altrincham and Bury on the front. Also I thought my eyes were playing tricks but I saw 3014 out today twice, so they must have fitted the ATS stuff. Hoorah!! Also saw 2001 out aswell

What service was 3014 doing?

What service was 3014 doing?

and 2001?

I also went to to Trafford Depot to see some testing but it was all closed up :( Two sleeping trams on the mainline. All the trams were powered up with most showing Altrincham and Bury on the front. Also I thought my eyes were playing tricks but I saw 3014 out today twice, so they must have fitted the ATS stuff. Hoorah!! Also saw 2001 out aswell

Could they not have waited a few weeks for TOS to go live and saved themselves time and money? Or are we seriously down on trams right now?

Looking forward to seeing both 3014 and 2001 out there though :)

3014 was definately outside the workshops at Queens Road when i went past yesterday morning, but not seen it out and about.

Saw 3014 on the Bury line a few times today, 2001 has just gone past too

Could they not have waited a few weeks for TOS to go live and saved themselves time and money? Or are we seriously down on trams right now?

Looking forward to seeing both 3014 and 2001 out there though :)

The way I read this was that they don't expect TOS to be working within the next few weeks :ohno: That said I wonder how much it costs to fit ATS into a tram? If it is only a few £k then it probably makes sense even for a few weeks.

Looking forward to some hopeful action at Elsinore Road tomorrow! Anyone else? I will go down between 11-12 noon and then probably have a Holland's meat & potato pie from the Fish bar on Seymour Grove - I am becoming quite a regular customer there nowadays!

In the meantime, here's a few more shots from a damp Tameside - hope they're not too repetitive :-

Ashton, IKEA roundabout. The kerb edge of the trambaan is between the 20 signs - all road traffic will be to the right of this in future, so it may not have to disturb the shrubbery or buildings on the left after all? The roundabout itself is already smaller now :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2864.jpg

Ashton Moss :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2855.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2857.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2852.jpg

Audenshaw :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2883.jpg

Droylsden :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2889.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2890.jpg

Cemetery Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2833.jpg

Edge Lane :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2895.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2896.jpg

:banana:

Wish I could be there tomorrow too but I'm in Alton for the morning so won't make it until later. Be sure to take some good photos!

Thanks for all the views, updates and pictures chaps.

It still amazes me that something so big and so complex to plan and build is being built in/across Manchester. :cheers:

It still amazes me that something so big and so complex to plan and build is being built in/across Manchester

On a par with the Ship Canal....!

Ah it's good to look at the nice pics I agree but a sod to get to work on the bus on a morning down Ashton New Road. About four sets of temp lights. It's all very stop start is the journey. And no the 219 takes longer I've tried it before anyone asks.
I can't wait for the work to be completed to get back to some normality on the journey time. Sorry If I'm sounding all very baa humbug! about it. But it's all getting a little tiresome now.

As JRB says, great stuff everyone. I'm liking the Potato and meat pie for dinner JDR, that would be my choice too.

Mode1, regarding the construction work and the delays: I have to travel from Littlemoss to Heywood every day. Going through the centre of Droylsden then left past the Snipe and onto the M60 was always out of the question in the past, it was just grid-locked. I always went Daisy Nook way, left up to Oldham etc. But recently going the Droylsden route has knocked 10 minutes off my journey. There could be a number of reasons:

The modified light priority by the Concorde Suite?
The recession and less people going to work?
People thinking that it's a no-go zone due to the constuction and finding alternative routes?

Whatever the reason is I'm personally loving it. If it's the last one, shhhh, don't tell anyone! :)

You will all love this article from April 1984 (http://ow.ly/i/cA8a)

Take it no one has been down to the depot since 9pm to see what is going on through the night?

Presumably electrics for the junction tonight and test running tomorrow

....People thinking that it's a no-go zone due to the constuction and finding alternative routes?

Whatever the reason is I'm personally loving it. If it's the last one, shhhh, don't tell anyone!

I think it is the last one..! Walk along Manchester Road between Edge Lane and Droylsden out of peak times during the week and there's very little traffic. Of course, this is part of the reason why half the shops are shut in Droylsden Precinct (but not the only reason).

I read recently that Hyde is to get £1.2 million to revamp the town centre - I hope Tameside council are planning on spending a few quid in Droylsden when the Metrolink is finished.

