Hay another great set of photos there Freely, I especially like this one with the Beetham Tower (is that what it is?) on the skyline!!

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000270a.jpg

Cheers for the information on the huts, I assume the more substantial brick building at E. Dids. is a rest room like the one at Werbys?

Hay another great set of photos there Freely, I especially like this one with the Beetham Tower (is that what it is?) on the skyline!!

Cheers for the information on the huts, I assume the more substantial brick building at E. Dids. is a rest room like the one at Werbys?

Thanks Martin, that certainly is the Beetham Tower. At night it stands out even more with its aircraft warning lights.

Like you say I guess the real brick building will be a rest room and perhaps the equipment room will be incorporated with it.

A few progress updates South of the by-pass, down Northenden way. . .

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

Nothing much has happened alongside the M60 as yet, but there is a big construction site on the Southern side, where the line will make landfall on descent from its stupendous viaduct over the motorway.

Before :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/100_4267.jpg

And now:-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/101_5532.jpg

These houses were at the back of Pimmcroft Way, otherwise known as Cleaner Close in the Daz adverts :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/100_4271.jpg

Now they are gone, but all their neighbours are now on view! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/101_5536.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/101_5533.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/101_5539.jpg

Kerscott Road is also now visible in the distance, left of shot :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/101_5535.jpg

The houses on Ossington Walk used to face bushes :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/100_4274.jpg

Not any more :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/101_5540.jpg

Looking back North East from Sale Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/101_5530.jpg

And down through Northern Moor tramstop towards the sleeping vacant alignment :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Northern%20Moor/101_5541.jpg

Soon to be awoken :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5543.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5545.jpg

:banana:

A few progress updates South of the by-pass, down Northenden way. . .


These houses were at the back of Pimmcroft Way, otherwise known as Cleaner Close in the Daz adverts :-

Now they are gone, but all their neighbours are now on view! :-

The houses on Ossington Walk used to face bushes :-

Not any more :-

Looking back North East from Sale Road :-

And down through Northern Moor tramstop towards the sleeping vacant alignment :-

Soon to be awoken :-

:banana:

Crikey that's certainly changing the landscape! Those houses that remain are getting close up to Metrolink aren't they.

Cheers, Freel Yes, it was a quiet little backwater before! Still, better then the original plan of a motorway feeder road ? . . . and it will certainly slash their journey times to some tune (and melody!) :cheers:

Nice pics their lads, suprised they haven`t started building the ashton terminus.

Cheers dpj, here's a few more.

The Southern part of the long vacant alignment is still fallow as yet :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5546.jpg

This is where the old Norbrook youth club used to stand :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5549.jpg

And this is what it looked like, a Nissen hut :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/100_4741.jpg

These couple of houses on Bordley Walk, standing either side of Baguley Brook, were also blighted for a long time :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/100_9729.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/100_4154.jpg

Ah well, one down, one to go! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5550.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5555.jpg

All this area was previously overgrown, but now you can see right through to the back of the Gardeners Arms on Wythenshawe Road, which will give up part of its car park to make way for Wythenshawe Park tramstop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5552.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5554.jpg

Looking back from the pub car park :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5558.jpg

This is the site of the tramstop, from where you can now see through back to the brand new youth club, next door to the site of the old one on Bordley Walk, kindly built from scratch by Metrolink :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Wyth%20Park/101_5559.jpg

How many minutes to town from here? Any guesses . . .

:banana:

Excellent work JDR, Freel and Martin! I would hazard a guess at East Didsbury there will be a diamond crossing before the station under the bridge like at the Bury terminus.

Also its a nice touch that the bridge over the M60 will have a pedestrian walkway. They could of done with this on the Eccles line where it goes through the old Manchester Liners headquarters. Its a long walk all the way round!!

I notice on Martins photos there are a small number of those half block sleepers at East Didsbury already but none anywhere else on the rest of the line. Wonder what they have in mind for them at this early stage.

Coupling and uncoupling :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/101_3130.jpg

:banana:

Johnny, good pics again. So, how many hi-vis jackets does it take to couple together two :banana::banana: bananas in holy matrimony?

Just a quick update on some small bits of progress at the 5 Didsbury Line stations under construction :)

Well that's all for now! Over and out :banana:

Martin, wonderful stuff.

Took a walk from Ashton to The Snipe this morning, I would have gone further but the weather got the better of me!



And Freel, top pictures again.

All told, a wonderful record of a huge project.

There has been a Metrolink van parked by the entrance to the Victoria undercroft for 4 hours tonight... (with the gate open). Are they secretly planning an underground 2CC with the Cross St idea a coverup? Haha. I wish.

Nice pics their lads, suprised they haven`t started building the ashton terminus.

They have started in the last week but there's not much to show for it since the last pictures posted by a few of us. The major change is the construction of a concrete access road onto the site off Oldham Road.

What do people think of the chances of vandalism on the Airport line with it running so close to houses and through dark alleys hidden from public view?

What do people think of the chances of vandalism on the Airport line with it running so close to houses and through dark alleys hidden from public view?

Would think not any worse than the buses get. The vandalism will be in the form of bricks and missile breaking the windows. That's why if you notice, most South Manchester buses now have plastic windows and not glass.

Brilliant updates Martin Freel & JdR - really good.

All really does give an idea of the scale of this project. I love how the completion of each line is staggered over the NEXT 5 YEARS!! Fantastic for Gtr Mcr. Fantastic for SCC.

Can't wait for my local Didsbury stretch to open & whizzing back & forth.

I'm especially looking forward to seeing the Mersey Viaduct plans for the Airport line, once they're drawn up properly. the structure is certainly gonna change the feel to that part of the 'meadows'. I hope it's an iconic one.

Again, thanks to everyone for the updates; I've been poorly lately, so it's taken away the boredom of being stuck in doors, feeling sorry for myself!!

Does anyone know how the trams will turn back here? Where will the crossover be?


This http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/selecteddoc.aspx?096175-dlp-0001.pdf
from the East Disdsbury Planning Application JUST gives it away

If you rotate the PDF so it is landscape, on the very left hand edge of the inset schematic you can see a set of points on the inbound line behind Tesco which must have a companion pair on the outbound line slight further up the line - so no diamond crossing, so why is there two platform faces (unless there is a cross over in the reverse direction further up the line) because I can't see how you would ever use the outbound northerly platform

Handrails being installed at the Velodrome stop today. Also, the bridge and walkway from Ashton New Road to the Velodrome and BMX Centre is now open....

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

grew up on stuart street clayton around the time city of manchester stadium was being built the area has changed so much over the past 10-12 years actually can't wait until the metrolink is up and running live in droylden now roadworks are a nightmare but it will pay off . . .

South of Wythenshawe Park tramstop, the Metrolink line will share the Northern half of Moor Road with traffic (one of the few places where this happens on the Airport line). Then it veers off to the right where an area of the playing fields has now been cleared, through the fencing in this shot :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Moor%20Road/101_5560.jpg

Looking back to the turnout near Lawnhurst Avenue and the bus - the three cars and the pedestrian will also have to look out for trams in the future :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Moor%20Road/101_5563.jpg

More shots of the newly greened area which will become Moor Road tramstop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Moor%20Road/101_5561.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Moor%20Road/101_5566.jpg

Looking back North from Altrincham Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Moor%20Road/101_5571.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Moor%20Road/101_5572.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Moor%20Road/101_5573.jpg

Continuing further South, the route encounters the Stockport<>Altrincham railway line :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/100_4760.jpg

Baguley Metrolink was originally going to be on the little triangular green immediately to the North of the railway line, practically on top of it in fact :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Baguley/101_5576.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/IMG_0005-2.jpg

However, in October 2010, the diagram was revised as follows :-

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

I don’t know why the tramstop was moved about 300-400 yards to the South, perhaps the little green wasn’t big enough, or perhaps it was the expense of building the stop at a higher level than the surrounding land? Anyway, this next shot is taken from its new location, on flat land near Floatshall Road, looking back North to the railway bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Baguley/101_5584.jpg

However, if a railway station is ever built, I guess it will still be within walking distance, and shorter than many of those underground interchange passages in London, where you see no daylight! Continuing the walk back up to the bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Baguley/101_5583.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Baguley/101_5581.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Baguley/101_5579.jpg

Another consequence of the revised location for Baguley is that it is now very close to the next stop, Roundthorn, further accentuating a developing pattern of unevenly spaced stops on the Airport line. However, if the Interchange ever comes about it will have been well worth it!

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

Get well Scouse, welcome Dhulka - another Droylsdener, and thanks for all the pix everyone!

:banana:

dhulk, do you have any photos of the neighbourhood from back then online?

dhulk, do you have any photos of the neighbourhood from back then online?

Some here:- http://images.manchester.gov.uk search Stuart Street Clayton

Lol i was young about 10 years old so no ...

Hi

Thanks for taking the picture everyone who do :cheers:, can't u believe it this weekend it would been two years ago seen Oldham line closed for railway, it don't fell like five mins seen trains was running on that line.

I wonder if they`ll build the airport line trams with bullet proof aluminium and bars on the windows for when they go thru wythenshawe. :nuts::lol:

Handrails being installed at the Velodrome stop today. Also, the bridge and walkway from Ashton New Road to the Velodrome and BMX Centre is now open....

