Indeed. I think I read/heard that the Mersey Valley viaduct will be an 11 span concrete beast!

Any images been produced of the bridge?

I imagine it will totally over shadow Jacksons Boat given the pub being so low down relative to the river embankments.

As far as I know no images of the bridge. You'd think that was something theywould do, given the fears over "ruining" the valley. Mind you I guess if those fears are true maybe they wouldn't want anyone to see what it's going to look like! :lol:

Personally I can't wait.

As far as I know no images of the bridge. You'd think that was something theywould do, given the fears over "ruining" the valley. Mind you I guess if those fears are true maybe they wouldn't want anyone to see what it's going to look like! :lol:

Personally I can't wait.

Despite being a bearded, sandal wearing lentil burger eating leftie,I can't wait either.

I wonder how they will cross the river, high enough for path users to pass under the line or on a level with the top of the bunds with level crossings for pedestrians.

Will try and get a few pictures tomorrow, if the rain holds off and my hangover is not too bad :).

As for the terms and conditions of the free travel, I think it is just that, they don't want a load of hoodies or people abusing the system. I am personally planning of using it, and I will be spending in the city centre.

Despite being a bearded, sandal wearing lentil burger eating leftie,I can't wait either.

I wonder how they will cross the river, high enough for path users to pass under the line or on a level with the top of the bunds with level crossings for pedestrians.

If it really is to be 11-span I would imagine it will go up and over with room for the foot/cycle paths to go under it, which should be quite a structure...

If it really is to be 11-span I would imagine it will go up and over with room for the foot/cycle paths to go under it, which should be quite a structure...

Not necessarily, it is probably going to span the low level made up ground across the old Hardy Lane tip and might do so at negligible height.

Not necessarily, it is probably going to span the low level made up ground across the old Hardy Lane tip and might do so at negligible height.
They'll want it high enough to be clear of any potential flooding.

They'll want it high enough to be clear of any potential flooding.

Which still isn't going to be very high.

The Alty line is very low.

It's essentially the end of the walks along the Mersey westbound.

Hopefully the airport line will be higher, but Jackson's Boat will be overwhelmed.

It'd be nice if the new bridge incorporated a walkway/cycleway alongside, as the current footbridge is unfit for purpose, with steps at the north end making it unsuitable for the disabled/mobility impaired or cyclists.

The Alty line is very low.

It's essentially the end of the walks along the Mersey westbound.

Hopefully the airport line will be higher, but Jackson's Boat will be overwhelmed.

Not where I've seen it, it isn't low! It crosses the Mersey valley on a huge embankment and I certainly hope that the airport line is not higher

Here are some plans of the Mersey Valley flood plain from a couple of years back. I can't see any specific reference to the heights of structures (unless I don't know how to look, quite possible!).

However, there may be a clue in the extent of the 'increasing bubble' of hatching surrounding point 11800, as the abutting embankment rises to the appropriate height for the viaduct? I always imagined this structure to be a kind of 'pier' across the floodplain with only minimal supports, hence the reference to noise attentuation. (And unfortunately, linkroad, no apparent room for a footpath or anything else beside the tracks.)

There seems to be no indication of any further change in height, until the pier meets its receiving embankment just South of the River Mersey :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Sale%20Water%20Park/floodplans_0001.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Sale%20Water%20Park/floodplans_0002.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Sale%20Water%20Park/floodplans_0003.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Sale%20Water%20Park/Hardyvis.jpg

:banana:

Here are some plans of the Mersey Valley flood plain from a couple of years back. I can't see any specific reference to the heights of structures (unless I don't know how to look, quite possible!).

However, there may be a clue in the extent of the 'increasing bubble' of hatching surrounding point 11800, as the abutting embankment rises to the appropriate height for the viaduct? I always imagined this structure to be a kind of 'pier' across the floodplain with only minimal supports, hence the reference to noise attentuation. There seems to be no other indication of any further change in height, until the pier meets its receiving embankment just South of the River Mersey :-



I think that rather than the hatching indicating a rise in the line, it indicates a falling away of the ground.

I notice that the boundary between M/c and Trafford is in the wrong place too, Jacksons Boat is in Manchester!

It does mention that it respects the existing bridleways along the river so surely or will need to be of sufficient height to allow a man on a horse to pass under it...?

It does mention that it respects the existing bridleways along the river so surely or will need to be of sufficient height to allow a man on a horse to pass under it...?

The mention of a horse, though correct in this context, is vaguely amusing. Sounds quite cute.

It inspires to ask.

May I enquire if the said tramulatory mechanism allows for the safe discharge of a pistol in that field?

Lord heaton of the Parkin cake.

It does mention that it respects the existing bridleways along the river so surely or will need to be of sufficient height to allow a man on a horse to pass under it...?

Unless they crossed on the level?

It does mention that it respects the existing bridleways along the river so surely or will need to be of sufficient height to allow a man on a horse to pass under it...?

You may be right, chorlton, I always got my cutting and embankment symbols mixed up!! However, there is similar hatching on the bridge over the M60, which definitely rises up! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/IMG_0001.jpg

(Also on this bridge there is provision for an additional footpath as well!)

Martin, I think the height issue may not be a problem at the river, as if I remember there are two walkways at this point, one much lower than the other - so there may be room for a caballero with the Anglia Television flag as well!!

You may be right, chorlton, I always got my cutting and embankment symbols mixed up!! However, there is similar hatching on the bridge over the M60, which definitely rises up! :-



From local knowledge, the ground falls away at this point and therefore would have to be embanked to keep the track level.

Still, we none of us have enough information to say how high the track may be. Just to hope that it won't be too high or I really would have to side with the lentil burger munching, sandal wearing beardies.

Realistically how soon do people think we could expect construction of the viaduct to begin? I would have thought that the big structures like this would be among the first parts to get going, but then I know as much about the construction industry as does a weasel.

Realistically how soon do people think we could expect construction of the viaduct to begin? I would have thought that the big structures like this would be among the first parts to get going, but then I know as much about the construction industry as does a weasel.

I would expect it to be sooner rather than later, if only to facilitate track access across the river.

Bring it on! Once they start, if it is a minimalist, almost prefabricated structure, perhaps it will take shape fairly quickly.

Anyway, far away from all this, would you like to see the second part of my walk from Rochdale to Milnrow? (Makes me think what a massive area this Metrolink project actually covers, & all happening at the same time!)

As seen from the Northern side of the Rochdale canal bridge, the Oldham bound route now runs right to left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4599.jpg

Panning further to the left, the shining bananas will cut a fair dash across this prominent horizon. I haven’t seen the detailed plans, but I am hoping this Northern side of the valley (Firgrove) may remain unspoilt? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4607.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4601.jpg

Continuing further South, Kingsway Business Park starts to peep over the alignment :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4611.jpg

Climbing up towards the embankment near Turbary Walk and The Cray, it seems this will be the site of the tram station. Although much of the business park has not yet come into being, this stop will also be of great benefit to the houses in the area, just out of shot to the right :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4621.jpg

The level embankment now encounters a rise in the ground :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4626.jpg

And further South towards Milnrow, the alignment enters a deepening cutting :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4639.jpg

What looks like a new substation is already present :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4634.jpg

Looking back along the alignment, the high-rise flats of Rochdale start to fade into the distance. Something of great interest to me, I do believe that the next four views will never have been seen by previous users of the Oldham Loop, who will only have had the limited side views of heavy rail. When the trams come, however, we will all be able to enjoy the many 360 degree panoramas that abound on this particular line!! :nuts: :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4638.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4632.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_4637.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_4641.jpg

Not to mention the views of cuttings and underbridges like those approaching Milnrow, as we turn around to face forward :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_4642.jpg

This is the ramp down from Elizabethan Way to Milnrow tramstop, and the steps up to Harbour Lane North away from the camera :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_4647.jpg

Looking back the other way from the top of the steps :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_4652.jpg

The line then continues to wend its way, over the hills to far New Hey! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_4651.jpg

Well, the more I wander, the more I think it can sometimes be more enjoyable to travel in hope, than to actually arrive! . . .

:banana:

Bring it on! Once they start, if it is a minimalist, almost prefabricated structure, perhaps it will take shape fairly quickly.

Anyway, far away from all this, would you like to see the second part of my walk from Rochdale to Milnrow? (Makes me think what a massive area this Metrolink project actually covers, & all happening at the same time!)

As seen from the Northern side of the Rochdale canal bridge, the Oldham bound route now runs right to left :-



I do think this is going to be my favourite line Johhny, it has everything.

The free family tickets are a big hit today. I'm on a Picc tram at Salford Quays, and there is hardly even any standing space available. On a Sunday!

The free family tickets are a big hit today. I'm on a Picc tram at Salford Quays, and there is hardly even any standing space available. On a Sunday!

St Werburg's was fairly busy this afternoon, more than a dozen passengers, many of them buying tickets!

Few photos from this morning's ride around Chorlton with the Mr:... nothing groundbreaking but it's always nice to keep with the latest!

At some point in the not-too-distant future they will have to install a set of points here to take the line off to the left between the OLE poles... will they have them installed before the Didsbury line opens to avoid future disruption?

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/01.jpg

Little action on the course of the line within the current grounds of Chorlton High... utility diversions? I guess utilities could run in the school grounds...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/02.jpg

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/03.jpg

The infamous sign... you can read the drivers' lips as they go past, "Completion expected when?!"

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/05.jpg

The trees!! The trees which, as of this week, may very well be no more... one final look at them:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/06.jpg

At Barlow Moor Road, the plans showed some reduction of pavement areas in preparation for the trams:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/Capture.jpg

And lo and behold they have now been completed:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/07.jpg

At the end of Hardy Lane the new MPT compound has appeared:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/09.jpg

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/10.jpg

And finally the site of the much talked about bridge over the Mersey where nothing has really changed.

This is where it will go - could the paths on either bank become level crossings as suggested? Or will the whole structure rise above them? It's one or the other, and my guess is on the latter, but time will tell...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/15.jpg

Looking from the bridge site back up to Hardy Lane:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2021082011/12.jpg

Really can't wait to see some real construction on this section! :banana::banana:

Given how high the Mersey gets, that is, a couple of feet below the top path, I think the tram line will have to go a lot higher to be out of danger.

Indeed. I think I read/heard that the Mersey Valley viaduct will be an 11 span concrete beast!

Here are some plans of the Mersey Valley flood plain from a couple of years back. I can't see any specific reference to the heights of structures (unless I don't know how to look, quite possible!).

However, there may be a clue in the extent of the 'increasing bubble' of hatching surrounding point 11800, as the abutting embankment rises to the appropriate height for the viaduct? I always imagined this structure to be a kind of 'pier' across the floodplain with only minimal supports, hence the reference to noise attentuation. (And unfortunately, linkroad, no apparent room for a footpath or anything else beside the tracks.)

There seems to be no indication of any further change in height, until the pier meets its receiving embankment just South of the River Mersey :-

:banana:

If you look at the plans Johnny has put up it actually has 11 piers shown on them. (as I'm replying on my iPad it wont quote images).

[QUOTE=Johnny de Rivative;83076848]Bring it on! Once they start, if it is a minimalist, almost prefabricated structure, perhaps it will take shape fairly quickly.

Anyway, far away from all this, would you like to see the second part of my walk from Rochdale to Milnrow? (Makes me think what a massive area this Metrolink project actually covers, & all happening at the same time!)


Looking back along the alignment, the high-rise flats of Rochdale start to fade into the distance. Something of great interest to me, I do believe that the next four views will never have been seen by previous users of the Oldham Loop, as heavy rail does not tend to allow ‘driver’s-cab’ type vision to passengers. When the trams come, however, we will all be able to enjoy the many 360 degree panoramas that abound on this particular line!! :nuts: :-

The first generation DMU's, ie class 101 etc., did allow this sort of view. Terrific pictuires by the way.