You will all love this article from April 1984 (http://ow.ly/i/cA8a)

Great find Future!:okay:

Amazing pix everyone! :cheers:

Incredible number of posts and views.:nuts:

Never forget this is the UKs biggest urban rail project happening right now, and Manchester is being looked upon as shining example of what can be achieved! (see Tramways Mag cover that JdR posted above^^)

So bear with the delays & upheavals, bloody annoying though they may be, and just look what is being born in front of your eyes! :banana:

Looking forward to some hopeful action at Elsinore Road tomorrow! Anyone else? I will go down between 11-12 noon and then probably have a Holland's meat & potato pie from the Fish bar on Seymour Grove - I am becoming quite a regular customer there nowadays!

:banana:

Il be there 12ish too. See you all then.

I'll be there about 11-12ish.

With the work going on at Ashton Moss roundabout, it reminds me of the the one in Trafford Park (A5081/Trafford Park Road)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/andyw823/Junk/Untitled1.png

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/andyw823/Junk/Untitled-1.png

Brilliant article Future!

I too shall be down at Elsinore Road from 11am. Looking forward to some banana action :banana2: and a pie! :eat:

Are they using grooved rail in the roundabout in Ashton?

With the work going on at Ashton Moss roundabout, it reminds me of the the one in Trafford Park (A5081/Trafford Park Road)


That's a level crossing, made using normal track and prefabricated infill panels. Even on heavy rail we'd think twice about that kind of construction at a site with such a high level of heavy road traffic and low rail usage.

The new metrolink embedded track will be one of the Ri grooved sections with a polyurethane elastomer embedment, similar to (if not this exact product) the Hyperlast / ALH system by Volker Rail (http://www.volkerrail.co.uk/bin/ibp.jsp?ibpDispWhat=zone&ibpPage=S5_FocusPage&ibpDispWho=S5_CoatedRailb&ibpZone=S5_CoatedRailb&ibpDisplay=view&)

Never had anything to add before, but got off the tram at old Trafford yesterday, and there were several vans with telephony and signaling division on the side, then from the office window there seemed to be work on going with the new signals during Friday.

DISAPPOINTING

I have just read the following private message, posted to me late last night :-

NO TESTING/DRIVER TRAINING over the weekend Johnny, will not start again until Monday now!

So it might be a waste of time going to Elsinore Road, but what the hell I will go anyway to see if anyone is there!

DISAPPOINTING

I have just read the following private message, posted to me late last night :-

NO TESTING/DRIVER TRAINING over the weekend Johnny, will not start again until Monday now!

So it might be a waste of time going to Elsinore Road, but what the hell I will go anyway to see if anyone is there!

Certainly does beg the question: what is the closure actually for?! :bash:

May have planned to do something today but for whatever reason it has been cancelled at the last minute.

EDIT - having re-read the above post is seems that they may have never planned to do any training this weekend.

maybe it is a case of simply joining up all the electrics and testing the signalling etc from the depot electronically.

I wasnt expecting driver training as it would surely have got in the way of the blockade work. May still be the odd tram about testing infrastructure though.

Anyone down there able to report what is going on?

I'm running very late and not fancying heading over there if nothing is happening.

You will all love this article from April 1984 (http://ow.ly/i/cA8a)To save people following the link, here it is directly:
http://static.ow.ly/photos/original/cA8a.jpg
Linked to http://static.ow.ly/photos/original/cA8a.jpg. Simples.

Certainly does beg the question: what is the closure actually for?! :bash:

There are, I think, two crossovers with missing rail sections on the Altrincham line, adjacent to the depot. Perhaps it's those?

Train Guard

Well I wouldn't expect them to be doing driver training over a completly untested junction. They would need the alty line closed to allow the 1st tram over it. I'm heading down there now.

Anyone down there able to report what is going on?

I'm running very late and not fancying heading over there if nothing is happening.

Nothing happening here. JDR and I are heading over to Sheffield St for 1pm if anyone wants to join us.

A few orange coats around but nothing worth reporting. None of the trams in the depot are powered up so doesn't seem like they will be moving today :/

I'm going for a drive around, up to Rochdale and Oldham to have a look.

Not taking camera though.

DISAPPOINTING

I have just read the following private message, posted to me late last night :-

NO TESTING/DRIVER TRAINING over the weekend Johnny, will not start again until Monday now!

So it might be a waste of time going to Elsinore Road, but what the hell I will go anyway to see if anyone is there!