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

I travelled into Ashton by bus today. The gap in the up line adjacent to the approach to this bridge (between the crossing at the east end of Velodrome Station and the canal bridge) is now closed up with welded rail, encased in shuttering, ready for the concrete pour. This leaves only two short gaps in the up line either side of Droylsden Library, and both tracks will be complete from Piccadilly undercroft as far as the (temporary) Droylsden terminus. Indeed, the down line now extends beyond Droylsden Station site as far as the Moss Tavern, awaiting the top layer of tarmac. At the present rate of progress, the down track will reach Audenshawe Station by Christmas, with the up line not far behind. That will complete all the street running infrastructure.


Train Guard

Thanks for the pic of the brig Loweskid - I also had a look round there yesterday TG - if only we had some trams it would all be looking very exciting!

The lights are on at Velopark but there's no-one in ! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5501.jpg

Do not proceed . . . yet! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5498.jpg

The new bridge also gives access to the Ashton Canal towpath, not previously accessible here from Ashton New Road. Metrolink's canal bridge is in the background, with the orange-bagged traffic lights of Canalside Crossing :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5659.jpg

Crossing the Velopark bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5646.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5647.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5650.jpg

From the bridge, Gorton Monastery and the whale-backed Pennines in their Southern reaches, stand guard on the horizon :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5653.jpg

Coming down towards the tram stop :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5655.jpg

Looking back :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5642.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5662.jpg

The rising road away to the East :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5494.jpg

What a difference a day made :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5641.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_5640.jpg

As you say, TG, it's nearly all there !

:banana:

I travelled into Ashton by bus today. The gap in the up line adjacent to the approach to this bridge (between the crossing at the east end of Velodrome Station and the canal bridge) is now closed up with welded rail, encased in shuttering, ready for the concrete pour. This leaves only two short gaps in the up line either side of Droylsden Library, and both tracks will be complete from Piccadilly undercroft as far as the (temporary) Droylsden terminus. Indeed, the down line now extends beyond Droylsden Station site as far as the Moss Tavern, awaiting the top layer of tarmac. At the present rate of progress, the down track will reach Audenshawe Station by Christmas, with the up line not far behind. That will complete all the street running infrastructure.

Train Guard

Good to hear the progress TG and nice photos Johnny.

One small point TG I think the line references should be inbound (up) and outbound (down) with reference to the Piccadilly Gardens Delta Junction. every tramway seems to use a different naming system. Midland Metro currently uses 'Wolves' and 'Brum' for instance.

Hi

Thanks for taking the picture everyone who do :cheers:, can't u believe it this weekend it would been two years ago seen Oldham line closed for railway, it don't fell like five mins seen trains was running on that line.

Believe you and me, getting the bus or driving in to Manchester from Shaw everyday instead of the former rail commute, it feels like 10 years!

Hopefully less than a year left now mind!

Believe you and me, getting the bus or driving in to Manchester from Shaw everyday instead of the former rail commute, it feels like 10 years!

Hopefully less than a year left now mind!

Hi

Would it be easy catching the bus from Shaw to Rochdale then catching train to Victoria but saying that if u got a first week ticket then catching the 181 or 182 bus it take u to manchester anywhen.

Did anyone noticed this has just hit 1,000,000 views, I believe it's only the 4th thread to do so on the UK forums, the other three are Heron Tower, The Pinnacle and of course the Shard. For some perspective there are only 6 threads in the world super tall forums with more, all very famous projects.

That just shows how popular this extension project has become. One million views is absolutely astonishing.

Congratulations to MarkO!

Congratulations indeed!

A couple of observations from this afternoon, which Im sure will be photographed soon... I couldn't stop to photograph because I had to go to work :(

Work has switched from the down Ashton Line at Scott Road Droylsden to the Up Manchester side so the road is finally open again. As mentioned once that gap on the Manchester side is filled that leaves just the section outside the post office in Droylsden and the rails are all finished!!

Work is ongoing to tarmac the rails at Villemomble Square so that work can start on the aforementioned gap once the road has been moved over.

The sight that I was most excited about though was just past the JDR roundabout at KFC Ashton Moss on the Ashton side there are now sleepers and rails on the down Ashton side climbing up the hill to Ashton West station (site) :banana: Ashton West station its self is coming along nicely aswell. Really great to see rails in place here.

They are absolutely monstering this extension work!

Congratulations indeed!

A couple of observations from this afternoon, which Im sure will be photographed soon... I couldn't stop to photograph because I had to go to work :(

Work has switched from the down Ashton Line at Scott Road Droylsden to the Up Manchester side so the road is finally open again. As mentioned once that gap on the Manchester side is filled that leaves just the section outside the post office in Droylsden and the rails are all finished!!

Work is ongoing to tarmac the rails at Villemomble Square so that work can start on the aforementioned gap once the road has been moved over.

The sight that I was most excited about though was just past the JDR roundabout at KFC Ashton Moss on the Ashton side there are now sleepers and rails on the down Ashton side climbing up the hill to Ashton West station (site) :banana: Ashton West station its self is coming along nicely aswell. Really great to see rails in place here.

They are absolutely monstering this extension work!

See post http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=84123032&postcount=13247

That just shows how popular this extension project has become. One million views is absolutely astonishing.

Congratulations to MarkO!

Well done Mark O and to everyone else whom contributes to makeing the thread so successful..:banana::banana::banana:

Well, this thread will keep running til at least 2016, lets hope (without delays), this thread carrys on beyond! :)

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000270a.jpg

Cheers Freel. This is the location that now has rails on the down Ashton side. Ashton West station.

Well done Mark O and to everyone else whom contributes to makeing the thread so successful..:banana::banana::banana:

Hopefully by then some private funding for the Trafford Centre line will emerge!

OH NO!! have you seen what the next page is gonna be and its great this thread as had a million hits.

Hi Tony & Freel – I’ve also been down Ashton way a couple of times lately. Here’s a few more shots from a different angle (a double-decker jpt on a Sunday!) :-

They have lowered the ground beneath the tracks at Cemetery Road tramstop to reduce the height of the platforms. Someone from the houses behind has complained to the Tameside Advertiser, but I don’t know whether that’s the reason why! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_5589.jpg

Can you make out the difference between track and road level?

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_5599.jpg

Things are beginning to look just a little bit better in Droylsden at long last :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5603.jpg

Villemomble Square #2 :-

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

The temporary terminus :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5605.jpg

Further East and a couple of years later towards Audenshaw. Presumably after the boundary sign by the Moss Tavern, the OHLE poles will become dark blue, like the lampposts :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5607.jpg

Trackwork re-commences approaching Audenshaw gyratory :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5694.jpg

The same spot coming back from Audenshaw to Droylsden :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5700.jpg

Tracklaying picks up again at the Moss Tavern :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5703.jpg

All change! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_5705.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_5711.jpg

PIDs have been installed this week at Edge Lane :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_5689.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_5715.jpg

Looking down from Edge Lane into Manchester, the lamps on Ashton New Road (red for Droylsden, silver for Manchester) have been attenuated again, to leave just the new lanterns on the OHLE poles :-

Before :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/101_4717.jpg

After:-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_5716.jpg

They were on for the first time the other night :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_5687.jpg

:banana:

:omg: dpj, I just realised what you mean - hope it won't be the day the devil came down to Droylsden!!:lol:

Hi Tony & Freel – I’ve also been down Ashton way a couple of times lately.
--cut quote--
:banana:
:omg: dpj, I just realised what you mean - hope it won't be the day the devil came down to Droylsden!!:lol:

Brilliant pics as always Johnny. It's good to see progress on the extensions while everything seems to be on standstill on the parts that should be opening soon.
Saying that, the current network is on standstill again.... another "failed vehicle" :ohno: And I'm guessing it was the T68 that was edging its way VERY slowly between Victoria and the Collyhurst tunnel. It can't of been much over walking speed which is weird on that bit!

Cheers Kriis :cheers:

A few more shots East of Audenshaw.

The slew across Manchester Road, from the Eastern corner of the gyratory on to the new reserved alignment towards Gainsboro Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5610.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5697-1.jpg

Crossing Gainsboro Road and onwards behind The Snipe :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Audenshaw/101_5699-1.jpg

Ashton Moss tramstop, the slew back across on to the central reservation ;-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Ashton%20Moss/101_5614.jpg

Rails across the roundabout :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Ashton%20West/101_5615.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Ashton%20West/101_5616.jpg

Descending from Ashton West tramstop into Ashton. Is this the bit you mean, Tony, where the rails slew across from the centre towards the far reservation near the bushes :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_5617.jpg

Rails are also coming now across Cavendish Street in Ashton, looking South :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_5620.jpg
:banana:

Looking at these pics makes me want to move to ashton when the trams are up and running.:cheers:
Who is the unlucky one to start the next page off.:eek2:

Hi

Good pictures of East Manchester Johnny :cheers:, to say that line to Ashton Under Lyne will not opened until winter 2013/14 to me it look like it could open soon like Summer 2013. :banana:

Sorry if is have already be posted but I notice this in Oldham Chronicle

TRANSPORT chiefs are encouraging Oldhamers to take part in consultation over powers to run trams through the borough.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) needs to secure a Transport and Works Act Order which will give them the legal go-ahead to operate trams over the short, modified sections of the Metrolink track at Oldham Mumps.

Before submitting an application to the Department for Transport, TfGM is asking the public for their views on the plans for new powers by Monday, when consultation closes.

Last year TfGM, with Oldham Council, developed new proposals for Metrolink in Mumps after confirmation of funding for the town-centre Metrolink line.

Updated plans include changes to the route, with the line running at ground level through a new junction, as well as a slight adjustment in the line from the town centre, where it will meet the new interchange and Park-and-Ride facility at Mumps.