Great shots JDR. That guy seems to be waving at you!

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_4728.jpg

On a related note. The signal box located just behind the covered bridge at the top will be signalling its last trains on Saturday and close at 00:00. This will clear the way for Metrolink to begin connecting Rochdale to the rest of the Metrolink network

Rochdale Signal Box 1889 - 2011 RIP!

Great shots JDR. That guy seems to be waving at you!

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_4728.jpg

On a related note. The signal box located just behind the covered bridge at the top will be signalling its last trains on Saturday and close at 00:00. This will clear the way for Metrolink to begin connecting Rochdale to the rest of the Metrolink network

Rochdale Signal Box 1889 - 2011 RIP!

I think this photograph would look good in black and white...possibly in many years to come, it will be looked at, as we now do with photgraphs of the railway builders way out west in the early 1900`s, a pioneering spirit.:banana::banana::banana:

If I'm right the blocks of flats in Rochdale used to be called "Seven Sisters" . Don't know whether there are still 7 blocks though?

If I'm right the blocks of flats in Rochdale used to be called "Seven Sisters" . Don't know whether there are still 7 blocks though?

Still seven standing yep! They're officially called the College Bank Flats, but are more commonly known as the "Seven Sisters".

Oldham & Rochdale Line - Oldham Mumps Station

Good progress I have to say! :banana::banana:

View towards Proposed Access Road off Oldham Way
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00615-1.jpg

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00616-1.jpg

Mumps Station Platforms and Access Ramps - grey ballast everywhere - almost brutalist. I was expecting a grassy surrounds to ramps.
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00617-1.jpg

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00618-1.jpg

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00619.jpg

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00620.jpg

View north towards Mumps station and Rochdale. Note the new earthworks mound on top right. This must have been the material excavated to make the alignment reach street level at Mumps Roundabout.
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00622.jpg

View towards Werneth and Manchester
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00621.jpg

I spoke with a workman and he said that they're going to handover their works (line/station?) in a months time. Yeeeeeeeees!

Crumpsall renovations - click to enlarge...

Crumpsall area map
http://img247.imagevenue.com/loc494/th_040515935_100_2649_122_494lo.JPG (http://img247.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=040515935_100_2649_122_494lo.JPG)

The former lift down to the Manchester-bound side
http://img137.imagevenue.com/loc460/th_040549274_100_2643_122_460lo.JPG (http://img137.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=040549274_100_2643_122_460lo.JPG)

Entrance just after installation, note the old lift in the background
http://img15.imagevenue.com/loc196/th_404057435_100_2639_122_196lo.JPG (http://img15.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=404057435_100_2639_122_196lo.JPG)

Again the old lift in the background and the painting of the railings
http://img277.imagevenue.com/loc583/th_040583925_100_2638_122_583lo.JPG (http://img277.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=040583925_100_2638_122_583lo.JPG)

The entrance, as of 19th July
http://img153.imagevenue.com/loc197/th_040557936_100_2642_122_197lo.JPG (http://img153.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=040557936_100_2642_122_197lo.JPG)

Wondering when/if they'll replace the old sign
http://img281.imagevenue.com/loc432/th_040564367_100_2641_122_432lo.JPG (http://img281.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=040564367_100_2641_122_432lo.JPG)

Hi

Good picture to everyone who took them this weekend:cheers:. Ashtonian u what saying that going to handover their works (line/station?) in a months time. do u think by end of October or maybe November the will be tram going up to Mumps for testing. Also it look like the going be putting wires up near Freehold Stop as today the putting the thing I don't know what them called on Overhead pole at top of them.

On the subject of stop improvements, the stairs and lower area at Pomona is yet to be (completely) yellowified. It looks quite tacky, the black certainly doesn't mix with the yellow/silver at all.

Hi

Good picture to everyone who took them this weekend:cheers:. Ashtonian u what saying that do u think by end of October or maybe November the will be tram going up to Mumps for testing. Also it look like the going be putting wires up near Freehold Stop as today the putting the thing I don't know what them called on Overhead pole at top of them.

Hope so Purdie on testing in November.

On the subject of stop improvements, the stairs and lower area at Pomona is yet to be (completely) yellowified. It looks quite tacky, the black certainly doesn't mix with the yellow/silver at all.

Been like that for years, doubt they will complete the corporate make over until major redevelopment takes place around there ( which of course we know it will in time) otherwise why put an isolated stop in the middle of no where, plus of course the Port Salford (POS) line will lead of from there.

Yeah... those pic links opened up LiveJasmin.com (a SexCam site for those who do not know).

As always, Johnny, Ashtonian, Tony H1 et al, superb pictures, and a real bit of documentary history in the making!

A image hosting site that makes money from popup adds.

Just thought I would say, just in case anyone tries to view the pics at work!

Yes, more great shots everyone.

Bog, I remember those early diesels with cab vision now, in my case it was on the Blackburn line when I was at school - the Sough tunnel near Darwen sticks in my mind as very dramatic. I don't know if they were ever used on the Oldham loop?

Tony, you seem quite sad to see the end of the old signal box - I agree they are quite nostalgic things in their own right.

Ashton, we'll have to stop meeting like this - I was on those very bridges this afternoon!

I also took some pictures round the other side of Mumps. That part of Oldham looks a lot different than it did 12 months ago (this shot taken from Bottom o'th'Moor) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_4843.jpg

Plenty of work to do between Bell & Brook Streets, but it's still meant to be open in about 12 months time! . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_4846.jpg

This is the view from Brook Street, back across the now sunken alignment where the viaduct used to be :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_4852.jpg

You can see the buffer stop which has now appeared at the end of the temporary line. That section is not due to open now until March 2012, so I guess any testing is unlikely before the New Year. Hopefully, however, something should be happening at Monsall and Central Park before the end of this year :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_4847.jpg

A couple of closer shots of the lowered alignment from the roundabout to the new Temporary turnback :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/mumper.jpg

It looks like the buffers are needed to prevent it from rolling down in to the primordial slime! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4855.jpg

On the Southern side of the alignment, a new back entry to the station has been created where there was none before. Borrowing one of Ash's pictures, here is the ramp to it at top centre :-

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/Ashtonian_photos/Metrolink/DSC00617-1.jpg

The ramp leads on to a footpath at this point, looking West :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4822.jpg

And looking East :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4837.jpg

The footpath links Waterloo Street with Hamilton Street via Southlink, here passing under the Southern overbridge of the Temporary line. Far down the lane, you can just see the temporary fencing of the new station entrance :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4832.jpg

Looking in to the alignment from the new entry at that point, you can make out the buffers and turnback crossover :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4827.jpg

Looking back at the Temporary station from the same point :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4817.jpg

As I may have said before, it's a long, long way to Tempora-ry! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4830.jpg

This is the approach to the footbridges from the South at the higher level :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4814.jpg

It brings you in at the intermediate point of the blue footbridges :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4813.jpg

And we arrive back at your pictures, Ash, with still plenty of climbing to do !! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps%20Temporary/101_4808.jpg

I'm not sure if there will be another footpath across the A62 to get to the existing bus stands at Mumps. Ah well, it will only last for a couple of years, after which I suppose it could make a very attractive park or landscaped area - it all adds to the interest and speculation!

:banana:

As always great updates JDR & Aston on the Oldham/Rochdale line.

Particularly liking the open view of Oldham Town Centre with out the vidaduct.

Wish they'd get a move on with the level crossing @ Shaw, delevery traffic is being diverted up Buckstones across and down Grains Road with temp traffic light at the bottom of Buckstones!

Hi

Good picture to everyone who took them this weekend:cheers:. Ashtonian u what saying that do u think by end of October or maybe November the will be tram going up to Mumps for testing. Also it look like the going be putting wires up near Freehold Stop as today the putting the thing I don't know what them called on Overhead pole at top of them.

Didn't they say that because of the single line working that driver training on the line will take longer on the ORL2? It's a shame we've got to wait till next year for its opening. Least once the connection to Phase 1 is up and running the signalling should be a bit easier.

Couple of questions tho:

1) how far are the wires currently go from Central Park?

2) is the points for the Oldham Town section in place but not fully installed or will they need to do track works later on?

3) has there been any progress on ORL1 at all?

Thanks everyone for the photo updates, as someone whose not able to visit every week I love the updates your all doing. Exciting times.

Just went for a wander down the EML to Velopark. Not much to report really:-
*Signs still haven't been put up at Velopark.
*They were busy out respraying the OHLE poles just after Holt Town in the road-rail cherrypicker.
*Painting the lower bits of the lighting poles at Velopark in that off-white colour.

Not sure if it is new... can't remember from when JdR posted pics after he went to the stadium stop, but the light up diamond flags are up there.

...

Cheers all.

Mack, if memory serves, the overhead ends just after Central park at present - there is none over the finback bridge yet, though the poles are in place East of Thorpes Bridge. I think it begins again approaching Failsworth & through Hollinwood & South Chaddeh (ro2 tells us, I will try & get some pix soon) & as far as Freehold.

The track is in all the way to just West of the overbridge at Werneth, and again from Werneth through the tunnels to Mumps Temporary, but there is no track in as yet, at either end of the 3b (town) section, i.e. at Werneth or Mumps. I think it was mentioned, however, that the points would be put in straight away in the road surface at Mumps near Wallshaw Place, to save a further possession & service interruption to dig it up again. On sleeper track, someone told me that points deteriorate if put in too early and remain unused? They did this at the Harbour City/Broadway delta when first built in 2000, but in the end took them away and started afresh for the MediaCity turnouts.

North of Oldham there seems to be no track at all, apart from the redoubling points beginning to appear on High Level Road outside Rochdale Railway Station.

Smedley to Central Park (ORL1?) has been ready for sometime, but is currently mothballed pending sorting out TMS across the interface at Smedley. Hoping to open before the end of the year.

Kriis - I haven't seen the diamonds at Man City (apart from Szeko, Aguerro, Barry et al!) but I'll be down there before long. BTW I saw you walking back from Canalside Crossing at about 1615 - I was in my usual place on top of a 216!

But before long I was gobsmacked by something else: knock me down with a knickerbocker and fiddly diddly drumsticks! - as well as the three already at Edge Lane, it looks like all the ohle poles in Tameside are going to be in the house claret colour . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_4874.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_4873.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_4878.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_4876.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_4877.jpg

I think I like it - I think . . . it will certainly create a very jazzy oscillation with yellow bananas shuttering past the repetitive reds!!

:banana:

Hi

Good picture Johnny :cheers:, Also Johnny on Oldham line the Overhead wires from last time I know the are all up as far as Washbrook bridge and for Overhead poles the now in place I believe up to Werneth and I charge go some Pics tomorrow, Also in Freehold area they might be putting wires up with in next two weeks hopely. :banana:

The poles will be dark blue once you cross the border into Ashton itself, and would be light blue if the line eventually makes its way to Stalybridge :)

They look very smart if you ask me. It sets them apart in a good way.
I missed this tonight. I went to work and they wern't there, although I knew they were about to be put up due to the foundations being uncovered the other week. I came home on the 231 and fell asleep and didn't wake up till Droylsden Academy

Cheers all.

Mack, if memory serves, the overhead ends just after Central park at present - there is none over the finback bridge yet, though the poles are in place East of Thorpes Bridge. I think it begins again approaching Failsworth & through Hollinwood & South Chaddeh (ro2 tells us, I will try & get some pix soon) & as far as Freehold.

The track is in all the way to just West of the overbridge at Werneth, and again from Werneth through the tunnels to Mumps Temporary, but there is no track in as yet, at either end of the 3b (town) section, i.e. at Werneth or Mumps. I think it was mentioned, however, that the points would be put in straight away in the road surface at Mumps near Wallshaw Place, to save a further possession & service interruption to dig it up again. On sleeper track, someone told me that points deteriorate if put in too early and remain unused? They did this at the Harbour City/Broadway delta when first built in 2000, but in the end took them away and started afresh for the MediaCity turnouts.

