TRANSPORT | Metrolink ‎Extension [Archive] - Page 64

r02bapurdie

February 16th, 2012, 06:36 PM

I get a email off TFGM today 4 months after I send one:ohno: and here what it said

Further to our response that was sent to you on the 15th October 2011; the upgrade of the existing signalling system is a crucial factor in extending the Metrolink network. This involves implementing a Tram Management System (TMS) which is based on line of sight operations to give the necessary increase in capacity to incorporate the Metrolink extensions and provide an improved range of passenger and operational benefits. The introduction of the new Tram Management System has been delayed as a result of technical difficulties with the system and its interface with the existing systems.

TfGM are working closely with the contractor, Thales, on this and the progress made ultimately dictates when lines can open for service.

As a result of the technical interface complexities encountered and subject to appropriate testing and commissioning, rather than a phased opening as originally proposed, it is now anticipated to commence services from Victoria Station to Oldham Mumps via Central Park. The opening date will be subject to the progress made in resolving the technical challenges with the introduction of the TMS.

With the issues experienced with the TMS programme on other parts of the network, a 3 month delay to the opening to Rochdale Railway Station beyond Summer 2012 is likely to arise. This will be kept under close review as TMS is rolled out across the network.

So when u read this the Oldham line will open with TMS in place then.

Fernando Partridge

February 16th, 2012, 06:48 PM

I get a email off TFGM today 4 months after I send one:ohno: and here what it said

So when u read this the Oldham line will open with TMS in place then.

It's a nuance, it's resolving the associated technical challenge associated, i.e. using something as a workaround.

It's only solving an associated challenge rather than the challenge itself (i.e. making the TMS system work as a whole).

paulw3726

February 16th, 2012, 07:29 PM

I have always thought that the if trams were allowed to take the Eccles line through Salford Quays, at speed it would be akin to the Big Dipper at Blackpool!
Now want we need is a "tilting" pendolino-type tram!!

We can only dream!

kriis101

February 16th, 2012, 08:01 PM

@ Freel07 - I PM'd you

Freel07

February 16th, 2012, 08:08 PM

3001-3012 came with both signalling.

3013 was done when 3001 and 3002 were out of service long term.

I presumed 3014-3017 were done especially for the Chorlton line.

Not seen 3012 for a while. Is it poorly sick?

In other news 3049 is now at the OT depot.

Quite right about 3001 to 3013 but although 3014 to 3017 have all also received the kit subsequently a source has informed me that the 17 M5000s have never all been equipped at the same time. There has definitely been much swapping of equipment and I understand never more than 13 or 14 fitted at once.

SF07

February 16th, 2012, 10:11 PM

It's a nuance, it's resolving the associated technical challenge associated, i.e. using something as a workaround.

It's only solving an associated challenge rather than the challenge itself (i.e. making the TMS system work as a whole).

Can we read into that the service to Oldham Mumps will open sometime in the summer and to Rochdale railway station in the autumn (say September/October)?

Noticed that there was some work going on at Hollinwood station today but the platform signs are going up at the moment too. A small step closer to the big day.

LNGCats

February 16th, 2012, 10:14 PM

What the the last we heard from TfGM on these openings?

I thoughts that in the autumn they said Droylsden and Oldham were back a further 3 months. That put them both back until summer 12, i.e. sometime in the next 6months.

kriis101

February 16th, 2012, 10:24 PM

Can we read into that the service to Oldham Mumps will open sometime in the summer and to Rochdale railway station in the autumn (say September/October)?

Noticed that there was some work going on at Hollinwood station today but the platform signs are going up at the moment too. A small step closer to the big day.

The current talk inside Metrolink is around March/April.

LNGCats

February 16th, 2012, 10:26 PM

2013? :lol:

apologiesforthedelay

February 16th, 2012, 10:33 PM

The current talk inside Metrolink is around March/April.

I can see it being April 2012 with block signalling at the junction to the Bury line on a 12 minute service.

When it will become a 6 minute service with TMS controlling that junction is anyone's guess. I think I said September 2012 on the opening prediction threads, but that was being hugely optimistic.

mackenziesoley

February 16th, 2012, 10:42 PM

But they are not additionally in service.

They are simply replacing 12 T68 trams.

Before these changes there were 26 T68, 6 T68a, 16 M5000 in operation (I think). That is 48 trams.

After the changes there will be 14 T68, 6 T68a and 28 M5000 in oppression, that is still 48 trams.

Or am I missing something?

I was referring to the Oldham trams not the T68 replacements.

Quite right about 3001 to 3013 but although 3014 to 3017 have all also received the kit subsequently a source has informed me that the 17 M5000s have never all been equipped at the same time. There has definitely been much swapping of equipment and I understand never more than 13 or 14 fitted at once.

Mimimium of 14 trams with the old gear at once as I've got photos of 3001-08/10-15 all in service in July last year.

Motortownman

February 16th, 2012, 10:43 PM

I can see it being April 2012 with block signalling at the junction to the Bury line on a 12 minute service.

When it will become a 6 minute service with TMS controlling that junction is anyone's guess. I think I said September 2012 on the opening prediction threads, but that was being hugely optimistic.

It can only be a 6 minute service when the Chorlton line becomes a 6 minute service. And that can't happen till Cornbrook is TMS, and not really a lot to do with Irk Valley. The Cornbrook part still isn't TMS, as the OT depot entrance isnt, and media city still doesn't work reliably, so I wouldn't think any more 6 minute services this year. Then the problem of mediacity trams being stopped in the middle of nowhere comes back up.

At this time though there isn't really any need for a six minute service as the trams aren't exactly overwhelmed and leaving passengers on most trips. The SMLine won't come into it's own till the section to East didsbury opens next year and I can't see the starter line to Oldham being overwhelmed either till the next part opens and it goes through the town centre.

LNGCats

February 16th, 2012, 10:44 PM

I was referring to the Oldham trams not the T68 replacements.

But what Oldham trams?

Has it been confirmed that new kit is being purchased to put in more M5000s to allow more of them to run on the old signalling?

Motortownman

February 16th, 2012, 10:46 PM

Slightly out of my comfort zone here, but are we assuming that all 12 t68s will have to be zonked out at the same time, more or less straightaway? I am thinking that if the first half dozen M5000s are retrofitted for Oldham with new kit, (as others were for SML), then the remainder could gradually replace the t68s one by one as they become unfit for service.

Or can they not afford the half dozen new retrokits? To save face they need to do something for Oldham soon, as it has been without a service for 2 1/2 years, but clearly they also can't reduce the service on other lines. . .:nuts:
Cheers

Johnny, my 100% correct as always so far source tells me that the trams being retrofitted are replacements for T68's, The signalling whatever they need is being taken out of the old one and put in a new one.They won't all be done at the same time, but the first one should hit the streets in about a month, so that'll be the first T68 ditched. Wonder which one it will be? Will we be having a candle light vigil for it or setting it alight with the match?:lol::lol:

Motortownman

February 16th, 2012, 10:56 PM

Which means of course that if they are going to open to Oldham line with old signalling, then they will need to buy at least 4-6 old signalling kits to fit in the new trams.

But everything regarding openings is pure speculation and not facts. Even my source doesn't know anything, not even where I get told, but don't put it on here! We'll just have to wait and let them get it sorted and working properly. Patience brethern!

mackenziesoley

February 17th, 2012, 12:06 AM

But what Oldham trams?

Has it been confirmed that new kit is being purchased to put in more M5000s to allow more of them to run on the old signalling?

Which means of course that if they are going to open to Oldham line with old signalling, then they will need to buy at least 4-6 old signalling kits to fit in the new trams.

But everything regarding openings is pure speculation and not facts. Even my source doesn't know anything, not even where I get told, but don't put it on here! We'll just have to wait and let them get it sorted and working properly. Patience brethern!

Motortownsman properly puts it better than me, speculation!

I stated Cats it was a post not based on facts but adding 2 and 2 together and getting a wrong answer. Was more hopeful than anything.

mackenziesoley

February 17th, 2012, 12:09 AM

Johnny, my 100% correct as always so far source tells me that the trams being retrofitted are replacements for T68's, The signalling whatever they need is being taken out of the old one and put in a new one.They won't all be done at the same time, but the first one should hit the streets in about a month, so that'll be the first T68 ditched. Wonder which one it will be? Will we be having a candle light vigil for it or setting it alight with the match?:lol::lol:

A shame I won't actually get to photograph all the T68's then. Sad to see the first units go but for Metrolink, a completely new fleet will serve the city well. Especially in the eyes of those's wanting to invest in Manchester.

1000Larrysullivan

February 17th, 2012, 10:22 AM

Johnny, my 100% correct as always so far source tells me that the trams being retrofitted are replacements for T68's, The signalling whatever they need is being taken out of the old one and put in a new one.They won't all be done at the same time, but the first one should hit the streets in about a month, so that'll be the first T68 ditched. Wonder which one it will be? Will we be having a candle light vigil for it or setting it alight with the match?:lol::lol:

Would your 100% correct as always so far source be able to find out the T68's up for The scrap man, i need to glue myself to the seats.......

kriis101

February 17th, 2012, 12:35 PM

Would your 100% correct as always so far source be able to find out the T68's up for The scrap man, i need to glue myself to the seats.......

