Yes and equipping more bananas with the old signalling?

(ps I have also replied to you on the Blackpool thread m.)

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.

It looks as though for 3A there will be a substation at Werneth and this will then be replaced by one at Oldham Central when 3B opens. The next one seems to be somewhere up at Derker. I seem to remember though that there was a road closure of Huddersfield Road last month to do some work associated with a substation.

Correction2
I think I now have the sites right. The reference to Huddersfield Road is in relation to New Hey substation.

Hi

WHAT the was a tram at South Chadderton yesterday, I live right near Freehold stop and I have to say I never saw tram yesterday, so they have do testing to South Chadderton, I wonder if I will see tram tomorrow then :) also good picture of Central Park and Dean Lane Freel.

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??

I can guarantee at least one passenger a day... me going to and from work in CP :lol:

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.

I thought that there was a gap at the site of the 'junction' at Featherstall Road. Has this been spanned by temporary track?

Train Guard

Hi

WHAT the was a tram at South Chadderton yesterday, I live right near Freehold stop and I have to say I never saw tram yesterday, so they have do testing to South Chadderton, I wonder if I will see tram tomorrow then :) also good picture of Central Park and Dean Lane Freel.

Sounds like you and I both missed the great event yesterday r02ba. They obviously did a loco hauled trip right through to Werneth. I doubt there will any more trips until the power is available.

Thanks for the comment about the photos, I got a good soaking taking those and trying to catch up with the test run. If I had realised they were heading for Oldham I would have kept going a bit longer.

I thought that there was a gap at the site of the 'junction' at Featherstall Road. Has this been spanned by temporary track?

Train Guard

I think the gap may still be there and they probably only got as far as Featherstall Road unless someone can enlighten us. In my earlier post where I said the only gap was at Thorpes Bridge I should have said I meant between Manchester and Werneth.

Hi

WHAT the was a tram at South Chadderton yesterday, I live right near Freehold stop and I have to say I never saw tram yesterday, so they have do testing to South Chadderton, I wonder if I will see tram tomorrow then :) also good picture of Central Park and Dean Lane Freel.


I was walking down Block Lane having just left the Colliers Arms and i saw the tram go past as i walked under the bridge. It would have been around 2.30-3pm

Hopefully there will be plenty more chances to see trams on the Oldham line in the not too distant future!! Least something is happening.

On the Ashton line at the Audenshaw work continues a pace. The original section of the gyratory turning from Droylsden Road back onto Manchester Road is now closed and vehicles are now using the new road passing over the tramway rails on their exit from the Audenshaw stop towards Ashton.

Also this photo taken by JDR showing the rails in place on the approach to Audenshaw, the road is now fully reopened here aswell with work transfering onto the other side.

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

Evening

I'm new here but been following the thread for a while. I've lived in and around Manchester all my life and now with my bus pass can at long last afford to travel on the Metrolink...

Anyway, a friend of mine reported Tram 3037 being towed up the Oldham line yesterday (Saturday) being towed by "a blue shunter" if that makes any sense? Not sure of the times though.

Hope this helps
Chris W

Ive been given the details on the Blue shunter once before by a Metrolink Rep, but ive forgotten everything, anyone able to refresh my memory?

A shunter which is blue?

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

http://www.nwrail.org.uk/gm101007-metlink-enterprise-1.jpg

[QUOTE=future.architect;84554864]A shunter which is blue?

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

I believe it is one of the Sentinel shunters from the Ribble Steam Railway that is used in Preston Docks.

Has it got a number?

I had a look on Google for you Larry

Its either Sentinel 10282 or 10283. Both being bought new for the Preston Docks traffic in 1968.

Has it got a number?

I think they are named, Energy, Enterprise and Progress but which one is on hire I don't know.

I think they are named, Energy, Enterprise and Progress but which one is on hire I don't know.

I think its Enterprise, but could be wrong...

And i am, a look on Google shows its most likely Sentinel 10283 'Progress'

I was walking down Block Lane having just left the Colliers Arms and i saw the tram go past as i walked under the bridge. It would have been around 2.30-3pm

Welcome to board imber50, was the tram pasting Freehold stop or was it at Washbrook bridge that u saw the tram?

I wonder if Oldham Chronicle had someone at any of stations to take picture and if so then I wonder if it in Tomorrow paper, I bet u the will be no trams on Oldham line until like January or March just like the did on Chorlton line.

Taken last Wednesday.

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/342/372pc.jpg

Barriers going in.

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4862/374ag.jpg

Ticket machines. :banana:

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/3107/375gh.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1171/377p.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9829/378q.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/3476/379ga.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2051/380n.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4581/381ev.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/8914/382c.jpg

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/4346/383d.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1167/384nk.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1592/385go.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/6426/386l.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3521/387sx.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9351/370w.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/5556/371iv.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9059/388y.jpg

Panoramic Shot of both Tram stops, City Square and the Souvenier shop.

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5981/390l.jpg

Don't like the flooring in that square - it looks like something from an abandoned Lido.

Great photos jrb and the whole area looks magnificent to my eye! The floor is a bit mucky at the moment berty due to all the construction wagons that have been all over it lately. A mop & bucket should sparkle it up again when finished!

I love the hint of 'Back to the Future' in the legend 'Trams to Ashton-under-Lyne'. They will have to cover it up to say 'Droylsden', (or possibly Velopark?), using labels with very, very good sticky that will stay on for a couple of years, then peel away without bringing all the bloody lot with it :lol:

(Actually, the ones at St Werburgh's Road already say 'East Didsbury and Airport' under the temporary labels, so they must have very, very, very good sticky which will last 5 years then come away in one piece!!)

Actually, its looking less and less likely that it will open to Velopark before Droylsden, all dependant upon the vagaries of TMS of course. Actually, Velopark still hasn't got a name, martin, and I wonder if that will change also. As someone pointed out, it's the better stop for some parts of the stadium, and it will also be the best one for the Etihad Campus, which will be on the Southern side of Ashton New Road when built, and east of Alan Turing Way.

The Eastlands Stadium stop, now to be called Etihad Campus is actually nowhere near that new development, but you can't tell 'em anything!! (Money speaks!)

:banana:

I love the hint of 'Back to the Future' in the legend 'Trams to Ashton-under-Lyne'. They will have to cover it up to say 'Droylsden', (or possibly Velopark?), using labels with very, very good sticky that will stay on for a couple of years, then peel away without bringing all the bloody lot with it :lol:

(Actually, the ones at St Werburgh's Road already say 'East Didsbury and Airport' under the temporary labels, so they must have very, very, very good sticky which will last 5 years then come away in one piece!!)


:banana:

Well Johnny. It's probably the same stickers that's used on the bus stop stickers for the service numbers. Some of them have been up for nearly 10 years now, maybe more. Whether it peels off though when not required I don't know as they just keep adding new ones on top of the old ones. A bit of insulation never hurt...lol

And those machines, do they just count passengers through or do will check tickets too does anyone know?

Also interesting to see that old cookie coming back. On the huge yellow arch it says "passengers" yet everything else seems to be "customer". I prefer passengers as that's what they all are. Using the word "customer" from my experience gives them the impression that they are "always right" and can do exactly what they want. I get the impression sometimes that "passenger" is a dirty word...:lol:

Well Johnny. It's probably the same stickers that's used on the bus stop stickers for the service numbers. Some of them have been up for nearly 10 years now, maybe more. Whether it peels off though when not required I don't know as they just keep adding new ones on top of the old ones. A bit of insulation never hurt...lol

And those machines, do they just count passengers through or do will check tickets too does anyone know?

Also interesting to see that old cookie coming back. On the huge yellow arch it says "passengers" yet everything else seems to be "customer". I prefer passengers as that's what they all are. Using the word "customer" from my experience gives them the impression that they are "always right" and can do exactly what they want. I get the impression sometimes that "passenger" is a dirty word...:lol:


Ticket booth still to be fitted, for staff to check tickets, the gates are faster than traditional turn styles at getting people through.

Ticket booth still to be fitted, for staff to check tickets, the gates are faster than traditional turn styles at getting people through.

I would have thought that as there are too many different kinds of tickets available ie the ones you can buy on the bus, the paper ones issued out of the Almex machines and of course passes. The machine can't read any of those.

Hi

A Metrolink tram have just been at Freehold stop and it was 3037 tram, it when as far as freehold stop then back down to Manchester.

Well spotted Andrew!!! Was it shunted-hauled??

Well spotted Andrew!!! Was it shunted-hauled??

Yes Martin is was it look like just as they do on chorlton line last year, also took a picture of it but I don't know how it will be. :banana:

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

I noticed the same consist back at the Queens Road depot outlet, looking like it was going to head out for another run at about 13:30.

ugh, i was going to head out that way today if it wasn't so wet outside :(

...

Yes Martin is was it look like just as they do on chorlton line last year, also took a picture of it but I don't know how it will be. :banana:

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

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/freehold_tram_shunt.jpg

Cute, or what? Great picture, mate.:)

City Square ...this has to be the biggest stop so far on the network?

Was in town last night and saw a double-M5000 running through the city towards St Peters Square - didn't get both numbers but one was 3004! Presume this was for some testing as it wasn't in service.

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/freehold_tram_shunt.jpg

Cute, or what? Great picture, mate.:)

Lol that photo is of the Chorlton Line!


Was in town last night and saw a double-M5000 running through the city towards St Peters Square - didn't get both numbers but one was 3004! Presume this was for some testing as it wasn't in service.

Now that is quite cool, wonder if they were just seeing how doubles take the city centre streets??

Lol that photo is of the Chorlton Line!




Now that is quite cool, wonder if they were just seeing how doubles take the city centre streets??

Would they have to double up a new tram that was delivered on Saturday in order to get it to OT depot as it wouldn't have had the standard signalling installed?

10/10/2011 - Cemetery Road Stop, Kerb line and Surfacing Works
Work is progressing to build the new Metrolink line from Manchester Piccadilly to Ashton-under-Lyne.

We will be carrying out work on Manchester Road, between 279 and the Jolly Carter Public House, these works will include new permanent surfacing and kerb line build-out works. Work will start w/c 17th October 2011 and will take approximately three weeks to complete. Two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place during the works and Martins Way will temporarily close at its junction with Manchester Road. Vehicular access will be provided via Clegg Street. Diversions will be in place, as shown in the enclosed map. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

They've also updated the the station name of Citys Ground too...

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

Lol that photo is of the Chorlton Line!

Now that is quite cool, wonder if they were just seeing how doubles take the city centre streets??

Sorry - I translated the link into its picture. Still cute, though.:stupid:

They've also updated the the station name of Citys Ground too...

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

Etihad Campus? :ohno:

I thought naming a stop 'MediaCityUK' was bad enough.

They`ll probably change the name again before the EML is open.:lol:

They`ll probably change the name again before the EML is open.:lol:

The Boo Camp.

Tsk tsk, I think naming stops after commercial sponsors is not a good idea and tacky. Although I can imagine it being a profitable spin

Fine until city change owners and change the name of the stadium....

Or will it persist like g-mex did even after the conference centre (manchester central station as was) went back to its original name...

Then again I would simply have named the stop deansgate from the off, or perhaps deansgate station

Hi

A Metrolink tram have just been at Freehold stop and it was 3037 tram, it when as far as freehold stop then back down to Manchester.


This is the one i saw on Saturday going over the Washbrook bridge.

They`ll probably change the name again before the EML is open.:lol:

Well I think they were a bit too quick off the mark renaming the Stadium stop Etihad Campus. The Velopark stop is much more central to the planned Campus development, the Stadium stop really only serves the stadium area. But I suppose having one called Etihad Stadium and the next called Etihad Campus could be a mite confusing!

Well I think they were a bit too quick off the mark renaming the Stadium stop Etihad Campus. The Velopark stop is much more central to the planned Campus development, the Stadium stop really only serves the stadium area. But I suppose having one called Etihad Stadium and the next called Etihad Campus could be a mite confusing!

Agreed! I dunno why they couldn't just have gone with Etihad Stadium and kept Velopark as it was. Ho hum.

Best,
Slip

Haha, WHat if Asda was to buy the name of the Velopark stop. Then we would simply have:
...Holt Town, Etihad Campus, Asda, Clayton Hall...

Imagine that on the trams though - "This is a Droylsden Service, The next stop is Asda"

Agreed! I dunno why they couldn't just have gone with Etihad Stadium and kept Velopark as it was. Ho hum.

Best,
Slip

Isn't that what they have done. It's certainly what the website shows.

Isn't that what they have done. It's certainly what the website shows.

Etihad Campus on the new map.

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

I take your point regarding Velopark, apologies! I was half referring to Sentinel but didn't make that at all clear!