To take part in the consultation, complete and return the response form in the consultation brochure, available from Oldham Civic Centre (One Stop Shop), Oldham Central Bus Station (Travelshop), Oldham Library and the Link Centre (Adult Care Centre) or online at www.tfgm.com/haveyoursay.

Alternatively, email any comments to future. metrolink@tfgm.com or call the Metrolink team on 0161-244 1555.

You're right Tony! A new batch of curved rails being delivered as I walked past.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6195649936_96eed071cb_b_d.jpg

Fantastic update Johnny. Here's the Snipe bit from a different angle:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/6195133585_96f91c9ec0_b_d.jpg

Congratulations to Mark_O from me too.

Edit. Yeessssss!! Thanks High Fi. Perfect timing.

Brilliant shots JDR and High - Fi. Confusion over lol

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000270a.jpg

Cheers Freel. This is the location that now has rails on the down Ashton side. Ashton West station.

Yes noticed that on my way home tonight. I just can't keep up that track goes down so fast! Sorry I misunderstood your post.

Apart from the Velopark canal, another new footbridge has opened lately - the pedestrian glass tube over Cross Street, now with much clearer (or cleaner!) glass. I tried to take some shots from this a couple of years ago but it was too murky. Now you can see a fair-sized chunk of the Second City Crossing alignment -

Towards Albert Square :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Second%20Crossing/101_5672.jpg

Towards Victoria :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Second%20Crossing/101_5671.jpg

:banana:

^^

Mind if I post those in the Streetscape thread of the City Talk forums? (with your name acknowledged ofc)

Will they need to lower the road on cross street for the wires to go under the bridge, it looks lower down then the last one?

Will they need to lower the road on cross street for the wires to go under the bridge, it looks lower down then the last one?

Apparently the height of the bridge is just about ok.

However, I do think it's a shame that we will (presumably) loose the trees.

Will they need to lower the road on cross street for the wires to go under the bridge, it looks lower down then the last one?

Doubt it, there are much lower bridges on the system all ready.

Brilliant photographs everyone, the East Mcr line is definitely my favourite of all the extensions! A tram ride from Piccadilly to Ashton is going to be more entertaining than one of those City Sightseeing buses! :lol:

Blimey how inspiring that we are all so interested in this thread.:grouphug:

IMHO it reflects the importance of this massive project, the quality of the posts/images and the pride for what's being achieved across Greater Manchester.

Self-congratulatory pats on the back for all :cheer: and can't help but wonder if we'll hit 2 million views by the time the big bang is finished in 2016?! :)

Great views from the bridge, but it will be a shame to see the trees go. The route has not been decided for certain though has it?

Blimey how inspiring that we are all so interested in this thread.:grouphug:

IMHO it reflects the importance of this massive project, the quality of the posts/images and the pride for what's being achieved across Greater Manchester.

Self-congratulatory pats on the back for all :cheer: and can't help but wonder if we'll hit 2 million views by the time the big bang is finished in 2016?! :)

Have you seen what page we have reached.:cool::cripes::dance:

Cheers Volde - help yourself.

Here's a few more pix of Man City :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_5508.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_5512.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_5515.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_5516.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_5519.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_5520.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_5513.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_5523.jpg

:banana:

Have you seen what page we have reached.:cool::cripes::dance:

Yes, and that's really strange coz it's the same markings on the top of my head. :lol::bash:

Looks like some of the old T68's are going to be disappering!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-15122232

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-15122232[/QUOTE]

It says that the system has been in operation since 1932!!!!!!!!!!

The plans centre on replacing some its fleet of 32 T68 trams, which have been in operation since Metrolink's opening in 1932.

These trams have a 30-year lifespan.


:P

:P

TfGM will have prepared that offering no doubt.:lol::lol::nuts:

Looks like they've corrected it now :-)

On my iPhone this is (Ceefax) page 888 :)

How weird, on MY iPhone this is page 333!

What does the second portal at Man City say? Its a bit too distant to read in the photos. Lift access or something?

On my iPhone this is (Ceefax) page 888 :)

Page 533 for me?! :)

Great pix around City, JDR. Although I heard Carlos Tevez is refusing to use the stop.

What does the second portal at Man City say? Its a bit too distant to read in the photos. Lift access or something?

There are seperate portals for "Event Day" travel which leads you into the barriered queuing system and through the turnstyle, and normal day travel

http://www.gmpte.gov.uk/tfgm_news.cfm?news_id=9007865?submenuheader=3
Found this on the TFGM home page.

http://www.gmpte.gov.uk/tfgm_news.cfm?news_id=9007865?submenuheader=3
Found this on the TFGM home page.

So, farewell then, T68. To be sadly missed, but it's the day of the :banana:!

http://www.gmpte.gov.uk/tfgm_news.cfm?news_id=9007865?submenuheader=3
Found this on the TFGM home page.

Excellent news! I am not a fan of those Italian rust buckets at all!

So which will be the first of the old birds to go??

They should send them to blackpool, they fond of old trams.:lol::nuts:

They should send them to blackpool, they fond of old trams.:lol::nuts:

I would say Heaton Park should have one, but I think they are too long for there. :/

I actually think they might keep one as a training vehicle. How different are the T68s and M5000s for driving?

I actually think they might keep one as a training vehicle. How different are the T68s and M5000s for driving?

Completely different I would imagine. The m5000's are much lighter, have different systems and are more high tech.

A large part of driving is fault finding and problem solving. I would imagine the difference between a t68 and a m5000 is probably kind of like the difference between a Boeing 727 and an Airbus A380.

Can see one or two T68s ending up in museums.

I'd really like them to rebuild the Manchester Transport Museum in town and have a t68 in the new building :) ..

I would think they will keep some in order to "cannibalise" them for parts etc, I have always been sceptical about the refurb of the "classic trams" as it raises too many inconsistances, ie training,maintenance, passenger experience, companies want fleet consistancy, its easier, cheaper.

I'd really like them to rebuild the Manchester Transport Museum in town and have a t68 in the new building :) ..

They have the prototype;
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/jonesy3001/Preserved%20buses%20and%20museums/IMG_0042.jpg

They have the prototype;
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/jonesy3001/Preserved%20buses%20and%20museums/IMG_0042.jpg

Except it's now in the wrong colours! It used to be in orange and white:)

Theres something you learn everyday, never knew it was orange and white.

Excellent news! I am not a fan of those Italian rust buckets at all!

Humbug!!!!

Awww why don't you make them an offer for one Sparks? A tenner should do it! ;-)

Awww why don't you make them an offer for one Sparks? A tenner should do it! ;-)

Would be difficult to get it to his back yard! Unless you borrow the tram delivery trailer off of Bombardier when they drop off 3042 :lol:

So, the death of the T68's were confirmed on page 666 - spooky!

They should send them to blackpool, they fond of old trams.:lol::nuts:Maybe San Francisco can make them work? They are probably not old enough for the F Line though!

On my iPhone this is (Ceefax) page 888 :)

How weird, on MY iPhone this is page 333!

Page 533 for me?! :)

Page 1334 on my Android! :D

I think scrapping them is a little short sighted. They absolutely eat up the crowds when run in doubles, so perhaps having them semi-permanently coupled could be an idea.

Remove the driving controls from the two middle cabs, that way you have more those hard to find GEC electronic circuit cards spare. Also if they are hard-wired up if one unit has a problem the other can drag it back to the depot!

Good for moving crowds or just being sent out in the peaks.

Feels like a little bit of my childhood is being scraped!! :(

Also if they are hard-wired up if one unit has a problem the other can drag it back to the depot!

Only if the powered unit is the one facing towards the depot!

Either or Kriis. Im sure they can drag or pull. It happens everyday on the railway. If it is a four car train with one engine out, the other three will drag its sorry ass round all day till they can get it back to the depot!

Either or Kriis. Im sure they can drag or pull. It happens everyday on the railway. If it is a four car train with one engine out, the other three will drag its sorry ass round all day till they can get it back to the depot!

Our trams can only be moved in the forward direction (relative to the driver at the time). Otherwise the driver wouldn't need to change ends when manoeuvring around the depot.

Awww why don't you make them an offer for one Sparks? A tenner should do it! ;-) There are several systems in Eastern Europe and (if they could be re-gauged)the former Soviet Union that might be glad of them. Train Guard

Our trams can only be moved in the forward direction (relative to the driver at the time). Otherwise the driver wouldn't need to change ends when manoeuvring around the depot.

They can be driven in both directions from both cabs. The operating rules however say that they should always have a driver in the front cab. There have been plenty of occasions where a 'dead' T68 has been propelled during a rescue with a driver in the front cab of the rear tram, however there would also be a 'brakeman' in the leading cab.

I'd love, from a geek point of view, to have more details of exactly what the issues are with TMS.

As someone who works in IT, the fact that this solution has been deployed in Bregen, Norway successfully, yet we hear even the TMS in the depot with no interaction with the old stuff is having problems.

Will never happen, but the reports that will be produced after this is finally working that review the problems they have had will be geek paradise - even if it only to see what worked and what did not work from a project point of view when they were trying to resolve the issues.

As someone who works in IT

<snip>

... but the reports that will be produced after this is finally working that review the problems they have had will be geek paradise - even if it only to see what worked and what did not work from a project point of view when they were trying to resolve the issues.

With you on both points :okay:

Our trams can only be moved in the forward direction (relative to the driver at the time). Otherwise the driver wouldn't need to change ends when manoeuvring around the depot.
:banana:
All metrolink trams can be reversed but alas if you were reversing you would not be able to see primerely used for uncoupling etc.