Haha, calm your hate for the M5000's Adam, they are staying!! :lol:

deanjames88

February 17th, 2012, 12:46 PM

Would your 100% correct as always so far source be able to find out the T68's up for The scrap man, i need to glue myself to the seats.......

I've been told the first to go will actually be the T68a, they have aged a lot worse than the 100Xs...

Freel07

February 17th, 2012, 01:27 PM

I've been told the first to go will actually be the T68a, they have aged a lot worse than the 100Xs...

that would suprise me as the T68As are actually DDA compliant where the T68s aren't. Also from a structural corrosion point of view the T68As are better. Their major problem is lack of spares and support. They are far more complex than the originals.

I'll probably be proved wrong though..

Motortownman

February 17th, 2012, 01:42 PM

that would suprise me as the T68As are actually DDA compliant where the T68s aren't. Also from a structural corrosion point of view the T68As are better. Their major problem is lack of spares and support. They are far more complex than the originals.

I'll probably be proved wrong though..

How about one gets scrapped and kept for spares to keep the other five rolling meantime?

Motortownman

February 17th, 2012, 01:47 PM

Would your 100% correct as always so far source be able to find out the T68's up for The scrap man, i need to glue myself to the seats.......

Well it will either be a 1xxx or a 2xxx....:lol: I will see if I can find out...:lol:

coyotes_uk

February 17th, 2012, 04:00 PM

The Airport Metrolink works are really coming along now!

The chainlink fences along shadowmoss road now turn to run along Ringway Road and then Aviator Way, the section along Aviator way is going to be a service corridor. The old long stay carpark adjacent to the trainline and the roundabout with the PZ Cussons office is now the Airport Metrolink construction main site. Looking from the train station back towards this area you can see the excavation works already bringing the level from the car park down to the train line level.

There really is quite a lot of work going on at the moment for the Metrolink!

Mayerdale

February 17th, 2012, 06:44 PM

Been lurking here for a while.

Im from the Shaw area and there has been alot of activity going on today!

Please forgive me for not knowing the various names of these things. At 7.30am on arriving at work I noticed a longish rail vehicle, that looked like it had a caravan on one end. A short time later it was put on the tracks and slowly moved up and down a couple of inches at a time.

Then in the afternoon, a rail vehicle arrived on the tracks that looked like some sort of freight train they put sand, coal in etc..Sadly that didn't move though.

Both of these were on the side where the station used to stand.
Sorry there aren't any pics. Im just lucky that I can have a nosey from my work window..:)

Futurelink

February 17th, 2012, 06:55 PM

I hope 2003 stays for a while, it's secretly one of my favourites.

Johnny de Rivative

February 17th, 2012, 07:09 PM

Welcome mayerdale, good to hear from you with your local eye on developments and cheers also coyotes. There is certainly plenty going on everywhere in places miles apart!!

Only a couple of snippets from the East end just now - poles at Cemetery Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_8083.jpg

And heading towards Droylsden over the canal bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_8084.jpg

The first dot matrix was switched on today at Edge Lane - there's the guy switching it on over on the right, and others taking away the temporary signals. Note the change of colour of the poles down the hill, as Droylsden at its Western border gives way to Manchester :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_8091.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_8090.jpg

I must say they have been fiddling and faddling about with these traffic lights for eight months now, coming back every couple of weeks to try and get the new ones working! Tedious, as the temporary ones blocked off a lane and rotated to each direction individually, causing tailbacks for all that time. (If it takes 8 months to install a traffic light, what hope have we got for TMS??:nuts:) Still at least they got there in the end . . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_8094.jpg

And a little bit more to follow next month :-

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

Williamson Lane is at the Eastern border of Droylsden (Phase 3a) and Audenshaw (3b), after which we think the poles will become blue . . .

:cheers::banana:

r02bapurdie

February 17th, 2012, 09:24 PM

Hi

Good picture of Droylsden line Johnny:cheers:, I was in Ashton today and I notice that it look like they going to start putting track down near ALDI. :banana:

bogblaster

February 17th, 2012, 10:48 PM

Welcome mayerdale, good to hear from you with your local eye on developments and cheers also coyotes. There is certainly plenty going on everywhere in places miles apart!!

Only a couple of snippets from the East end just now - poles at Cemetery Road :-

And heading towards Droylsden over the canal bridge :-

The first dot matrix was switched on today at Edge Lane - there's the guy switching it on over on the right, and others taking away the temporary signals. Note the change of colour of the poles down the hill, as Droylsden at its Western border gives way to Manchester :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_8091.jpg

I must say they have been fiddling and faddling about with these traffic lights for eight months now, coming back every couple of weeks to try and get the new ones working! Tedious, as the temporary ones blocked off a lane and rotated to each direction individually, causing tailbacks for all that time. (If it takes 8 months to install a traffic light, what hope have we got for TMS??:nuts:) Still at least they got there in the end . . . .

:cheers::banana:

Nice pictures JdR. They've certainly moved on at a cracking pace with those new poles. There was no sign of them when I was up that way about a week ago.

I wonder if the delay with the traffic lights has been connected to the fact that they must interface with the TMS and the difficulties that system has been causing in general all over the place?

Freel07

February 17th, 2012, 11:05 PM

Nice pictures JdR. They've certainly moved on at a cracking pace with those new poles. There was no sign of them when I was up that way about a week ago.

I wonder if the delay with the traffic lights has been connected to the fact that they must interface with the TMS and the difficulties that system has been causing in general all over the place?

Certainly good to see the progress and the news about the wiring.

The traffic lights can be installed totally independently of TMS even though there is an interface. The TMS is very little different than any other detector in the road and if it's not there the traffic light controller will simply ignore trams completely.

kriis101

February 17th, 2012, 11:09 PM

Nice pictures JdR. They've certainly moved on at a cracking pace with those new poles. There was no sign of them when I was up that way about a week ago.

I wonder if the delay with the traffic lights has been connected to the fact that they must interface with the TMS and the difficulties that system has been causing in general all over the place?

The electronics in the signal will just be set to receive 1 of 3(?) data inputs from the TMS system (when it gets plugged in) so will just have a 'data input' wire. The system would revert to the stop aspect as shown in JdRs pics, if no input is being read. Any delays installing he signal lighting stem as seen in the pic won't be caused by the fact Thales can't get the TMS working anywhere else on the network.

What I mean is... just because your PC at home/office isn't working right, doesn't mean your computer monitor can't be sat on your desk. :lol::lol:

WatcherZero

February 18th, 2012, 12:47 AM

Probably more to do with experimenting with different timings effect on traffic.

Mr Cable

February 18th, 2012, 06:43 AM

At 4am today I just saw a Southbound M5000 passing through Central Park!

Freel07

February 18th, 2012, 11:42 AM

The electronics in the signal will just be set to receive 1 of 3(?) data inputs from the TMS system (when it gets plugged in) so will just have a 'data input' wire. The system would revert to the stop aspect as shown in JdRs pics, if no input is being read. Any delays installing he signal lighting stem as seen in the pic won't be caused by the fact Thales can't get the TMS working anywhere else on the network.

What I mean is... just because your PC at home/office isn't working right, doesn't mean your computer monitor can't be sat on your desk. :lol::lol:

Actually traffic lights seem to be one thing that TMS can cope with fairly well now. The lights on the Eccles Line seem to be working and they are all interfaced with TMS. The inputs to the controllers are simply relay contacts not data signals just as with the older system in the City.

kriis101

February 18th, 2012, 12:16 PM

Actually traffic lights seem to be one thing that TMS can cope with fairly well now. The lights on the Eccles Line seem to be working and they are all interfaced with TMS. The inputs to the controllers are simply relay contacts not data signals just as with the older system in the City.

Ah well yeah, I simply meant they have input wires that come from a TMS output. I kinda guessed it would be a relay so that if anything went over voltage on the TMS side, then the lighting signals wouldn't blow. :lol:

Electronics ex-student here:lol::lol:

High-Fi

February 18th, 2012, 02:54 PM

At 4am today I just saw a Southbound M5000 passing through Central Park!

Welcome Mr Cable! Thanks very much for the tip-off. Hopefully one of the guys will be able to get photographic evidence.

Johnny de Rivative

February 18th, 2012, 06:00 PM

Certainly good to see the progress and the news about the wiring.

Yes the road-rail cherry pickers have arrived at the ASDA service road, and stand poised, ready and waiting for action!

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_8100.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_8102.jpg

Thanks, Mr Cable and welcome! If anyone knows of any testing on Oldham in the daylight, please give us a bell and I'll dash across & take a few snaps!

:cheers::banana:

r02bapurdie

February 18th, 2012, 06:42 PM

At 4am today I just saw a Southbound M5000 passing through Central Park!