Best,
Slip

OK I'm going to ask the obvious question having reviewed the EML Droylsden to Ashton Detailed Map PDF. Why does the line jump onto the Central Reservation after Ashton Moss interfering with the traffic, both at entry and crossing the Roundabout and again just prior to IKEA. Surely it would have made sense to keep the line north of the dual carriageway and cross over to the South Side at the Richmond Street Lights just past Ashton West Stop - its all wide enough, even the overbridges as long as the northern carriageway is shunted south into the central reservation space originally reserved for Metrolink

Like this...
https://www.box.net/shared/static/yjymcico0y60vftjfd66.jpg

Utilities?

There was nothing out here before the road came I don't think? Its a good point. Certainly running down the middle of the road is good advertising. You would imagine though knowing the metrolink was going to run down the middle one day they purposefully left the central reservation clear of utilities. Might explain why its being built at such a rapid speed!

Because they would have had to build another bridge across the M60? Also looks to be a mini valley. Plenty of space has been left for it by the looks of it, also several other plots marked out for development.

Because they would have had to build another bridge across the M60? Plus the land to the north is pretty much all built on now.
Not so, move the Northern Carriageway (as it crosses M60) to where the Central Strip is and slide Metrolink in the space left behind. Someone was not thinking about the interference between both trams and road traffic (four crossings in total) when they planned out the road - with a little thought it could have been just one crossing, at Richmond Street - here's a Photoshopped Bing Maps Birds Eye View of what I mean...
https://www.box.net/shared/static/2lrclvqrbs8lt89cv77k.jpg
I know Richmond St junction looks a little wonky but hey, best I could manage - you get the idea.

BUT I do get the point about utilities, even though its all new road, they may have laid utilities in such a way it would be impossible to change

Haha, WHat if Asda was to buy the name of the Velopark stop. Then we would simply have:
...Holt Town, Etihad Campus, Asda, Clayton Hall...

Imagine that on the trams though - "This is a Droylsden Service, The next stop is Asda"

Why don't they simply name the stop Bradford is that too bloody obvious?

Not so, move the Northern Carriageway (as it crosses M60) to where the Central Strip is and slide Metrolink in the space left behind. Someone was not thinking about the interference between both trams and road traffic (four crossings in total) when they planned out the road - with a little thought it could have been just one crossing, at Richmond Street - here's a Photoshopped Bing Maps Birds Eye View of what I mean...

BUT I do get the point about utilities, even though its all new road, they may have laid utilities in such a way it would be impossible to change

Have you thought about land ownership Steve? I'd hedge my bets that's one of the reasons why.

Why don't they simply name the stop Bradford is that too bloody obvious?

Haha I don't think that name is all that widely used these days! Imagine confused public waiting in town and see a tram with "Bradford" on the front! They'd think the extensions had gone much further than expected ;-)

Have you thought about land ownership Steve? I'd hedge my bets that's one of the reasons why.

Its too late now BUT they had a clean slate across Ashton Moss 10 years ago or whenever it was they planned and built the Northern Relief Road and SOMEONE decided they wanted the trams in the central reservation rather than to one side.

I'd love to know who and why because its clearly not the optimum arrangement when you think about the interaction between trams and cars.

And if it had been planned with the tram alongside in the first place, there would have been no extra land take at all, so land ownership is irrelevant.

Footnote - we all know that the line should have stayed on the Central Reservation right past IKEA through its roundabout but they DID change their mind here and push it to the South Side, so there has been a similar change of heart further east.

Maybe it was something to do with the tunnel required for the proposed Tameside International Airport..... :)

http://tinyurl.com/5sgqazg

Maybe it was something to do with the tunnel required for the proposed Tameside International Airport..... :)

http://tinyurl.com/5sgqazg

:wtf: ;-)

would that be instead of the Flying Boat Terminal planned for the Audenshaw Reservoirs then?

Would they have to use the Ikea building as a terminal :D

Would be brilliant though, people can travel to Ashton Airport to visit the newly re-opened Hacienda.

Maybe the Airport could be called "Peter Hook International Airport" :D

Would they have to double up a new tram that was delivered on Saturday in order to get it to OT depot as it wouldn't have had the standard signalling installed?



They've also updated the the station name of Citys Ground too...

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

I would imagine renaming the Stop to "Etiha Campus" was part of the commercial deal with the stadium.

Yes, Wing - money speaks. When local residents who live along the line try to make suggestions (as I did about Cemetery Road being inappropriate as it is surrounded by old people's homes), we are told "Stop names are not out for public consultation".

Of course we are all very grateful to Sheikh Mansour, and having his moniker "Etihad Campus" incorporated into the official accoutrements of tramway system aggrandises his status as a benefactor of the city. But as I think I've mentioned elsewhere, for public transport users in general, the name makes no reference to its geographical location, or football or even the stadium itself (the main thing it serves). On first encounter it sounds like an Airline at the university.
:hahano:

DiscoSteve, you've a good plan there, the only reasons against it I can think of are:

A - the current route has less bends and those bends aren't as tight?

and

B - less of the actual carriage way needs moving?

and

C - less interference with possible future turnings off of Lord Sheldon way (onto the land to the north where there is a stub already as an example)

oh and

D - simpler junction at Lord Sheldon Way/Richmond Rd - traffic can still cross Richmond Rd E-W on the major road (Lord Sheldon Way) when a tram is crossing - only traffic filtering right and traffic on Richmond way has to stop. Same goes for the large roundabout on your plan all traffic has to stop. From my experience most of the traffic on the roundabout stays on Lord Sheldon Way, so it is also unaffected by the tram crossing.

and lastly (I promise!)

E - I think it running down the centre on a trambahn (trambahnahna?) looks cooler :)

Ooops sorry, you do have a good idea relly - just my ideas just kept coming as I typed... didn't mean to be so negative!

Hi

A Metrolink tram have just been at Freehold stop and it was 3037 tram, it when as far as freehold stop then back down to Manchester.

Well spotted ro2! Any chance of some of you insiders tipping us the wink when something like this is about to happen? I guess the more of us that know about it, the better the chance of getting a pic.

I did spend a bit of damp time this week on the Oldham line, but only managed to catch the OH wagon near Dean Lane (it must have come over the finback bridge - would like to have seen that). :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5975.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5977.jpg

The new OHL is still in its copper period :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5935.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5934.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5942.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5927.jpg

Working on the finback bridge, perhaps adjusting snags after the gauge testing? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5978.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5982.jpg

Before the OHLE came to Central Park :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/IMG_1569.jpg

And now it is here :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5952.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5953.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5955.jpg

And next month we will also have a Police Station (whose workers have been advised to use the buses or trams at least two days per week!) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5945.jpg

So it had better be ready?

:banana:

Jesus! Are those five Deltics in a cavalcade?!?




http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/Central%20Park/101_5982.jpg

Jesus! Are those five Deltics in a cavalcade?!?



It is indeed =) heading to the ELR for our Deltic weekend this Sat/Sun. Part of the Deltic's 50th Birthday. I'll be there waving flags on Saturday =)

What a bloody amazing sight! JDR you didn't even comment on your photo! Were you too preoccupied with the finback to notice them? ;-) hehe

Great shots JDR. You also caught the first of Northerns cast offs sat at NH today. The bright green one :D

Wonder who is going to get the prize for the first finback banana? :banana::banana:

Another possible reason for running down the central reservation. By reserving space on the central reservation you remove nearly all future possibility of someone using any land reserved on the northern side. It could still be lost but the cost of moving a carraigeway to gain a narrow strip of land would be prohibative. The alignment is better protected.

P.S. Five Deltics look cool. Last time I saw that many was while sneaking around the back of Doncaster works in the early eighties.

Maybe it was something to do with the tunnel required for the proposed Tameside International Airport..... :)

http://tinyurl.com/5sgqazg

My wife would be devastated, she's in that Garden Centre at least 3 times a week :lol:

Hi

Good picture of Central Park johnny :cheers:, I did took a picture of the tram at Freehold yesterday and I charge to upload tomorrow, also the will be more testing on Oldham line soon as Werneth have got wires up but I don't know if the track down under Featherstall Rd bridge let, maybe the Oldham will opened to Mumps by March u never know. :banana:

Oh johnny do u know if Central park have got they station sign up let.

Well, martin, I was going to say "tram trains? - I wouldn't fancy a banana's chances against this lot", but then the diesel fumes got me!!

Anyway, there was worse wetness in Werneth and Westwood . . .

The bridge on Featherstall Road South has re-opened and been painted in Metrolink beige :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_5991.jpg

The OHLE wagon has been down dale and up hill and made it as far as here :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_5996.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_5992.jpg

The OHLE now seems to go through the Werneth tunnels :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_5997.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_5987.jpg

The concrete bases for the 3b turnout are now also in place, together with the OHLE poles :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_5989.jpg

It will be one hell of a tight turn and rise up into the Westwood Business Park :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_5985.jpg

They’ve decided not to put in the points just yet, however :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_5986.jpg

Once it has twisted around up to here, it will then be a straight run through the business park, and out through the wall at the other end, into West Street :-

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

This little cottage used to stand at the corner of West Street and Featherstall Road South :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/100_9408.jpg

But no more :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_6002.jpg

Still plenty of optimism around, however :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_6003.jpg

Elsewhere, looking down Manchester Street from Oldham Centre, the new Co-op Funeral Parlour, which will replace the current one on Union Street West, is rising up on the left, with the compliments of Metrolink. The 3b route will move away down under the by-pass, between the arches in the far background :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_6007.jpg

:banana:

What an amazing shot of the turnout for 3B off the Oldham Mumps line! I had no idea they had built that...

So to get it straight in my head, when they connect up the line to that turnout, will the existing track that goes straight on at that point be ripped up? What will happen to the trackbed, is it known yet?

Great shots JDR. You also caught the first of Northerns cast offs sat at NH today. The bright green one :D

Wonder who is going to get the prize for the first finback banana? :banana::banana:

Are those the London Midland ones? Aren't some of those also 3 car units?

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.

Agreed that does seem to make more sense.



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.

Ok, thanks for getting back to me tho.



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

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??

Damm iPad refuses to let me see that picture up close! Shame that the Central Park section looks likes it's going to open later as it would help keep Victoria a bit clear operationally. Just hope they surprise us all with the TMS.

nice pics and noticed the LM 150s(111,114 and 204) are starting to turn up at NH in johnny ds first pic.

What an amazing shot of the turnout for 3B off the Oldham Mumps line! I had no idea they had built that...

So to get it straight in my head, when they connect up the line to that turnout, will the existing track that goes straight on at that point be ripped up? What will happen to the trackbed, is it known yet?

Yes and as well as that tight turn, this is the height it will have to climb, measured by the old steps down to the Werneth platform! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/100_9417.jpg

Have to agree it seems a waste to scrap all that temporary line to Mumps - Kriis suggested it could be used for short workings, and there has also been mention of expresses, using the tunnels as a Second Town Crossing. Moreover, the likely time-interval between the two phases (i.e. the life-span of Mumps Temporary and the tunnel Phase 3a line) seems to be getting shorter all the time.

However, the plan definitely remains to remove it once 3b is open - and probably use the track and OHLE etc on the Airport line or elsewhere. I guess the alignment will then revert to Oldham Council or Network Rail for real estate?

:banana:

Great photos johnnyDR!

You also caught the first of Northerns cast offs sat at NH today. The bright green one :D

Cheers Tony - what exactly is happening to that rolling stock (or others in the pipeline?)

4 x 156 to EMT,the 180s are going to worst late western, the 142s are coming back from worst late western and 150s from LM to strengthen services.

Oh johnny do u know if Central park have got they station sign up let.

No r02, haven't seen any signs at Central park yet.

Can't wait to see your pic of Freehold. . .:banana:

Great phoos JdR - thanks as always :)

I love how JdR nonchalantly slipped that Deltic photo in there... What a little tease!

I love how JdR nonchalantly slipped that Deltic photo in there... What a little tease!

The combined power of those locos = awesome!

I remember a couple of years back one of the Anti-HS2 groups used recordings of Deltics to show the noise the HS2 units would make.

One of the loudest and most powerful diesel trains ever built, several decades ago with old technology = a modern EMU apparantly...

The combined power of those locos = awesome!

Witness the power this seemed at the ELR! Especially the 1925 from Bury ;)

I am amazed so many Deltics still exist and haven't been scrapped. Wonderful trains seen one at the ELR but never travelled on one.

Yes, Wing - money speaks. When local residents who live along the line try to make suggestions (as I did about Cemetery Road being inappropriate as it is surrounded by old people's homes), we are told "Stop names are not out for public consultation".

Cemetery Road seems more appropriate for a terminus than a through stop. Great pictures above, as per usual. I hope the copper is either monitored around the clock or energised, to protect against theft in this unlawful day and age.