North of Oldham there seems to be no track at all, apart from the redoubling points beginning to appear on High Level Road outside Rochdale Railway Station.

Smedley to Central Park (ORL1?) has been ready for sometime, but is currently mothballed pending sorting out TMS across the interface at Smedley. Hoping to open before the end of the year.

Kriis - I haven't seen the diamonds at Man City (apart from Szeko, Aguerro, Barry et al!) but I'll be down there before long. BTW I saw you walking back from Canalside Crossing at about 1615 - I was in my usual place on top of a 216!

But before long I was gobsmacked by something else: knock me down with a knickerbocker and fiddly diddly drumsticks! - as well as the three already at Edge Lane, it looks like all the ohle poles in Tameside are going to be in the house claret colour . . .

I think I like it - I think . . . it will certainly create a very jazzy oscillation with yellow bananas shuttering past the repetitive reds!!

:banana:

Thanks very much for that great update. I would have though they'd link the OHLE before they start running test trains up that way. Yes your right ORL1 is as far as Central Park, OLR2 is to Temp Mumps and ORL3 is to Rochdale. I like these snazzy little names they've given them.

Does seem a shame that Monsall is just sat there nearly completed as well as Central Park. When I was up they were look good if a bit unfinished.

Hi

Good picture Johnny :cheers:, Also Johnny on Oldham line the Overhead wires from last time I know the are all up as far as Washbrook bridge and for Overhead poles the now in place I believe up to Werneth and I charge go some Pics tomorrow, Also in Freehold area they might be putting wires up with in next two weeks hopely. :banana:

Progress is slowly being made them.

mackenziesoley on Oldham line the still need to put track down from Bury & Oldham line to connect and also track is down near Shaw station.

mackenziesoley on Oldham line the still need to put track down from Bury & Oldham line to connect and also track is down near Shaw station.

Three months away from ORL1 being open and it's not connected yet. Wonder if they will start driver training in Oct from Queens Road. I guess the first we'll know of TMS testing will be night time runs from Victoria and possibly testing across the City Centre as well to ensure all is well with TMS before they start using it for passenger service.

TRANSPORT for Greater Manchester has begun refurbishing Droylsden's Villemomble Square as part of its plan to extend the Metrolink line from the city centre to the square next summer.

Metrolink is providing new paving, trees, benches, litter bins, planters and street lighting.

Droylsden’s iconic town centre clock will also return, which was put into storage when the Metrolink work first started.

Improvements to the Market Street side of the Square, which include fitting new benches, litter bins, planters and street lighting, will get underway in January 2012.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “I’m delighted that in the course of bringing Metrolink to Droylsden we’re also going to be making these improvements to an important part of the town centre."

"The very nature and scale of the construction work involved with delivering the Metrolink line means that disruption has simply been unavoidable, but we only have to look at the benefits the existing lines have brought to Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Chorlton for a long-term view of having Metrolink on your doorstep."

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/

Cheers all.

Kriis - I haven't seen the diamonds at Man City (apart from Szeko, Aguerro, Barry et al!) but I'll be down there before long. BTW I saw you walking back from Canalside Crossing at about 1615 - I was in my usual place on top of a 216!

:banana:

Damn, wish I went up to the top of the stop and got a picture now :/
I'm tempted to pay my debt now by walking down there just to get you a picture!
And I had a feeling I would be spotted at some point by someone I knew haha

Johnnie:
Damn, wish I went up to the top of the stop and got a picture now

Here they are:-
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6076745440_1bd6931674_z.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6076745852_cfa184e6b7_z.jpg
One each side of the bridge, by each of the soon-to-be shelters
:banana:

Some pics from today, East Manchester Line -

Erecting an OHLE pole (Manchester Road, near Edge Lane stop, Droylsden....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-01.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-02.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-03.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-04.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-05.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-06.jpg

Droylsden shopping centre has acquired a couple of new features, right in front of the shops.... :nuts:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-07.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-08.jpg

Continuing towards Ashton...

Audenshaw stop...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-09.jpg

Back of the Snipe Inn...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-10.jpg

Lord Sheldon Way, where the track crosses over to the central reservation...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-11.jpg

On the M60 bridge...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-12.jpg

Piles of sleepers. Are these called sleepers? They are not the full width, just joined with a piece of steel between the two concrete bits...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-13.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-14.jpg

Approaching Ashton, just a couple of bits of concrete laid so far...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-15.jpg

Outside Aldi. Ashton stop just behind me but work has just started there so there's not much to see at the moment...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/280611-16.jpg

Piles of sleepers. Are these called sleepers? They are not the full width, just joined with a piece of steel between the two concrete bits...


Nappers?

Nappers?

:lol:

Nice photos mateys, glad everyone's got the bug - it's all happening.

Couldn't resist having a look at Man City myself Kriis! Very nice :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_4880.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_4886.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_4887.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_4882.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_4890.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_4889.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_4891.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_4902.jpg

:banana:

Great pics :) Whats with the cupboard under the stairs? Some kind of information office?

haha Johnnie, looking at the sky, you must have stopped by there just before me!

At last the OHLE poles are going up in Droylsden. As a former Droylsden resident, it's great to see!! :banana::banana::banana:

I'll be up there tomorrow. Wonder if they'll be up at The Cemetery Rd Stop by the time I get there? Will have a shufty and post some pics if that's the case!

Yes, more great shots everyone.

I also took some pictures round the other side of Mumps. That part of Oldham looks a lot different than it did 12 months ago (this shot taken from Bottom o'th'Moor) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_4843.jpg


:banana:

Ye Gods! I used to get the bus from Bottom o' th' Moor on my way home from a schoolmate's in Shaw Road when we lived in the former shop at Grains Bar. That was in the latter part of the 17th century. I have difficulty recognising anything now!

Great pics :) Whats with the cupboard under the stairs? Some kind of information office?

Garry Cooks new office. Said he wanted to be closer to the fans. Tram enthusiast too apparently.

I'll be up there tomorrow. Wonder if they'll be up at The Cemetery Rd Stop by the time I get there?
I wouldn't be surprised - all the bases are exposed, ready for the poles to be plonked on.

Looks like "Kingsway Business Park" will be shortened to just "Kingsway", according to this;

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/futuremetrolink/oldham-and-rochdale-line.asp

I had a feeling they'd do that :)

Looks like "Kingsway Business Park" will be shortened to just "Kingsway", according to this;

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/futuremetrolink/oldham-and-rochdale-line.asp

I had a feeling they'd do that :)

Looking back at the maps Metrolink has produced on Phase 3 I've been surprised how often the stop/station/halt names have changed. The easier the better I think. Kingsway does sound better tho.

Looks like "Kingsway Business Park" will be shortened to just "Kingsway", according to this;

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/futuremetrolink/oldham-and-rochdale-line.asp

I had a feeling they'd do that :)


I am only a very occasional visitor to your forum but with regard to the comment above, there was hope originally expressed by the premises occupiers on the business park that the name would be retained as Kingsway Business Park, as a mark of the importance of this site to Rochdale.

I note that on the TfGM Metrolink section of their website, the "Kingsway" stop is NOT shown in the panel headed "Future Stop Plans" as all the other ones are clearly shown. Surely they must have some idea by now as to the layout.

I am only a very occasional visitor to your forum but with regard to the comment above, there was hope originally expressed by the premises occupiers on the business park that the name would be retained as Kingsway Business Park, as a mark of the importance of this site to Rochdale.

I note that on the TfGM Metrolink section of their website, the "Kingsway" stop is NOT shown in the panel headed "Future Stop Plans" as all the other ones are clearly shown. Surely they must have some idea by now as to the layout.

You can say the same to Oldham Mumps Temp!! That doesn't have any plans up even though its pretty much built!

Hi

Good Picture of East Manchester line guys :cheers:, I notice on other Metrolink forums VoldemortBlack have put a map up for Metrolink and rail improvement and it was saying that "Opening on East Manchester line as far as Velopark by February 2012" which is good news but I never say anything for line to Central Park or Mumps when that will opened, I wonder if they don't know when that line going to opened. :banana:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584932&page=532

Hi

Good Picture of East Manchester line guys :cheers:, I notice on other Metrolink forums VoldemortBlack have put a map up for Metrolink and rail improvement and it was saying that "Opening on East Manchester line as far as Velopark by February 2012" which is good news but I never say anything for line to Central Park or Mumps when that will opened, I wonder if they don't know when that line going to opened. :banana:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584932&page=532

I got that information from the Metrolink website, sorry I couldn't provide any more info.

Eastlands Stadium - new sign gone up today. There was another one on the floor waiting to be fitted.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/eml-02.jpg

I had to call at Droylsden centre today so I thought I'd try and capture the full extent of the work with one of my famous staggered, badly-stitched panoramas:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6080831978_c1a52ae099_o.jpg

Hey that's well good! Nice one :-)

I saw today in the grounds of Chorlton High, they're erecting a fence. Now I don't know if it's the boundary between the school and Metrolink but it sure is in the right place. So hopefully some construction to follow shortly!

The central res trees have so far survived despite the letter saying they would be removed this week... maybe tomorrow is the fateful day :-/

I had to call at Droylsden centre today so I thought I'd try and capture the full extent of the work with one of my famous staggered, badly-stitched panoramas:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6080831978_c1a52ae099_o.jpg

I love it!

They have taken the roadworks off at the Jct of Mauldeth Road and Nell Lane. I am quite sad TBH, I liked my road not being used as a 50mph rat run. Means the utility stuff will probably have been completed.

I wonder if they will start track enabling works as soon as the tree's go, if so it makes me wonder what they will do with the track if it sits there for 5 years!

Maybe they will open the line in stages like the other ones and the first stage will open sooner than 2016..?

Maybe they will open the line in stages like the other ones and the first stage will open sooner than 2016..?

I imagine that would be the case. It's a very long line. I can't see it all opening it one go.

They will just terminate the services at Cornbrook until the 2nd City Crossing is ready.

Can anyone clarify if the Eccles Line will eventually run thru to Ashton?

I was under the impression that the Eccles Line & EML were separate. However, Wikipedia articles re stops on the EML contradict this.

Cheers, SiM

Can anyone clarify if the Eccles Line will eventually run thru to Ashton?

I was under the impression that the Eccles Line & EML were separate. However, Wikipedia articles re stops on the EML contradict this.

Cheers, SiM

It would make sense to have an East-West service, but no. The Bury & Alty to Piccadilly services will run past the undercroft and onto Ashton :)

They have taken the roadworks off at the Jct of Mauldeth Road and Nell Lane. I am quite sad TBH, I liked my road not being used as a 50mph rat run. Means the utility stuff will probably have been completed.

I wonder if they will start track enabling works as soon as the tree's go, if so it makes me wonder what they will do with the track if it sits there for 5 years!

The works at Nell Lane were scheduled to finish end of September 360, so they seem to be well ahead on that. Ashton also seems to be coming on at lightning pace, my guess is that we could see plenty of movement if only they could get the TMS sorted out. I'm sure the Airport line will open in several sections, especially as Ashton is opening in three, and Rochdale in five separate bits. (Even Eccles was two bits and Phase 1 four bits).

Last night about 1 am I saw them putting in the big red poles at the four corners of Edge Lane - quite impressive. I'm also loving that panorama of Droylsden, High-Fi - please could you do it again for us in 12 months time when it will have bananas on it?