Hi

Thanks for tell us that Cable and Welcome to Skyscraper board, I found this picture of tram at Central Park on flickr and it look like it was take on Monday 13th Feb, here question why are the doing testing at night when the got whole bloody daylights to do it, do anyone know?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6872652557_65a69f943d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanvirspics/6872652557/)
Metrolink Tram On Test (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanvirspics/6872652557/)
:banana::banana::banana:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanvirspics/6872652557/

r02bapurdie

February 18th, 2012, 06:57 PM

kriis101

February 18th, 2012, 07:12 PM

Also I notice that 24,58,59,64,83,180,181,182 and 184 bus services are change they timetable on 11th March, reason why I saying this is becuase when Oldham line closed back in 2009, this buses change they timetable and is funny how they all change the timetable at same time again?

http://www.tfgm.com/buses/service_changes.cfm

Is weird but I doubt that the Oldham line will be up and running by the 11th. Although how long was it after the SSC trip to the Chorlton points testing, that the Chorlton line opened??

Chorlton Bloke

February 18th, 2012, 07:47 PM

why are the doing testing at night when the got whole bloody daylights to do it, do anyone know?

Assume to avoid men working in daylight on line.

kriis101

February 18th, 2012, 07:56 PM

Is weird but I doubt that the Oldham line will be up and running by the 11th. Although how long was it after the SSC trip to the Chorlton points testing, that the Chorlton line opened??

Just read back through these forums around the time the Chorlton line opened. There were four consecutive weeks when the Altrincham line was closed before the Chorlton line opens. I suppose we could assume there would be less problem with the Bury-ORL points as at first they tried to fit the full TMS points at Trafford Bar didn't they? The last week before it opened had the last static tests on the junction (the day me, Johnny, Tony and a couple of others were there) and then there were a couple of days of a full ghost service - btw how can they do a full ghost service with the extension to Oldham without closing the SML???
I guess (optimistic) it could be possible to have passenger trams between St Werburgh's Road and Oldham Mumps on the 11th March, although it is also possible that Earth gets invaded by the Cybermen and Darleks on that day too!:lol::lol::lol::lol:

High-Fi

February 18th, 2012, 07:57 PM

Great pictures Johnny - thanks!

After Mr Cables earlier post I decided to have a wander down the Oldham line. I took off from Littlemoss on my lad's BMX (mine has a flat tyre!), through Daisy Nook and over to the Failsworth area. I went over all the bridges to see if anything was happening during the day, sadly there wasn't much to see.

I noticed that the PIDs were visible at Newton Heath and Moston. They kept going off then on again, the chaps in orange must have been testing something?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6897648847_beaa4863a5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897648847/)
IMG_0501 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897648847/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

The test tram certainly didn't go beyond this point. Big buffers have been placed across the tracks:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6897654569_db774dcd73_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897654569/)
IMG_0502 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897654569/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

Fully expected to see a celebrity Metrolink snapper on Thorpe's bridge, but alas, I was all alone!

So I finally headed down to the finest station on the network. After sheltering from the freezing wind for a while I took a few snaps at Central Park. The guy came over the Tannoy and warned me that I was being monitored on CCTV. I could see the little camera in the black glass bowl following me. Nothing new here but I thought I'd share anyway.

Some detailed views:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6897682909_707a1c7989_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897682909/)
IMG_0513 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897682909/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6897687981_9e3f02950c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897687981/)
IMG_0514 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897687981/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6897692973_b9dde3ee5a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897692973/)
IMG_0515 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897692973/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6897711429_5ec2bfb679_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897711429/)
IMG_0523 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897711429/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6897715217_0707ce8401_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897715217/)
IMG_0524 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897715217/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

Superb...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6897718543_a914206c0a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897718543/)
IMG_0526 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897718543/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

There's a few more on my Flickr site.

kriis101

February 18th, 2012, 08:33 PM

r02bapurdie

February 18th, 2012, 08:39 PM

Good picture of Dean Lane and Central Park High fi :cheers:

Is weird but I doubt that the Oldham line will be up and running by the 11th. Although how long was it after the SSC trip to the Chorlton points testing, that the Chorlton line opened??

I remember that when the change the bus service for Oldham line back in 2009 they did it in August mean it was two months before line closed so it might not to do with the Metrolink unless the doing work near Mumps and that why bus services are changing. :banana:

SF07

February 18th, 2012, 08:50 PM

Good picture of Dean Lane and Central Park High fi :cheers:

I remember that when the change the bus service for Oldham line back in 2009 they did it in August mean it was two months before line closed so it might not to do with the Metrolink unless the doing work near Mumps and that why bus services are changing. :banana:

Chances are they're changing the timetables to try and improve reliability. A lot of Oldham services (81, 82/83, 180/184, 409, 425) changed their times back in May last year as services were getting delayed in Oldham town centre.

Some services do interwork with each other too. There is the odd 83 changing into a 64 at Oldham bus station, the 181/182s interwork at Manchester with some of the 180/184s at Manchester and the 457 at Rochdale.

High-Fi

February 18th, 2012, 08:54 PM

Thanks Andrew and Kriis. I think you are right Kriis, I've just zoomed into one of the pics which I didn't stick on Flickr and it does look like a Network Rail logo on one of the orange jackets. It must have been a coincidence that the PIDs were going off and on.
I didn't spot any new posts either, not even a freshly dug hole waiting for a post.

r02bapurdie

February 18th, 2012, 09:06 PM

Do anyone else think new Blackpool trams look better than M5000 trams?

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=611

bogblaster

February 18th, 2012, 09:09 PM

Also I notice that 24,58,59,64,83,180,181,182 and 184 bus services are change they timetable on 11th March, reason why I saying this is becuase when Oldham line closed back in 2009, this buses change they timetable and is funny how they all change the timetable at same time again?

http://www.tfgm.com/buses/service_changes.cfm

It appears that all the changes are retiming of the services. Presumably, since they are all run by "First" this has something to do with their having been taken to task by the Traffic Commissioner.

kriis101

February 18th, 2012, 09:12 PM

Do anyone else think new Blackpool trams look better than M5000 trams?

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=611

Nope, and at least the M5000s can run for more than a day without having to be brought back to the depot for repairs. Pretty sure the M5000s don't get wheelflats as easy as the Flexity2s either!

Freel07

February 18th, 2012, 09:19 PM

Awesome pics High-Fi. Is it possible those orange coats could be rail related staff rather than Metrolink/MPT??

One thing I have noticed... looks like the points around the single track section could be sprung. Would mean no more TMS screwups along the line if I'm right! Certainly seems like Thales have an easier job than I imagined, as in they don't need to get as many sets of points working as I thought! :lol:

Oh, did you spot any signal posts around the single track section?? didn't notice any in those pics

The points at the 2 ends of the single line are to be fitted with point machines before commissioning. I guess the signals etc will be erected over the next few weeks.

Freel07

February 18th, 2012, 09:23 PM

Nope, and at least the M5000s can run for more than a day without having to be brought back to the depot for repairs. Pretty sure the M5000s don't get wheelflats as easy as the Flexity2s either!

Certainly the Flexity 2s in Blackpool seem to have suffered badly with flats but I think its the drivers rather than the trams. Blackpool drivers aren't used to using the dynamic brakes which can be quite fierce if you aren't used to them. As for failures am I right in thinking that these have mainly been 001, if so that is to be expected as it is the prototype and the first Flexity 2 anywhere. Hopefully the others have benefitted from lessons learnt on 001.

Motortownman

February 18th, 2012, 09:28 PM

Just read back through these forums around the time the Chorlton line opened. There were four consecutive weeks when the Altrincham line was closed before the Chorlton line opens. I suppose we could assume there would be less problem with the Bury-ORL points as at first they tried to fit the full TMS points at Trafford Bar didn't they? The last week before it opened had the last static tests on the junction (the day me, Johnny, Tony and a couple of others were there) and then there were a couple of days of a full ghost service - btw how can they do a full ghost service with the extension to Oldham without closing the SML???
I guess (optimistic) it could be possible to have passenger trams between St Werburgh's Road and Oldham Mumps on the 11th March, although it is also possible that Earth gets invaded by the Cybermen and Darleks on that day too!:lol::lol::lol::lol:

The drivers won't be trained by then!

Sorry to rain on your parade. Patience is required. Nothing has been said or even leaked (has it?) Even any further update from TfGM that was due in january hasn't happend yet. (Has it?)

Just sit back and wait, any speculation in the past has always got everyone disappointed. (hasn't it?).

Freel07

February 18th, 2012, 09:29 PM

Great pictures Johnny - thanks!

The test tram certainly didn't go beyond this point. Big buffers have been placed across the tracks:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6897654569_db774dcd73_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897654569/)
IMG_0502 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6897654569/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

Nice photos HiFi. the buffers you saw are sleepers chained across the track I think. They are commonly used at the boundary between the construction site and the completed sections to prevent on track plant going beyond the worksite. They are also easily removed when testing takes place. I wouldn't be surprised if the section as far as the sleepers is actually now under the supervision of MRDL (RATP) and the line beyond still with MPT.

Motortownman

February 18th, 2012, 09:35 PM

Chances are they're changing the timetables to try and improve reliability. A lot of Oldham services (81, 82/83, 180/184, 409, 425) changed their times back in May last year as services were getting delayed in Oldham town centre.

Some services do interwork with each other too. There is the odd 83 changing into a 64 at Oldham bus station, the 181/182s interwork at Manchester with some of the 180/184s at Manchester and the 457 at Rochdale.