4 x 156 to EMT,the 180s are going to worst late western, the 142s are coming back from worst late western and 150s from LM to strengthen services.

Worst Great Western are swapping 142s for 180s? Presumably not a straight swap for a particular route.

Hi

Good picture at Werneth johnny :cheers:, u think the should put points in at werneth so they don't need to do it later in year and also have bit of track pointing out but they possible think better doing that, also I think they should have line going through tunnel even after 2014 just in case like accident in Oldham town centre or trams that out of service can use that.

No r02, haven't seen any signs at Central park yet.

Can't wait to see your pic of Freehold. . .:banana:

Here picture of that tram at Freehold johnny I hope u can see it.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6237573257_6c54f6d69b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6237573257/)
Tram near Freehold (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6237573257/)

I charge more other picture on later. :banana:

I remember a couple of years back one of the Anti-HS2 groups used recordings of Deltics to show the noise the HS2 units would make.

One of the loudest and most powerful diesel trains ever built, several decades ago with old technology = a modern EMU apparantly...

Now they just like to state running freight trains on the same tracks as passenger trains leads to derailment when they pass each other.

Hi

Good picture at Werneth johnny :cheers:, u think the should put points in at werneth so they don't need to do it later in year and also have bit of track pointing out but they possible think better doing that, also I think they should have line going through tunnel even after 2014 just in case like accident in Oldham town centre or trams that out of service can use that.

Here picture of that tram at Freehold johnny I hope u can see it.

[/URL]
[URL="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6237573257/"]Tram near Freehold (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6237573257/)

I charge more other picture on later. :banana:

Wow, nice picture! Looks like a good case of right time, right place!

Hi

Here picture of that tram at Freehold johnny I hope u can see it.

I charge more other picture on later. :banana:

Well spotted!

It is indeed =) heading to the ELR for our Deltic weekend this Sat/Sun. Part of the Deltic's 50th Birthday. I'll be there waving flags on Saturday =)

Excellent!!! Erdinger und deltics und what ever this Bury by night is on Friday und Bolton beer festival.

Wow, nice picture! Looks like a good case of right time, right place!

It looks as if that photo was taken from inside a house! Words cannot explain how envious I am of people who live beside a train/tram line. Nice photo r02!

It looks as if that photo was taken from inside a house! Words cannot explain how envious I am of people who live beside a train/tram line. Nice photo r02!

Hi

Yes futurelink is was my House that I took that:), here two more picture and sorry if u can't see it.

[http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6238639766_9c46da87d5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6238639766/)
Metrolink tram near freehold (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6238639766/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6238117099_3b2f4a0a83_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6238117099/)
Metrolink tram on oldham line (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6238117099/)

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

You should get a webcam set up in your window...!!

You should get a webcam set up in your window...!!

What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?:bash:

i`d watch if you put it on livestream.

If I know how to put webcam in the room then I will also Freehold stop had the light on for first time today as it look like the was testing the lightblub out.

Hi

Yes futurelink is was my House that I took that:), here two more picture and sorry if u can't see it.

[[/URL]
Metrolink tram near freehold (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6238639766/)


[URL="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6238117099/"]Metrolink tram on oldham line (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/6238117099/)

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Amazing. Next winter your going to be able to get some great shots of them whizzing past!

I am amazed so many Deltics still exist and haven't been scrapped. Wonderful trains seen one at the ELR but never travelled on one.

Unfortunately, those five are it - the full contingency. Most of other 17 were scrapped.

22% rescue rate is bloody good for any class!

I've got a friend who lives by New Islington and he can't wait for the trams to start up as he gets them from Piccadilly out onto the Eccles line. http://dig.la/HB

Unfortunately, those five are it - the full contingency. Most of other 17 were scrapped.

Actually theres one more, i think it was 15 witch has gone back to Barrow Hill by road, and theres 2 cabs preserved and the prototype.

Hi

Good picture at Werneth johnny :cheers:, u think the should put points in at werneth so they don't need to do it later in year and also have bit of track pointing out but they possible think better doing that, also I think they should have line going through tunnel even after 2014 just in case like accident in Oldham town centre or trams that out of service can use that.



Here picture of that tram at Freehold johnny I hope u can see it.



Great to see the first photos of a tram in Oldham R02.

I hope I'm wrong Johnny but I wonder whether they will actually install any turnouts at Werneth or merely connect the new route to the existing line up through Chadderton over a single weekend blockade. There would be no point in installing switches which need maintenance if the old alignment isn't kept.

I remember a couple of years back one of the Anti-HS2 groups used recordings of Deltics to show the noise the HS2 units would make.

One of the loudest and most powerful diesel trains ever built, several decades ago with old technology = a modern EMU apparantly...

They were what was known in the trade as a 'lash-up'.

Built to replace the A4's on the East Coast Main Line, their expected shelf life was to be ten years at the most, after which the proposed electrification would be complete. The engine was built under licence, I think; it was a Vosper-Thorneycroft power unit designed for fast West German naval patrol launches. In my experience, they sound like demented sewing machines and spew out oil and clag (you don't wear a good shirt if you are working a train that they are hauling).

Nevertheless, they do turn a lot of people on....

Train Guard

Great to see the first photos of a tram in Oldham R02.

Yes - that is a very important photograph r02, one for the history books. . .

What goes through my mind is that banana has already come across the Smedley viaduct and through the tunnel, by the dwellings of Monsall, up to the futuristic Central Park, snaking over the finback, down through the single line section, then high up in the sky over the motorway at Hollinwood, back down into the woods and the park at South Chaddeh, and up in the air again behind your house!! Amazing! Just think of all those pix waiting to be taken - not to worry, their time will come!

:banana:

I hope I'm wrong Johnny but I wonder whether they will actually install any turnouts at Werneth or merely connect the new route to the existing line up through Chadderton over a single weekend blockade. There would be no point in installing switches which need maintenance if the old alignment isn't kept.

Yes, I'm sure you're right Freel. Unless the 3a line is saved by a miracle (stranger things have happened - I had nearly given up altogether in 2004!), I guess they will simply chop the line under the bridge, then re-connect it to 3b with the last bits of curve readily prepared. I do believe, however, that they are intending to install the corresponding 3b junction at Mumps from the outset (not necessarily with switchblades), but as that one is in street track, I think it is to avoid digging up the main road intersection again.

Anyway, to keep us going here are a few shots of Ashton-under-Lyne, taken from the top of IKEA in the rain.

Can you see the couple of straight bits of track crossing over to the central reservation. I have been following the discussion of alternatives about this, but from the scenic point of view I am firmly in the 'central alignment' camp. It seems to chime in aesthetically (giggle on, Cats!:lol:) with the sinuous movement of a rail vehicle over undulating territory . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_5970.jpg

New rails being delivered, by ALDI on Wellington Street near Oldham Road. The alignment lies waiting behind the lorry :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_5973.jpg

Cavendish Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_5968.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_5971.jpg

The terminus at Ashton :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_5964.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_5965.jpg

Don't turn round or you'll miss something! 48 hours and re-bar has appeared at the terminus along with the sunshine. Amid the blue lamps of Ashton, the two spires also point the way towards Stalybridge, should that aspiration ever come to pass . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/101_6039.jpg

Is that re-bar Tony? I remember you mentioning it and I think that's what it was.
:banana:

Looks like rebar to me, JDR. Rebar grid, or rebar cage possibly, but certainly rebar. You're looking ar around £3.00 to £4.00 a square metre, plus VAT, for light gauge stuff, £8.00 psm for heavier. Do the math, and work out what that lot cost. Might be cheaper at Aldi.

Great pics again, and I hope you got out of Ikea safely. I agree with you on the Oldham centre turnout. I've read that the timings have been looked at, and are the reason why the new route can't work with the temporary. Once that's been decided, it makes no sense to install points when it will be quicker, cheaper, and less disruptive to connect the new town centre loop without them.

Great to see the first photos of a tram in Oldham R02.

I hope I'm wrong Johnny but I wonder whether they will actually install any turnouts at Werneth or merely connect the new route to the existing line up through Chadderton over a single weekend blockade. There would be no point in installing switches which need maintenance if the old alignment isn't kept.

Hi

Is true what u saying that Freel07 as they could still have trams running as going from Mumps to Rochdale having as 12 Mins service and have tram running from Freehold to St Werburgh's road or East Didsbury also 12 mins service as I think the is a turnback between Freehold and South Chadderton just before Washbrook bridge but I'm not sure.

Good picture of Ashton under lyne Johnny, was u on roof of Ikea.

Yes - that is a very important photograph r02, one for the history books. . .

What goes through my mind is that banana has already come across the Smedley viaduct and through the tunnel, by the dwellings of Monsall, up to the futuristic Central Park, snaking over the finback, down through the single line section, then high up in the sky over the motorway at Hollinwood, back down into the woods and the park at South Chaddeh, and up in the air again behind your house!! Amazing! Just think of all those pix waiting to be taken - not to worry, their time will come!

:banana:

Here a question for all of u when the did the testing on Oldham line last Saturday and Monday could that tram run on is alone without anything putting it between Central Park to Depot, is that possible.

Nice pics of my home town johnny and the grab a granny pub that is known as the prince of orange.

I would love to see the line extended down the hill to Stalybridge in the near future, would be a great interchange with national rail. Anyone think there's a chance of it ever happening?

Here a question for all of u when the did the testing on Oldham line last Saturday and Monday could that tram run on is alone without anything putting it between Central Park to Depot, is that possible.

It's an interesting question, r02, trouble is, we don't have any witnesses as to how it got there!

However, the line from Depot to Central Park has been ready and finished for several months, and the warning notices at the foot of the fenced-off staircases at CP indicate that the overhead is alive at that point. So I guess it's possible that the tram went that far under its own power, and was then hauled the rest of the way to Freehold. But as Patrick Moore says about why Uranus has such lovely rings: "We simply don't know!" :?

I am beginning to think now that it might be a good idea to open to Central Park asap after all, prompted by the fact that coming back from Bury the other day, the driver explained we were held up by a St Werburgh service reversing. When you think of it, they are already wasting all that dead mileage from Victoria to a point North of Queen's Road, and I bet the distance to Monsall, with its residential catchment is only about the same, with CP not much further. So if it can be done fairly easily, why not take what revenue there is available for the same mileage as now? Possibly worth retrofitting a few more bananas if TMS is still a distant dream? - :banana:

Cracking vantage point Johnny. Will definitely be taking a trip up there some time. Yup as BoyImjealous said, lovely re-bar. One thing though. Did some one mention that that Ashton terminus station was moved so that the future extension to Staly could happen more easily?

Still seems to be pointing into the bus station still but Im sure they could get across it. You would have thought they would have angled it a bit more towards the road?

I would love to see the line extended down the hill to Stalybridge in the near future, would be a great interchange with national rail. Anyone think there's a chance of it ever happening?

Probably unlikely to happen for a number of years. Good thought though, but I suppose the Ashton terminus won't be that far away from Ashton-Under-Lyne train station anyway.

Great pics Johnny, dedication going out in that weather!
Going off your last picture the platform at Ashton is going to be really high, maybe that's so we can have an elevated walkway across to the Rail station in the background (left).
:lol:

One thing though. Did some one mention that that Ashton terminus station was moved so that the future extension to Staly could happen more easily?

Still seems to be pointing into the bus station still but Im sure they could get across it. You would have thought they would have angled it a bit more towards the road?

There is to be a major extension of the Ashton shopping arcade, including a new bus station and 'transport interchange'. An extension of the Metrolink to Stalybridge is certainly on Tameside council's 'to do' list so I'm sure provision will be made for it in the plans.

From Tameside's website, first item on the list under 'Future Investments'......

"£40m Arcades Shopping Centre development to more than double the centre in size and to contain a new transport interchange including brand new bus station and Metrolink terminus"

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/ashton/towncentre

There is to be a major extension of the Ashton shopping arcade, including a new bus station and 'transport interchange'. An extension of the Metrolink to Stalybridge is certainly on Tameside council's 'to do' list so I'm sure provision will be made for it in the plans.

From Tameside's website, first item on the list under 'Future Investments'......

"£40m Arcades Shopping Centre development to more than double the centre in size and to contain a new transport interchange including brand new bus station and Metrolink terminus"

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/ashton/towncentre


How do you read "extension" into "terminus"?

And Metrolink is expected to arrive in Ashton in 2002 :banana:

It's an interesting question, r02, trouble is, we don't have any witnesses as to how it got there!

However, the line from Depot to Central Park has been ready and finished for several months, and the warning notices at the foot of the fenced-off staircases at CP indicate that the overhead is alive at that point. So I guess it's possible that the tram went that far under its own power, and was then hauled the rest of the way to Freehold. But as Patrick Moore says about why Uranus has such lovely rings: "We simply don't know!" :?