While we wait, here is a little mystery tour to one of my favourite future tramstops. Turning off the A62 into Drury Lane, turn right after a few yards down into a back alley behind a works yard :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4924.jpg

The lane continues via a few twists and turns :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4922.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4920.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4919.jpg

Quite a long way really, then through a housing estate and another footpath, till you come to the tramstop which has no road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4917.jpg

A slight glint of shining new copper top right, gives a clue to its location . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4916.jpg

Looking to the left, towards Manchester, nothing too much has changed, except for the arrival of the catenary style overhead running wires :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4915.jpg

The station is nearly ready, though, the alignment having been brought down towards the camera from Drury Lane bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4911.jpg

Looking the other way towards Oldham, it climbs back up to the level of the former high embankment :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4912.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4907.jpg

I love this tramstop as it is located completely within a parkland setting, (a bit like St Werburgh's, really, where it gives on to the Fallowfield loop path) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4905.jpg

From the opposite viewpoint, park activities have carried on as normal over the years, while the embankment on the left has changed from a high domineering presence, to a gradual slope down to the tramstop at ground level :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/100_5138.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_0110.jpg

A few glances back at the tramway foot crossing, as we continue along the only other pedestrian access route, Westwards through the park towards Coalshaw Green Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4904.jpg

Just to think, a very few years ago in the same spot, there was just a pedestrian underpass in the embankment with no station :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/oldpath.jpg

Now it looks like this - much brighter :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/South%20Chaddeh/101_4903.jpg

:banana:

It would make sense to have an East-West service, but no. The Bury & Alty to Piccadilly services will run past the undercroft and onto Ashton :)

Thanks Voldie - thort that was the case :)

Can anyone clarify if the Eccles Line will eventually run thru to Ashton?

I was under the impression that the Eccles Line & EML were separate. However, Wikipedia articles re stops on the EML contradict this.

Cheers, SiM

I thought that the EML would just be a continuation of the Alty-Picc and Bury-Picc, so Eccles services would terminate at Piccadilly.

Hi

Good picture at South Chadderton Johnny, last time I was down they about five weeks ago that was it look like then, also Johnny do u know if wires go as far as Washbrook bridge.

I thought that the EML would just be a continuation of the Alty-Picc and Bury-Picc, so Eccles services would terminate at Piccadilly.

The real give-away would be if the signs on the other side of Eastlands stadium went up with "Trams to Eccles" written on it! Though I guess it might say "Trams to all other destinations" :/

The real give-away would be if the signs on the other side of Eastlands stadium went up with "Trams to Eccles" written on it! Though I guess it might say "Trams to all other destinations" :/

Or Trams to Manchester....

Or Trams to Manchester....

Most Likely

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5975196107_ff771c10b2_b.jpg

I'm also loving that panorama of Droylsden, High-Fi - please could you do it again for us in 12 months time when it will have bananas on it?

I sure will Johnny. The picture is a mix of blues and greys at the moment. I really can't wait for there to be some additional colour. Firstly some green courtesy of the remodelled Villemomble Square and secondly (and more importantly) some yellow! It's going to look special!!

The trees are being cut down on Mauldeth Road right now.

And the whole eastbound lane is closed, diversion-o-rama!

Just been by QR depot, doesn't look like they are expecting a tram delivery today. The delivery track has cars and vans parked down it still.

Well as AnIco mentioned, today is the day we start to lose the mature trees on the central reservation of Mauldeth Rd West...

I along with a fair few other locals watched the spectacle for a while. I never thought I would find it sad, but I genuinely did feel a little melancholy as I watched these old trees being cut and pulled to the ground...

First the man climbs up and secures a cable near the top of the trunk..

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Tree%20felling%2027082011/IMG_1319.jpg

A winch then pulls the cable taught...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Tree%20felling%2027082011/IMG_1321.jpg

The man then attacks the base with a chainsaw...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Tree%20felling%2027082011/IMG_1322.jpg

Then the back of the base...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Tree%20felling%2027082011/IMG_1324.jpg

Then the cable gets pulled, and the poor thing snaps :-(

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Tree%20felling%2027082011/IMG_1325.jpg

Progress:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Tree%20felling%2027082011/IMG_1327.jpg

Anyone who knows this road will know how different this scene now looks...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Tree%20felling%2027082011/IMG_1328.jpg

Finally here is the wooden fence that MPT have built in the grounds of Chorlton High... to separate their compound from the school property?

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Tree%20felling%2027082011/IMG_1329.jpg

I hate to see it, but I guess they have to go . . . this was one of their last Springtimes :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4667.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4681.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4689.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4690.jpg

goodbye trees - perhaps the daffs will still be there next Spring! How depressing to see the great Southern Hotel boarded up just now as well - hopefully only temporarily . . .

:fiddle: :cripes: :grouphug: :banana:

Seeing those pix also reminds me of one of the many wonderfully evocative passages in Ian Yearsley's iconic tome 'The Manchester Tram' (1962), this one from his schooldays - how many resonances can you spot with what's happening in those precise locations today? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/yearsley.jpg

I hope then. Well this greenie hopes that fir every tree destroyed, they plant another somewhere in Mancunia.

You and me both, heaton - so they promise, and another four besides.

Well, it's a bit quiet on this forum today, perhaps everyone's at the Gay Pride Carnival, which happened to pass by this afternoon when I was on the platform of Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Central/Deansgate%20-%20Castle/101_4960.jpg

Happy days! :banana:

You and me both, heaton - so they promise, and another four besides.Happy days! :banana:

Fine, but regretably the replacements can not be as mature and majestic as some of those we are losing.

I seen the trees go too, have to say it is rather sad to see them go.

On a related note, I dont thing the policy of planting 3 trees for every one cut down is working out, they seem to have rammed a load in the bit between the fence and alleyway along the back of Corkland road, the overwhelming majority of which now appear to be dead twigs.

It strikes me as a bit of a token gesture, the people who planted the saplings didn't have a clue about whether or not the location was suitable, it looks like their gaffer told them
"we have a load of these trees to plant to shut the Chorlton Eco-Humus massive up, just throw them anywhere"

They didn't need to plant any more stuff along that alley, the fence and existing veg does a decent enough job.

On a totally different note, has anyone managed to read the sign on the bridge immediately after the Firswood Stop (heading into town). I think it dates from when the bridge was first put in and may have the date on there, but I can't make it out as the tram goes through and people look at me like I am trying to chat up the driver!

As long as the trees were planted a metre apart should be fine. Some will die off/be vandalised naturally anyway.

Fine, but regretably the replacements can not be as mature and majestic as some of those we are losing.

Sixty years isn't mature for a tree and I would hesitate to describe that collection of diseased, stunted and damaged trees majestic.

I'll miss the Corporation Street ones more when they are removed. Corporation Street itself will miss them when they are removed.

Just been down by the Barlow Moor Rd / Mauldeth Rd West junction, and noticed that they have painted new road markings on the junction.

Now these cannot be the final ones surely, as going southbound on Barlow Moor Rd they have reduced the 3 lanes to just one, for left, straight on and right (and the detailed plans for the new junction show 2 lanes)... so when undertaking major works like this, is it standard practice to paint temporary markings on the road? I would have thought that if they were using the white paint that it would be kinda permanent, but have no knowledge of how these things are done..!

Now these cannot be the final ones surely, as going southbound on Barlow Moor Rd they have reduced the 3 lanes to just one, for left, straight on and right (and the detailed plans for the new junction show 2 lanes)... so when undertaking major works like this, is it standard practice to paint temporary markings on the road? I would have thought that if they were using the white paint that it would be kinda permanent, but have no knowledge of how these things are done..!
On the EML, at the Edge Lane/Ashton New Road/Manor Road junction, part of Manor road and a side street had to be completely remodelled in order to temporarily alter the traffic flow - new kerbs, re-surfacing, the lot. Now that the tracks are finished a lot of it is being remodelled again. The kerbs are being re-aligned and the road resurfaced again, so painting white lines is a minor issue. There's been a lot of line painting then burning it off again as part of Manor Road changed from one-way to two-way traffic then back to one-way again over the course of the works.

Ah I see, that clears that up then! Thank you!

Only 2 trees now standing on the main section being cleared. Though they're clearing up now so maybe these 2 will survive a wee bit longer...

Does anyone know when they will start to lay track along Hollyhedge road. I have heard that they are going to do it within the next 12 months as they have extended the one way for a indefinite period of time.

They finally finished the sewer rings at Broadoak and Fancroft

Hi

Good picture at South Chadderton Johnny, last time I was down they about five weeks ago that was it look like then, also Johnny do u know if wires go as far as Washbrook bridge.

Yes I think so ro2, I have seen the wires now in place right through Failsworth, Hollinwood and South Chaddeh, as far as the single line section opposite the BR Waste Disposal depot. Then there is a short gap through Newton Heath & Moston and over the finback bridge, until they start again from Central Park all the way to to St Werburgh's.

This is where both track and wires now redouble towards Failsworth and Oldham :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4936.jpg

The spur on the left is now redundant, however, and has remained unwired :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4939.jpg

On the left is the original outbound line, which is now a headshunt with a buffer stop, for the Waste Disposal locomotive to run around its container wagons :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4946.jpg

From further back a little earlier, here are the wagons with the loco at the head away from the camera, and the now single Metrolink track on the right, only about half of which is yet wired :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4925.jpg

Looking back from the other end, as the loco prepares to detach, we can see where the single catenary currently finishes, and the single platform of Newton Heath & Moston through the bridge, as well as the spine of Central Park tramstop in the distance :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4931.jpg

This is where the destructor siding trails in to the headshunt :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4934.jpg

The loco has now come forward towards the buffer stop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4943.jpg

On the way back, we get a better view of the current limit of the single overhead line :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4949.jpg

By the time the loco passes, most of the containers are already off :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4950.jpg

On this occasion, it didn't hang about to collect the empties, but picked up speed off into the sunset :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4952.jpg

On the way, it will have passed Newton Heath & Moston Metrolink stop, where waiting passengers will have a good view of all these shunting procedures. The derelict outbound platform of the former Dean Lane BR station is on the right, and through the underbridge, the Metrolink line redoubles towards Central Park and Manchester . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/101_4927.jpg

:banana:

I think the Oldham/Rochdale Line might just be my favourite of the new lines. SML is cool as it opened first, but it's a bit dull! ORL has varied scenery (urban/countryside), bridges, tunnels, street running, single line running, a bit of everything!

There are trees in Manchester??

More than in Leeds

I think the Oldham/Rochdale Line might just be my favourite of the new lines. SML is cool as it opened first, but it's a bit dull! ORL has varied scenery (urban/countryside), bridges, tunnels, street running, single line running, a bit of everything!

Oldham (and North/East Manchester) definitely has awesome scenery and terrain. I think South Manchester feels a bit flat and uninteresting by comparison.

It doesn't help that the SML is in a cutting the whole way!

My faves are EML and WAL (wythenshawe and airport line?) as they feel proper trammy :-D and don't already have routes in the form of old railways...

Questions arising from the JdR photographs.

JdR has captured the shunting sequence for the Freightliner vehicle at the waste depot. Prior to Metrolink, the loco would be pulling on to the main line, and travelling along it wrong road in the path of approaching Pacer multiple units, which are approximately tram-sized.

Why is it safe for NR to condone this, but Metrolink requires segregation?

I note the low track base on the Metrolink stup siding abutting the NR track, and the lack of buffers. What is the structure between the tracks?

At the beginning of the year, photos of the Smedley viaduct showed the newly-laid track being taken up on the viaduct away from the depot pointwork, and concrete sleepers being replaced with longer, wooden ones. What was the purpose of this?

Questions arising from the JdR photographs.

JdR has captured the shunting sequence for the Freightliner vehicle at the waste depot. Prior to Metrolink, the loco would be pulling on to the main line, and travelling along it wrong road in the path of approaching Pacer multiple units, which are approximately tram-sized.

Why is it safe for NR to condone this, but Metrolink requires segregation?

I note the low track base on the Metrolink stup siding abutting the NR track, and the lack of buffers. What is the structure between the tracks?