It won't be the threat of the traffic commissioner as routes need to be registered 8 weeks in advance of the start date and they only got warned 2 weeks ago, with an action plan to be in place by 31st March. They will only then start to get into major problems if it's not considered good enough.

The 76 will also change 2nd week in april to improve the reliability due to feedback from the drivers.Mainly to allow for traffic problems in Oldham due to metrolink works and continual diversions which appear at a days notice sometimes.

scientist12

February 18th, 2012, 09:47 PM

So I finally headed down to the finest station on the network. After sheltering from the freezing wind for a while I took a few snaps at Central Park. The guy came over the Tannoy and warned me that I was being monitored on CCTV. I could see the little camera in the black glass bowl following me. Nothing new here but I thought I'd share anyway.

How did central park manage to get such an excellent tram stop compared to everywhere else? What is even at central park to visit?

andysimo123

February 18th, 2012, 10:09 PM

Great photos High-Fis but this encounter being warned and also being recorded on CCTV, it sounds like again the builders or some security company think they have this magical power over the general public taking a few photos. I know they warned you that you were being filmed but it would be nice to know just who was filming you and who gave that warning out. No doubt be some jobsworth thats gone power mad. If it was me, I'd be complaining.

Chorlton Bloke

February 18th, 2012, 10:22 PM

Freel07

February 18th, 2012, 10:51 PM

High-Fi

February 18th, 2012, 11:32 PM

Yeah, it was a formal but non-threatening communication, if I remember correctly it was something along the lines of...

"This is a warning to the person taking photographs, you are being monitored on CCTV"

I simply looked towards where the voice came from and gave a thumbs up to acknowledge the announcement. I probably looked a bit shady since I'd put my hood up to try and retain some heat. Before I left I took my hood down and gave a nice smile to the camera. Security concious around there because it's such a fantastic station, plus the Police building is just across the road.

Reminds me about an incident a very long time ago. During the times of the IRA bombings my friend was doing some research into his family tree. He discovered that his great grandfather used to be a police officer, stationed at Mossley. We went up in my car and took a couple of pictures of the police station, then headed back to Droylsden. About 15 minutes after we got back to my house the police knocked on the door asking why I'd been taking pictures. We explained the situation and asked what all the fuss was about. They said they'd noticed me taking the pictures and started to carry out a computer check on me (via the car reg). As soon as they saw my very Irish surname they just had to investigate further.

WatcherZero

February 18th, 2012, 11:56 PM

How did central park manage to get such an excellent tram stop compared to everywhere else? What is even at central park to visit?

It was built in anticipation for the 2002 Commonwealth Games but the extensions didnt end up proceeding back then so it has been a completed empty station for years.

WatcherZero

February 18th, 2012, 11:57 PM

loweskid

February 19th, 2012, 12:09 AM

It was built in anticipation for the 2002 Commonwealth Games but the extensions didnt end up proceeding back then so it has been a completed empty station for years.

Don't think it was anything to do with the Games, it was built in 2005 (and it's a long way from the stadium). I think it was built as a showcase for the Central Park development.

WatcherZero

February 19th, 2012, 01:32 AM

It was completed after the games but was intended to be completed for them.

iheartthenew

February 19th, 2012, 01:42 AM

But central park is neither near sport city or even on the same line? I thought it was built for the central park development but sat empty since when Steven what's-his-face the former labour transport minister put the brakes on the big bang (along with the EML to the stadium which was intended to be ready for the games)

WatcherZero

February 19th, 2012, 04:42 AM

Was built as a transport interchange 'Gateway' for Sport City in 2006, taking just 8 months when it was thought lines would be operating through to there as funding had been secured for phase 3 East Manchester extensions (before the Government took it away) this funding negotition had of course been ongoing since the 90's.

traffordboy

February 19th, 2012, 09:46 AM

apologiesforthedelay

February 19th, 2012, 10:09 AM

Anyone been to the junction to see of they are fitting the points or just doing prep work?

BoyamIjealous

February 19th, 2012, 11:58 AM

Great pictures Johnny - thanks!

The test tram certainly didn't go beyond this point. Big buffers have been placed across the tracks:

Some of us like big buffers!

So I finally headed down to the finest station on the network. After sheltering from the freezing wind for a while I took a few snaps at Central Park. The guy came over the Tannoy and warned me that I was being monitored on CCTV. I could see the little camera in the black glass bowl following me. Nothing new here but I thought I'd share anyway.

One of those Volker Twats again. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=85143060&postcount=13814

Some detailed views:

Stunning detail! Thanks.

BoyamIjealous

February 19th, 2012, 12:27 PM

Do anyone else think new Blackpool trams look better than M5000 trams?

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=611

Horses for courses, I think. Certainly, the Flexity trams look like they should be able to handle tight turns easier than the M5000s, and if Bristol ever got its finger out, they would be a good option for here. Manchester's more extensive network (to be) needs more substantial kit. IMHO, that is.

iheartthenew

February 19th, 2012, 12:29 PM

martin2345uk

February 19th, 2012, 02:32 PM

Proper little building site at the location of the forthcoming Chorlton Brook Bridge on the Airport Line...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Chorlton%20Brook%2019022012/IMG_1710.jpg

Anyone know what these structures are? Something to do with concrete foundations for the bridge? Or something completely different?

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Chorlton%20Brook%2019022012/IMG_1711.jpg

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Chorlton%20Brook%2019022012/IMG_1709.jpg

Also noticed they've now fenced off the Metrolink boundary in the rest of the playground of Chorlton High.. In preparation for the tram's emergence onto Mauldeth Road I guess! Still probably some Utility Diversion works to go though... :bash:

Chorlton Bloke

February 19th, 2012, 03:07 PM

Proper little building site at the location of the forthcoming Chorlton Brook Bridge on the Airport Line...

Anyone know what these structures are? Something to do with concrete foundations for the bridge? Or something completely different?

Martin, I think it's pretty obvious that there isn't going to be a bridge there.
The brook has been culverted and the line will go across on an embankment.

The structures you query are trench supports.

John07

February 19th, 2012, 03:46 PM

link_road_17/7

February 19th, 2012, 04:45 PM

I am still puzzled.

Why build a transport gateway so far away from Sports City?

It's no nearer the stadium than Piccadilly Station.

Prior to being named Central Park, it was the snappily titled 'North East Manchester Business Park Gateway'.

Not to serve *SportCity*, but as a gateway to the wider New East Manchester Development Corporation area.

martin2345uk

February 19th, 2012, 05:01 PM

Martin, I think it's pretty obvious that there isn't going to be a bridge there.
The brook has been culverted and the line will go across on an embankment.

The structures you query are trench supports.

I see. So does that mean there will be a level crossing for the footpath? I guess it must do...

Freel07

February 19th, 2012, 05:45 PM

The pavements around CP are unlikely to be 'right of way' so just by being inthe vicinity of the stair cases, you will be on metrolink land. With regards to the comment about complaining - you have no cause to!!! Be grateful that the cameras work and are visible! The old system that was originally installed on Phase 1 only made the cameras 'live' if the Emergancy button was activated! Now all cameras are monitored on a 'Guard Tour'. CCTV is my game. I've hidden tiny, tiny cameras in trees before in the name of 'Security and Monitoring'. That I find creepy!!

I think the footways that are currently outside the fences will be public right of way whilst those inside the fencing are likely to be TfGM areas.

The original Metrolink CCTV was active 24/7 and all cameras were monitored in defined sequences. If a Help Point was activated the appropriate camera was switched to a dedicated monitor and set to record.

Chorlton Bloke

February 19th, 2012, 06:42 PM

I see. So does that mean there will be a level crossing for the footpath? I guess it must do...

Yes, footpath on a level crossing! That path is more heavily used than it appears, I cut through there one evening a few weeks ago and passed about a dozen others!

Oh, including a guy who told me that the powers that be had told him that the footpath would only be closed while they laid the rails, tends to confirm an embankment rather than a bridge.

I was down there earlier on today and the line seems to have moved considerably from where it was originally planned.

martin2345uk

February 19th, 2012, 06:45 PM

Does it? Where was it originally planned to run? I didn't think there was much room for manoeuvre down there!

Chorlton Bloke

February 19th, 2012, 06:50 PM

Does it? Where was it originally planned to run? I didn't think there was much room for manoeuvre down there!

I thought the original plans showed it coming out onto Mauldeth Road by the bus stop.

martin2345uk

February 19th, 2012, 06:59 PM

Never saw those plans, the only plans I ever saw showed it coming out a fair bit further down. Though I don't know how old the PDF plans I've got are...

r02bapurdie

February 19th, 2012, 06:59 PM

Hi

Good picture of Airport line Martin:cheers:, have anyone been on Bury line today to see if they where doing anything to line where Bury and Oldham line joins? :banana:

martin2345uk

February 19th, 2012, 07:05 PM

This is the only plan of the line emerging onto Mauldeth Rd West that I'm aware of being made public...

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab93/martin2345uk/Airport%20line%2022022011/Capture.jpg

Would love to see any earlier ones however if they're knocking about!

Would actually love to see the current plans too... no idea where they'd be though!

Chorlton Bloke

February 19th, 2012, 07:20 PM

This is the only plan of the line emerging onto Mauldeth Rd West that I'm aware of being made public...