I am beginning to think now that it might be a good idea to open to Central Park asap after all, prompted by the fact that coming back from Bury the other day, the driver explained we were held up by a St Werburgh service reversing. When you think of it, they are already wasting all that dead mileage from Victoria to a point North of Queen's Road, and I bet the distance to Monsall, with its residential catchment is only about the same, with CP not much further. So if it can be done fairly easily, why not take what revenue there is available for the same mileage as now? Possibly worth retrofitting a few more bananas if TMS is still a distant dream? - :banana:
It was pulled there by a diesil unit:banana:

Been away.

There was talk about some weeks ago that there was a hope that 'on Thursday' the SML / depot junction would be commissioned.

I'm guessing that did not happen?

How do you read "extension" into "terminus"?

No reason why a 'terminus' couldn't be made into a through route at a later date, just as Droylsden will be a terminus for a while until the extension to Ashton is open.

And Metrolink is expected to arrive in Ashton in 2002

Whoops..! Didn't notice that - about time they updated the page ... :bash:

No reason why a 'terminus' couldn't be made into a through route at a later date, just as Droylsden will be a terminus for a while until the extension to Ashton is open.


None at all but that is just supposition and does not imply that it is in future plans.

Did some one mention that that Ashton terminus station was moved so that the future extension to Staly could happen more easily?
Still seems to be pointing into the bus station still but Im sure they could get across it. You would have thought they would have angled it a bit more towards the road?

Cheers Tony.

In fact, the terminal stubs seem to be set well back from the present bus station:-

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/pdf/future_metrolink/east-manchester-line/ashton-under-lyne.pdf

It looks like there would be plenty of room for a curve to the North to join Wellington Road, or even the new Northern By-pass Extension, which starts in front of the railway station and is due to open next year. (We would have a big clue if it turns out to have a very wide central reservation! :lol:)

The aspiration to extend Metrolink to Stalybridge was in one of the major reports to AGMA or TFGMC posted by Watcher a few months back, can't put my finger on it right now. I remember it resulted in some discussion on here of potential routes, such as possibly via Darnton Road and Stamford Park, taking in Tameside Hospital.
:banana:

Cheers Tony.

In fact, the terminal stubs seem to be set well back from the present bus station:-

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/pdf/future_metrolink/east-manchester-line/ashton-under-lyne.pdf

It looks like there would be plenty of room for a curve to the North to join Wellington Road, or even the new Northern By-pass Extension, which starts in front of the railway station and is due to open next year. (We would have a big clue if it turns out to have a very wide central reservation! :lol:)

The aspiration to extend Metrolink to Stalybridge was in one of the major reports to AGMA or TFGMC posted by Watcher a few months back, can't put my finger on it right now. I remember it resulted in some discussion on here of potential routes, such as possibly via Darnton Road and Stamford Park, taking in Tameside Hospital.
:banana:

Tameside's development plan for the bus station and old town area following the opening of the Stage 2 northern Relief Road includes provision for taking Metrolink beyond the present terminus along Wellington Road which is likely to pedestrianised past the Market Hall and up Penny Meadow to serve a possible new college on the site of the temporary market building. It includes possible stops at the market and new college. it did refer to a future extension to Stalybridge but mentioned no proposed route.

Regarding Ashton becoming a good tram/heavy rail interchange, that may get blown out by the Northern Hub service proposals which see most Trans-Pennine services routed through Ashton to Victoria. The current Huddersfield to Victoria stoppers look as though they may run to Piccadilly and the path needed for the Stalybridge to Liverpool stopper may be used by one of the Trans-Pennines so Ashton's chances of a decent service look pretty poor. At best an hourly stopper is likely unless one of the Trans-Pennines each hour stops.

Great pics Johnny, dedication going out in that weather!
Going off your last picture the platform at Ashton is going to be really high, maybe that's so we can have an elevated walkway across to the Rail station in the background (left).
:lol:

The platform is at road level pretty much, I think it's the angle of the photo that is distorting the impression.

The rail station is pretty isolated once the new road opens, even now the local transport posters on the station don't detail the bus services from the bus station , they only show the ones that depart from the Old Fire Station opposite the Market. It will be interesting to see whether they get changed to show the trams.

Cheers fellows - interesting.

Access between the bus and rail stations at Ashton is desperately poor at the moment, and unless they make some kind of special provision it can only get worse when a four lane highway goes through there. At the moment there are no pedestrian lights across two busy roads, one of which has traffic appearing at speed from out of sight below the railway. You have to try and time it for when the traffic stops, run like hell and hope for the best!!

Tameside's development plan for the bus station and old town area following the opening of the Stage 2 northern Relief Road includes provision for taking Metrolink beyond the present terminus along Wellington Road which is likely to pedestrianised past the Market Hall and up Penny Meadow to serve a possible new college on the site of the temporary market building. It includes possible stops at the market and new college. it did refer to a future extension to Stalybridge but mentioned no proposed route.

Do you have a reference for any plans or drawings of that Freel?

One of my favourite things in Ashton is the muriel on the left hand wall as you enter the shopping centre from the bus station or the Probation office. It shows all the different corporation buses and trams which used to pull in to the old terminus - Oldham, Manchester, Stockport, Rochdale, SHMD etc. I remember me and my friend spotting their liveries and collecting the various timetables when we were about 12 years old. Unfortunately someone has plonked a couple of bandits or vending machines in front of the mural so you can't see it properly.

(This also reminds me of an excellent picture in today's MEN of Media City - still spoilt however by the red and white "temporary" bollards which have become permanent all across the waterfront along by the tram stop. Whatever the H&S or planning error was here, I wish they would correct it before the campus opens fully.)

Well I sound a but grumpy to-day, so to cheer things up, here's a few pix of the external re-vamp of Whitefield :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Whitefield/101_6021.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Whitefield/101_6026.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Whitefield/101_6024.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Whitefield/101_6022.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Whitefield/101_6020.jpg

:banana:

They look like the ticket barriers at Oxford Road, but jrb or loweskid will have to answer that one .. http://xp.cm/kp

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Whitefield/101_6022.jpg

:banana:

yes, that muriel is good Johnny, Does it have ducks flying over it by any chance? Hm?......

And in the picture, she's getting a FINAL WARNING. Whatever it is, she must deserve it!

Did anyone else notice strange workings last night. At 2130 3004 came onto Piccadilly Gardens from the Station going to St Werburghs' Road. Wonder what was going on there? I did see it honest. Really...I did.

Had assessment on August 31st offered job as a driver subject to medical, still not had a date for medical or start date, is there anyone out there who has been t an assessment in July or August who HAS had their medical and start date, if so what's the medical like and what's your start date, have spoken to them but all I get is depends where you are on the list, it could be 7th December or mid Jan 2012 start, that's 4 or 5 months respectively a bit poor if you ask me when you want to start a new job, makes it very difficult to stay motivated in your current job doing my head in now just want to get my hands on the :banana::banana::banana::banana:'s any info pls.

The platform is at road level pretty much, I think it's the angle of the photo that is distorting the impression.

Cheers Freel, although I was being a little flippant. The corrugated tubes for the cables/services lunge a good 6 or 7 feet into the air. I know they'll be cut back and we'll have a perfectly normal platform here.

Congratulations.

Well done that man!

I suspect they will be starting new staff in batches, depending on when things are expected to open, as no point having loads of drivers when the new lines aren't open. Training must take a good few weeks so would imagine that they do each training course with only a few people rather than one mass course.

The wait must be a little frustrating, but you sound like you've got past the worst bit, so well done and just hang in at your old job knowing that before long you'll be tooting your whistle at us in the streets of Manchester :banana:!

Had assessment on August 31st offered job as a driver subject to medical, still not had a date for medical or start date, is there anyone out there who has been t an assessment in July or August who HAS had their medical and start date, if so what's the medical like and what's your start date, have spoken to them but all I get is depends where you are on the list, it could be 7th December or mid Jan 2012 start, that's 4 or 5 months respectively a bit poor if you ask me when you want to start a new job, makes it very difficult to stay motivated in your current job doing my head in now just want to get my hands on the :banana::banana::banana::banana:'s any info pls.

They can only start so many drivers per driving course, if you are not on the first one or two then Jan 2012 is not unreasonable.

As far as the medical is concerned don't turn up pi**ed or have smoked some wacky baccy in the weeks before.

Had assessment on August 31st offered job as a driver subject to medical, still not had a date for medical or start date, is there anyone out there who has been t an assessment in July or August who HAS had their medical and start date, if so what's the medical like and what's your start date, have spoken to them but all I get is depends where you are on the list, it could be 7th December or mid Jan 2012 start, that's 4 or 5 months respectively a bit poor if you ask me when you want to start a new job, makes it very difficult to stay motivated in your current job doing my head in now just want to get my hands on the :banana::banana::banana::banana:'s any info pls.

Well done that Metxdriver, I hope you get the job, and that it lives up to your expectations!

No idea on the medical, but I would guess it might take the form of :
1) Have you two of most things?
2) Have you one of everything else?
3) How many fingers am I holding up?
4) Really?
5) Can you fill the jar with urine, please? You can take it down from the top shelf if you like.
6) Cough.

It used to work for the army.

Had assessment on August 31st offered job as a driver subject to medical, still not had a date for medical or start date, is there anyone out there who has been t an assessment in July or August who HAS had their medical and start date, if so what's the medical like and what's your start date, have spoken to them but all I get is depends where you are on the list, it could be 7th December or mid Jan 2012 start, that's 4 or 5 months respectively a bit poor if you ask me when you want to start a new job, makes it very difficult to stay motivated in your current job doing my head in now just want to get my hands on the :banana::banana::banana::banana:'s any info pls.

Major congratulations mate !!

I am in the same boat as you - not mentioned it on here so far - dunno why not !! Then again, I ain't told many people yet - well just the family really.

I did assessment in August, then got interviewed in early September - then got the job offer.

This waiting bit for the medical and then the start date is a killer ain't it !! I just want to get a fixed moment in time so I can give my notice, and perhaps believe this is all real.

Moved to Manchester 8 years ago, saw the trams, and wanted a job driving them.

Got this far, now it is just painful waiting - they did tell me there could be a long wait, and that start dates for the next driver training would probably be January - didn't seem so far off then , now it is just a lifetime !!

It is sending me... well... :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_6042.jpg


And in the picture, she's getting a FINAL WARNING. Whatever it is, she must deserve it!


http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Whitefield/101_6022.jpg

Morning Motor - I would say he looks more like the typical bully who needs taking down a peg or two, I've met a few like him, but I guess we mustn't judge on appearances!! (And in point of fact, I think we now agree that he is probably just lighting a fag for her!!)

I agree with Mark that the new branding makes the whole thing look more c21 and continental, I have come round to the yellow now, I guess Whitefield is a good example of how it raises the profile of Metrolink within its hinterland.

I have also changed my mind about the wisdom of waiting until Mumps is ready before opening to Central Park, in view of the dead mileage currently being wasted by terminating at Victoria. It might as well be earning the revenue which Monsall can provide, as well as the captive office workers at CP. They are still saying 'later this year' for opening to Central Park - so - is it time for our prediction game again?

I will throw my hat in the ring and suggest :-

0530 (ish) on Monday 5.12.11 you heard it first here!

Full congrats to Metx and Clunk & all the successful applicants for the training school and good luck to those yet to come :applause: It takes me back to when I sent off for the very same forms nearly a decade ago, but then dithering Darling did his doo-doo and the big bang went bufft!!

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

Nowadays I am past it, otherwise I would be there like a shot, but instead I have retired to a house on a tram station! Here's a couple of night-time shots of the coming Edge Lane stop, Hopper-esque with the gibbous moon hovering above :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_6103.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_6041.jpg

:banana:

Hot off the press! Ive just been to visit the northern most reaches of the ever expanding Metrolink empire

Starting at Rochdale and working south to Shaw and Crompton...

Old Meets new at the High Level Road

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000832.jpg

Heading down from High Level Road the rails are yet to make the curve into the station

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000834.jpg

Yes in Rochdale they have gone for a fetching shade of Black for their on street Over head line poles :nuts::nuts:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000833.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000835.jpg

The station site now has rails

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000837.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000838.jpg

Next stop was Milnrow and I was surprised to see them busy at work here on a Sunday!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000841.jpg

This digger was busy moving a mass of muddy gloop around the place.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000842.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000839.jpg

In between Milnrow and Newhey I noticed a few piles of new rails but couldnt stop to get a photo. Good to see anyway!!