At the beginning of the year, photos of the Smedley viaduct showed the newly-laid track being taken up on the viaduct away from the depot pointwork, and concrete sleepers being replaced with longer, wooden ones. What was the purpose of this?

Metrolink does not require segregation - the NR signalling system can be arranged to fully protect every stop signal with TPWS, meaning that a lighter train cannot be hit by a heavy one. The issue is not crashworthiness (as you say, a 14x would not service an impact with a wet paper bag) but of compatibility between signalling systems, platform clearances, track geometry issues and driver training levels. See the Tram Train thread for more.

The replacement of new concrete with wood is possibly to allow the fitting of gaurd rails, or for noise reasons.

I don't know what the structure between the rails is.

Thank you for the comments JL. I now understand that the two networks are different from a systems viewpoint.

I am interested in the sleeper change on Smedley Viaduct as it affects the centremost track of three at that location.

Is track subsidence a possibility on such a well-trafficked and newly maintained structure?

I note the low track base on the Metrolink stup siding abutting the NR track, and the lack of buffers. What is the structure between the tracks?


If I understand which bit you mean, it is just the sleepers. They have the iron bar between them and hasn't been covered over by ballast on that dead-end track. You can see it more clearly in the first of Johnny's pics.

I do hope they change that fence between the NR and Metrolink tracks. It does look temporary I guess. I'm not sure what sort of fence would look good there though. Just as long as they don't put something hideous in it's place like a motorway crash barrier or something!

If I understand which bit you mean, it is just the sleepers. They have the iron bar between them and hasn't been covered over by ballast on that dead-end track. You can see it more clearly in the first of Johnny's pics.


Yes, I see what you mean - uncovered sleepers.

Kriis, I dont think there will be any fence here. Theres no reason for anybody to be on the lines here anyway! I believe its there to protect workers from straying on to still in use NR metals. Good shots tho JDR. Im sure that the current buffer will be removed so an emergency connection is made here between NR and Metrolink. I cant see any other reason for the additional expense of point work on the Metrolink side. Its not like its there for run aways because its on the wrong side!

FJS there was previously a cross over to gain access into the waste depot. As Joseph Locke said, it was all fully signalled using a cobination of gound position lights and conventional two aspect colour signals controlled from Manchester North Signalling centre.

Thank you. I did not know that there had previously been a crossover.

Kriis, I dont think there will be any fence here. Theres no reason for anybody to be on the lines here anyway! I believe its there to protect workers from straying on to still in use NR metals.
Yeah, I see how you mean. It would probably look better with no fence at all thinking of it!


Im sure that the current buffer will be removed so an emergency connection is made here between NR and Metrolink. I cant see any other reason for the additional expense of point work on the Metrolink side. Its not like its there for run aways because its on the wrong side!

I don't think they could connect it. Looking at JdR's third pic, its completely out of alignment for a track link. Looking at the OHLE they couldn't even reverse a tram into as there is no OH above the siding. No idea what it is there for.

Yeah, I see how you mean. It would probably look better with no fence at all thinking of it!

I don't think they could connect it. Looking at JdR's third pic, its completely out of alignment for a track link. Looking at the OHLE they couldn't even reverse a tram into as there is no OH above the siding. No idea what it is there for.

There will be a connection between the networks here via the stub shown. It is for the exchange of engineering trains and on track plant for maintenance purposes. Similar connections exist at Victoria and Altrincham and I think there will be one at Rochdale. I understand that the section with twin bloc sleepers is to be altered to have full concrete sleepers to meet Network Rail standards as it will be maintained by them.

As for a fence I doubt there is clearance for a permanent fence and although a fence would make the management of maintenance easier perhaps, there is no real need for one. The sections between Collyhurst and Victoria, and Deansgate Lane and Altrincham and also at Cornbrook don't have fences.

Nice pics here lads (shame about the freightliner shed:)),wonder if they`ll paint the OHL poles at eastlands sky blue if they are colour co-ordinating them and cant wait till the oldham mumps line is open.

The Headshunt for the Wast Disposal facility could be used as a run off for Locomotives with less or no Braking.

Engineering vehicles could be stabled on the Metrolink siding, or could it at some point be wired?

More than in Leeds
but neither come anywhere Milton Keynes. It even has a cathedral of trees.

Great pics as ever! I was up in Manchester last weekend, had a good tour of the system.

Couple of daft questions: is there a direct link to the Oldham line from Queens road depot - i.e. on the route that passes underneath the Bury line? Anybody got a track layout of that area?

Also, will the level crossings on the Oldham line have barriers? Tyne and Wear metro seems to do without them, but I note that there are barriers at Hinds lane on the Bury line.

Thanks all for keeping those of us distant from Manc updated!

Great pics as ever! I was up in Manchester last weekend, had a good tour of the system.

Couple of daft questions: is there a direct link to the Oldham line from Queens road depot - i.e. on the route that passes underneath the Bury line? Anybody got a track layout of that area?

Also, will the level crossings on the Oldham line have barriers? Tyne and Wear metro seems to do without them, but I note that there are barriers at Hinds lane on the Bury line.

Thanks all for keeping those of us distant from Manc updated!

Yes there is a direct connection from the Oldham Line into Queens Road from Smedley Junction. I have no plan but here is a rather large photo I took early this year.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/2011_01_18%20Oldham%20Rochdale%20Line/P1000754.jpg

There will be no barriers on Metrolink anywhere but navigation Road and Deansgate Lane on the Altrincham Line. Hagside (Hinds Lane) will become traffic light controlled I understand.

Johnny, excellent pictures, as always, and proof positive of progress. I'll come and take a butchers once it's open to Mumps, I think.

Yes there is a direct connection from the Oldham Line into Queens Road from Smedley Junction. I have no plan but here is a rather large photo I took early this year.

There will be no barriers on Metrolink anywhere but navigation Road and Deansgate Lane on the Altrincham Line. Hagside (Hinds Lane) will become traffic light controlled I understand.

Thanks for the photo Freel! Seems common sense to me that a tramway doesn't need crossing barriers - but I've seen them on American light rail systems. But there we go - common sense is far from common!

The poles will be dark blue once you cross the border into Ashton itself, and would be light blue if the line eventually makes its way to Stalybridge :)

Well, blow me down with a bubble-gum burster! When I first read this, I thought, is this guy putting me on? But no - I mean yes, now I have looked with my eyes open, where I always thought that claret was the house colour of Tameside as a whole, I now see that each sub-district has its own branding, almost with reference to earlier transport liveries, and in my imagination even to the old Nationalised railway regions!!

For example: As you say Chog, the lamps, speed cameras and street furniture in Ashton all abound in indigo blue - just like the old Corporation trams, trollies and buses, (and also the old Eastern Region of BR); Droylsden and Dukinfield are clad all over in claret (maroon?), not unlike Mayne's buses and the London Midland? - Stalybridge is indeed regaled in Airforce blue, (redolent of Man City dpj) and the former Scottish region; and Hyde's highways are all garlanded in green, reminiscent of the SHMD's long-lost Linnet trams & buses, not to mention the Southern Railway!!

Actually, I should have known this, as in the past I have snapped every one of the big silver 'Gateway' flags that announce the various borders of Tameside, and looking at 'em again, I see that their poles are also in the relevant district colours! You learn a little every day :lol:

Anyway, back to thread - just wondering how many interconnectors there are/will be with BR - as you say Freel, Victoria, Alti, and now Rochdale & Newton Heath, also the ELR connection at Buckley Wells?

I also agree, dpj that it will be a very close run thing between the openings of Velopark & Central Park - and Droylsden & Rochdale RS also both now have identical projected dates - no doubt someone will open a book!!

:banana:

Hi

Good picture of line between Falisworth and Dean Lane Johnny :cheers:. So the haven't got wires up from Dean Lane to near Central Park and they haven't get wires up near Freehold to Mumps, it does look like it might be February by the time first tram go up to Mumps :lol:. Freel07 are u work man like MPT as the no way that they would let u on track. :banana:

As you say Chog, the lamps, speed cameras and street furniture in Ashton all abound in indigo blue - just like the old Corporation trams, trollies and buses, (and also the old Eastern Region of BR); Droylsden and Dukinfield are clad all over in claret (maroon?), not unlike Mayne's buses and the London Midland? - Stalybridge is indeed regaled in Airforce blue, (redolent of Man City dpj) and the former Scottish region; and Hyde's highways are all garlanded in green, reminiscent of the SHMD's long-lost Linnet trams & buses, not even mentioning the Southern Railway!!

Actually, I should have known this, as in the past I have snapped every one of the big silver 'Gateway' flags that announce the various borders of Tameside, and looking at 'em again, I see that their poles are also in the relevant district colours! You learn a little every day :lol:

Longdendale and Hattersley also had its own (darker) 'blue', distinct from the Stalybridge version. I once worked for Tameside MBC, and they were unashamed in the amount of money lavished on paint, new vehicles, etc.

It is all above civic pride, innit? Puts Manchester, and their Olympic Ring lamp-posts on Ashton New Road to shame.

In Wigan they had Black bins and black lamposts, then they changed it to Red bins and silver lamposts, now its back to black bins and black lamposts again.

Hi

Freel07 are u work man like MPT as the no way that they would let u on track. :banana:

No rob I don't work for MPT but very occasionally my work does involve site visits and the opportunity to get some 'different' photos.

Here's the actual colour schemes as mentioned on Tameside MBC's website: :)

6.11 Colour in our Towns

The Problem:

The furnishings of our town centres have no continuity in the colours used within the townscape.

The Action:

Good practice will be promoted by using sympathetic colour schemes outside those areas, which have identified colour schemes, such as the use of green in the more rural settings.
In Conservation Areas a colour scheme will be promoted that is indicative of the character of the particular area.

In new 'feature areas' colour schemes will be an integral part of the design process.

Where new street furniture is installed, a check should be carried out to ensure that there is no chipped paintwork.

For the avoidance of doubt the following applies:

Ashton: Dark Blue(20 C 40)/Silver

Portland Basin: Dark Blue(20 C 40)/Dark Red(04 D 45)

Hyde: Green(14 C 39)/Gold

Mossley: Green(14 C 40)/Antique Gold

Stalybridge: Blue(18 C 39)/Grey(00 A 05)

Droylsden: Cherry/Claret/Gold

Mottram: Sherwood Green(12 D 45)/Gold

Denton: Dark Blue(20 C 40)/PaleGrey(22 B 17)

Dukinfield: Burgundy(O4 D 45)/Antique Gold


http://www.tameside.gov.uk/streetscene

Explains why you have green speed cameras on Mottram Moor, Hattersley and Gee Cross.

I personally see this is as stark evidence that Tameside (through unfair loading of council grant awards from central government because of certain demographics) has money to burn (and waste) as compared to Stockport - I'd love to see a thread about the calculations used in council grant awards across the 10 boroughs elsewhere...

Why is it a waste? The stuff still has to painted regardless of where it is so what difference does it make? Maybe slightly cheaper buying all the same colour in bulk but I doubt if there's much difference, if any.

Yes, I wouldn't think there's a resource issue about any of this - each district is surely large enough to attract the maximum discount available for bulk buying of paint etc?

Personally I find this design concept quite delightful - let's not stifle imagination and style, Disco, with dull financial statistics and inter-municipal squabbles - this is why Bristol and Edinburgh* (and possibly Liverpool) haven't got tramways, and why the Nottingham extensions nearly slipped between the two opposing stools of the City and County . . .

(* As I very type this, it's just on TV news that Edinburgh can't have the money unless it goes through to the city centre - hopefully common sense will prevail.)