Would love to see any earlier ones however if they're knocking about!

Would actually love to see the current plans too... no idea where they'd be though!

I'm going senile Martin :ohno: I'm sure that I've seen other plans but that looks remarkably like the one I saw.

Still, I am fairly certain that the bridge is no more, but who knows!

martin2345uk

February 19th, 2012, 08:01 PM

I think it makes sense to scrap the bridge if they can. An embankment would surely be cheaper!

Freel07

February 19th, 2012, 08:48 PM

I'm going senile Martin :ohno: I'm sure that I've seen other plans but that looks remarkably like the one I saw.

Still, I am fairly certain that the bridge is no more, but who knows!

The original plans like the one shown were produced for the purposes of obtaining authority and costings and once the scheme reached contractor's detailed design changes become very common as ground conditions become better understood and alternative more cost effective construction methods become available.

ExManc

February 20th, 2012, 12:05 AM

I think it makes sense to scrap the bridge if they can. An embankment would surely be cheaper!

Is the provision of a Hough End stop still part of the scheme? If so then that section of track would have to be level and accessible from Mauldeth Rd which in turn would dictate the height the line crosses the stream.

Chorlton Bloke

February 20th, 2012, 12:08 AM

Is the provision of a Hough End stop still part of the scheme? If so then that section of track would have to be level and accessible from Mauldeth Rd which in turn would dictate the height the line crosses the stream.

Steps, ramps, lifts!

Motortownman

February 20th, 2012, 12:25 AM

What's the bridge thats to go over the M60 going to look like does anyone know. I thought it was to be in a tunnel under the motorway, but must have either read it wrong or the plans were changed. It's going to have to be a pretty long one isn't it. is it 6 or 8 lanes it's to cross?

LNGCats

February 20th, 2012, 12:36 AM

It has always been a bridge.

Although not seen anything I expect the style to be similar to the footbridge at Deckers.

jrb

February 20th, 2012, 11:41 AM

Taken yesterday morning.

Didsbury/Kingsway

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9903/coophq001.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7707/coophq002.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8633/coophq003.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9053/coophq004.jpg

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/1667/coophq005.jpg

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/5341/coophq006.jpg

Tracks towards Didsbury.

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/726/coophq007.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/9683/coophq008.jpg

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/6087/coophq010.jpg

As close as I could get without actually going onsite.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8248/coophq013.jpg

End of the line.(currently) Looking towards Stockport.

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/9138/coophq011.jpg

Panoramic shots of the site.

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/193/coophq014.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/4702/coophq009.jpg

iheartthenew

February 20th, 2012, 11:56 AM

Excellent pictures Jrb. They're certainly cracking on with it.

jrb

February 20th, 2012, 11:59 AM

Taken yesterday.

Etihad Metrolink Station

Cracking job.

Finished.(bar the wooden?)

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/99/coophq035.jpg

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1862/coophq036.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/5681/coophq037.jpg

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/7195/coophq039.jpg

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/5760/coophq040.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8568/coophq041.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2959/coophq042.jpg

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7813/coophq043.jpg

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/7199/coophq045.jpg

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/4769/coophq046.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6209/coophq047.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8895/coophq049.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6879/coophq050.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7850/coophq048.jpg

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/2494/coophq038.jpg

thecityofgold

February 20th, 2012, 12:01 PM

The COMS station looks really good. Very modern.

apologiesforthedelay

February 20th, 2012, 12:53 PM

When we see ticket machines being installed we'll not they are not far off!

Good pics! :banana::cheers:

WingTips

February 20th, 2012, 01:07 PM

Great pic everyone thanks for taking them, the stop at Eithad is certainly very impressive.

Freel07

February 20th, 2012, 01:14 PM

Taken yesterday morning.

Didsbury/Kingsway

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/1667/coophq005.jpg

Great photos jrb. I wonder where those prefabicated points are destined for and also whether they are all for one site or are for seperate sites?

kriis101

February 20th, 2012, 02:09 PM

Great photos jrb. I wonder where those prefabicated points are destined for and also whether they are all for one site or are for seperate sites?

Looks like a crossover to me...surely there isn't going to be another crossover between the ones St Werburgh's Road and East Didsbury. It can't be the outbound crossover to the Airport line as its the wrong way....:nuts:

apologiesforthedelay

February 20th, 2012, 02:32 PM

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7813/coophq043.jpg

^^

Can anyone spot the "Eastlands City Stadium" sign.

That will need changing!

Johnny de Rivative

February 20th, 2012, 05:26 PM

# So will the Ashton under Lyne one apologies, if they ever get round to opening to Droylsden!

# Great pics martin and jrb.

#Took a quick trip on the Bury line today, but no apparent change at Irk Valley junction - still unconnected but plenty of hi vis around.

Saw another St W turning at Millbank siding, near the interconnector to Network Rail :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Central/Victoria/101_8110.jpg

Bowker Vale is looking a bit sorry for itself just now - have you bought your ticket? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Bowker%20Vale/101_8111.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Bowker%20Vale/101_8112.jpg

But back East, the cherry pickers were on the move, here on the bridge at the top of the ramp near ASDA/Velopark :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_8108.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Velopark/101_8109.jpg

Later they had moved across Canalside Crossing :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Clayton%20Hall/Canal%20Cross/101_8113.jpg

Build an overhead boys!

# On the subject of bridges, like you motor I would love to see Elevation type drawings of them - Chorlton Brook, Jackson's Boat, M60, Haveley, etc., (although on the last one they have changed their mind so many times I've forgotten now whether it will go across in the road or on a separate bridge!)

But I don't think they've ever made any Elevation designs public. Perhaps they're accessible in Town Planning documents?

The M60 at Fairy Lane has always been planned as a bridge, but Central Park was originally going to be a tunnel under the railway line. My memory is that when the funding for Light Rail projects was withdrawn by Darling in 2004, the Central Park development was already under way, including a railway dive-under for the new spine road.

This seems to have left the PTE and MCC between a rock and a hard place: in addition to £200 million already spent on Advance Works, if Metrolink was then to be left out of the build of Central Park, it may well have become prohibitively expensive to re-introduce it at a later stage. It therefore required further commitment to Advance Works 'on a wish and a prayer' with no identified funding in place, and I suspect this was where the decision was made to go ahead with the less expensive option of a bridge, especially as the tramstop was going to be at the high level. (In my opinion an infinitely more elegant solution than an underpass as it has turned out).

But as well as underscoring the political embarassment of the government's decision to waste so much of our money at that time, this decision in its way also seems to have been one of those classic Manchester 'Leaps of Faith' - emphasised further by the magnificently extravagant nature of the design - which has resulted in the eventual re-instatement of our project, where other less adventurous cities may have been left behind . . . (no offence, boyami!). . .

:banana:

kriis101

February 20th, 2012, 05:53 PM

#Took a quick trip on the Bury line today, but no apparent change at Irk Valley junction - still unconnected but plenty of hi vis around.

:banana:

I had a walk along the roads underneath the ORL turnoff, and noticed a few bent over TMS signal poles that I hadn't noticed before. They must have been fitting those as well as playing with Johnny's favourite thyristor collection! :lol::lol:

r02bapurdie

February 20th, 2012, 06:50 PM

Hi

Good picture of Disbury and Eastland or City Ground jrb and good picture of Bury line and at velopark Johnny :cheers:, apologiesforthedelay do u mean at bottom right of that page :), Also I wonder if the where doing work near Victoria yesterday like for 2CC line and that why Bury line was running too Abraham Moss and SML was running to Piccadilly?. :banana::banana:

SF07

February 20th, 2012, 10:52 PM

Ooh tracks in Didsbury. Looks good. Wonder who'll be lucky enough to get a shot of a train and tram passing by at the same time.

One other thing Metrolink-related. On the West Yorkshire Metro website, they mention the service change regarding the 184 (also mentioned on the TfGM website along with other services) and they state that the change is regarding Metrolink work in Oldham town centre and that the service will be re-routed and retimed. Not sure whereabouts in the town centre this is but I imagine it'll be either Union Street or King Street.

ScouseinManc

February 21st, 2012, 08:49 AM

Great photos everyone. Especially the photos of the tracks @ Didsbury JrB :)

I wonder if they are actually working at a quicker pace on the unopened lines, so that opening them earlier (SML to Didsbury is Summer 2013) takes the sting out of delays caused by TMS?

Judging from the photographic updates from everyone, it certainly appears so.

Freel07

February 21st, 2012, 01:12 PM

Looks like a crossover to me...surely there isn't going to be another crossover between the ones St Werburgh's Road and East Didsbury. It can't be the outbound crossover to the Airport line as its the wrong way....:nuts:

Certainly a trailing crossover and I would have imagined it would be destined for somewhere between East Didsbury and St Werburghs as it would be difficult to transport to another route. The thing that set me wondering was the other set of points being built in front of the crossover. Having looked more carefully though I guess it is just the front end of the right hand set of points.:bash:

dpjones1978

February 21st, 2012, 03:57 PM

Loving the pics guys, keep up the good work:cheers:

r02bapurdie

February 21st, 2012, 06:08 PM

One other thing Metrolink-related. On the West Yorkshire Metro website, they mention the service change regarding the 184 (also mentioned on the TfGM website along with other services) and they state that the change is regarding Metrolink work in Oldham town centre and that the service will be re-routed and retimed. Not sure whereabouts in the town centre this is but I imagine it'll be either Union Street or King Street.