Next stop Newhey

Still no rails...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000844.jpg

The station has gained one of the ubiquitous boxes

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000845.jpg

The ramp coming on nicely. I quite like the stone cladding here.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000846.jpg

Final call at Shaw and Crompton

The new road crossing that looks exactly like the old one.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000850.jpg

The old site of the railway station. They were working further up the line here today aswell

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000849.jpg

The new station site.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000847.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1000848.jpg

I thought my eyes were playing tricks but I could see more clearly enlarging the photo. :banana:

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

Did anyone else notice strange workings last night. At 2130 3004 came onto Piccadilly Gardens from the Station going to St Werburghs' Road. Wonder what was going on there? I did see it honest. Really...I did.


Came back from Radcliffe to Piccadilly about 2030 on Friday. 2-3 minute wait just before we got to Queens Rd. Then another few minutes in the platform at Victoria before we got a radio message to "proceed as normal". Just as we were leaving there was some announcement about delays to trams TO Bury but I didn't catch it as we set off.

Got to Market St and decided to get off and visit some pubs (Soup Kitchen and Port St) whilst waiting for my next train as the slow journey meant I had missed my connection. Spotted a chap with a crowbar manually changing the points for my Piccadilly bound tram to go down the correct line...:shocked:

Two trams, an old one and a new one, were waiting at Market St, doors open and passengers on board, on the Victoria bound platform (not coupled together I should add). Next day a colleague told me that someone took 90 minutes to go from Manchester to Bury that evening.

So I guess they probably re-routed the St Werbergh's service to Piccadilly to keep it running, but I'm not sure what the problem was with services Northbound through the City Centre.

Cheers
Chris W

Great photo update from the Northern reaches, Tony - things move so fast. I'm a bit surprised they've gone back to black for the ohl poles - Norman St John Stevas was very unhappy about them when they first appeared in Piccadilly Gardens 20 years ago!

I wonder how far the rails go South from Shaw into that open country which will be such unfamiliar territory for a tram? Fabulous!

Myself, I was at the opposite Southern extremities of East Didsbury - will post some pix shortly.

Hi Chaps by the way, & welcome!
:banana:

Major congratulations mate !!

I am in the same boat as you - not mentioned it on here so far - dunno why not !! Then again, I ain't told many people yet - well just the family really.

I did assessment in August, then got interviewed in early September - then got the job offer.

This waiting bit for the medical and then the start date is a killer ain't it !! I just want to get a fixed moment in time so I can give my notice, and perhaps believe this is all real.

Moved to Manchester 8 years ago, saw the trams, and wanted a job driving them.

Got this far, now it is just painful waiting - they did tell me there could be a long wait, and that start dates for the next driver training would probably be January - didn't seem so far off then , now it is just a lifetime !!

It is sending me... well... :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
I know what you mean knowing it's all real when I rang to see what was going on she said she couldn't find my details at first (a bit worrying) I was told December for my course and the only date in December is the 7th according to good people in metrolink HR I just hope it is, by the way did you do your assessment on 31st August starting late afternoon?

Came back from Radcliffe to Piccadilly about 2030 on Friday. 2-3 minute wait just before we got to Queens Rd. Then another few minutes in the platform at Victoria before we got a radio message to "proceed as normal". Just as we were leaving there was some announcement about delays to trams TO Bury but I didn't catch it as we set off.

Got to Market St and decided to get off and visit some pubs (Soup Kitchen and Port St) whilst waiting for my next train as the slow journey meant I had missed my connection. Spotted a chap with a crowbar manually changing the points for my Piccadilly bound tram to go down the correct line...:shocked:

Two trams, an old one and a new one, were waiting at Market St, doors open and passengers on board, on the Victoria bound platform (not coupled together I should add). Next day a colleague told me that someone took 90 minutes to go from Manchester to Bury that evening.

So I guess they probably re-routed the St Werbergh's service to Piccadilly to keep it running, but I'm not sure what the problem was with services Northbound through the City Centre.

Cheers
Chris W

Yeah, I did see a St. Werburgh's Rd tram heading from Piccadilly Gardens, forgot about that til I read this post.

Cheers fellows - interesting.

Access between the bus and rail stations at Ashton is desperately poor at the moment, and unless they make some kind of special provision it can only get worse when a four lane highway goes through there. At the moment there are no pedestrian lights across two busy roads, one of which has traffic appearing at speed from out of sight below the railway. You have to try and time it for when the traffic stops, run like hell and hope for the best!!



Do you have a reference for any plans or drawings of that Freel?



I do have a copy somewhere of a report showing various options for the current Wellington Road/Penny Meadow area of Ashton. I'll look it up when I get back to my home PC.

Had assessment on August 31st offered job as a driver subject to medical, still not had a date for medical or start date, is there anyone out there who has been t an assessment in July or August who HAS had their medical and start date, if so what's the medical like and what's your start date, have spoken to them but all I get is depends where you are on the list, it could be 7th December or mid Jan 2012 start, that's 4 or 5 months respectively a bit poor if you ask me when you want to start a new job, makes it very difficult to stay motivated in your current job doing my head in now just want to get my hands on the :banana::banana::banana::banana:'s any info pls.

They usually take 6 to 7 new drivers on a course at one time so as others have said there will be several batches of new started planned to provide enough drivers for the various new lines as they open. I guess all the delays to the planned dates are making training difficult to plan.

The medical is a fairly standard railway type examination. Eyesight, colourblindness, hearing, drink and drugs test (be prepared with a list of any prescribed medication and also any over the counter painkillers etc used in the recent past). For Network Rail height, weight blood pressure etc are checked I think that the Metrolink one has the same.

Good luck.

I do have a copy somewhere of a report showing various options for the current Wellington Road/Penny Meadow area of Ashton. I'll look it up when I get back to my home PC.

Cheers Freel

I managed to dig out a couple of newspaper articles, four years apart, which touch upon the subject. Between them, they are a bit ambiguous about the exact location of the proposed Interchange + new shopping centre, but heavy mention is made of the car parks off Henrietta Street and Wellington Street, which are actually slightly to the South East of the railway station.

To reach that point, however, would need an Eastward extension of the current terminal tramlines, which might constitute the first step in any extension to Stalybridge. I wonder if that's why they have put two separate crossovers on the approach to the terminus, (as also at East Didsbury & Altrincham incidentally) instead of a scissors as at Bury & Rochdale?

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/ashinterchange_0001.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Ashton/ashinterchange_0002.jpg

(Funnily enough, the map in the above article more or less follows the alignment suggested by DiscoSteve a few posts back! (By superimposing an earlier suggested alignment, on to a newer map after the construction of Lord Sheldon Way).

It will be interesting to see what actually develops at Ashton.
:banana:

I wonder if that's why they have put two separate crossovers on the approach to the terminus, (as also at East Didsbury & Altrincham incidentally) instead of a scissors as at Bury & Rochdale?Freel & others will know better than me but I think I've read somewhere that this layout is more reliable than scissor crossings. I know that they do it now on higher speed railway lines to allow faster running.

Cheers Mad – I’m sure you’re right, probably cheaper as well.

Here’s a few pix from Didsbury this weekend.

West Didsbury :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/West%20Didsbury/101_6101.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/West%20Didsbury/101_6100.jpg

Approaching Didsbury Village. Will you be able to see right through the tunnel? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6096.jpg

It looks as though it will slew to the right underneath the Slug & Lettuce, visible here on the background :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6097.jpg

There’s them as says the Didsbury line is less interesting as it’s nearly all in a cutting, but I think this tunnel scrunched into its snaking slot will make it worth the trip, especially with forward vision! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6095.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6094.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6089.jpg

The new ramp down to Didsbury Village tramstop, together with RE-BAR! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6087.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6085.jpg

In the background, they are re-jigging the Trans-Pennine Trail under Sandhurst Road footbridge, currently closed :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6074.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6079.jpg

Looking back to Didsbury Village from Olive Shapley Avenue :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6084.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6072.jpg

East Didsbury :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/101_6065.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/101_6064.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/101_6061.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/101_6049.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/101_6044.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/101_6059.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/101_6043.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/101_6058.jpg

I think these “accelerated” lines are catching up on the others pretty rapido!!

:banana:

Your right, it is more expensive at the ends of the lines then gets cheaper until midpoint then gets more expensive again as you approach the city centre. But even at its most expensive its the same price as a max zone distance return ticket. Used to be £4 then went upto £4.20 with the last round of fare rises, personally I swear by them, the ability to visit Bury, Eccles and Altrincham in the same day for only the price of a return ticket. http://i530.cn/kV

Cheers Freel

I managed to dig out a couple of newspaper articles, four years apart, which touch upon the subject. Between them, they are a bit ambiguous about the exact location of the proposed Interchange + new shopping centre, but heavy mention is made of the car parks off Henrietta Street and Wellington Street, which are actually slightly to the South East of the railway station.

To reach that point, however, would need an Eastward extension of the current terminal tramlines, which might constitute the first step in any extension to Stalybridge. I wonder if that's why they have put two separate crossovers on the approach to the terminus, (as also at East Didsbury & Altrincham incidentally) instead of a scissors as at Bury & Rochdale?


I should be able to have a look for the report tonight.

From memory there were 6 options based on combinations of moving the bus station east or leaving it where it is, but realigning it, and eastward extensions either via Wellington Street (most maps seem to show this as Wellington Road which was always my belief) or the new bypass to a point somewhere just short of where the bypass intersects Penny Meadow. There was also a projected route eastwards to link with Beaufort Road to Stalybridge I think.

Edit: Just looking on my USB stick I found this which is the front page from the report showing the proposed Town Centre changes.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonCentre.jpg

It takes a bit of study to get your bearings and at the scale reproduced here it is hard to see what's what but I'll see if I can get a better reproduction later along with the more detailed stuff.

In passing towards Ashton yesterday, I noticed that tracks are complete across the Ashton bound part of the Audenshaw gyratory system and that construction work has commenced on a centre reservation between the crossing and the site of Audenshaw tram station. The extension of the down line beyond Droylsden Station to the Moss Tavern is being surfaced. Construction work is under way at two places on the down side at both ends of Droylsden Road. The first is a section to the east of the Moss Tavern, and the second is a westerly extension of the isolated section of laid track at the end of the road, near to the gyratory.

Train Guard

What happens to the bus station in the plans above?

What happens to the bus station in the plans above?

Hopefully I'll be able to find the impressions for the various options that were in the report so I can upload them to make it clearer.

What happens to the bus station in the plans above?

If you look at "5" the L-shaped Building to the right appears to be a tram/bus interchange.

The current bus station looks like it'll be swallowed up by the big building between and above "9" and "5".

"8" looks like a footbridge between a multipurpose building containing council offices. Hope it's safe at nights unlike the pedestrianised bit of Warrington Street which contains disused retail units.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonCentre.jpg

Thanks for this Freel. The model is shown facing south. The north south road in the middle of the picture is Henrietta Street (which leaves Ashton town centre in a northerly direction). You can tell by the bridges beneath the roads where the railway passes under.

Helping you get the bearings. As for the railway, Left = Stalybridge and Right = Manchester.

The road which you can see running parallel to the railway line is the Ashton Northern Bypass which is under construction.

To the south of the railway are surface car parks, these look like they will be developed into Multi storeys and office space.

At the moment Penny Meadow/Wellington Street has a very large and uninspiring brown brick wall behind which is Tameside Council Offices (octagonal tower) and Wilkinsons. It looks like the new plan will improve the frontage.

Here’s a few pix from Didsbury this weekend.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6095.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6094.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/East%20Didsbury/Didsbury%20Village/101_6089.jpg


I love this particular stretch Johnny & completely agree with your forward vision statement. I'm really looking forward to taking the tram from St Werby's & going for lunch at The Didsbury, followed by walking it off in Fletcher Moss Gardens, before whizzing back home again :)

Two questions; the squares running centrally in all the photos above. I take it they are for the OHLE bases? They just appear to be very close together, so I'm unsure.

The other being, given the speed of the works on this line, do you think that there may be plans to bring the summer 2013 opening forward, possibly to summer / autumn next year?

Thanks as always for your efforts :cheers:

The other being, given the speed of the works on this line, do you think that there may be plans to bring the summer 2013 opening forward, possibly to summer / autumn next year?

Thanks as always for your efforts :cheers:

No there is still loads to do.

I remember the Chorlton line looked ready to most on here about a year before it actually opened. (And it opened a few weeks late in the end)

Two questions; the squares running centrally in all the photos above. I take it they are for the OHLE bases? They just appear to be very close together, so I'm unsure.

I think they are where the piles come up from underneath holding the concrete wall in place - there were photos of the construction several pages back on here, and it was explained that the wall on the right hand side is an L shape, going underneath the tracks, the piles presumably stop the wall from slipping down and the floor lifting.

No there is still loads to do.

I remember the Chorlton line looked ready to most on here about a year before it actually opened. (And it opened a few weeks late in the end)

Hardly! It wasn't much more than a year in the building, excluding prep works.