In the case of Tameside's colour schemes, perhaps the new OHLE poles, being substantial and numerous, have had the effect of putting this particular element of civic pride a little more 'in your face' than previously. A hallmark of design classics in this area is when they create a background style or ambience, which gives the location an individuality without being too intrusive. I can only say that the efforts of Tameside in this regard, certainly seem to have had an unconscious effect upon my choice of avatar on SSC a couple of years ago!!!

As my late mother always said "If you got it, flaunt it!!" :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/100_6084.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/100_6085.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/100_6089.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/100_6237.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/McrHydeRoad.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/100_6696.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Stockport.jpg

:banana:

Thanks for the photo Freel! Seems common sense to me that a tramway doesn't need crossing barriers - but I've seen them on American light rail systems. But there we go - common sense is far from common!


yeah but they're not too hot on their barriers at the best of times - see this

http://www.lasr.net/travel/videos.php?New+Signals+for+the+Hobo+Railroad+in+Lincoln%2C+NH&VideoID=169683

I sat and watched a train come across this crossing in Lincoln, New Hampshire a few years ago and was absolutely shocked at the lack of segregation - at the start of the clip you can see some people playing crazy golf - literally that little course butts up to the track save for a tiny low wooden picket fence...

But hows THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn47JnrS2QQ&feature=related
for rails on a street!
Wait for 2 mins 28 seconds.... ;-)

Hi

Quick update on Metrolink in Freehold area, the Overhead wires have been put in Today and it look like they going put more in Tomorrow. :banana:

Hi

Quick update on Metrolink in Freehold area, the Overhead wires have been put in Today and it look like they going put more in Tomorrow. :banana:

OLHE is up at the south side of Fetherstall road. I'll grab a pic tomorrow

:dance2:

OLHE is up at the south side of Fetherstall road. I'll grab a pic tomorrow

:dance2:

Hi

CPL are the wires up at Featherstall road or have they no get as far as the.

But hows THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn47JnrS2QQ&feature=related
for rails on a street!
Wait for 2 mins 28 seconds.... ;-)

Blimey, and I thought the pedestrians in Piccadilly Gardens were suicidal!

Blimey, and I thought the pedestrians in Piccadilly Gardens were suicidal!

Telephoto lens foreshorten distances. The car was probably well clear of the train.

Where is that..??

Camera is here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Augusta,+Georgia&ll=33.475704,-81.960502&spn=0.001081,0.002411&client=ubuntu&channel=fs&oe=utf-8&t=h&z=19&vpsrc=6

Looking south.

Amazing looking place is that! You can see a train on that google maps view, imagine having to wait for that to pass to cross the street, you'd be there about half an hour!

Health and Safety wouldn't allow anything like that here with Heavy Rail at all.

Health and Safety wouldn't allow anything like that here with Heavy Rail at all.

What about Trafford Park? Isn't that sorta the same but less busy roads (not sure if they still run trains on it any more)? Also there is a harbour/quay on the south coast there this can happen tho it's not as common as it used to be.

You have to remember stuff like this is historical and wouldn't be allowed as new either side of the pond.

What about Trafford Park? Isn't that sorta the same but less busy roads (not sure if they still run trains on it any more)? Also there is a harbour/quay on the south coast there this can happen tho it's not as common as it used to be.

You have to remember stuff like this is historical and wouldn't be allowed as new either side of the pond.

Yeah not as if the freightliner from Trafford Park is going to go down Deansgate and into Victoria!!:lol:

What about Trafford Park?.... (not sure if they still run trains on it any more)
The rail network closed in 1998, according to.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafford_Park

What about Trafford Park? Isn't that sorta the same but less busy roads (not sure if they still run trains on it any more)? Also there is a harbour/quay on the south coast there this can happen tho it's not as common as it used to be.

You have to remember stuff like this is historical and wouldn't be allowed as new either side of the pond.

ye, but over here all the traffic would be stopped at signals and not allowed to continue until it had safely passed

Also there is a harbour/quay on the south coast there this can happen tho it's not as common as it used to be.

The Weymouth harbour tramway, out of use but not decommisioned as far as I know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weymouth_Harbour_Tramway

Hi

CPL are the wires up at Featherstall road or have they no get as far as the.

Wires are up-to the bridge over Featerstall road. Beyond (looking north) there seems to be much working of men in orange but no OHLE...

The rail network closed in 1998, according to.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafford_Park

There's not that much left of the rail network in Trafford Park but it's definitely still in use :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y00fumQz6tc&feature=related

Yeah not as if the freightliner from Trafford Park is going to go down Deansgate and into Victoria!!:lol:

With the problems with trams on Mosley Street I would fear that road would be closed daily if they did!


The rail network closed in 1998, according to.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafford_Park

To be fair last time I was properly in Trafford Park would have been mid 90's



ye, but over here all the traffic would be stopped at signals and not allowed to continue until it had safely passed

And the train wouldn't have been allowed to start until it's entire path was cleared!



The Weymouth harbour tramway, out of use but not decommisioned as far as I know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weymouth_Harbour_Tramway

Thanks, knew it was somewhere!



There's not that much left of the rail network in Trafford Park but it's definitely still in use :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y00fumQz6tc&feature=related

Question why we are on the subject, would the Trafford Park section of the future Port Salford line be busy or would it more be a Trafford Center onwards busy line?

There's not that much left of the rail network in Trafford Park but it's definitely still in use :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y00fumQz6tc&feature=related
Ah well, that's Wikipedia for you...... :bash:

Wires are up-to the bridge over Featerstall road. Beyond (looking north) there seems to be much working of men in orange but no OHLE...

Hi

Thanks for info Cpl so are the wires go past Werneth and throught Tunnel Cpl or is it just to Featerstall Road bridge, I should really take some pics of wires at Freehold and Werneth. :banana:

There's not that much left of the rail network in Trafford Park but it's definitely still in use :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y00fumQz6tc&feature=related

As far as i am aware that is the only section which is still in use. All the rest of it is closed.

Hi

Thanks for info Cpl so are the wires go past Werneth and throught Tunnel Cpl or is it just to Featerstall Road bridge, I should really take some pics of wires at Freehold and Werneth. :banana:

Wires stop at Fetherstall rd bridge.

Just been by QR depot, doesn't look like they are expecting a tram delivery today. The delivery track has cars and vans parked down it still.
there is one due this weekend:banana:

there is one due this weekend:banana:

Yeah it's a shame I'm working a full day split shift :/

Hi

I took some pics today and here they are.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6103781677_539b9bd488_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103781677/)
Overhead wires near Freehold (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103781677/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6104326276_e8cf90311d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6104326276/)
Overhead wires at Jammy Lane Bridge 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6104326276/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6103781163_28998618a0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103781163/)
Overhead wires at Jammy Lane Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103781163/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6103781077_796c553a9b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103781077/)
Wires at Werneth 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103781077/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6103780959_98aa2aef1f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103780959/)
Wires at Werneth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103780959/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6103780433_369176e3c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103780433/)
Track down near Werneth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103780433/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6104325102_bec602411e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6104325102/)
Oldham line going to Manchester (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6104325102/) :banana:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/

Great photos, ro2, this one's a classic :-

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6103781077_796c553a9b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103781077/)
Wires at Werneth 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6103781077/)

I wonder why the rails go on to a concrete base at that point? Possibly for the tight turn coming up for Westwood, on the future town centre section ?

People have also suggested that the above location, West of the bridge would be a good spot for a replacement Werneth station, should it become viable in terms of passenger numbers.

Cheers, matey!

Following the announcement of a new strategic partnership agreement between Manchester City Football Club and Etihad Airways, it is proposed that the new Metrolink stop be renamed as Etihad Campus. The Executive of Manchester City Council endorsed the new name on 13 July 2011 and the change is to be progressed at no cost to TfGM.

Queens Road will cost £3.5m, half from MCC and the balance £1.75m from borrowing. No updates on closing dates for Woodland/Mosley though still implied Woodland will close when Queens Road opens.

Stakeholder meetings with the three companies invited to bid for the contract to roll out smart ticketing at Metrolink stops is due to be completed in September, it started 1st June.

The first detailed plans for the Wythenshawe Interchange were presented to the councils Wythenshawe Area Consultative Committee in August. Planning application will be submitted in Winter.

Their still analysing the data from 1018 on the cheapest way to proceed with the tram refurbishment.

A few other Capital updates, nothing new or interesting really.

http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/download/4131/item_5-capital_programme_monitoring

One more thing I think should be highlighted from that document...
The GMITA Capital Projects Committee confirmed at its meeting on 18 September 2009 that Cross Street should be the alignment for the Second City Crossing and subsequent work undertaken jointly with MCC revised the southern end of the alignment to run through St Peters Square, and down Princess Street, avoiding Mount Street and Albert Square. These proposals will integrate with the MCC proposals for St Peters Square, and were confirmed by the MCC Executive on 16 March 2011 and by the GMITA Policy and Resources Committee on 18 March 2011.

So Cross St is fixed... and those people demanding the Deansgate option are going to miss out

Queens Road will cost £3.5m, half from MCC and the balance £1.75m from borrowing. No updates on closing dates for Woodland/Mosley though still implied Woodland will close when Queens Road opens.

Stakeholder meetings with the three companies invited to bid for the contract to roll out smart ticketing at Metrolink stops is due to be completed in September, it started 1st June.

The first detailed plans for the Wythenshawe Interchange were presented to the councils Wythenshawe Area Consultative Committee in August. Planning application will be submitted in Winter.

Their still analysing the data from 1018 on the cheapest way to proceed with the tram refurbishment.

A few other Capital updates, nothing new or interesting really.

http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/download/4131/item_5-capital_programme_monitoring

They have said with Mosley Street the the PID's would be operational first which mean when TMS is rolled out though the city center then it's more likely to close.

They have said with Mosley Street the the PID's would be operational first which mean when TMS is rolled out though the city center then it's more likely to close.

But have the closures been authorised by DfT yet?

But have the closures been authorised by DfT yet?

From something I saw somewhere, yes, on the condition the the 'Next Altrincham Dep' indicator was running, which needs TMS to work.

Not spent much time in this thread recently so sorry if already posted.

The utilities are being shifted on Sale Rd, Northern Moor at the moment meaning it is down to 1 lane near Kerscott Ln.

West Didsbury homeowners up in arms over Metrolink noise

Dean Kirby

September 05, 2011

Homeowners campaigning for a fence to be built to act as a sound-barrier when trams start running past their street say they are being ignored.

Residents in Leopold Avenue, West Didsbury, say they need the fence to be built before the trams start running.

The south Manchester line is being extended past their homes to East Didsbury.

They are concerned about the potential noise from the line and a stop being built at nearby Burton Road. They also want an alley at the back of their homes gated up to stop people cutting through to the tram stop.

Helen Beesley, 34, who has lived on Leopold Avenue for five years, said: “We feel that we’re being ignored. All we want is a fence that will minimise the infringement on our lives and leave us in the best possible scenario once the line opens.”

Kandise Sweeney, 33, another resident of Leopold Avenue, is campaigning for a gate.

She said: “There are real concerns about safety with people walking down the back alley at night.”

Residents have until Wednesday to object to the proposals. Planning chiefs are considering detailed plans for the Burton Road stop.

Metrolink is undergoing a multi-million pound expansion that will see the network treble in size.

The new South Manchester line was opened to Chorlton and St Werburgh’s Road earlier this year. The extension to East Didsbury is set to open in 2013.

Manchester Withington MP John Leech urged transport chiefs not to ‘ride roughshod’ over people’s views.

He said conditions should be imposed on the plans to ensure the wooden fence and gate are erected.

He said: “I support the Metrolink very strongly, but we’ve got to realise there’s an impact and we should be doing everything we can to mitigate the problems. It seems that having made a decision they want to ride roughshod over local people’s opinions about what needs to be done.”