The planned work had to be called off at short notice for some reason. We'll have to await further info on closures on the Metrolink website. The replacement buses are still running I guess because it would cost too much to cancel them and there will probably still be work elsewhere on the Altrincham Line.

I wish I would of come on here before going down to the Trafford Depot, doh! No wonder I didn't see anybody, I was expecting to see a road full :lol:

As already mentioned all trams are powered down, plenty of orange suits at the South Manchester Junction, I also noticed a M5000 between Cornbrook and Gmex station. The yellow stop signs are Baulks from the main line were removed so perhaps there will be some movement today, who knows!

Also on the subject of 3014, I was thinking about it last night. If they do want to open the Ashton line up as far as Velopark they will require a couple more M5000s with the older signalling equipment to run through to Altricham and Bury, just a thought anyway.

Could of been done for the Mediacity-Piccadilly service, that would be using 7 or something like that right?

So to summarise, has there been any visible changes or work done during the current blockade, up till now..?

Nothing going on at Chorlton Morrisons stop about an hour ago. :(

Been dead today. I drove past the depot at around 1:00pm and no action at all just people working on the points.

However if they are working on the tracks they can't exactly send trams down them can they.

Could of been done for the Mediacity-Piccadilly service, that would be using 7 or something like that right?

They should be able to use any of the high numbered trams on the Media City line soon I thought once the works at Cornbrook are done anyways? Maybe

Arriving this afternoon down the M62 above Denshaw. I cant see the number too clearly but I'm sure this is number 35

Thankyou user Drtime :):)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/5845079648_83382e678c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/5845079720_1d5b6fbfca_o.jpg

When I went into town earlier there were flashing stop notices in between the tracks on the Altrincham line underpass at Cornbrook and no sign of any change at Cornbrook. If they were going to be testing the junction and Cornbrook turnback is not available then where would they have turned them round. Also would they really be testing new signalling on a stretch where there are trams running in service ie at Cornbrook where the Eccles lines joins/diverges? Would they not have to close that line too?


Also noted that the fencing at St Peters square has all been replaced now. That's the cheap fencing that was put up next to the steel and glass fencing. So it looks better. All they need to do now is actually paint the CCTV poles as they were shoved back up with shabby black paint on them !

They should be able to use any of the high numbered trams on the Media City line soon I thought once the works at Cornbrook are done anyways? Maybe

Arriving this afternoon down the M62 above Denshaw. I cant see the number too clearly but I'm sure this is number 35

Thankyou user Drtime :):)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/5845079648_83382e678c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/5845079720_1d5b6fbfca_o.jpg

Well does in not matter which depot is going to work the new services? Have they employed any drivers to work or move there as Queens Road can't have enough room for the Chorlton line trams as well as the mediacity service?

First platform sections arrived today at the Cemetery Road stop, Droylsden...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/180611_2.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/180611_1.jpg

No activity on Lord Sheldon Way, Ashton, this afternoon - except for the traffic queuing practically the whole length....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/180611_3.jpg

Arriving this afternoon down the M62 above Denshaw. I cant see the number too clearly but I'm sure this is number 35

Thankyou user Drtime :):)



I know this would be impractical for a number of reasons (wrong wheel profile, above specified coupler tension etc), but it is a shame they can't form a train of around 12 new M5000s at a time and drag them to the depot through the channel tunnel by locomotive !

lol. Now that would be a sight to behold!! Poor trams being dragged at 100mph through the tunnel.

I know this would be impractical for a number of reasons (wrong wheel profile, above specified coupler tension etc), but it is a shame they can't form a train of around 12 new M5000s at a time and drag them to the depot through the channel tunnel by locomotive !

They could go on a lowloader through the tunnel, but am not sure there's that many in production ready to come over. If they did there may be too many coming at once and then have to sit here waiting to be "run in". When the first metrolink section was ready, it may have been an idea then because many were sitting ready in the factory but no means to get here fast...lol I've got a picture somewhere of half of one stuck in snopw in some mountain pass somewhere!:lol:

We don't even use our own rail network to get trains about the UK... I read in Rail a long time ago that sometimes it's cheaper to move them by road... totally bonkers!

Sorry if this has already been asked, but what are they doing on the Altrincham line during this blockade, because I carn't think of any possable reason for it.