Hi

^^^^ this is probably them doing work at Mumps old bridge or on Union Street as remember some part of Union Street special near Sainsburys will be close off to traffic becuase that where Union Street stop gonna be.

r02bapurdie

February 21st, 2012, 06:19 PM

Sorry if this have already been posted but I notice they gonna be Engineering works on SML on 3rd and 4th March, are they doing anywork at Trafford depot and that why Chorlton line closed?

Engineering works Sat 3 and Sun 4 March

There will be no trams running on the South Manchester line.

Replacement buses will run:
St. Werburgh's Road - Trafford Bar

Passengers can board trams at Trafford Bar for onward destinations.

Please buy your ticket from a Metrolink ticket machine before boarding the bus.

Normal tram services will resume from the start of service, Monday 5 March.

All other tram services will run as usual.

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/uploads/Replacement-bus-stops-3-4%20March.pdf

Johnny de Rivative

February 21st, 2012, 07:41 PM

Johnny’s Bananalog, tramdate 210212, sectors 59 & 182 . . .

It’s amazing what you see from the top of a bus – took a trip to-day on the 59 to Shaw then the 182 to Rochdale!

New steps at Bowker Vale :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Burry/Bowker%20Vale/101_8115.jpg

Oldham Westwood - the alignment comes around from Westwood Business Park, centre right in old Metrolink colours, and in front of the covered reservoir, centre left. Westwood stop will be just out of shot on the left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_8116.jpg

Winterbottom Street has been diverted for laying rails across it. It will be a level crossing for access to Richmond Schools :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_8118.jpg

The descent by the by-pass down to Winterbottom Street does seem to be a steep one Tony :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Westwood/101_8119.jpg

Rails across Mumps roundabout, then up towards Derker away from the camera between Bell Street and Brook Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_8124.jpg

Looking back down Brook Street (on the left) towards Mumps. I can’t quite make out what that is on the line :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_8125.jpg

Shaw tramstop looking South. They are also putting in a new footbridge on the right, I guess for the path running beside the line to cross the brook? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/101_8130.jpg

The third road for terminating trams is on the left, with an island platform so that passengers are well placed for the next departure South :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/101_8133.jpg

What a good idea to put the station and headshunt on the Southern side, so that turnbacks don’t need to cross the road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/101_8126.jpg

Turning to face North, the former site of Shaw & Crompton station :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/101_8127.jpg

This is where the terminating headshunt used to be :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/100_2215.jpg

And today . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/101_8129.jpg

I don’t know what those big wagons are, either, mayerdale! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/101_8135.jpg

more later . . .

:banana:

Chorlton Bloke

February 21st, 2012, 07:55 PM

I don’t know what those wagons are, either! :-

Ballast hoppers?

r02bapurdie

February 21st, 2012, 09:19 PM

Johnny’s Bananalog, tramdate 210212, sectors 59 & 182 . . .

Looking back down Brook Street (on the left) towards Mumps. I can’t quite make out what that is on the line :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_8125.jpg
:banana:

Hi

Good picture of Oldham Mumps and Shaw Johnny:cheers:, ^^^^ isn't that one of is that keep coming up near me back in Summers, Also nice to see Shaw getting on quite well, I still think the could open line allway up to Shaw or open line to Mumps then three mouths later open line to Shaw?.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5188/5606350853_812ae66ce2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/5606350853/)
laid track at freehold (http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/5606350853/)

:banana::banana::banana:

SF07

February 21st, 2012, 09:25 PM

Very good pics of the Oldham area. Looks like it's coming on nicely. Can't be long until the OHLE's will start to be erected along the line.

fallowfield_fergy

February 21st, 2012, 09:25 PM

Johnny’s Bananalog, tramdate 210212, sectors 59 & 182 . . .

I don’t know what those big wagons are, either, mayerdale! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/101_8135.jpg

Those are ballast wagons. They have chutes at the sides and (I am pretty sure) underneath so they can drop the ballast straight onto the tracks.

Those three big wheels control the flow of stone from the hopper. There is a platform on this end of the wagons where somebody stands and regulates the flow of stone while the train is moved slowly over the freshly-laid track.

Neil

Johnny de Rivative

February 21st, 2012, 09:47 PM

Cheers Neil There's plenty to be doing up there!

Johnny’s Bananalog part 2

Heading North on a 182, I have often thought a stop might be viable in the Goats or Woodend area, given the very long drop between Shaw and Newhey :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/New%20Hey/101_8139.jpg

Near Jubilee, the line will be enjoyable in a woodland and waterside setting :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/New%20Hey/101_8140.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/New%20Hey/101_8141.jpg

Then in open moorland near Haugh :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/New%20Hey/101_8142.jpg

An unusual view of New Hey tramstop over the fence! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/New%20Hey/101_8143.jpg

The approach to Milnrow station (tramstop to be) nice new stonework on the abutments :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_8149.jpg

Rails are in and the platforms are arriving as we speak :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_8145.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_8151.jpg

Descending into the village, one thinks what a wide variety of environments there will be on Metrolink. Unfortunately the pub here is boarded up - perhaps it will open up again with the station? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_8147.jpg

Looking North from Elizabethan Way towards the Pennines :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Milnrow/101_8156.jpg

Further on, guess what – another crossover :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8166.jpg

Haven’t heard any mention of short workings to Milnrow, so it’s probably to allow for potential problems on the single line section ahead :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8165.jpg

We’ll have to have a crossover-spotting competition!

:banana:

more later

kriis101

February 21st, 2012, 10:07 PM

Oh wow Johnny, I can't wait til this line opens. Definitely going to be my favourite!

apologiesforthedelay

February 21st, 2012, 10:10 PM

Top pics as ever Johnny!

Looking forward to more! :banana:

Glad they are putting a few crossovers in too!

martin2345uk

February 21st, 2012, 10:12 PM

Absolutely stunning. Great stuff.

r02bapurdie

February 21st, 2012, 10:17 PM

Other good pictures Johnny:cheers:, line from Shaw to Rochdale will like good special in Summers hopely trams are quite smooth up they.

Mayerdale

February 21st, 2012, 10:19 PM

Thank you everyone for those pictures!

Thank you for clearing up the mystery of the ''wagons'' on the Shaw line. I wanted to grab a pic yesterday but I was moved to another room at work, and this morning it had moved further down. :(

High-Fi

February 21st, 2012, 10:34 PM

Cracking update Johnny - thanks for taking the time to share.

TractorBasher

February 21st, 2012, 10:36 PM

Interesting that they are using those ballast wagons on the Shaw extension. They look like "Seacow" wagons, as used on the national rail network.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3555/5746283690_a3123472f0_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan700/5746283690/)

I wonder if they brought them in by road, or is there a mainline connection at Rochdale?

Here's another image showing some in action.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3312/3335333462_bef0f1229b_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chip_1982/3335333462/)

andysimo123

February 21st, 2012, 11:09 PM

The I know theres a connection to the East Lancs at Bury and also theres a connection at Victoria but if anyone has a look on Bing maps which are more update than googles. The mainline connection at Rochdale has been left as it is while the rest of the track bed has been pulled up.

Johnny de Rivative

February 21st, 2012, 11:09 PM

Cheers folks:cheers:

Johnny’s Bananalog part 3 . . . on foot for the rest of the way!

The rails have now reached Kingsway Business Park :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8177.jpg

You can make out the white platform base on the left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8171.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8170.jpg

The Stop Equipment Room has also arrived :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8179.jpg

The main entrance to KBP tramstop will actually be between these two houses on Leyfield Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8182.jpg

The alley between them gives on to Turbary Walk at the back :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8181.jpg

I hope the tree doesn’t have to be done away with, as it’s quite an elegant one :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8180.jpg

Directly behind it is the stop access path. Presumably there will be another approach from the Business Park opposite, but not much sign of that arriving at present :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8184.jpg

Turning around with one’s back to the tree, one finds oneself at the front door of number 23. Just imagine hordes of people emerging from the stop through here at rush hour . . .

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8185.jpg

A final look back at KBP tramstop from Turbary Walk :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Kingsway/101_8187.jpg

more later

:banana:

SF07

February 21st, 2012, 11:36 PM

Johnny de Rivative

February 22nd, 2012, 02:34 AM

Not so densely populated there, SF, but would be a good amenity nevertheless.