I would say Heaton Park should have one, but I think they are too long for there. :/

I actually think they might keep one as a training vehicle. How different are the T68s and M5000s for driving?

Like chalk and cheese

metroman2 - Don't supposed you've heard anything about the issues with TMS?

Hi

Reading off other metrolink forums someone was saying that T68 tram believe it was 1014 tram broke down at stretford, I bet metrolink people possibly what the T68 trams out of service when is hot like is.

Hi

Reading off other metrolink forums someone was saying that T68 tram believe it was 1014 tram broke down at stretford, I bet metrolink people possibly what the T68 trams out of service when is hot like is.

If it's already posted on the main Metrolink thread, does it really need to posted again here..?

As for TMS, I'm also with Kurt - I would dearly love to see what exactly is/is not working... now, just supposing they cannot get it to work properly... what then?

How long do they keep trying? Is there an alternative to just persevering? Or it is really just a matter of "when" they get it to work, rather than "if"?

Thales got it working in Bergen, the exact same system.

They are a huge company that will not be brought down by a 'small' failure like this.

I cannot see any alternative really, no matter how long it takes, no long how much it costs (whoever pays the bills) the block signalling needs replacing with a system that is actually worthy of a 21st centuary system.

I had another walk across Ashton Moss this afternoon. What a difference a week makes!

A few photos follow showing what has been done since last Sunday.

The track slabs are now cast across Richmond Street.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000348a.jpg

As others have commented track has appeared between the roundabout near the Village Hotel and Ashton West as these photos show.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000352a.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000356a.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000357a.jpg

At Ashton Moss the track laid the previous week has now been adjusted for level, cant and position and a start has been made on pouring the concrete around the twin block sleepers. These would have been better taken using Johnny's top deck of a bus method!
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000361a.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000364a.jpg

The shuttering is in place for the next section to be encased by the garden centre. Notice the significant cant on this curve.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000367a.jpg

As we have already seen track is being laid behind the Snipe, interesting to see this is all grooved rail.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000370a.jpg

The road side stretch as the road crossing is approached is coming along well.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000375a.jpg

Finally as I was walking back to Ashton I noticed these pallets of rail fixings outside the Travelodge. They are individual baseplates with 'E' clips and resilient pads presumably a different system to the encased sleeper track further up. I guess it is intended to reduce noise and vibration outside the hotel. (Sorry the photo is very good but the baseplates can just be made out.)
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000380a.jpg

metroman2 - Don't supposed you've heard anything about the issues with TMS?

Depends on which TMS you mean, the other one (that's in that's to do with metroman2's avatar) with trams has plenty of problems too (mainly to do with alienating people)

'E' clips and resilient pads presumably a different system to the encased sleeper track further up. I guess it is intended to reduce noise and vibration outside the hotel.
Sorry Freel mate, but those are Pandrol Fastclips! However, you're probably right with everything else. They'll be some kind of Cologne Egg-type arrangement to try and isolate the rail from the slab beneath, possibly VIPA (http://www.pandrol.com/html/products/vipa.htm)

I had another walk across Ashton Moss this afternoon. What a difference a week makes!

A few photos follow showing what has been done since last Sunday.


Nice work Freel :)

metroman2 - Don't supposed you've heard anything about the issues with TMS?


Rather large teething probs !
F:banana:rswood junction should be up and running thursday fingers crossed.

From that I take it you mean the SML to depot junction?

If so that is very good news.

Sorry Freel mate, but those are Pandrol Fastclips! However, you're probably right with everything else. They'll be some kind of Cologne Egg-type arrangement to try and isolate the rail from the slab beneath, possibly VIPA (http://www.pandrol.com/html/products/vipa.htm)

Oh dear I should be more careful with such knowledgeable folks about. Those wiggly steel clips seem to have so many forms Joseph!

They certainly look like the Pandrol VIPA system.

Yes, metro and cats, surely if that SML depot junction can be made to work properly this week, won't it will be something of a breakthrough? My non-technical mind also wonders whether once the first problem is solved, it may give substantial clues towards the other conundrums elsewhere . . . oh, well probably wrong but here's hoping.

Massive progress elsewhere, however, in terms of infrastructure, especially over Ashton Moss Freel - can't wait to see those snaking s-bends coming to life. It certainly feels as though the 'accelerated' 3b sections are catching up fast, with opening dates for the various sections probably moving closer together (on O/R as well).

All the utility diversions on the Ashton section seem to be history now, and actually there's not all that much street track still to lay, mainly just West of Audenshaw and in Ashton itself, although both have been started. The last little bits of 3a are coming also, such as East of Velopark, here looking back from Canalside Crossing :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/101_5638.jpg

The new alignment carved out through the industrial back yards is also ready, apart from wiring. I'm not sure whether there will be pedestrian access through here :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/101_5636.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/101_5633.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/101_5627.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/101_5625.jpg

Clayton Hall tramstop lies waiting :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/101_5622.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/101_5621.jpg

:banana:

Thanks for those pics Johnny, they show that we can't be far from a real big bang opening!
Although as we know the stops do take a while to get ready even after the heavy infrastructure of the platforms, steps and ramps are in. Thinking about it - how complete are Monsall and Central Park? Do they have signs and PIDs up ready for opening?? May give an idea to whether it will open as a short spur before the section to Mumps.

Cheers Kriis - all the stop platforms and superstructures have been there for quite a while, through to Droylsden and Mumps Temporary, and they are also coming along on the five stope to E Dids. Yes there is always quite a lot more to do 'behind the scenes' even then, and they certainly still visit Edge Lane nearly every day to fiddle about with bits and pieces! But I think perhaps they feel able to take their time on this sort of fitting out, as they know there's plenty of time before other things catch up elsewhere.

But I am sure that Monsall and C Park stops were fully ready at the same time as St Werburgh's - only the junctions seem to remain outstanding, due to TMS etc. As motor says, there's not as much potential revenue on this little bit (spectacular though it is), so perhaps they see it as less urgent. I bet it will open straight through to Mumps Temporary.

However, there's always something happening to brighten our optimism. For example, Prestwich has now had its external makeover (someone mentioned Whitefield as well) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_0082.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_5676.jpg

Not everyone likes these diamond logos but I think they are pretty dynamic :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_5680.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_5675.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_5681.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_5682.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_5685.jpg

Here’s a ‘before and after’ I missed previously :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_0081.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Prestwich/101_5679.jpg

:banana:

[QUOTE=Johnny de Rivative;84344359]Yes, metro and cats, surely if that SML depot junction can be made to work properly this week, won't it will be something of a breakthrough? My non-technical mind also wonders whether once the first problem is solved, it may give substantial clues towards the other conundrums elsewhere . . . oh, well probably wrong but here's hoping.

Massive progress elsewhere, however, in terms of infrastructure, especially over Ashton Moss Freel - can't wait to see those snaking s-bends coming to life. It certainly feels as though the 'accelerated' 3b sections are catching up fast, with opening dates for the various sections probably moving closer together (on O/R as well).

All the utility diversions on the Ashton section seem to be history now, and actually there's not all that much street track still to lay, mainly just West of Audenshaw and in Ashton itself, although both have been started. The last little bits of 3a are coming also, such as East of Velopark, here looking back from Canalside Crossing :-



The new alignment carved out through the industrial back yards is also ready, apart from wiring. I'm not sure whether there will be pedestrian access through here :-

Great pictures, as usual, JDR. My guess is that pedestrian access will be discouraged. There is very little clearance. But there are fools around who will have to try racing the trams!

Great pictures, as usual, JDR. My guess is that pedestrian access will be discouraged. There is very little clearance. But there are fools around who will have to try racing the trams!

It does remind me of the curve down into Piccadilly Station from Aytoun St.
I'm guessing it will officially be no pedestrian access but it would never be enforced and doesn't look like they are going to put those anti-walk bricks like at the Victoria Station and Piccadilly Station portals.

Great pics JDR, as always. Just a few from me from the EML....

Adjusting the rails on the Ashton Moss section the other day....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/_dsc9168.jpg

Poles on Manchester Road....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/_dsc9778.jpg

Villemomble Square, Droylsden, coming along nicely....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/_dsc9773.jpg

Slightly off topic but no doubt will be a popular destination as it's near the Edge Lane stop - the new Droylsden Academy nearing completion...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/acadamy2.jpg

A few pages ago I was wondering why they were going to put two poles so close together on this corner....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/_DSC8583.jpg

Well, the answer seems to be that they're not. There's only one pole been erected so it looks like someone put one of the bases in the wrong place....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/_dsc9163.jpg

Finally, another conundrum for you to ponder. One of the poles (and only one) on Manchester Road (near the Cemetery Road stop) has been fixed with the base sticking out well above the pavement level. Your starter for ten - why?.....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/_dsc9777.jpg

The MUEN behind the times as always;
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1460487_the-futures-yellow-original-grey-metrolink-trams-reach-end-of-the-line

Future site of a raised bus stop or planter?

The MUEN behind the times as always;
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1460487_the-futures-yellow-original-grey-metrolink-trams-reach-end-of-the-line

Every time I see a link to an MEN Metrolink story I always feel that I shouldn't click and read it. I always end up infuriated at the comments section.
Have you seen the prices of a Met ticket? I'm surprised the new trams aren't diamond-encrusted.
She clearly has no idea how many tickets would be needed to buy a new tram, even if 100% of the ticket price was profit and able to be used in the purchase of such trams.
£4.00 off peak return ticket between Altrincham and City Centre.
£2million cost for the replacement trams (I think it cot mentioned they had £24mill to buy 12 on the back of the current order)
Even that is 500,000 tickets for 1 tram! :ohno:

500,000 for a new tram.