They should be able to use any of the high numbered trams on the Media City line soon I thought once the works at Cornbrook are done anyways? Maybe

Arriving this afternoon down the M62 above Denshaw. I cant see the number too clearly but I'm sure this is number 35

Thankyou user Drtime :):)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/5845079648_83382e678c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/5845079720_1d5b6fbfca_o.jpg

Yes Tony this must be 3035... I saw 3034 being delivered two weeks ago.

We don't even use our own rail network to get trains about the UK... I read in Rail a long time ago that sometimes it's cheaper to move them by road... totally bonkers!

I'm not aware of this at all. The newly delivered 377/5, 378 and 379 were all built in Derby and transported by rail. In fact the new Metropolitan Line trains were railed delivered. Only reason the new Victoria Line trains were road delivered was because there wasn't a rail connection onto the line that could cope with the gauge if the new trains. And then there's the new Scotrail 380's which go from Germany to Scotland via the Channel Tunnel all the way via rail.

In fact one of the rare moves by road was when 377501 went back to Derby by road was due to timing (377504 went back via rail and they didn't have the crews to do two runs in a single week) of urgent work that had to be done.

They could go on a lowloader through the tunnel, but am not sure there's that many in production ready to come over. If they did there may be too many coming at once and then have to sit here waiting to be "run in". When the first metrolink section was ready, it may have been an idea then because many were sitting ready in the factory but no means to get here fast...lol I've got a picture somewhere of half of one stuck in snopw in some mountain pass somewhere!:lol:

Is it this one?:

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Vernon151/MetrolinkItaly.jpg

Apologies to all those who had a wasted journey to Elsinore Road this morning! The only thing happening was painting the platform edges at Trafford Bat and something on the track in the underpass!

Rob and I were in the cafe until 1220 enjoying pie chips peas and gravy. Was that you Kriis who came in the chip shop with a young lady then straight out again? Anyway, we had a good trip afterwards across a wide area, a few interesting pix which I will post later when I get chance to upload.

Oh well, the longer it takes the more exciting it will be in the end!

:banana:

Good shot! According to the Metrolink handbook two of the original vehicles (although it doesnt say which) were delivered together by air freight on Antonov Super carrier planes.

I would of loved to have seen a picture of that!

I arrived at just gone 12:30 So you were probably not too far away from the Ghost town that was Trafford Depot!

A disappointing day for testing, it seems.

I cycled past St Werburgh's and C'ton about an hour ago and both have had the PIDs uncovered. They're blank but had a little LED light on to show they were at least powered.

Also, as of yesterday, Chorlton's inbound platform had no less than SIX ticket machines in place! Might need to double-check that...

Six?! If that's correct, top marks for forward planning! I suspect this line will be *very* popular, so it's good that they're putting some thought into capacity.

Pretty sure six is the most machines of any station on the network.

We're going to get the 10,000 post on here tonight, after I go to bed probably.

Are we likely to get another 15 posts in the space of tonight?

Apologies to all those who had a wasted journey to Elsinore Road this morning! The only thing happening was painting the platform edges at Trafford Bat and something on the track in the underpass!

Rob and I were in the cafe until 1220 enjoying pie chips peas and gravy. Was that you Kriis who came in the chip shop with a young lady then straight out again? Anyway, we had a good trip afterwards across a wide area, a few interesting pix which I will post later when I get chance to upload.

Oh well, the longer it takes the more exciting it will be in the end!

:banana:

Nope wasn't me. I think I saw u two just leaving as I walked onto elisnore road. 1 of u had a black shoulder bag?

THIS IS NOW THE NUMBER ONE MOST REPLIED TO AND VIEWED THREAD ON ANY SUBJECT CONCERNING URBAN TRANSPORT ON THE WHOLE OF SSC!
(far as I can tell from a quick trawl - if you know of a bigger one do inform us - only "China | railways" tops it in all transport topics!)

:cheers: to all participants!

Just to put this in perspective this is the THIRD most replied to thread on all UK SSC forums - only London's Shard & Heron Tower top it!

For Views we're sixth - Shard/Heron Tower/Pinnacle/Riverside South/122 Leadenhall are also over half a million.

Looking forward to one of the regular posters - or perhaps one of the great influx of recent newbies - grabbing post 10,000, by serendipity or otherwise.

(Since I kicked this one off just wanted to bag post 9988 for personal reasons that people who knew my old Manchester mobile phone number might get).

If you include Trammy's original Metrolink thread AND the 2CC/future thread that takes this topic to Number ONE on all UK forums!

Just thought some of you might like to know.
I'll get me coat & check in to the OCD Centre.