I should be able to have a look for the report tonight.

From memory there were 6 options based on combinations of moving the bus station east or leaving it where it is, but realigning it, and eastward extensions either via Wellington Street (most maps seem to show this as Wellington Road which was always my belief) or the new bypass to a point somewhere just short of where the bypass intersects Penny Meadow. There was also a projected route eastwards to link with Beaufort Road to Stalybridge I think.

Edit: Just looking on my USB stick I found this which is the front page from the report showing the proposed Town Centre changes.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonCentre.jpg

It takes a bit of study to get your bearings and at the scale reproduced here it is hard to see what's what but I'll see if I can get a better reproduction later along with the more detailed stuff.

Right I have found the options illustrations so here goes.

Option 0 bus station/Metrolink stop stay as now.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonOption0.jpg

Option 1 Bus station realigned and Metrolink integrated into it better. The bus station seems smaller and less easy to operate.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonOption1.jpg

Option 2A Existing Bus Station realigned on existing site and Metrolink extended along Wellington Road/Penny Meadow to site of a new college. Metrolink shown with possible future extension to Stalybridge.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonOption2A.jpg

Option 2B Bus station moved onto the site of the current Tameside Building and Metrolink extended as in Option 2A. Bus Station tiny.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonOption2B.jpg

Option 3A Similar to 2A but Metrolink runs along the south side of the Northern Bypass as far as Henrietta Street. Again provision for onward extension to Stalybridge.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonOption3A.jpg

Option 3B Similar to 2B but again Metrolink runs on the south side of the Northern Bypass as far as Henrietta Street between the Railway Station and TAC building.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Local/AshtonOption3B.jpg

All in all pretty dramatic changes although I would guess the recession has taken its toll on the developers plans now and we are unlikely to see much in the short to medium term. There are too many tram stops in too short a distance as well.

Didn't know if anyone noticed that Cllr. Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council has condemned the plans for Oldham Mumps Metrolink station, likening it to a "bus shelter" > http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/62012/bus-shelter-tram-stop-not-good-enough

Didn't know if anyone noticed that Cllr. Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council has condemned the plans for Oldham Mumps Metrolink station, likening it to a "bus shelter" > http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/62012/bus-shelter-tram-stop-not-good-enough

It's difficult to tell from the article whether he is referring to the temporary stop or the final one. I also wonder how much money the Central Park developer put into that stop. It looks just like a typical councillor needing to get his name in the local rag.

Right I have found the options illustrations so here goes.

Option 0 bus station/Metrolink stop stay as now.


Option 1 Bus station realigned and Metrolink integrated into it better. The bus station seems smaller and less easy to operate.

Option 2A Existing Bus Station realigned on existing site and Metrolink extended along Wellington Road/Penny Meadow to site of a new college. Metrolink shown with possible future extension to Stalybridge.

Option 2B Bus station moved onto the site of the current Tameside Building and Metrolink extended as in Option 2A. Bus Station tiny.

Option 3A Similar to 2A but Metrolink runs along the south side of the Northern Bypass as far as Henrietta Street. Again provision for onward extension to Stalybridge.

Option 3B Similar to 2B but again Metrolink runs on the south side of the Northern Bypass as far as Henrietta Street between the Railway Station and TAC building.

All in all pretty dramatic changes although I would guess the recession has taken its toll on the developers plans now and we are unlikely to see much in the short to medium term. There are too many tram stops in too short a distance as well.

:cheers: For all these option plans Freel, great stuff!

Didn't know if anyone noticed that Cllr. Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council has condemned the plans for Oldham Mumps Metrolink station, likening it to a "bus shelter" > http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/62012/bus-shelter-tram-stop-not-good-enough

Well if he's talking about the new Mumps for the street section that's what it is in all fairness, but for this location it doesn't really need to be much more than that surely?

I thought phases 3a and 3b were fully funded along with 2cc. So the significance of this is unclear.


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/manchester-tram-scheme-gets-eu-loan-2372283.html

If you remember the Greater Manchester Transport Fund is funded by a combination of borrowing and council tax. Theres three main lenders that local government use. Firstly the local government bank which lends to councils and is where councils desposit most of their savings long term, it lends a little below the commercial rate and it gives them a certain interest rate to hold their unspent money in it but has limits on borrowing. Then theres the EIB, it lends for transport and infrastructure projects at low rates but it will only lend a certain proportion of projects costs. Finally theres the commercial banks.

3B funding comes from the GMTF.

Thanks Freel for those plans it's really interesting to see, also Ashtonian for explaining the model. Used to live in Droylsden so spent a lot of time in Ashton, nearly moved there or Stalybridge but in the end couldn't tear ourselves away from nearer Manchester for better or worse.

Always thought the current Bus Station at Ashton is hideously too large and not a nice place to be. I wouldn't mind something smaller (like option 3a) if it was more like Oldham or Middleton's bus stations. Thoughts?

Also thanks for the Didsbury photos, used to live on Beaver Rd just near the Didsbury Village stop, wish I still did seeing those pics.

Tameside MBC have scored big time if they can achieve the above. And given throw transformation I would hasten to say that this has to be the best contender for the next extension of the tram network.

As for the EIB monies, zero explain as I can not grasp this and I normally do on these matters. Is the EIB on top or replacing an aspect of the Transport Fund that was from other streams? The heart and head tells me it's the former.

Either way another coup for GM. Which contrasts with the adolescent behaviour from a certain Bury MP this week.

Thanks for comments Scouse - fully agree - and for all that painstaking research Freel - fascinating!

I think that both Ashton and East Didsbury have the potential to open early - the crunch point is when they can manage to get the TMS system on stream. But for this, the other extensions (MC & Chorlton) might have opened early as well, as other aspects seem to be rollicking along tickety-boo.

Rollicking along also were Man City tonight, 2-1 (just) over Villareal in the Champions League :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_6114.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_6139.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_6143.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_6141.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_6144.jpg

:banana:

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Eastlands-Etihad/101_6143.jpg

:banana:

Is that the first diamond flag that we have seen lit up?

:banana:

Tameside MBC have scored big time if they can achieve the above. And given throw transformation I would hasten to say that this has to be the best contender for the next extension of the tram network.

As for the EIB monies, zero explain as I can not grasp this and I normally do on these matters. Is the EIB on top or replacing an aspect of the Transport Fund that was from other streams? The heart and head tells me it's the former.

Either way another coup for GM. Which contrasts with the adolescent behaviour from a certain Bury MP this week.

The EIB borrowing is the bulk of the part of the Transport Fund stream that was to come from borrowing. It was always the lender of choice (as they are subsidised development loans cheaper than market rate) but theres hoops to jump through in the way schemes are set up, monitored and demonstrating their benefits. If they had not secured the EIB loans they would simply have gone elsewhere and borrowed at a slightly higher interest rate.

Is that the first diamond flag that we have seen lit up?

:banana:

Nah, other ones across the network are lit up all the time. :)

The one at Deansgate-Castlefield was the first I think!

Do other parts of Manchester loath metrolink as much as they do in Oldham?

With their now absent “wonderful Victorian railway station”

Why in gods green earth are we bothering to spend money on a town that appears so totally against the idea?

Why not send the met west towards places without a rail link such as Leigh?

Anyone know what they are currently building in the middle of the new OT depot? A grey breeze-block building. Can't really tell how big it's going to be or what it could be.

Do other parts of Manchester loath metrolink as much as they do in Oldham?

With their now absent “wonderful Victorian railway station”

Why in gods green earth are we bothering to spend money on a town that appears so totally against the idea?

Why not send the met west towards places without a rail link such as Leigh?

People just complain at the moment because of road closures (on in the case of Oldham, the closure of their rail link to town). When it is up and running there won't be be so many haters - well, obviously there will always be some people like the MEN's Dean Kirby, that will always have a passionate hate.
It is the same in Droylsden, and tbh I can understand their frustration of having their town square ripped up and the main road part closed off for the last year or so (not sure of the timing). You wait until the extensions open to Droyslden and Oldham Mumps - The trams will be as popular as the Bury line and Dean Kirby etc can eat their hat.

I totally a gree with 360xup; there has been nothing but constant moaning from Oldhamites. Granted, they did lose a rail link, but there are buses to take them to the nearest railhead. It's hardly a great hardship is it? Whereas the poor folk in Leigh, well, that's another story...

Think of the commuters, etc who have to contend with the junction of Barlow Moor Road, Nell Lane & Mauldeth Road West, with the Airport line roadworks in place until 2016! Now, I could understand local people having a gripe about that! However, I've heard nothing at all in this regard.

I've had a fair few gripes myself as I commute through it daily!

However I can easily temper my frustration with excitement that I will soon see a shiny new tramline begin to rise out of nothing :-)

I shall continue to gripe until my deathbed waiting for Metrolink to be extended first from East Disdsbury to Stockport Bus Station and then (in some fantasy scenario) from there to Marple (passing within 400 yards of my house)

And I shall gripe about my commute from Romiley to Birchwood this morning too - 1 whole hour... grrrrrrrrrr... I remember why I work from home (or in London) now

Do other parts of Manchester loath metrolink as much as they do in Oldham?

With their now absent “wonderful Victorian railway station”

Why in gods green earth are we bothering to spend money on a town that appears so totally against the idea?

Why not send the met west towards places without a rail link such as Leigh?

Oh, I wouldn't believe everything you read in the Chronicle! I may have moved away, but I still visit Oldham quite alot, and people I talk to are mostly positive about Metrolink.

Anyway, I wanted to say I've just discovered this forum, and it's fascinating for us exiles. Keep those pix coming! I'll try to remember to bring my camera next time I'm up!

I totally a gree with 360xup; there has been nothing but constant moaning from Oldhamites. Granted, they did lose a rail link, but there are buses to take them to the nearest railhead. It's hardly a great hardship is it? Whereas the poor folk in Leigh, well, that's another story...

Think of the commuters, etc who have to contend with the junction of Barlow Moor Road, Nell Lane & Mauldeth Road West, with the Airport line roadworks in place until 2016! Now, I could understand local people having a gripe about that! However, I've heard nothing at all in this regard.

No pain, no gain, as they say. Down here in cider country, we cry out to be inconvenienced this way, and we will have, they say, jam tomorrow. Not very nice jam, mind you, more the sloppy, pale budget type than extra jam.

I guess the potential is easier to see in Manchester itself, where you can see exciting new places to ride to on the fronts of trams, than it is in my old home, where you can see lots of road works. Maybe the PR could have been better, but as many above say, most of the moaners will shut up shortly after the first tram runs.

Look at Bordeaux for an example. The mayor, Alain Juppé, drove the plan for the tramway through, causing traffic chaos for years, and is now seen as a likely candidate for sainthood.

...

Hi

Sorry if is have already be posted I notice this in MEN website

City gets £500m loan to develop Metrolink

Greater Manchester has been handed a £500m loan by the European Investment Bank to fund the expansion of Metrolink.

EIB, the European Union’s long-term lending institution, has agreed the 30 year funding, which will be used by Greater Manchester Combined Authority to fund construction of phase three of the tram system.

That will see the network grow to three times its current size, including new lines to Oldham and Rochdale town centres, Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside, East Didsbury, and Manchester Airport, via Wythenshawe.

A second, additional line across Manchester city centre is also being developed.

There will be 99 stops served by a fleet of 94 trams, and the expansion is due to be completed in 2016.

Coun Andrew Fender, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, which is overseeing the investment on behalf of the GMCA, said: “The Metrolink expansion is the single largest investment in public transport in the UK, outside of London.

“It will deliver a legacy for Greater Manchester that will regenerate and transform key district centres and provide new connections to the labour market for businesses.

“As such, it will play a vital role in keeping the region’s economy growing now and long into the future.”

The European cash will finance new trams and infrastructure, and represents over a third of the overall investment costs.

The EIB has agreed to fund the project as part of its of support for sustainable public transport in leading European cities and to reduce reliance on private car use.

Simon Brooks, EIB vice president responsible for the United Kingdom, said: “Extension of Greater Manchester’s Metrolink network will transform tram links across the conurbation.

“The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting sustainable transport and successful completion of the project will improve the lives of Greater Manchester’s residents for years to some.”


http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1462186_city-gets-500m-loan-to-develop-metrolink

I think time is lending enchantment to memories of Oldham's train service. The moaners make it sound like it was Southern Electric at its best - in reality it was dirty, uncomfortable Pacers rattling and bumping between semi-derelict stations, with worn-out infrastructure and a massive annual subsidy from the taxpayer.

I'm sure all the moaners aren't really old enough to remember the glories of the L&Y, LNWR and Great Central, when Oldham actually did have an excellent train service.

How people can complain about convenient town centre stops (eventually) replacing the remote and dingy pile of poo that was Mumps Station I will never know. If they'd grumbled more when Oldham Central was closed they might, just might have had a point.