Transport chiefs say a chain-link fence will be erected and not a wooden fence. A Transport for Greater Manchester spokeswoman said: “Noise assessments have been carried out and the conclusion is that noise-reducing timber fencing is not necessary. The alleyway at the end of Leopold Avenue is a public right of way and we do not have the power to close it.”

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1457925_west-didsbury-homeowners-up-in-arms-over-metrolink-noise

If its too much of a problem for them I'll gladly swap, my house is no-where near a 'noisy' Met line :lol:

I grew up next to a railway line that had 'nuclear materials' chugging along it at silly o'clock in the morning, did me no harm :crazy2:

Queens Road will cost £3.5m, half from MCC and the balance £1.75m from borrowing. No updates on closing dates for Woodland/Mosley though still implied Woodland will close when Queens Road opens.

The first detailed plans for the Wythenshawe Interchange were presented to the councils Wythenshawe Area Consultative Committee in August. Planning application will be submitted in Winter.

http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/download/4131/item_5-capital_programme_monitoring

Thanks for continuing to post the links to these reports, Watcher - I would love to see those plans for the Wythenshawe Interchange.

It looks like Woodlands Road may be open for quite a while. Perhaps the people in the Southern part of that area have insisted on the prior opening of Queen's Road as originally projected - although WR itself is pretty useless now as only a 'parliamentary' station.

I couldn't help noting: ". . . significant work is still required before the new Tram Management System can be implemented and before testing and commissioning work and driver training can be undertaken." Hope that's not too ominous?:ohno:

In Oldham, the Co-op Funeral parlour (no great loss architecturally!) I think would have remained in situ when it was going to be a tunnel. Otherwise I guess they would have demolished and rebuilt it elsewhere at the same time as the Baptist Chapel a few years ago. I wonder where the new one will be on Manchester Street? - anyway, wherever, it is bound to be a better looking building.

Etihad Campus is yet another terrible name for a tramstop! I guess money talks, and people will get used to where it is, when football commentators start using it more. But in the meantime, absolutely everything useful to the passenger has been removed from the name, be it football, the other sport centres on site, any mention of Man City, the stadium itself, or the stop's geographical location etc. etc., and all we are left with is an Airline advert and a vague reference to something normally connected to a university! Surely they will have to put a strapline on the name board, e.g. "alight here for Manchester City Football Club" or similar?

Manchester United, on the other hand will have their own named stop on the Port Salford line as currently projected (unless perhaps that will also change to 'Glazers' Campus'?).

I would also love to see a render of the "visual appearance of the Mersey valley and M60 structures agreed with the Local Authorities" - along with someone else on here - I think martin.

Thanks also Watcher for the report you recently posted on the non-Metrolink thread, which does however contain a section (6) on Metrolink. One slightly ominous note in that one was the mention of 'Droylsden' and 'Autumn 2012' in the same sentence - hope that's not the early planting of an associative seed!!

Anyway, here's a couple of shots of the slow but steady progress in our little town centre :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5090.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5091.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5092.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5002.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5000.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5050.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_5093.jpg

And overhead line poles near Cemetery Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_5046.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_5047.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_5097.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_5098.jpg

:banana:

edit

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1457925_west-didsbury-homeowners-up-in-arms-over-metrolink-noise

Why dont they try living near the busy WCML line like i do, when they have the freight and sleeper trains thru the night.

I doubt they will be complaining about the value of their houses increasing!

Just a few photos of work at MAN:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sXRL5ULFw-o/TmVC7a33urI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/bL4HiKXJ6oQ/s800/P1000382.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YWqbSjsMvXE/TmVC9vm5JxI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/r-xp6wCvtbw/s800/P1000383.JPG

Thanks Bertyboy and JDR. Must be the quietest weekend on the Metrolink thread for a long time. I noticed driving home tonight that rails have now appeared between North drive and Lumb Lane before the Audenshaw Road junctions. Still there is a long gap with no work what so ever after Droylsden Station.

At Ashton Moss the cross over taking the lines into the central reservation is fully concreted in.

Also on Lord Sheldon Way at the KFC roundabout work has now switched to the outside lanes with cars now driving over the completed rails on the inside lane.

As you can see on JDR's photos once that section through Villemomble Square is completed that will mean (as far as I am aware) that the Ashton bound line will be complete all the way from Piccadilly to Droylsden. Quite an achievement!

There is just a gap to also fill on the Manchester bound side opposite Tesco and towards the traffic lights. Also there is a section at Velodrome that goes over the canal by Asda yet to be laid that connects the completed track over the Asda delivery road.

Yes! This seems to be a lot easier! I wish you success http://x.vu/225963

Hi

I took some pics at Eastlands Asda today and here they are.

url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6120469197/]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6120469197_1ea1b1d7ae_z.jpg[/url]
Metrolink line heading to Ashton (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6120469197/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6121011406_cd94c8f97a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6121011406/)
Metrolink line heading to Manchester (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6121011406/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6120470617_0dc564081a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6120470617/)
New Metrolink Line near Eastlands Asda 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6120470617/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6120470313_22da4ffa2d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6120470313/)
New Metrolink line near Eastlands Asda (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6120470313/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/

Also I don't know if any u guys know this but at Velopark stop the have that live departures on and it said welcome to Velopark Metrolink stop. :banana:

Was the station signage up yet Andrew?

Was the station signage up yet Andrew?

Hi

From what I could see Martin the sign wasn't up then.

Just a few photos of work at MAN:



I presume you mean MIA, MAN is Manchester Piccadilly, unless you mean Airport TLA. (but isn't that EGCC anyway) but your photo shows the station, (MIA)

Just shows the pitfalls with acronyms, (not sure what the metrolink acronym is for the airport stop but piccadilly is PICC)

I presume you mean MIA, MAN is Manchester Piccadilly, unless you mean Airport TLA. (but isn't that EGCC anyway) but your photo shows the station, (MIA)

Just shows the pitfalls with acronyms, (not sure what the metrolink acronym is for the airport stop but piccadilly is PICC)

But MAN is the internationally known TLA for Manchester Airport (as LHR is for Heathrow)

But MAN is the internationally known TLA for Manchester Airport (as LHR is for Heathrow)

Manchester International Airport (formerly Manchester Ringway Airport)
International Air Transport Association (IATA) designation: MAN
International Civil Aviaiton Organisation (ICAO) designation: EGCC

Normally, the ICAO designation is used as it also includes the country code, whereas the IATA does not.

I know that the airport beacon used to flash M A N in morse-code - not sure if it still does this. Anyone know?

I think it should be MIA like National Rail have it. It's an abbreviation already used and known.

So what are they doing behind the screen's at the airport site?
I see that everyday but just can't work out what they are doing!

I think it should be MIA like National Rail have it. It's an abbreviation already used and known.

Airport Codes have been around far longer than codes for train stations.

MAN is the internationally recognised code for Manchester airport. MIA can't be used as it is the code for Miami International Airport.

I presume you mean MIA, MAN is Manchester Piccadilly, unless you mean Airport TLA. (but isn't that EGCC anyway) but your photo shows the station, (MIA)

Just shows the pitfalls with acronyms, (not sure what the metrolink acronym is for the airport stop but piccadilly is PICC)

Sorry, I don't know much about rail station codes, just the IATA airport ones. Anyway, it should have been obvious where the photos were taken!

So what are they doing behind the screen's at the airport site?
I see that everyday but just can't work out what they are doing!

I guess they are moving services on Outwood lane so that they can dig down to create the underpass.

I think it should be MIA like National Rail have it. It's an abbreviation already used and known.
except that:

A) Manchester Airport does not include the word International in its name anymore - it doesn't need to - the period that it did was when it was trying make a name for itself as an International Gateway - other airports do the same.

B) MIA is a UK centric view and MAN is the global view (and only flight geeks know about EGCC)

except that:

A) Manchester Airport does not include the word International in its name anymore - it doesn't need to - the period that it did was when it was trying make a name for itself as an International Gateway - other airports do the same.

B) MIA is a UK centric view and MAN is the global view (and only flight geeks know about EGCC)

CRS codes I use at work are MIA for t'airport and MAN for Piccadilly. Victoria is MCV and one is being introduced in October for Media City. Think it's MCT.

10 points for any who know which station relates to ALE? =)

A) Manchester Airport does not include the word International in its name anymore - it doesn't need to - the period that it did was when it was trying make a name for itself as an International Gateway - other airports do the same.

Take Exeter International as a prime example. It is a TINY airport, in fact, it only has a couple of boarding gates. Yet it decides to give itself the title of an 'international' airport to reel in a few more customers.

Yes, it is technically an international airport, but many of its destinations are only flown to once a week.

Manchester doesn't need to use that word any more. It's very well known as one of the country's largest airports serving the majority of the world.

10 points for any who know which station relates to ALE? =)

Would this be the former Allerton station in Merseyside? :)

My view on this is

Initials for airports are ok, because they are essentially understood by many travelers. They exist on your ticket, on the departure/arrivals boards and on your baggage.

Whilst for rail stations, I have never known anyone refer to MCV for Victoria or any initials for a station in the wider public.

Back to the thread and metrolink.

CRS codes I use at work are MIA for t'airport and MAN for Piccadilly. Victoria is MCV and one is being introduced in October for Media City. Think it's MCT.
MediaCity? That doesn't even have a rail station (unless Metrolink uses CRS codes as well?)



10 points for any who know which station relates to ALE? =)

Ashton-under-Lyne?

My view on this is

Initials for airports are ok, because they are essentially understood by many travelers. They exist on your ticket, on the departure/arrivals boards and on your baggage.

Whilst for rail stations, I have never known anyone refer to MVR for Victoria in the wider public.

Back to the thread and metrolink.

MCV!! :bash:

:)

Whilst for rail stations, I have never known anyone refer to MVR for Victoria in the wider public.

I usually type 'MCV' in when booking tickets/checking train times online, but you wouldn't use the term at a ticket office. They'd think you were bonkers asking for a ticket to "MCV"!

Ale. Surely the stalybridge buffet bar?

Berty mistype. This I pad does that often, your name comes up as berry. Sinn Fein is sinn Feinstein, aer lingus converts into a technical term for pleasuring your woman and so on.

Ashton-under-Lyne?

I think that's AHN.

Take Exeter International as a prime example. It is a TINY airport, in fact, it only has a couple of boarding gates. Yet it decides to give itself the title of an 'international' airport to reel in a few more customers.

Yes, it is technically an international airport, but many of its destinations are only flown to once a week.

Manchester doesn't need to use that word any more. It's very well known as one of the country's largest airports serving the majority of the world.

Would this be the former Allerton station in Merseyside? :)

Well done. Liverpool South Parkway these days!

And Media City has gained a CRS to appear in trust for any journey enquiries. Allows is big railway folk to sort through tickets so I'm told. Will check again tomorrow at work.

Knowing the three letter acroymn makes ticket purchasing a little easier.

Slightly quicker to type MAN and EUS on the Virgin web site than the whole shooting match.

And for those of us who use the national rail site on our phones (wap.nationalrail.co.uk for a basic phone pda.nationalrail.co.uk for a smartphone) knowing the TLA for where you are going is a blessing,
I regularly go to LBO having to type that in full on a multi touch keypad is a nightmare, bad enough on my smartphone keypad

Well done. Liverpool South Parkway these days! The National Rail journey planner uses LPY now (see link below). ALE is not a valid code there.

Whilst for rail stations, I have never known anyone refer to MCV for Victoria or any initials for a station in the wider public.

You can use the codes in the URL as a quick link to journey times, e.g.:
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/MCV/LPY/today/1730/dep

Trying to wrestle this tangent back on topic, whatever we use here should be consistent. My inclination is to go with rail TLAs not airport ones as you can buy through train tickets to some destinations - Manchester may have an airport but as far as I know Altrincham doesn't!