Johnny’s Bananalog Part 4 210212

There’s not a lot of obvious change as yet at Newbold. Morrison’s cupola is now visible above the lowered embankment from Moss Avenue, but there will not be an access from this side nor from Bertha Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_8190.jpg

Apart from Morrison’s car park this will be the only public access, from Kingsway. It looks like there may be another of those vertical gardens by the descending embankment :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_8191.jpg

However, the ubiquitous Stop Equipment Room, here on the left with scaffolding, has arrived :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_8199.jpg

A closer view of the viaduct over the Railway line. I think the rails at the lower level off to the right, form another interconnector between Metrolink and Network Rail - currently used as a headshunt by Rochdale terminating services back to Manchester, which previously would have gone forward around the Oldham loop (Is that right Tony?) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_8203.jpg

The embankment looks longer and less steeply graded from this angle :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_8201.jpg

It also rises high above the nearby houses. Is the stop sign the end of the headshunt? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_8206.jpg

Here a Northern Rail train is passing speedily under the viaduct (I think) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_8207.jpg

The same spot one year ago :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_1921.jpg

Of course, Metrolink will pass at a much higher level than the train, in fact it will be quite domineering at this point! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Newbold/101_8205.jpg

Now the area around Rochdale Railway Station is beginning to look the part, and the Metrolink bridge over Oldham Road has been smartened up, near the breakout into High Level Road on the right. I do like the black furniture against this beige coloured paving:-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8209.jpg

The transfer point from rail to road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8211.jpg

Broad Gauge rails in Maclure Road? :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8212.jpg

The steep embankment is an illusion, but so will be the bananas climbing up it! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8215.jpg

Getting the route ready on the left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8214.jpg

Time for a train back to town!

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8216.jpg

:banana:

Train Guard

February 22nd, 2012, 09:21 AM

I had a walk along the roads underneath the ORL turnoff, and noticed a few bent over TMS signal poles that I hadn't noticed before. They must have been fitting those as well as playing with Johnny's favourite thyristor collection! :lol::lol:

The concrete ducting that was piled on the signalling installation platform is now gone. It seems to have been used to protect cabling laid back from the platform to the point of junction, where the other ducting pile is still situated. Presumably, this will be used next Sunday.

Train Guard

r02bapurdie

February 22nd, 2012, 06:09 PM

Hi

Good pictures of part 3 and part 4 of Oldham & Rochdale line Johnny:cheers:, So looking at them pics will Kingsway Business Park Metrolink stop be opening when line to Rochdale opening or do u think it will opened bit later on?.

BoyamIjealous

February 22nd, 2012, 08:09 PM

Terrific work Johnny, as per usual! I love the rural aspect to this - highly unusual for a tramway. The houses at New Hey need washing in Metrolink colours on lines crossing the ginnel to give the full effect.
I agree with you on the headshunt stopping short of the road in Shaw - good idea. The same idea is used to good effect at Fishermans Walk in Fleetwood - see the Blackpool thread. One less source of conflict with road traffic is always to be applauded.
And JRB - excellent set of pictures of the building site, and also Etihad, which will be one of the true iconic stops when all is up and running.

LNGCats

February 22nd, 2012, 08:11 PM

Yep, excellent work as usual JdR and JRB, only increases the anticipation of the lines finally being opened.

ScouseinManc

February 22nd, 2012, 09:30 PM

Hats off to you JdR - a truly epic update!

I've never had the need to go up to Oldham or Rochdale (even Ashton, for that matter), but with so many of your terrific pictures, I can't wait for these lines to open & have a good reason to get out there.

Wouldn't it be great if we could get on an SCC banana-pub crawl, when each of the lines open up. To toast each new arrival! I'm sure there are some wonderful watering holes, waiting for our custom. :) :cheers:

Phreud

February 22nd, 2012, 10:49 PM

Hats off to you JdR - a truly epic update!

I've never had the need to go up to Oldham or Rochdale (even Ashton, for that matter), but with so many of your terrific pictures, I can't wait for these lines to open & have a good reason to get out there.

Seconded. Johnny , you have outdone yourself over the last few days. I've never been moved to visit Rochdale in 20 years living in the North West but your photos might tempt me once the line opens.

Johnny de Rivative

February 22nd, 2012, 11:14 PM

#Yes I read Scouse last week that a guide to real ale along the Alti line has been published, so we could write our own for the others!

I certainly think we should meet up again on the first days of opening, and I would also like to organise some walks along for photo purposes during the testing period . . .

# Ex Manc - I think a stop at Hough End is now dead in the water. It was only ever 'pencilled in' and the current thinking is to reduce stop numbers.

# Cats I should know where 'Deckers' is, just remind us?

# Kriis they are welcome play with my thyristor collection anytime - like the chav cookery book, it's a very small one! As a matter of fact I looked out last night and there were men in hi-vis suddenly appeared on a level with my bedroom window at midnight as I was typing this - then I realised they were getting the ohle ready for the running wires ! I took some pics in daylight this morning, will post later . . .

# Scouse I agree the 3b sections are coming along fast - in fact with the delay to TMS they are in danger of catching up the 3a sections . . . (That would be embarrassing if it happened in Oldham, making the temporary line a waste of time!)

# Tractor I think those ballast hoppers must have arrived by road. The track is not through to Rochdale yet, and if they connected at Victoria, could the finback bridge cope with that amount of weight?

# ro2 there seems no reason why Kingsway should not open at the same time. It looks further advanced than Newbold. However I think all the openings are now anybody's guess - Droylsden & Rochdale are now simply listed for '2012', no season mentioned. And whatever was said on 20th January about Oldham, they never told us!!

# Here are the pics of the new ohle bracket arms, placed overnight in the last 24 hrs at Edge Lane. It's the first time those silver finials (tin man's helmets) have been combined with red poles (to identify Droylsden)! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_8226.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_8232.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_8239.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Edge%20Lane/101_8245.jpg

And also at Cemetery Road :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_8253.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Droylsden/Cemetery%20Road/101_8251.jpg

:banana:

LNGCats

February 22nd, 2012, 11:16 PM

Deckers is the restaurant by Sale Water Park, visible from the motorway I think.

If you drive along the M5000 just east of the Sale Retreat Park exist there is a large modern looking white footbridge.

LNGCats

February 22nd, 2012, 11:23 PM

http://www.google.co.uk/m/search?site=images&gl=uk&client=ms-android-samsung&source=mog&hl=en&aq=f&oq=&aqi=-k0d0t0&fkt=2065&fsdt=17714&cqt=&rst=&htf=&his=&maction=&q=M60+footbridge#i=6 I think should work

Tony_H1

February 22nd, 2012, 11:24 PM

One hell of a photo up date! Now that JDR has visited my usual haunts I might have a gander down at the Airport tomorrow and see how things are coming on the South for a change :lol:

Slightly Metrolink related coming back past Newton Heath depot this evening from the back cab I could make out that that those points on the Network rail lines at Thorps Bridge look to be in place now.

Gotta say even in the dark and drizzle Central Park station looks awesome!

martin2345uk

February 22nd, 2012, 11:55 PM

JDR those red poles with silver caps and arms look fantastic in my opinion!!

Altfish

February 23rd, 2012, 08:58 AM

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/Shaw/101_8135.jpg

The stone is brought in from a quarry at Penmaenmawr on the North Wales coast line. The stone is initially brought to Guide Bridge in wagons that look very similar to the one shown here.

If you scroll about 3/4 down this webpage...
http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm
...there are pictures of the train.

BoyamIjealous

February 23rd, 2012, 06:54 PM

Wouldn't it be great if we could get on an SCC banana-pub crawl, when each of the lines open up. To toast each new arrival! I'm sure there are some wonderful watering holes, waiting for our custom. :) :cheers:

Let me know, I'll be up from Bristol for that.

wythenshawe_tram_fan

February 23rd, 2012, 07:16 PM

Sorry to pester everyone, currently doing a degree and need to conduct a survey on commuting, if anyone would like to take part please complete it online at www.travelplus.moonfruit.com/survey (http://www.travelplus.moonfruit.com/survey).

Thank you, and I am aware that it's off topic.

fallowfield_fergy

February 23rd, 2012, 07:18 PM

The stone is brought in from a quarry at Penmaenmawr on the North Wales coast line. The stone is initially brought to Guide Bridge in wagons that look very similar to the one shown here.

Well, it's a knocking bet that they won't have transferred them to different wagons to go onto the Metrolink.

It would be interesting to learn how they are tripped from Guide Bridge to Metrolink, what hauls what to where etc. Might try and find out...

Let me know, I'll be up from Bristol for that.

Me too!

Neil

Tony_H1

February 23rd, 2012, 07:32 PM

kriis101

February 23rd, 2012, 07:42 PM

Theres no way the ballast in these wagons could have come any other way than by road to here as there is no connection to the outside world! The line does not yet reach Rochdale and at Oldham it ends in a trip via steep drop into the old Mumps Roundabout

Only link to the heavy rail network is the one just outside Victoria Station, but since the points on the Smedley Viaduct arn't fitted yet, they would have to do the long route through QR depot to get onto the ORL - so I seriously doubt that would ever happen. :lol::lol:

Can't be easy transporting those ballast wagons by road though! - especially when full of the ballast!

Tony_H1

February 23rd, 2012, 07:48 PM

Freel07

February 23rd, 2012, 08:00 PM

lol. Thats some serious transhipment Kriis! I had it more in my head that would just use one of those grabber trucks like you see when they are digging up the roads. Park the lorry next to said rail wagon and do it that way. Either that or just have a massive pile of ballast and a JCB at either end.

In the future though you will be able to access both sides of the Rail parts of the Oldham line via Dean Lane and via the Reversing siding at Rochdale station.

The wagons used to transport the ballast from North Wales to Guide Bridge aren't hoppers and are emptied as you say by a grab. The stone is transported by road to various places on the new lines and then distributed if possible as the railhead progresses or taken straight to site by lorry.