You missed a 0.

Isn't the revenue about £22m / year with £18m a year going on the RATP contract leaving £4m for re-investment.

No, thats the RATP/Stagecoach contract itself, £25m ish revenue a year and £4m profits.

Every time I see a link to an MEN Metrolink story I always feel that I shouldn't click and read it. I always end up infuriated at the comments section.

Yes, exactly the same here. The people in that comment section are well overdue for a lesson in common sense. I'm surprised the guys at MEN even approve half the comments on there.

Future site of a raised bus stop or planter?

There's already several new raised bus stops along the road but they're nowhere near that high. Planter..? Can't see they would want to put a planter around it and this is the only one like this.

No doubt all will be revealed in due course..!

The MUEN behind the times as always;
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1460487_the-futures-yellow-original-grey-metrolink-trams-reach-end-of-the-line


I like the reference to the old Trams known as T68:

"Transport bosses say they will now phase out the old trams – known to enthusiasts as T68s – as more of the yellow M5000s hit the rails. "

I wonder who decided to call the new ones M5000 - answers to Dean Kirkby at MEN !

Right I have decided, Metrolink now need to respray the T68s just to confuse the poor old MEN :D

Anybody want to help volunteer do the painting?

Right I have decided, Metrolink now need to respray the T68s just to confuse the poor old MEN :D

Anybody want to help volunteer do the painting?

:lol: Find us some cans of yellow and silver spray paint. I'm sure a bunch of us could make them look better than in that image we discussed last week.

I have a proper compressor and spray gun :P

I have a compressor and spray gun if that's any help ? :)

And I can weld.... ;)

I like the reference to the old Trams known as T68:

"Transport bosses say they will now phase out the old trams – known to enthusiasts as T68s – as more of the yellow M5000s hit the rails. "

I wonder who decided to call the new ones M5000 - answers to Dean Kirkby at MEN !

You took the words right out of my mouth. Seems they really do not understand the system as all.

Funny thing is London has the same problem with evening (sub)standard doing this sort of thing. Id take it as proof Metrolink is a proper metro system and that free news isn't always worth the electricity bill.

I don't get what it is in that MEN article thats wrong? Someone enlighten me please! :-(

I don't get it either, ok they are technically Flexity Swift MK1s but surely M5000 is also valid?

The article was written in a patronising and dumbed down way though.

I don't get what it is in that MEN article thats wrong? Someone enlighten me please! :-(

I don't get it either, ok they are technically Flexity Swift MK1s but surely M5000 is also valid?

The article was written in a patronising and dumbed down way though.

It implies that the names m5000 and t68 are unofficial names coined by enthusiasts (likely, us here) and not the official names invented by the manufacturers which obviously they are.

I also feel the article does not go into enough depth about the various issues the network is facing now and in the future. They could have mentioned just how many failures are caused by the t68's. I am sure some people will finish reading the article thinking the replacement programme is little more than a vanity project.

They have basically expanded upon a press release which is not exactly journalism is it?

You should have seen the story in the Oldham Chronicle, they repeated the press release verbatim.

You should have seen the story in the Oldham Chronicle, they repeated the press release verbatim.

Oh well, newsprint is a dying industry is it not?

You should have seen the story in the Oldham Chronicle, they repeated the press release verbatim.

I send out press releases for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and it never fails to amaze me how the local press responds. We are lucky that the business editor of the Derby Telegraph knows his onions, but for the other locals, they must have a function key on their word processors that generates the following headlines without fail...


Full steam ahead for...

Green light for...

... all steamed up


:wallbash:

Neil

Article on Rochdale West Signal Box

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1u354/RailEngineerOctober2/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F411306%2FRail-Engineer-October-2011

I didnt realise that SELNEC PTE saved the northern section of the Oldham Loop Line from closure in 1972 when they stepped in when the Dft withdrew funding.

Also stories on Blackpools Flexity 2 and a few other contstruction methods applicable to tram tracks. The thing you have to take with salt are several articles in this magazine are infomercials which are written by the companies not the magazine writers.

It implies that the names m5000 and t68 are unofficial names coined by enthusiasts (likely, us here) and not the official names invented by the manufacturers which obviously they are.

I also feel the article does not go into enough depth about the various issues the network is facing now and in the future. They could have mentioned just how many failures are caused by the t68's. I am sure some people will finish reading the article thinking the replacement programme is little more than a vanity project.

They have basically expanded upon a press release which is not exactly journalism is it?

I agree with you 100% and was ranting to my mother when I read it highlighting those exact points. But still the article is true, but misses so many important points.

And they wonder why I haven't bought a copy of the MEN for years and years.

I agree with you 100% and was ranting to my mother when I read it highlighting those exact points. But still the article is true, but misses so many important points.

And they wonder why I haven't bought a copy of the MEN for years and years.

I was taught that the most effective press releases were those that were press ready ie written in the house style etc and basically without the need for editing or other intervention.

I was taught that the most effective press releases were those that were press ready ie written in the house style etc and basically without the need for editing or other intervention.

I can't find the link but TFGM's press release was very good. Was written in plain English but mentioned too very key facts the MEN missed:-


The T68 is unreliable
They are much heaiver and wear the tracks out quicker

Missed or omitted for risk of convincing too many people that the replacements were a good idea?

You should have seen the story in the Oldham Chronicle, they repeated the press release verbatim.

Standard procedure these days. Just look at the big dailies when there is a press release on something not political but interesting and science based. They are all word for word press release. People issuing releases take much more care than in former times, when a posse of reporters taking shorthand notes would appear at the office asking questions.

I can't find the link but TFGM's press release was very good. Was written in plain English but mentioned too very key facts the MEN missed:-


The T68 is unreliable
They are much heaiver and wear the tracks out quicker


It's here http://www.tfgm.com/tfgm_news.cfm?news_id=9007865?submenuheader=3 I don't think any organisation would ever admit they've been using the wrong kit for two decades, but the release does mention track wear and weight. MEN must have needed the space for adverts or something. Tram research has moved things on since then, no doubt using the experience gained in running T68s on Metrolink. The T68s did a great job overall, and set the benchmark for improvements.

Its a pitty this wasn't planned more in advance, but as usual politics got in the way. But surely if they said they would be ordering (is it now 72?) M5000s from the start they might have got better terms? Instead they put in order, then decide to order, then order more, Bombardier must think they have won the jackpot where Metrolink is concerned.

Must be one of the biggest orders for light rail within a few years in Europe I would have thought?

Its a pitty this wasn't planned more in advance, but as usual politics got in the way. But surely if they said they would be ordering (is it now 72?) M5000s from the start they might have got better terms? Instead they put in order, then decide to order, then order more, Bombardier must think they have won the jackpot where Metrolink is concerned.

Must be one of the biggest orders for light rail within a few years in Europe I would have thought?

Berlin has ordered 99 Flexity sets, with a possible further 206 to replace all its trams. Brussels has recently ordered 65 to add to 151 bought since 2003. Hannover has ordered 59 sets (not Bombardier this time) with options for another 96. So whilst Manchester is by no means small potatoes, there are other bigger contracts around Europe. I should think Manchester are getting good terms - no worse than if they had ordered the lot in one tranche probably. Bombardier know a good customer when they see one.

Are these old trams really wearing out the tracks quicker to cause a major problem? There can't be that much difference from the track used on National Rail, for an example a Class 185 weighs in at 168.5 tons. If we have problems, they must have major issues, especially when the fright trains are on the move.

Its a pitty this wasn't planned more in advance, but as usual politics got in the way. But surely if they said they would be ordering (is it now 72?) M5000s from the start they might have got better terms? Instead they put in order, then decide to order, then order more, Bombardier must think they have won the jackpot where Metrolink is concerned.

Must be one of the biggest orders for light rail within a few years in Europe I would have thought?

This order take the order book upto 74.

3074 will probably arrive in autumn winter 2013/2014.

Are these old trams really wearing out the tracks quicker to cause a major problem? There can't be that much difference from the track used on National Rail, for an example a Class 185 weighs in at 168.5 tons. If we have problems, they must have major issues, especially when the fright trains are on the move.

Depending on the lines they can shut off rails to repair them where with Metro link the entire line has to shut down.

Again depending on the line, the frequency of the Metrolink is a lot higher than a lot of rail lines.

Are these old trams really wearing out the tracks quicker to cause a major problem? There can't be that much difference from the track used on National Rail, for an example a Class 185 weighs in at 168.5 tons. If we have problems, they must have major issues, especially when the fright trains are on the move.

There are many standards, depending on speed and use. Old mainline rail can be used on suburban branches when it is replaced.

I hope I never come across a fright train. Sounds scary.

Have Toronto not ordered in excess of 300 tram from Bombardier?

Anyway, the idea that the M5000 model is not a top of the range model is somewhat misleading.

I send out press releases for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and it never fails to amaze me how the local press responds. We are lucky that the business editor of the Derby Telegraph knows his onions, but for the other locals, they must have a function key on their word processors that generates the following headlines without fail...


Full steam ahead for...

Green light for...

... all steamed up


:wallbash:

Neil

So long as they don't hit ctrl+F12 in RailHeadlineMaker. That gives you "...hits the buffers" :nuts:
(or would if there was such a product)

They have basically expanded upon a press release which is not exactly journalism is it?