Do other parts of Manchester loath metrolink as much as they do in Oldham?

With their now absent “wonderful Victorian railway station”

Why in gods green earth are we bothering to spend money on a town that appears so totally against the idea?

Why not send the met west towards places without a rail link such as Leigh?


I wouldn't take the views of the consistent moaners in the Chron as being a good reflection of Oldham as a whole
I think any of this nostalgia towards the rail service comes from the complete lack of meaningful replacement provision during the construction works.
I think that most people, not without validity, feel that a 3 year construction period for a Metrolink line on what was until recently a working railway is ridiculously long.

I think that most people, not without validity, feel that a 3 year construction period for a Metrolink line on what was until recently a working railway is ridiculously long.


Minus a year Fernando - it closed Oct 09 ;)

Minus a year Fernando - it closed Oct 09 ;)

Being a Shaw resident (where I think nearly 50% of the former rail commuters come from), it's going to be a lot closer to 3 years by the time the Metrolink actually arrives in Shaw.

yeah but you all 'ard up there in the cold windy savage part of Gtr Manchester (and talk funny) so you'll be reet! ;-)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 360xup View Post
Do other parts of Manchester loath metrolink as much as they do in Oldham?

With their now absent “wonderful Victorian railway station”

Why in gods green earth are we bothering to spend money on a town that appears so totally against the idea?

Why not send the met west towards places without a rail link such as Leigh?




I wouldn't take the views of the consistent moaners in the Chron as being a good reflection of Oldham as a whole
I think any of this nostalgia towards the rail service comes from the complete lack of meaningful replacement provision during the construction works.
I think that most people, not without validity, feel that a 3 year construction period for a Metrolink line on what was until recently a working railway is ridiculously long.

Fernando Partridge no está en línea


I agree with Fernando 100%.

What is a few feckless moaners in the Chron doesn't reflect everyone's views.

There are genuine concerns of the handling of the construction especially the impact on road works - there are quite a few going on nothing to do with Metrolink (Middleton Road for one) but it all adds up.

The train service wasn't that good (IMO) but better than a bus that would take about 1hr, what will be getting on for 3 years (at least) is far too long.

With the accelerated sections having track down before even some sections on the Oldham/Rochdale line it is a tad frustrating even for those who support it.

Anyone know what they are currently building in the middle of the new OT depot? A grey breeze-block building. Can't really tell how big it's going to be or what it could be.

It is a substation:banana:

It is a substation:banana:

Cool, thanks.

I thought all construction work in the OT depot had finished though.

There are still some sidings without overhead wires aren't there..? Been a while since I was there tho!

There are still some sidings without overhead wires aren't there..? Been a while since I was there tho!

Yeah, I knew that. I thought that was because they were upping the capacity of it from 55 to 96 trams...?

Saw some Thales orangecoats loitering on Cornbrook station about 15 minutes ago. Hopefully they are off to wave a magic wand and get TMS running at Cornbrook.

or it maybe related to the signal probs yesterday.....

who knows.

Hopefully they are off to wave a magic wand and get TMS running at Cornbrook.
perhaps a sprinkling of Thales fairydust is ALL that is required to get TMS to go...

If it doesnt work, hit it!

perhaps a sprinkling of Thales fairydust is ALL that is required to get TMS to go...

According to Wikipedia, Thales basically invented science :lol:

or it maybe related to the signal probs yesterday.....

who knows.

Are Thales contracted to do work on the old block signalling ?

I'd have thought they are trying to integrate the old and the new.

If getting the new working involves work on the old I am sure Thales will be invovled.

I've just had a walk from Droylsden to Audenshaw and back. I didn't bother to take any photographs as there's not much to report other than work has now transferred to the south side of Manchester Road, just east of the Droylsden stop.

One thing I did notice though - a lot of houses on Manchester Road, between Droylsden and Audenshaw, have notices in their windows saying 'NO RAISED TRAM TRACKS'. I'm not sure what the objection is - but then some people will whinge about anything. Anyway, I would think it's a bit late now to do anything about it - the kerb for the raised track is already in place on the tiny bit of inbound track at the east end of the Droylsden stop.

I drove back that way this morning Loweskid. As you say you now get to drive over the turn back on the other side of Droylsden Station. You can kind of see why the petrol station station was complaining aswell as its now hidden behind a wall of fencing :nuts::nuts:

On the by-pass section work is flying. Ashton West now has rails in both directions through the station. The road crossing at Ashton Moss is almost finished so cars will be soon be transfered onto that new section I imagine passing over the new rails. Oh and a load of sleepers and rails are now delivered onto the M60 side of the of the roundabout

As you say you now get to drive over the turn back on the other side of Droylsden Station.
I think they had just altered the layout this morning when I walked past - the temporary traffic lights weren't working and the traffic was being controlled by MPT blokes. One confused driver, Ashton bound, tried to drive on the wrong side of the road, not realising that the Ashton traffic had been transferred to the north side of the tram stop. He had to reverse back out.

The temporary lights were working by the time I walked back and the traffic queues were much longer than when the MPT blokes were controlling the traffic..! Mind you, it was school chucking-out time by then.

a lot of houses on Manchester Road, between Droylsden and Audenshaw, have notices in their windows saying 'NO RAISED TRAM TRACKS'. I'm not sure what the objection is - but then some people will whinge about anything. My guess is it's because they will have to drive a few metres further to turn round instead of being able to make a right turn or U-turn outside their houses. As the smilie says, oh no!! :ohno:

My guess is it's because they will have to drive a few metres further to turn round instead of being able to make a right turn or U-turn outside their houses. As the smilie says, oh no!! :ohno:
Sounds about right...:) The poor dears will just have to get used to it though, just like people who live on a dual-carriageway have to.

Cool, thanks.

I thought all construction work in the OT depot had finished though.


No its still on going:banana:

I've just had a walk from Droylsden to Audenshaw and back. I didn't bother to take any photographs as there's not much to report other than work has now transferred to the south side of Manchester Road, just east of the Droylsden stop.

One thing I did notice though - a lot of houses on Manchester Road, between Droylsden and Audenshaw, have notices in their windows saying 'NO RAISED TRAM TRACKS'. I'm not sure what the objection is - but then some people will whinge about anything. Anyway, I would think it's a bit late now to do anything about it - the kerb for the raised track is already in place on the tiny bit of inbound track at the east end of the Droylsden stop.

They're wrong. There are raised tracks, or will be soon enough. This sort of protest has been going on since King Canute's famous "No incoming tide here" placard, with not much more success.

This sort of protest has been going on since King Canute's famous "No incoming tide here" placard, with not much more success.

Ah but poor old misrepresented Canute was actually trying to demonstrate to his sycophants that he could not stop the tide coming in....

Then the king leapt backwards, saying: "Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings...."

Ah but poor old misrepresented Canute was actually trying to demonstrate to his sycophants that he could not stop the tide coming in....

Then the king leapt backwards, saying: "Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings...."

I understand now! A modern allegory!

Then the king drove further down the road to make a three- (alright, seven-) point turn, saying "Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings....", before getting out to inspect the damage to his rear bumper.

I understand now! A modern allegory!


Will that hold up TMS ?????

:bash:

I think this photograph would look good in black and white...possibly in many years to come, it will be looked at, as we now do with photgraphs of the railway builders way out west in the early 1900`s, a pioneering spirit. http://www.k188.info/20

Is there any way of stopping this sort of thing? It's beginning to flood the forum now. :bash:

He almost certainly went to Knutsford...!

Do you think Metrolink will ever go to Knutsford? Not a serious question, just a desperate attempt to get back on topic... :nuts::nuts: :):)

Don't see why not, so long as some Cnut doesn't get in the way.

Hi

Sorry if is have already be posted I notice this in MEN website



http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1462186_city-gets-500m-loan-to-develop-metrolink

This is the way it is done these days. Councils aren't allowed to save up for big projects, even if they had any spare cash. I remember wondering why, when I was a kid, the money pages of the grown-papers had adverts for investing in towns. This was to pay for big capital projects. The EIB is a modern way of doing it without involving the greedy bankers directly, and this project will satisfy one of the aims of the bank, probably environmental sustainability. I don't know the interest rate, but Manchester is a better risk than Greece right now, and it will not be high. So Manchester takes out a £500m mortgage over 30 years, paying back maybe £20m a year in interest and capital. The accountants will have looked through this thoroughly, and there will be no surprises. It's a good way of achieving a huge infrastructure project.

Ah but poor old misrepresented Canute was actually trying to demonstrate to his sycophants that he could not stop the tide coming in....

Then the king leapt backwards, saying: "Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings...."

Not a bad bloke for a Danish usurper! Knut (to use his proper name) maintained peace and good order in the land, passed wise laws, and was a great friend to the church. He may have come to the Royal Manor of Salford to hunt (hence 'Knott Mill').

"Merry sungen the monkes of Ely,
When Knut Kyng rowed therebye.
'Row knichts, nearer the land,
That we may heare these monkes syng!' "

Train Guard

I think this photograph would look good in black and white...possibly in many years to come, it will be looked at, as we now do with photgraphs of the railway builders way out west in the early 1900`s, a pioneering spirit. http://www.k188.info/20

He may have come to the Royal Manor of Salford to hunt

He almost certainly went to Knutsford...!

Do you think Metrolink will ever go to Knutsford? Not a serious question, just a desperate attempt to get back on topic... :nuts::nuts: :):)

The Metrolink/High Level Road alignment will cross Richard Street by this overbridge. Re-branding is in progress, as Tony spotted :-
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6165.jpgWhat a sign! Not only an out of date GMPTE logo, but a completely wrong symbol for a railway station. It should be the old BR double arrows, I think the 'choo-choo' is for level crossings.


EDIT: I posted this at 18:50, about an hour AFTER JdR, whose post is several below this one...

Here’s a few more pix of one of my favourite spots, Tony, to add to your recent collection :-

The rails are there, beneath the wooden shuttering :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6175.jpg


I don’t have much zoom on my camera, perhaps it’s a distortion, but surely that climb looks too steep to be the single-line tramway itself? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6183.jpg

Although . . . is that a bit of re-bar, Tony, or just my fertile imagination ???

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6191.jpg

These, and many other questions, will no doubt be answered! :banana:

That slope wouldn't be out of place on Blackpool Pleasure Beach, but it looks like REBAR to me. It all makes Rochdale begin to look cool, rather than cold. How difficult is that?

Great set of pics again, JDR.

I think this photograph would look good in black and white...possibly in many years to come, it will be looked at, as we now do with photgraphs of the railway builders way out west in the early 1900`s, a pioneering spirit. http://www.k188.info/20


This is a spam, why are they letting this person write on here.:ohno: :bash:

Is anyone else seeing the last few postings jumbled up in the wrong order or am I going barmy?

There is certainly something peculiar going on. Probably best not to quote the spammers as then they get 2 links for the price of one. It's an automated system which quotes a post from earlier in the thread to make it look like a genuine post, as such they are now banned.

Is anyone else seeing the last few postings jumbled up in the wrong order or am I going barmy?

I may be going barmy too. I hope so, it would explain a lot.

Is there any way of stopping this sort of thing? It's beginning to flood the forum now. :bash:

But why on earth would you wish to repeat it?

Don't see why not, so long as some Cnut doesn't get in the way.



This is the way it is done these days. Councils aren't allowed to save up for big projects, even if they had any spare cash. I remember wondering why, when I was a kid, the money pages of the grown-papers had adverts for investing in towns. This was to pay for big capital projects. The EIB is a modern way of doing it without involving the greedy bankers directly, and this project will satisfy one of the aims of the bank, probably environmental sustainability. I don't know the interest rate, but Manchester is a better risk than Greece right now, and it will not be high. So Manchester takes out a £500m mortgage over 30 years, paying back maybe £20m a year in interest and capital. The accountants will have looked through this thoroughly, and there will be no surprises. It's a good way of achieving a huge infrastructure project.

Indeed the rule is that after the first year at least 3% a year of the capital must be repayed beyond interest servicing, so thats about £15m.

Here’s a few more pix of one of my favourite spots, Tony, to add to your recent collection :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6181.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6182.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6172.jpg

Looks like the station sign has copped one from the JCBGT!! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6173.jpg

The rails are there, beneath the wooden shuttering :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6175.jpg

Onwards and upwards above Richard Street, running left <> right in the background :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6166.jpg

The Metrolink/High Level Road alignment will cross Richard Street by this overbridge. Re-branding is in progress, as Tony spotted :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6165.jpg

Looking South at the point where Oldham Road meets the other end of High Level Road, now closed to everything except trams! Trams will cross this second overbridge on the railway alignment. The breach in the retaining wall, by the blue fencing right of the vans, is where Metrolink, coming in from the right, will break through away from the camera :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6164.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6163.jpg

This is the same area seen from the other side. It looks like the signal box has gone :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6185.jpg

In the background, I always thought that the steep embankment up to the fly-over was a temporary construction device . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6189.jpg

I don’t have much zoom on my camera, perhaps it’s a distortion, but surely that climb looks too steep to be the single-line tramway itself? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6183.jpg

Although . . . is that a bit of re-bar, Tony, or just my fertile imagination ???