Can't we just use full names? Some people get easily bamboozled by too many abbreviations! :(

MediaCity? That doesn't even have a rail station (unless Metrolink uses CRS codes as well?)



Ashton-under-Lyne?

I am going to allocate MediCityUK as MCY :cheers::cheers:

MAN is Manchester Airport.

The National Rail journey planner uses LPY now (see link below). ALE is not a valid code there.

You can use the codes in the URL as a quick link to journey times, e.g.:
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/MCV/LPY/today/1730/dep

Trying to wrestle this tangent back on topic, whatever we use here should be consistent. My inclination is to go with rail TLAs not airport ones as you can buy through train tickets to some destinations - Manchester may have an airport but as far as I know Altrincham doesn't!

Im using the CRS codes for use within Trust. A bit dated sometimes. Anyway, trams!!!

Shouldn't Manchester International Airport be MANIA? :lol:

Portsmouth and Southsea (the main City Centre Station here) is PMS :\ You have to be nice to it...

My lot produce maps with the three digit codes for stations on them as now the move is towards using these codes on passenger information apps and websites. Whether or not they save time is another thing.

Could be interesting if they decide to add Metrolink into it. Some Underground stations are already in with the prefix of z**.

Portsmouth and Southsea (the main City Centre Station here) is PMS :\ You have to be nice to it...

Libya felt your PMS.

Well while we're waiting for the TMS to provide something new to get excited about, here's a few shots of the continuing construction around the Snipe and Audenshaw :-

A view from bygone days :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/oldpix_0002.jpg

Now looking back West from the Moss :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5024.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5021.jpg

The Snipe comes into view on the left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5026.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5017.jpg

Looking back East :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5030.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5036.jpg

In the early years after the 'Big Bang' announcement, I once got my car stuck down here trying to suss out the projected alignments, which were quite vague on the rudimentary maps in those days. Someone didn't believe anyone would want to drive down there, and came running out! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/oldpix_0005.jpg

(I also had an interesting experience down New Viaduct Street, a dead end in those days, but that's another story!). Anyway, by the Travelodge I discovered a little rivulet or drain, which would have to be bridged :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/oldpix_0003.jpg

Now it has been culverted :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5038.jpg

The route continues West behind the Snipe :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5013.jpg

Looking back again from Gainsboro Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5009.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_4548.jpg

The Snipe Inn has long been a focal point for public transport services over the years. It now stands a bit isolated, but still has karaoke! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5044.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5086.jpg

Our destination for now, Audenshaw tramstop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5087.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5088.jpg

:banana:

Nice shots JDR =)

Nice shots JDR =)

JDR? Which station / airport is that???

:banana:

JDR? Which station / airport is that???

:banana:

For sheer curiosity I'm going to check tomorrow =P

Hi

Good pictures of Ashton line johnny :cheers:, I notice today that Freehold stop have know got a live departures board up know on stop. :banana:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/

Thanks for the updates :).

Hopefully I will be able top post some pictures of the progress on the Airport and Didsbury lines soon.

Ashton line is looking good, nice pics.:banana::cheers:

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5088.jpg


Interesting. Thanks Johnny

Just thinking about the Audenshaw stop sat in that traffic island. Back in the day of course we had houses built up against all three sides of the triangle

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/2659/auden.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/auden.jpg/)

But the plans show only a small slither of the available land will be required by Metrolink (although the land is currently in use for storage purposes during construction):

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7615/auden2.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/auden2.png/)

Suppose a few things swimming about in my head. I assume these houses were CPO'ed. Why?

As a tax payer why spend all that money buying about 10 houses which are not strictly required to progress the project.

If I were a householder I can't imagine I'd be best pleased about my family home being bulldozed in order to become a temporary parking spot for a JCB.

The other point is about the long term future for the site. Left to lie fallow, landscaped, park & ride, glorified bus stop/tram interchange, Tesco Express, residential?

JDR? Which station / airport is that???

:banana:

São João del Rei, Brazil

http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk/airport-information.php?c=Brazil

São João del Rei, Brazil

http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk/airport-information.php?c=Brazil

Thank you. :hammer:

Any word on how TMS is coming along?

I see all the lights and signals along the line from TB to DC seem to be ready for switch over.

Isn't SML into OT depot the first 'new' TMS junction that we are waiting for? As far as I can tell still not live, however, I'd imagine that this would be resolved without the need for any weekend closures???

Off out of the country soon for a week or so, hopefully on my return we'll be able to see some progress with this as the deadline of 31st Dec to get TMS to the Oldham / Rochdale line / Bury line junction is very fast approaching now.

Slightly off topic but the new Blackpool Supertrams have just been unveiled and they look superb...its all on the blackpool tram thread....:banana::banana::banana:

Slightly off topic but the new Blackpool Supertrams have just been unveiled and they look superb...its all on the blackpool tram thread....:banana::banana::banana:

Now they are n i c e trams!!!! I'm well jel, as they say.

As for our own system.... Kurt's right it has all fallen a little quiet on the TMS front. I guess maybe somewhere behind the scenes people are working on it, at least I hope they are!

Now they are n i c e trams!!!! I'm well jel, as they say.

As for our own system.... Kurt's right it has all fallen a little quiet on the TMS front. I guess maybe somewhere behind the scenes people are working on it, at least I hope they are!

I think it will stay like that for awhile. After all it's should be all checking and rechecking now with possibly some actually testing done towards the end of next month at the very earliest.

Taken last Friday. (should have posted them sooner)

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1785/jrb056.jpg

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/9600/jrb057.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8649/jrb058.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8006/jrb059.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7568/jrb060.jpg

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/5320/jrb061.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3985/jrb062.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2633/jrb063.jpg

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6076/jrb064.jpg

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7762/jrb065.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9159/jrb066.jpg

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/3235/jrb067.jpg

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7476/jrb068.jpg

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/9756/jrb069.jpg

I just came past the portal of Victoria station (from the City Centre) and there were some red flashing lights on the tracks... Think they must have been doing some work in the station. I would have walked in and had a look but there were several drunken weird people around and didn't fancy going past them.
I wonder id Tony_H1 was around??

Taken last Friday. (should have posted them sooner)



Nice set of pics jrb. The stop is coming on well.

Any word on how TMS is coming along?

I see all the lights and signals along the line from TB to DC seem to be ready for switch over.

Isn't SML into OT depot the first 'new' TMS junction that we are waiting for? As far as I can tell still not live, however, I'd imagine that this would be resolved without the need for any weekend closures???

Off out of the country soon for a week or so, hopefully on my return we'll be able to see some progress with this as the deadline of 31st Dec to get TMS to the Oldham / Rochdale line / Bury line junction is very fast approaching now.

From what I hear there is testing going on on SML at night at the moment. I can't think what other than the depot junction would need testing so I guess that may be what they are doing.

Thanks as always Freel.

I just came past the portal of Victoria station (from the City Centre) and there were some red flashing lights on the tracks... Think they must have been doing some work in the station. I would have walked in and had a look but there were several drunken weird people around and didn't fancy going past them.
I wonder id Tony_H1 was around??

Are you implying Tony_H1 is a drunken weird person? :cheers:
I'm pretty sure he probably isn't!

From what I hear there is testing going on on SML at night at the moment. I can't think what other than the depot junction would need testing so I guess that may be what they are doing.

3040 might be clocking it's miles up?

lol. Thanks for that Zapaman. Im not back working on nights at Vic for a couple of months now thank god. I can only think that the block was in relation to the future TMS works. They already had some of the plaform dug up a couple of weeks back.

lol. Thanks for that Zapaman. Im not back working on nights at Vic for a couple of months now thank god. I can only think that the block was in relation to the future TMS works. They already had some of the plaform dug up a couple of weeks back.

Ah right. I wish I had gone in and had a look now :/

Hi

Found this on tfgm website taking about Oldham town centre (King street)

Metrolink works on King Street, Oldham

Work to divert over 200 utility pipes and cables away from the routes of Metrolink lines through Oldham town centre and at Oldham Mumps is continuing, with the next major phase of work concentrated in King Street.

As part of work to divert utilities away from the alignment of the town centre line, King Street will be closed from Union Street to Barn Street from Monday 12 September, for approximately six weeks.

During this time Metrolink contractors will work to divert telecommunications, gas and electricity cables as well as water mains pipes away from the new tram line.

Pedestrian routes will remain open and traffic diversion routes will be clearly signposted.

From 12 September, Union Street West will also be closed for approximately three weeks to construct a new United Utilities wastewater manhole, as part of Metrolink work.

Philip Purdy, Transport for Greater Manchester's Metrolink Director, said: "We are currently diverting utilities away from the new lines to ensure that, once Metrolink is up and running, we will not have to suspend services while maintenance or repair work is carried out to underground cables and pipes.

"We liaise closely with Oldham Council to plan all works as well as to minimise disruption to traffic, for example we have worked in conjunction with Oldham Council to introduce temporary traffic islands at King Street to keep traffic flowing while work is ongoing.

"I can assure residents and drivers this work is an essential part of bringing Metrolink to Oldham and I would like to thank everyone for their patience and ask them to please bear with us."

Water mains diversions at Oldham Mumps are drawing to a close, with the roundabout set to reopen to traffic on Monday 12 September.

For more information on traffic management in Oldham please visit http://www.oldham.gov.uk/metrolink_alerts

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1785/jrb056.jpg



Thanks very much for the update JRB, much appreciated.
Surely this sign should say "Trams to Droylsden". It's going to a good 2 years before you can catch anything to Ashton. Or maybe my thoughts on opening the whole line in one go were correct?

3040 might be clocking it's miles up?

How long do these things usually take?

Thanks very much for the update JRB, much appreciated.
Surely this sign should say "Trams to Droylsden". It's going to a good 2 years before you can catch anything to Ashton. Or maybe my thoughts on opening the whole line in one go were correct?

No need to panic! The sign will be covered up with 'trams to droylesden' just like all the other signs across the network have their final destinations covered up.

How long do these things usually take?

I think it's 1,000 miles for the acceptance test. I guess that will take a couple of weeks?

Could anyone from Metrolink tell me if LOS is working on the ECC line? as today I was on a tram that pulled up right behind a tram that was already at a stop ie 2 trams at one stop at the same time.

Yes its working upto Pomona but was installed as an older version of LoS operation anyway.

Could anyone from Metrolink tell me if LOS is working on the ECC line? as today I was on a tram that pulled up right behind a tram that was already at a stop ie 2 trams at one stop at the same time.

Line of Sight has been in use on the Eccles Line since the day it opened. TMS has been in use for a few months now though. Two trams in a stop is not unusual for Line of Sight however it is controlled. Manchester City Centre is Line of Sight under the old system and its not unusual to see 2 trams in Piccadilly Gardens Stop in the same direction or nowadays St Peters Square.

Line of Sight has been in use on the Eccles Line since the day it opened. TMS has been in use for a few months now though. Two trams in a stop is not unusual for Line of Sight however it is controlled. Manchester City Centre is Line of Sight under the old system and its not unusual to see 2 trams in Piccadilly Gardens Stop in the same direction or nowadays St Peters Square.

Coming out of town the other evening, at St Peters Square there was a St Werburghs tram at the stop,with an Altrincham tram hard up behind it, and hard behind that, but not yet at the stop,another St Werburghs tram. Three trams with hardly a fag paper seperating them and they were all :banana:

So when does this new system kick-in properly?

So when does this new system kick-in properly?

http://goo.gl/9nOxg

^^BAN BAN BAN BAN NUKE BAN

So when does this new system kick-in properly?

Who knows, dates keep appearing and passing by. From what I have heard Deansgate Castlefield to Cornbrook/Pomona will be first and then follow on stages taking in Old Trafford, Victoria/Piccadilly, then Queens Road etc etc. But no dates yet. All I know is that there is testing going at night on SML presumaby on the depot junction to prove the points and junction control will work there before moving on.