That's how journalism works! You feed 'em a press release, they cut it down to the size of the column(s) allocated by the sub-ed, and that's it. They haven't got the time these days to go and investigate the background when they each get 10 articles a day to write.

Missed or omitted for risk of convincing too many people that the replacements were a good idea?

I don't see why a poorly paid hack at MEN would care?

I don't see why a poorly paid hack at MEN would care?

Probably don't, but I doubt if hacks on the MEN are on the minimum wage.

They won't be well paid.

Look how few reporters there are these days. I bet they have to spew out several articles per day with minimal time to work on any.

They won't have an agenda, just no time to do any proper journalistic reporting given the cut backs in paper media.

I don't see why a poorly paid hack at MEN would care?

Think what BEP would make of it, Bertyboy old chap. "Village to order new buses" probably.

I was taught that the most effective press releases were those that were press ready ie written in the house style etc and basically without the need for editing or other intervention.

you should all read a book called 'flat earth news' by nick davis. it will open your eyes to just how bad a problem reprinting press releases word for word is these days. it is the rule, not the exception these days sadly. all the people that have been laid off by people like murdoch now work for public relations companies writing press releases. their overstretched former colleagues then add an opening paragraph to their press release and publish it without checking it. lies and distortion then travel around the world unchecked as one news agency crashes into the wake of another....

Aye, the circle of shit.

Whereby dodgy press release gets reported by one outlet which in turn leads to more and more media outlets reporting that inital report is being reported.

Very common in science and sport.

Think what BEP would make of it, Bertyboy old chap. "Village to order new buses" probably.

Haha - probably!

Speaking of the BEP, I manged to get in it for the second week running today. The fame will be going to my head....:lol:
Funnily enough, it was a press release they repeated verbatim!

Thanks for those pix Loweskid, I love the one of the red regimented oh poles – to-day they were continuing to receive their lanterns and should be lit up soon.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/_dsc9778.jpg

Work goes on elsewhere in the meantime, down South. At the turnout for the Airport line at Hough End, clearance work has now opened up a view from the footpath near St Werburgh’s headshunt, across Chorlton Brook and the High School car park, and through to the exit point on to Mauldeth Road West :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5851.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5848.jpg

The line will need a bridge across Chorlton Brook in the foreground, but I’m not sure whether the accompanying footpath (from where these shots were taken) will have a crossing, or remain at all? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5857.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5858.jpg

In the background you can now make out the gable of the Southern Hotel, which will hopefully come back to life one day :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5874.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5868.jpg

Looking back from Mauldeth Road West towards St Werburgh’s, a big chunk of the school car park has been commandeered and cordoned off, to make way for the inbound alignment away from the camera :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5847.jpg

Crossing the brook towards St W’s temporary terminus :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5842.jpg

Inbound Airport trams will cross this area to join the existing line :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5871.jpg

Before all that, however, we have another journey to make, towards East Didsbury . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Wythenshawe/Barlow%20Moor%20Road/101_5853.jpg

:banana:

Nice one JDR, you were practically in my back garden!! :-p

As for the footpath along Chorlton Brook/Gore... the plans for the structure show that it is to be retained underneath the bridge... but that would mean the bridge will have to be a fair bit higher than it otherwise would need to be..!

Yes, just what I was thinking, martin - or perhaps the footpath might be dug out to a lower level?

Before all that, however, we have another journey to make, towards East Didsbury . . .

Talking of East Didsbury, I took some rubbish shots with my phone on Sunday morning:

Looking north from the Transpennine Trail:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6204108857_8a94ce57cc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204108857/)
IMAG1769 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204108857/) by nferguso_wyvern (http://www.flickr.com/people/26690797@N02/), on Flickr

The platform is coming together:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6204623640_8a6b541210_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204623640/)
IMAG1772 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204623640/) by nferguso_wyvern (http://www.flickr.com/people/26690797@N02/), on Flickr

The Didsbury Road / Parrs Wood Lane Bridge, looking South-West:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6204097643_9d637bcd98_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204097643/)
IMAG1764 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204097643/) by nferguso_wyvern (http://www.flickr.com/people/26690797@N02/), on Flickr

And the view towards Stockport. One day we hope...
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6204103931_9218e08423_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204103931/)
IMAG1774 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204103931/) by nferguso_wyvern (http://www.flickr.com/people/26690797@N02/), on Flickr

Excuse the intruding phone case. This gert big concrete block is, one presumes, the termination point for the overhead. Presumably, somebody will tie all the overhead wires into one big bow here. They'll need a big finger to keep the knot together before they tie it...
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6204095167_f9485fbafb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204095167/)
IMAG1767 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/6204095167/) by nferguso_wyvern (http://www.flickr.com/people/26690797@N02/), on Flickr

My tiny Metrolink collection can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/sets/72157627214145918/with/6204095167/

Neil

Yes, just what I was thinking, martin - or perhaps the footpath might be dug out to a lower level?

I think the idea of a walkway and vehicular access was drawn up by somebody who had neither seen the site nor had access to any plans with levels on them.

There is just no way it would work.

Were there meant to be plans also for vehicular access underneath the platt gore structure? I haven't seen those! :-D

If that's rubbish, Neil, then party on!! They're great, especially the new ramps at the terminus, more of them please!

Haha - probably!

Speaking of the BEP, I manged to get in it for the second week running today. The fame will be going to my head....:lol:
Funnily enough, it was a press release they repeated verbatim!

A new picture! "Joining left base for (extremely) short finals 27" could be a caption. Can't believe I missed that runway once. But I'm with you all the way, Bertyboy. :cheers:

Talking of East Didsbury, I took some rubbish shots with my phone on Sunday morning:

Fergy, there is no such thing as a rubbish shot in this context! You are creating a permanent record of something that may well be of great interest to historians of the future.

Excuse the intruding phone case. This gert big concrete block is, one presumes, the termination point for the overhead. Presumably, somebody will tie all the overhead wires into one big bow here. They'll need a big finger to keep the knot together before they tie it...

Neil

OK, maybe the phone case isn't helpful, but I've taken a few of my thumb in my day. It won't be tied in a bow though. They're going to do it properly, with sellotape. Nice pictures

Went down this morning to get my derby ticket. Looks brilliant. :banana:

Platforms on both sides of the bridge are complete.
Canopies are finsihed and lit up.
Tickets machines are in place. (one side)
Crowd barriers going in today.

Taken quite a few pics. Will up load them afterwards.

Its going to be a pain on matchdays that theyve put in a ground level track crossing to access the far platform. Would of been so much better to have another entrance on the other side of the bridge. I guess there will be crossing guards on matchdays or some kind of pedestrian crossing light system.

Taken quite a few pics. Will up load them afterwards.

You have to be quick on this thread...... :)

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/051011-1.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/051011-2.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/051011-3.jpg

^^

Will the ticket barriers always be in operation or just on match days?

Are those Ticket Barriers or Turnstiles?

They look like the ticket barriers at Oxford Road, but jrb or loweskid will have to answer that one ..

Are those Ticket Barriers or Turnstiles?

I think they are more than likley are Ticket Barriers because they are planning on introducing Smart Cards onto Metrolink before buses and trains.

Probably to control access to the platform, allow 200 on at a time say and instead of manual checks as at OT they will have machines checking people on.

I wouldn't read anything more into it than that.

Probably to control access to the platform, allow 200 on at a time say and instead of manual checks as at OT they will have machines checking people on.

I wouldn't read anything more into it than that.

Agreed, don't think they would stick everyday-use ticket barriers at one station like this, as it won't be practical to install them at other stations...

They'll also need manning.

Hi

Great picture everyone who took them :cheers:, I'm think them Barries if the are barries are good thing special when City are playing and it stop people waiting on overcrowd platform. Do anyone know if that line to Velopark will open by end of year or do u think it be more likely to be Spring 2012 when it openness. :banana:

Hi

I'm think them Barries if the are barries are good thing

Aye you cannae beat a good barry! ;)

As for opening... who can say? I used to be optimistic, but with all the TMS problems we hear about, I really am not expecting much (anything) before 2012... that way, should anything happen it will be a cool bonus :)

Didnt they use to have a system at Old Trafford Metrolink stop that limited the number of people on the platform on matchdays?

Didnt they use to have a system at Old Trafford Metrolink stop that limited the number of people on the platform on matchdays?

Yep.

Manual process using the queuing barriers.

Having said that, ever since 92 they have manually restricted how many could get on the platform after the match.

Are those Ticket Barriers or Turnstiles?


http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/automatic-systems/high-traffic-speed-gates-1775-91251.html


Speed gates, in use for event days only

You have to be quick on this thread...... :)

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/loweskid/Skyscrapercity/051011-1.jpg



I've seen a similar arrangement in Devon, at South Molton Livestock Market. Where's the sheep dip?

I've seen a similar arrangement in Devon, at South Molton Livestock Market. Where's the sheep dip?

:lol: Lol yeah it looks like a farm thingy ..

Don't know about sheep dip but do the barriers squash you from each side so somone can stick a drench down your throat?

I think they are more than likley are Ticket Barriers because they are planning on introducing Smart Cards onto Metrolink before buses and trains.

Before? I have a smartcard for my bus, have done since August.

I've seen a similar arrangement in Devon, at South Molton Livestock Market. Where's the sheep dip?

Possiblly not far from the truth...:lol:

What on earth is the floor covering? It looks like mud from looking at it...