:-)
Didn't count stickies - looks like London 2012 & Images from Liverpool City Region also very popular, each with over half a million. Bravo to them but still this thread looks hot!

Wow, I never realised how popular this topic is. I hope this can be maintained since phase 3 does not end for another 5 years!

All the more reason to turn this thread into a book. I hope that everyone who has posted photographs has kept them backed up safe somewhere.

Yes that was us Kriis!

After that we had a fair old tour - the first two pix show the sum total of activity at Trafford Bar :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2902.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2903.jpg

Then it was into town to buy a copy of TAUT - there are plenty in stock at WH Smith and Ian Allan. What a thrill it will be to travel right through the Undercroft - just like the Ghost Train at Blackpool Pleasure Beach! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2916.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2917.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2918.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2919.jpg

Great Ancoats Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2913.jpg

A restored footpath now crosses the tramway, the Medlock and the Ashton Canal :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2920.jpg

A slightly different view of the approach to Man City :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2921-1.jpg

Do you notice any unusual shapes top left? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2924-1.jpg

We didn't know what they were :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2933-1.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2932-1.jpg

They seem to be above the marshalling area, for crowd control down to the tramstop after the match. Perhaps something will be added to them for shelter? Apologies for dwelling on these interesting shapes, they look like ATV before it became Central Television! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2928.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2930.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2942-1.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2934-1.jpg

Canalside Crossing :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2945.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2943-1.jpg

The newly created alignment behind the Clayton industrial units now has all its tracks :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2950.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2951.jpg

A new trailing crossover has been installed near the stub end of Cantrell Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2953.jpg

The finback bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2961.jpg

South Chaddeh :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2975.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2970.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2972.jpg

Freehold tramstop is very high up :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2978.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2986.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2983.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2984.jpg

See you all one day in that Metrolink in the sky!
:banana:

Dont know if its till the current plan but I saw some drawings last year which showed the structures you alluded to as shelters over a line of ticket barriers for the stadium.

Is it this one?:

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Vernon151/MetrolinkItaly.jpg

Yes that's it. A frind of mine once worked at the docks at Portsmouth and rang me up to say that our first tram had arrived there and was stuck on the boat as they couldn't get it off. It had arrived in one piece and the weather was so bad they could not align the boat with the landing stage to get it off. It say for 2 days till they got it level, and I think that may be why they decided to bring them from Italy in half sections!

Yes that was us Kriis!

After that we had a fair old tour...

Sorry we missed you Kriis.

Thanks to JDR for a cracking afternoon out.

Looking forward to the Chorlton meet very soon. :yes:

Pretty sure six is the most machines of any station on the network.

There are 6 at Piccadilly Undercroft.

Yes that was us Kriis!


The finback bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_2961.jpg



First time I've seen track on that bridge JdR thanks for this and other excellent photos as usual - so question: after leaving Piccadilly, what sections of track are still missing between there and this shot?

And, if you know, how far up this route does the overhead go??

(What I'm getting it obviously is where the line compares to Chorlton?) :-)

So, what is the consensus around Chorlton's opening date now then...? Obviously June 21st is out... I take it July is most likely?


Also, supposing they cannot for some reason get TOS working on the junction, would that immediately mean a delay in opening or could they in theory open Chorlton without it?

There are 6 at Piccadilly Undercroft.

Ah, well it's still quite a lot for a stop they have no idea of passenger numbers for yet. Even the machines at Picc often go unused.

Also, supposing they cannot for some reason get TOS working on the junction, would that immediately mean a delay in opening or could they in theory open Chorlton without it?Considering the mess at MediaCity trying to operate the points manually I can't see them doing that on the busy Altrincham line.

Is there a turnback at Trafford Bar if they wanted to terminate Chorlton trams there, or is Cornbrook the nearest?

(two posts to go...:banana:)

It's quite unbelievable how this forum has reached 10,000 posts in just two years!

I know I'm definitely not one of the top contributors here, but I love reading this forum nonetheless. And the photos & updates posted on here are fantastic :)

Thanks to MarkO for creating the Metrolink Extension forum, and to everyone who has contributed, it really has become a part of my daily life :D

Now, I'll leave that all important 10,000th post to someone who really deserves it.

:banana:

9998 posts - only 2 more!!

Personally, I think the honour of the 10,000th post should be left to JdR, for all his outstanding updates & posts, without which, I'd have had no idea what so many places look like in Manchester.

:)