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6191.jpg

These, and many other questions, will no doubt be answered! :banana:

Is anyone else seeing the last few postings jumbled up in the wrong order or am I going barmy?Yup, just posted a reply to JdR's set of pics and it was timed at 11:50AM instead of 6:50PM, so appears several posts BEFORE his! :nuts:

This is a spam, why are they letting this person write on here.:ohno: :bash:

Because they've just registered.
Simple solution -> Click the alert button and just say "Spammer and spam to be deleted". It may take a few hours but the mods will delete the post and ban the poster.

He almost certainly went to Knutsford...!

Do you think Metrolink will ever go to Knutsford? Not a serious question, just a desperate attempt to get back on topic... :nuts::nuts: :):)

(Well...I wasn't the first to mention Canute/Cnut/Knut......)

Yes....but in the form of a tram-train (the diesel-electric version) en route to and from Chester.

And I think it is a serious question...

Train Guard

That doesn't look to steep to me, especially considering the angle it is viewed from. The DLR has some worse bits than that at Poplar Junction.

Little update on the Didsbury Extension today :banana:

Still the most advanced station on the stretch, Withington gets some lights:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Didsbury%20Line%2023102011/IMG_1525.jpg

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Didsbury%20Line%2023102011/IMG_1526.jpg

Nice little path from Princess Road down to the station too :-)

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Didsbury%20Line%2023102011/IMG_1527.jpg

And more concrete has been poured for Didsbury Village platforms too:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Didsbury%20Line%2023102011/IMG_1531.jpg

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Didsbury%20Line%2023102011/IMG_1529.jpg

Nothing else really changed since Johnny's photos a few pages back, but I do wonder why they have had to completely demolish the Sandhurst Rd footbridge? This big wooden fence now blocks the path that used to cross the line. It says it's only for 6 months...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Didsbury%20Line%2023102011/IMG_1532.jpg

Was the bridge too low to work on the Trans Pennine Train beneath it?

That's all for now, I did say it was a little update :)

Was the bridge too low to work on the Trans Pennine Train beneath it?

Trans Pennine Trains have long gone from this route.... :):)

Not wide enough for Metrolink and Trans Pennine Trail....

See - http://www.tfgm.com/tfgm_news.cfm?news_id=9007809?submenuheader=3

Lol well spotted on the typo! ;-)

I'm clearly behind, I though the tpt was still going in the cutting! Cheers for the info!

Cheers for the pics Martin, It does seem that you are going to be the roving reporter for that section of the extension. I'l be in action when the City Centre Crossing is being constructed, and especially the Victoria Station redevelopment

I'm clearly behind, I though the tpt was still going in the cutting! Cheers for the info!
Yes, it's still going in the cutting - it's the trackbed under the bridge that's being widened not the bridge itself. The bridge abutments (is that the word?) are too close together for both trams and TPT though, so have to be rebuilt further apart and a longer bridge put in place.

Ahaa that makes sense!! Thanks! And as for being the roving reporter I'd say that's more JDR's role! ;-)

Edit: just seen the concrete lift shaft at Chorlton has been graffitied. Bastards. Right under the CCTV camera too. Don't suppose the concrete has an anti-graffiti coating too.

What a sign! Not only an out of date GMPTE logo, but a completely wrong symbol for a railway station. It should be the old BR double arrows, I think the 'choo-choo' is for level crossings.

"The Metrolink/High Level Road alignment will cross Richard Street by this overbridge. Re-branding is in progress, as Tony spotted" :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_6165.jpg

EDIT: I posted this at 18:50, about an hour AFTER JdR, whose post is several below this one...

Here it is re-located mad.

Cheers mateys, here's three steps East of Droylsden (the left-hand track here of course will not be used until Ashton opens):-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_6203.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_6204.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/101_6205.jpg

:banana::banana::banana:

Still the most advanced station on the stretch, Withington gets some lights:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Didsbury%20Line%2023102011/IMG_1525.jpg



Hell's teeth that's good. Visiting this forum gladdens my heart every single day!

:banana:

Neil

Hell's teeth that's good. Visiting this forum gladdens my heart every single day!

:banana:

Neil

Will be interesting to see how busy this station is!

1,000 homes and many offices in Wythenshawe are without gas.

Going to take two days to fix.

Wonder if this is related to the utilities being shifted where the new forum station is going?

Visiting this forum gladdens my heart every single day!

:banana:

Neil

Here here!

And was wondering the same thing as Motortownman ("Will be interesting to see how busy this station is!") it's funny looking at Martin's pix to see how semi-rural these stations seem to be in the heart of suburbia. Presumably there's a large hinterland of housing nearby? Can't picture it - oh wait thats what Google Earth is for!


:-)

Indeed Marko, if you just do a 180 degree spin when looking at withington station, it's solid housing!

The Withington stop is not as rurual as it looks, its in the Huogh End playing fields. To the south of the station is a very large council estate.

The Withington stop is not as rurual as it looks, its in the Huogh End playing fields. To the south of the station is a very large council estate.

What! Southern Cemetery is a council estate! Actually, I suppose it is but not in the way that most people would understand it :lol:

Southern Cemetery is north of it isn't it? Actually thinking about it, by South I meant East :) And yeah I suppose the cemetery is south.

I got by bearings mixed up :D

Next steps for Oldham town centre Metrolink

As part of Metrolink's on-going work to divert utility pipes and cables in readiness for the new tram line through Oldham town centre, work will begin on Union Street within the next few weeks.

Work to construct a new system of maintenance shafts and chambers on Union Street, providing access to the United Utilities wastewater pipes running beneath the new route, is set to begin on Tuesday 1 November and is expected to continue until mid-February.

While the new wastewater access is constructed, work will also continue on Union Street to divert other utility services, for example clean water pipes and telecommunications cables, in preparation for tram track to be laid.

Once complete, this work will ensure Metrolink services can continue to run while any future maintenance to the wastewater network is safely carried out.

Oldham's Cabinet Member for Transport and Regeneration, Councillor David Hibbert, said: "The Union Street work is a complex and challenging project, which involves construction of a completely new system of access to the wastewater pipes.

"This work is essential to bringing Metrolink through Oldham town centre, ensuring that tram services can continue to operate while any future maintenance is carried out to the wastewater network beneath Union Street.

"The construction of the new tram line is a major civil engineering project and disruption is an inevitable part of a project of this scale; however, I am confident the short-term impact of this work will be balanced by the benefits of having a frequent, high quality tram service in the town centre."

To facilitate the work, traffic on Union Street will become one way (westbound only) on Tuesday 1 November. This will remain in place for the majority of the Union Street work, including for the entire pre-Christmas shopping period.

After the New Year, there will be some instances where traffic diversions will be in place on Union Street due to the scale of the work programmed at that point. This has been planned to take place after the busy Christmas period, to minimise disruption to traffic.

All traffic diversions will be clearly signposted.

For more information on traffic management in Oldham please visit http://www.oldham.gov.uk/metrolink_alerts


Also Good Picture at Rochdale and On East Manchester line Johnny and for Didsbury Extension Martin too :cheers:.

Indeed Marko, if you just do a 180 degree spin when looking at withington station, it's solid housing!

Yes, but the reason I said that, was because there is another stop going in at Burton Road which surely isn't more than a few hundred yards further along and may be easier to get to from the side of Princess Road where the housing is.

It isn't really a very pleasant walk across the dual carriageway at this point, it's a shame they couldn't have positioned the stop between Princess Road and Burton Road and saved the cash. Even the Nell Lane estate isn't close to this stop as there isn't a walkway along the side, unless they are going to put one in perhaps, does anyone know?

The Barlow Moor Road stop will be the closest to Nell Lane, but I guess a lot would walk down to St Werburghs where you have a much greater choice of trams.

Also the Barlow moor road stop won't be open until possibly 3 years after withington...!

Agree about the odd location, but I guess there must have been a reason why they didn't place a stop between princess road and burton road, could be all kinds of factors we don't know about.

Actually looking on Google Earth there are a fair few houses for whom it will still be a lot easier to get to Withington Station (red blob), even with the dual carriageway... especially those North of the stop, where there's not a straight road to Burton Rd (blue blob)

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

Although... there is still the fact that there are many many buses straight down Princess Road to town - will the tram tempt people away from them?? It certainly takes a much less direct-seeming route!

Although... there is still the fact that there are many many buses straight down Princess Road to town - will the tram tempt people away from them?? It certainly takes a much less direct-seeming route!

I think the tram will win on speed, even if it does take a longer route.

I think it'll be quite an interesting test actually. Tram should only take about 22-23 minutes assuming no delays, I don't think the bus is much more in clear conditions but as we all know that's not very often is it!

Plus by then hopefully TMS will be working and the stretch will open with a 6 minute frequency (2013, surely they will have got it working by then ;-) )

I think the tram will win on speed, even if it does take a longer route.

How long will the tram take to say Piccadilly/Market Street, you reckon about say 23 mins or so from there? The bus during the day is about 20 mins from that location as it's 23 from Southern Cemetery timing point. A lot longer in the rush hour though but only about 17 in the evenings and there are more buses per hour than there will be trams. (every 5 mins plus 2 99's and the tram every 6 mins)

It also depends where people are going when they get to the city, if it's a metrolink destination then it can be done on one ticket and vice versa for the bus. Or maybe it will attract people to use both modes ie bus from anywhere south on the 100's, transfer to tram and maybe to Salford Quays.

Either way, I wonder for the future of the 84 bus. Does it have one?.. and if it does will it need to be subsidised as it's fairly quiet now but an essential link for many.

The tram hasn't destroyed the 86 or 85 which is still as busy. Now we've had the tram a few months it may be attracting new passengers to public transport altogether. During off peak hours though (daytimes and evenings) the tram isn't doing quite like I thought it would as it's mainly shoppers at those times who live locally and the bus is more convenient.

The big test will be when the Ashton line opens as it's more direct competition. Interesting times.

I suspect how many people use the tram on that stop will depend on where people want to go. With the very mixed demographics (even the private houses round there are fairly poor compared to most of Chorlton and Didsbury) I think the bus will win for most people.

The wealthier people from Didsbury Point may like the tram and I suspect the Burton Road stop will be very popular.

I can see most people using the Withington stop will be those who are using the tram to get to other places such as Chorlton, Old Trafford, Salford Quays or perhaps Bury. For some destinations it will work out a lot cheaper than the bus.

I suspect the tram may also be popular in rush hour when it will have the speed advantage.

The problem at the moment is so many people buy the Megarider, and Stagecoach covers a far greater area than the Metrolink does so this is the other limted factor.

In Chorlton though, the tram has a massive advantage in speed over the bus, and people are quiet wealthy, I often buy a £2.50 single into town (tram) then get the 86 night bus back for £2.50. I could buy a Dayrider for £3.70 if I got the bus both ways, but I can't stand buses so would always pay more for a tram.

Either way, I wonder for the future of the 84 bus. Does it have one?.. and if it does will it need to be subsidised as it's fairly quiet now but an essential link for many.

The tram hasn't destroyed the 86 or 85 which is still as busy. Now we've had the tram a few months it may be attracting new passengers to public transport altogether. During off peak hours though (daytimes and evenings) the tram isn't doing quite like I thought it would as it's mainly shoppers at those times who live locally and the bus is more convenient.

The big test will be when the Ashton line opens as it's more direct competition. Interesting times.

Yes the Ashton line will be an interesting case, especially now Stagecoach aren't involved in Metrolink. Any bets on the reappearance of Magic Bus on the 216? They disappeared once Maynes succumbed.

The tram hasn't destroyed the 86 or 85 which is still as busy. Now we've had the tram a few months it may be attracting new passengers to public transport altogether. During off peak hours though (daytimes and evenings) the tram isn't doing quite like I thought it would as it's mainly shoppers at those times who live locally and the bus is more convenient.

The big test will be when the Ashton line opens as it's more direct competition. Interesting times.

My general impression of the tram in Chorlton (I am a frequent user) is the vast majority of the people on it haven't used for the bus for years, and drive. What the tram has done in Chorlton is got people out of their cars.

Once the tram reaches Didsbury, I really hope it has the effect of reducing traffic down Wilsmlow Road, but the bottle net areas won't have Metrolink so I can't see it having much of an effect :(