What on earth is the floor covering? It looks like mud from looking at it...
Tarmac, but there's a lot of dust on it because they drilled large holes in it for the barrier fixtures. I expect it will be cleaned up once the work has finished.

Tarmac, but there's a lot of dust on it because they drilled large holes in it for the barrier fixtures. I expect it will be cleaned up once the work has finished.

Looks more like asphalt to me.

Looks more like asphalt to me.I used 'tarmac' in the generic sense of a 'tar based' surface. As I understand it asphalt is the tar, or bitumen, substance that binds the aggregate (according to Wikipedia, so it must be true...:)).

...

I used 'tarmac' in the generic sense of a 'tar based' surface. As I understand it asphalt is the tar, or bitumen, substance that binds the aggregate (according to Wikipedia, so it must be true...:)).

Thanks Loweskid.

I doubt if anyone actually cares about what the correct term is as long as it's not mud....:lol: Your description to me was in no way confusing.

Wikipedia can throw up some good things although not always accurate. here's another one;

Etymology

The English language word "pedant" comes from the French pédant (used in 1566 in Darme & Hatzfeldster's Dictionnaire général de la langue française) or its older mid-15th Century Italian source pedante, "teacher, schoolmaster". (Compare the Spanish pedante.) The origin of the Italian pedante is uncertain, but multiple dictionaries suggest that it was contracted from the mediaeval Latin pædagogans, present participle of pædagogare, "to act as pedagogue, to teach" (Du Cange).[1] The Latin word is derived from Greek παιδαγωγός, paidagōgós, παιδ- "child" + ἀγειν "to lead", which originally referred to a slave who escorted children to and from school but later meant "a source of instruction or guidance".[2][3]

[edit] Connotation

The term in English is typically used with a negative connotation, indicating someone overly concerned with minutiae and whose tone is perceived as condescending.[4] When it was first used by Shakespeare in Love's Labour's Lost (1588), it simply meant "teacher". Shortly afterwards it began to be used negatively. Thomas Nashe wrote in Have with you to Saffron-walden (1596), page 43: "O, tis a precious apothegmaticall [terse] Pedant, who will finde matter inough to dilate a whole daye of the first inuention [invention] of Fy, fa, fum".

Theres another good example, the German book 'All Quiet on the Western Front' which describes the great physical and mental trauma of 24 hour warfare. Nowadays people use it incorrectly as a phrase to mean nothing much is happening or theres no action.

Another great one is 'Mettaled roads', it doesnt refer to the use of metal but to the original use of the word which meant quarried or mined rocks/metals/stone.

Thanks Loweskid.

I doubt if anyone actually cares about what the correct term is as long as it's not mud....:lol: Your description to me was in no way confusing.

Wikipedia can throw up some good things although not always accurate. here's another one;

Etymology

The English language word "pedant" comes from the French pédant (used in 1566 in Darme & Hatzfeldster's Dictionnaire général de la langue française) or its older mid-15th Century Italian source pedante, "teacher, schoolmaster". (Compare the Spanish pedante.) The origin of the Italian pedante is uncertain, but multiple dictionaries suggest that it was contracted from the mediaeval Latin pædagogans, present participle of pædagogare, "to act as pedagogue, to teach" (Du Cange).[1] The Latin word is derived from Greek παιδαγωγός, paidagōgós, παιδ- "child" + ἀγειν "to lead", which originally referred to a slave who escorted children to and from school but later meant "a source of instruction or guidance".[2][3]

[edit] Connotation

The term in English is typically used with a negative connotation, indicating someone overly concerned with minutiae and whose tone is perceived as condescending.[4] When it was first used by Shakespeare in Love's Labour's Lost (1588), it simply meant "teacher". Shortly afterwards it began to be used negatively. Thomas Nashe wrote in Have with you to Saffron-walden (1596), page 43: "O, tis a precious apothegmaticall [terse] Pedant, who will finde matter inough to dilate a whole daye of the first inuention [invention] of Fy, fa, fum".


:lol: :lol: :lol:

I used 'tarmac' in the generic sense of a 'tar based' surface. As I understand it asphalt is the tar, or bitumen, substance that binds the aggregate (according to Wikipedia, so it must be true...:)).

Asphalt is a naturally occurring (originally) mixture of bitumen and sand.

There was a case in Manchester a while back where a woman asked a road gang to asphalt her floor for her. They tarmacked it, complete with white granite chippings!

what's to stop people just wandering over to the ASDA stop at the end of games to avoid this queuing system? I've not seen any barriers at the ASDA stop despite it being closer to several entrances to the stadium.

Nowt probably.

May put staff on that station like they do at Trafford Bar post match at OT.

what's to stop people just wandering over to the ASDA stop at the end of games to avoid this queuing system? I've not seen any barriers at the ASDA stop despite it being closer to several entrances to the stadium.

Probably banking on not too many people being aware of the close proximity.

Probably banking on not too many people being aware of the close proximity.

Yep, just take Exchange Quay as an example. Probably not that much further from the stadium than Old Trafford, yet there is hardly a queue in sight there on matchdays.

EDIT: Just checked on Google Maps. Exchange Quay is actually closer to the football stadium than Old Trafford. :)

what's to stop people just wandering over to the ASDA stop at the end of games to avoid this queuing system? I've not seen any barriers at the ASDA stop despite it being closer to several entrances to the stadium.

Nowt. However given the (hopefully) large amount of turnbacks running to the stadium only on match days, it'll probably be quicker to just wait at the turnstiles next to for the next empty double back to Piccadilly.

One thing to note though - Velopark will be closest stop to the area of stands used for away fans. For all other areas of the stadium, the stadium stop will remain the easier option.

Best,
Slip

Wikipedia can throw up some good things although not always accurate. here's another one;

Etymology

The English language word "pedant" comes from the French pédant (used in 1566 in Darme & Hatzfeldster's Dictionnaire général de la langue française) or its older mid-15th Century Italian source pedante, "teacher, schoolmaster". (Compare the Spanish pedante.) The origin of the Italian pedante is uncertain, but multiple dictionaries suggest that it was contracted from the mediaeval Latin pædagogans, present participle of pædagogare, "to act as pedagogue, to teach" (Du Cange).[1] The Latin word is derived from Greek παιδαγωγός, paidagōgós, παιδ- "child" + ἀγειν "to lead", which originally referred to a slave who escorted children to and from school but later meant "a source of instruction or guidance".[2][3]

[edit] Connotation

The term in English is typically used with a negative connotation, indicating someone overly concerned with minutiae and whose tone is perceived as condescending.[4] When it was first used by Shakespeare in Love's Labour's Lost (1588), it simply meant "teacher". Shortly afterwards it began to be used negatively. Thomas Nashe wrote in Have with you to Saffron-walden (1596), page 43: "O, tis a precious apothegmaticall [terse] Pedant, who will finde matter inough to dilate a whole daye of the first inuention [invention] of Fy, fa, fum".

And as we all know, the Pedants' Revolt was started by Which Tyler.

Theres another good example, the German book 'All Quiet on the Western Front' which describes the great physical and mental trauma of 24 hour warfare. Nowadays people use it incorrectly as a phrase to mean nothing much is happening or theres no action.

.

That's what I was thinking, we're all getting frustrated with the likelhood of nothing opening for a fair while, seeing lots being done and so far no end result, the signalling issue being completely invisible so it's frustration again:lol::lol:

Aye you cannae beat a good barry! ;)
This little exchange made me burst out laughing in the library. Thanks a lot Martin. :lol:

Anything to make libraries more fun! :-)

Wasn't there talk a few pages back about OT depot junction testing resuming today?? Any word on that?

Anything to make libraries more fun! :-)

Wasn't there talk a few pages back about OT depot junction testing resuming today?? Any word on that?

I thought they must have been testing it last night. I saw a 10xx heading that way from Victoria "not in service" at about 11pm, followed by 3006 (i think) with "tram on test".

The optimistic me also thought they may have been heading towards EML... but im doubting that now :/

what's to stop people just wandering over to the ASDA stop at the end of games to avoid this queuing system? I've not seen any barriers at the ASDA stop despite it being closer to several entrances to the stadium.


Trams will not stop at ASDA stop for two hours post game, same with Holt Town

Interesting! Where did you hear that?

Trams will not stop at ASDA stop for two hours post game, same with Holt Town

I don't like that idea... If i was going to Asda and didn't realise there was a match at Eastlands, am I going to have to go through the football crowds at the ground? :ohno:

At Sunderland's stadium they use one station for southbound passengers and the other for northbound and don't allow people to enter the station travelling in the wrong way and so getting a bit of a shortcut. The trains still stop to let people off at match times though.

Interesting! Where did you hear that?

My plan , but open to suggestions

I don't like that idea... If i was going to Asda and didn't realise there was a match at Eastlands, am I going to have to go through the football crowds at the ground? :ohno:

So you didn't realise a game was on.......yeh right

At Old Trafford on match day they have a selection of trams which come from town heading towards Alty and they go straight to Old Trafford. Normally double units and they come in completely empty. Not sure what it's like on the Manchester side but I guess it will be the same at Sport City.

Plenty of people travel on the Alty line oblivious to United home matches which are historically much higher profile.

So you didn't realise a game was on.......yeh right

Might be difficult to believe but if you have no interest in football, very easily done.

Might be difficult to believe but if you have no interest in football, very easily done.

Too right, only way I would know was if I saw a mob of blue shirted drunks in the city centre.

Might be difficult to believe but if you have no interest in football, very easily done.

Too right, not everyone is obsessed by the overpaid wasters with self inflated egos that kick a ball around for a few minutes each week.

I've got caught out with the football a few times on the Chorlton line too. Most the time the Chorlton line gets away with it, but it only takes one red to get on knowing he can get of at TB and they are follow like sheep.

At very busy times the inspectors tell them to get on the Chorlton tram too.

Too right, not everyone is obsessed by the overpaid wasters with self inflated egos that kick a ball around for a few minutes each week.

..and can't even do that well enough to not damage something. In all the time I've been out running, I have never damaged any muscles, bones or tendons. :ohno:

I've got caught out with the football a few times on the Chorlton line too. Most the time the Chorlton line gets away with it, but it only takes one red to get on knowing he can get of at TB and they are follow like sheep.

At very busy times the inspectors tell them to get on the Chorlton tram too.

Nah, we're quite a thick lot (not as thick as blues obv), the vast majority still go to Old Trafford to get the Altrincham tram, when you can walk an extra couple of minutes and get straight on an empty(ish) one at Trafford Bar. Same for Exchange Quay, walk an extra couple of minutes and get on at Salford Quays and you don't end up waiting for 2 or even 3 trams before you can actually get on one.

Interesting about the inspectors telling people to get a Chorlton tram in town though.

Being dead clever and that, I go to Salford Quays to get the tram home. Must consider Trafford Bar to pick up a Chorlton tram back into town, could be a better option....

Damn it should have shut my mouth shut. I always feel smug on an empty Chorlton tram when the reds are all on the Altrincham tram chanting "Giggs Will Tear You Apart"

I get the tram to Exchange Quay from the City Centre going to OT, and from Media City going back to the City Centre. Easy. :)

I got the tram into town from St Werbughs early afternoon, after Firswood there were passengers standing!

That 3001 has a noisy articulation, really noisy.

Has there been any more testing east of piccadilly?

All MC and ECC trams full!

Having heard a rumour that there might be a gauging run up to Dean Lane today I had a drive over to Newton Heath this afternoon. Unfortunately I either missed the run or it didn't happen. However here are a few rather damp looking pictures between Central Park and Broadway. Apologies for the quality but the conditions were poor.

They seem to have started closing the gap in the OLE between Central Park and the refuse depot, Broadway substation is in place also.

The inbound line over the bridge now has the catenary wire in.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000381a.jpg

Continuing on past the Traction Depot.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000384a.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000385a.jpg

Newton Heath and Moston Stop from Reliance Street bridge.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000387a.jpg

Broadway Substation is now on site.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000393a.jpg

A shot each way from Broadway bridge.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000394a.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000396a.jpg

The weather was so poor I didn't hang about to see whether the test run materialised.

Nice work, Freel. I remember why I moved when I see the weather. I feel cold and damp just looking at it.

Any idea what the blue tubes are in the rail line? Looks like discarded packaging for something. Seems a bit churlish to litter the approach to the waste depot.

Nice pics, its like spot the pacer in the second pic.

I saw a tram at Central Park Station at around 11.45 this morning.

Part of the temporary fencing blown down by the looks.

Nice work, Freel. I remember why I moved when I see the weather. I feel cold and damp just looking at it.

Any idea what the blue tubes are in the rail line? Looks like discarded packaging for something. Seems a bit churlish to litter the approach to the waste depot.

As Watcher says they are part of the fence between the 2 lines which I think may have been removed in readiness for the run.

I saw a tram at Central Park Station at around 11.45 this morning.

Damn it sounds like I missed it! It was supposed to be towed by the Sentinel shunter they have been using with the Metrolink loco also there.

I think it was blown down rather than taken down, if you look you see the section under the bridge (sheltered from wind) is still intact.

I saw a tram at Central Park Station at around 11.45 this morning.

Was it a single unit on it's own? Is this the first time ones been seen at Central Park?

Was it a single unit on it's own? Is this the first time ones been seen at Central Park?

No there were a series of test runs to Central Park earlier this year. The run scheduled for today was supposed to be loco hauled for gauging purposes beyond Central Park.

No there were a series of test runs to Central Park earlier this year. The run scheduled for today was supposed to be loco hauled for gauging purposes beyond Central Park.

Sorry when I said first seen, meant first time one of us had seen a tram actually at Central Park? Interesting they were supposed to be gauge testing further onwards, maybe the line will open all the way to Oldham next year in one go then?

Sorry when I said first seen, meant first time one of us had seen a tram actually at Central Park? Interesting they were supposed to be gauge testing further onwards, maybe the line will open all the way to Oldham next year in one go then?

I suspect it will open in one section as it makes more sense than opening up 2 stops. It will make more of an impact.

Was it a single unit on it's own? Is this the first time ones been seen at Central Park?

On its own I gather, but to be honest it was difficult to see. I was on the train heading into Manchester so no pics.

Sorry when I said first seen, meant first time one of us had seen a tram actually at Central Park? Interesting they were supposed to be gauge testing further onwards, maybe the line will open all the way to Oldham next year in one go then?

Hi Mack - this was the one seen by Pringle Henge, I think back in May when they gauge tested :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Newton%20Heath%20Moston/Pringle20Henge.jpg

I agree, motor, probably little footfall at Central park itself just yet, although Monsall might generate a bit as there is a fair sized estate around there, plus a certain amount of new build houses, no doubt attracted by the coming of the metro.

Very excited to see the ohle on the finback bridge, Freel and the possibility of testing further out - I wonder how far could that be done at present??

Hi All,

I am moving to the east part of the city. Does anyone know when the new Metro line is due to open

Many thanks

You should've checked

here,

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

here,

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=866944

and here

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/futuremetrolink/east-manchester-line.asp

before making a new thread, but according to the latter link, it's due to open to Droylsden by Summer 2012, and Ashton by Winter 2014.

Also a few of us (including me) reckon they'll open up to Velopark by the end of this year/February next year.

Very excited to see the ohle on the finback bridge, Freel and the possibility of testing further out - I wonder how far could that be done at present??

For the purpose of a loco hauled gauging run probably as far as Werneth now as I seem to recall a while ago there was a suggestion that the only gap was at Thorpes Bridge. For powered tests there is still a fair bit of OLE work between Central Park and Broadway. Then once all the wire is up and the substations installed there is substation commissioning and section proving to carry out between Monsall, Broadway, Hollinwood and Werneth substations. There will be further section proving to do between Werneth and Mumps before they can finally run to the temporary stop.

Correction, having looked at some plans I now wonder whether the substation at Werneth may not be built until the new street line is built. There was certainly little evidence of it in mid September when I was around there. That would mean a fairly long section between Hollinwood and Mumps. I'll have to do a bit more research.

hi all, im brand new to this site and i just thought i would tell you what i saw yesterday.(please pardon my terminology, im no expert on these things) I live at the side of the new line from Manchester to Oldham and yesterday they had a new tram on the back of low level train going up and down the line through South Chadderton. I dont know if this is of interest to anyone

I'm pretty sure it will be matey! Welcome to the forum!

hi all, im brand new to this site and i just thought i would tell you what i saw yesterday.(please pardon my terminology, im no expert on these things) I live at the side of the new line from Manchester to Oldham and yesterday they had a new tram on the back of low level train going up and down the line through South Chadderton. I dont know if this is of interest to anyone

Welcome imber50 and thanks for that good news, I went out to try to catch the tets with my camera put obviously missed it. That seems to confirm that the gauging took place at least as far as South Chadderton. I wonder whether they got to Werneth then.

The train i saw was heading away from Werneth towards Manchester but i cannot say wether it started in Werneth

Thanks for the news imber and welcome :) that line has been a little neglected recently, nice to see that they're carrying out some tests once more!

when do you think they will start the ghosting, now they have started testing.

when do you think they will start the ghosting, now they have started testing.

How long's a piece of string? I'd say it all depends on our old friend the TMS! :-(

Borrow a few MK1 coaches and a couple of tractors(37s) from wcrc(top and tail on single track),that should keep the service going till the TMS is up and running;:lol::nuts::hilarious

I suspect it will open in one section as it makes more sense than opening up 2 stops. It will make more of an impact.

Possibly thet will open up in stages, as with the SML alot of trams sitting there doing nothing, if part of the line ready might as well get in service and get some revenue in :banana::banana:

hi all, im brand new to this site and i just thought i would tell you what i saw yesterday.(please pardon my terminology, im no expert on these things) I live at the side of the new line from Manchester to Oldham and yesterday they had a new tram on the back of low level train going up and down the line through South Chadderton. I dont know if this is of interest to anyone

Welcome imber, and yes yes yes, it was of very great interest to all of us!!

It was almost certainly the first tram ever to travel further out than Central Park, over the finback bridge, through the single line section at Dean Lane, up, down and over the newly lowered embankments to South Chaddeh - and how much further no-one knows at present . . .

In other words - MOMENTOUS - well spotted imber!!

And where was I? - Eastbourne!!:ohno:

:banana:

Welcome imber, and yes yes yes, it was of very great interest to all of us!!

It was almost certainly the first tram ever to travel further out than Central Park, over the finback bridge, through the single line section at Dean Lane, up, down and over the newly lowered embankments to South Chaddeh - and how much further no-one knows at present . . .

In other words - MOMENTOUS - well spotted imber!!

And where was I? - Eastbourne!!:ohno:

:banana:


Ah, found your spiritual home did you JDR! :lol: [/jk] :)

If they were to open a bit of the line first à la SML, I assume that would mean installing another railway style signal at the Smedley Junction?