I believe the Dean Lane connection has been abandoned now, I don't know whether the Rochdale one is still on the cards though. I said in an earlier post that I understood the Altrincham one is to be removed as well.

kriis101

February 23rd, 2012, 08:49 PM

The wagons used to transport the ballast from North Wales to Guide Bridge aren't hoppers and are emptied as you say by a grab. The stone is transported by road to various places on the new lines and then distributed if possible as the railhead progresses or taken straight to site by lorry.

I believe the Dean Lane connection has been abandoned now, I don't know whether the Rochdale one is still on the cards though. I said in an earlier post that I understood the Altrincham one is to be removed as well.

Ah cheers for that info Freel.
Yes, that connection at Dean Lane is... well... not connected now haha. There is just the dead end siding for Metrolink now at the end of the Newton Heath run-around. (I'l find a relevant photo later)

If the Altrincham connection is going to be removed.. is the one at Victoria going as well??

apologiesforthedelay

February 23rd, 2012, 09:22 PM

If the Altrincham connection is going to be removed.. is the one at Victoria going as well??

Why would they want to remove them? What is the benefit?

wythenshawe_tram_fan

February 23rd, 2012, 09:37 PM

Why would they want to remove them? What is the benefit?

couldn't it to be with TMS. as wouldn't it interfer with rail signals.

Altfish

February 23rd, 2012, 09:57 PM

couldn't it to be with TMS. as wouldn't it interfer with rail signals.

That could be the reason, but on the very rare occasions (usually during a possession and overnight) that they would be used, surely the points and signalling could be done manually.

WatcherZero

February 23rd, 2012, 10:49 PM

The new rail signal box at Rochdale has been built with the Metrolink signalling interface.

Tony_H1

February 23rd, 2012, 11:43 PM

As promised here are a couple of photos from the airport this afternoon.

The station site for the Metrolink is still yet to be cleared

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010291.jpg

A closer image of the bridge works

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010292.jpg

Looking back from the other way they seem to have made some sort of stone cofferdam construction.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010294.jpg

Some of the bridge seems to be missing.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010293.jpg

Should be passing through this point at a low level in the future, just before it enters a tunnel under the expanded Ringway Road West

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010296.jpg

Looking back from Shadowmoss Road towards the future Woodhouse Park stop

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010299.jpg

There she blows!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010305.jpg

wydna

February 24th, 2012, 03:31 AM

edit

wydna

February 24th, 2012, 03:33 AM

Theres no way the ballast in these wagons could have come any other way than by road to here as there is no connection to the outside world! The line does not yet reach Rochdale and at Oldham it ends in a trip via steep drop into the old Mumps Roundabout

I did have a gander down at the airport, not much to report. Ill post a couple of photos later.

I took this pic last year when they were using BR Dog Fish type hoppers, these would pass up and down the line 2-4 times a day which indiactes there must have been a stock pile of balast somewhere close to the line in Failsworth/Newton Heath/Oldham.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/andyw823/Junk%202/IMG_0088.jpg

LNGCats

February 24th, 2012, 08:33 AM

All aboard for new £6.7m Metrolink and bus interchange in Wythenshawe (http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1486448_all-aboard-for-new-67m-metrolink-and-bus-interchange-in-wythenshawe)

These are the first images of a new £6.7m transport interchange to be built in Wythenshawe.

Transport bosses want to move the existing bus station from beside the shopping centre to a new site outside Wythenshawe Forum where it will link up with a new Metrolink stop.

Images on the MEN site...

Rail Ranger

February 24th, 2012, 10:53 AM

SF07

February 24th, 2012, 11:31 AM

All aboard for new £6.7m Metrolink and bus interchange in Wythenshawe (http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1486448_all-aboard-for-new-67m-metrolink-and-bus-interchange-in-wythenshawe)

Images on the MEN site...

Picture of planned interchange from M.E.N. website:

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/101.$plit/C_71_article_1486448_image_list_image_list_item_1_image.jpg?23%2F02%2F2012%2019%3A15%3A36%3A058

Freel07

February 24th, 2012, 01:40 PM

The new rail signal box at Rochdale has been built with the Metrolink signalling interface.

Rochdale SB has the Emergency Alarm system to Metrolink but that's all as far as I know.

As I have said previously the retention provides little benfit as the structure gauge is so tight that many heavy rail vehicles cannot pass.

I suspect the Dean Lane one was removed at this stage as the cost of making the connection just wasn't justified. At Altrincham maintenance costs versus likely usage were used and it appeared that the cost of any percieved renewals during conversion to Line of Sight wasn't justified. I don't know whether the Rochdale one will be retained orwhether the Victoria one will either although as that one exists and is fairly new the conversion will be fairly inexpensive. I would imagine each connection involves a significant cost in the same way as a private siding would. Network Rail will want to be paid for maintenance.

High-Fi

February 24th, 2012, 01:49 PM

...which indiactes there must have been a stock pile of balast somewhere close to the line in Failsworth/Newton Heath/Oldham.

Probably from here wydna, taken from Thorpe's bridge:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6925568727_02130310be_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6925568727/)
IMG_0502a (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/6925568727/) by carlf18 (http://www.flickr.com/people/carlf18/), on Flickr

Freel07

February 24th, 2012, 01:56 PM

The connection between the heavy rail and Metrolink lines just north of Altrincham station was used extensively when the track on the Altrincham line was relaid in summer 2009. Lengthy ballast trains used the connection every night for weeks. It would have been much more difficult to have done the job without the connection. Also the connection would be used by tram-train from the mid-Cheshire line travelling into Manchester via Sale (which Cheshire East Council are keen on). It can only currently be used during an engineer's possession so would need to be signalled The connection at Victoria was only relaid a few years ago.

Thats right (the track renewal was in 2007 by the way) but since then during the OLE renewal project in 2010 the platform clearances at many stops have been brought up to current standards which are somewhat tighter than the original Metrolink ones. This makes the clearance of heavy rail vehicles much more tricky and it only needs the platform say at Navigation Road to be tight to prevent the access being useless.

uklad1979

February 24th, 2012, 02:47 PM

When the track comes into the airport station is it coming under the road in a tunnel or over and then down?

Gavin

February 24th, 2012, 02:56 PM

It will pass under the road bridge and into the station. Other options were considered but rejected. One of them even included putting the metrolink stop in the bus stand area!

Johnny de Rivative

February 24th, 2012, 05:04 PM

As promised here are a couple of photos from the airport this afternoon.
A closer image of the bridge works

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010292.jpg

Interesting shots Tony, showing the very different levels which will mean a fair load of earth spoil to shift to bring it down to the railway level. In fact there will be two underpasses, at Outwood Lane here, and at Ringway Road West, but the latter as you say will be much lengthier, possibly as long as the one at Didsbury?

To take that shot through the tinted glass you would have been standing above the 150 metre tunnel that was built and sealed in 2003 for the Western Loop. The pink roof lintel of it is visible in your next shot, beyond the grass area which will be the tramstop :-

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010294.jpg

All exciting.
:banana:

Viscount702

February 24th, 2012, 05:44 PM

Does anyone know where the Fourth Platform at the Train Station will be if this is built as part of the Hub

Motortownman

February 24th, 2012, 07:13 PM

Picture of planned interchange from M.E.N. website:

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/101.$plit/C_71_article_1486448_image_list_image_list_item_1_image.jpg?23%2F02%2F2012%2019%3A15%3A36%3A058

It would have been good if they had managed to be a be a bit more generous with the tram shelters, even trying to copy to a degree the bus station. The building between could have been carried further round and given more shelter for the tram passengers. Seems it's one size fits all as far as tram shelters go. Shame, an opportunity missed to make it look complete.

kriis101

February 24th, 2012, 07:40 PM

It would have been good if they had managed to be a be a bit more generous with the tram shelters, even trying to copy to a degree the bus station. The building between could have been carried further round and given more shelter for the tram passengers. Seems it's one size fits all as far as tram shelters go. Shame, an opportunity missed to make it look complete.

I agree, when I looked at it I thought it just looked like a bus station and a tram stop close by... rather than in interchange point which is obviously the reason why the bus station is moving! :bash::bash:
IMO, the bus station should be extended (or just moved) towards the bottom right of that image, and the lower, smaller, bus shelter extended to cover both platforms of the tram stop, with a curved roof to match the other larger one. It would then have a more integrated look to it.

BoyamIjealous

February 24th, 2012, 09:58 PM

There she blows!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/Geeves8612/P1010305.jpg

Does Bombardier have the monopoly on a all forms of transport in Manchester? M5000, Q400.....

VoldemortBlack

February 24th, 2012, 10:11 PM

Oooo I hope they redo Piccadilly Bus terminal some time soon.

Wythenshawe Interchange looks a bit like Eccles.

kriis101

February 24th, 2012, 10:31 PM

Oooo I hope they redo Piccadilly Bus terminal some time soon.

Wythenshawe Interchange looks a bit like Eccles.

I hope they don't redo it until they sack the architect that they used for the Wythenshawe one! Otherwise me might get another concrete wall, to separate the bus station and tram stop!! - It's the next step from the wall of trees in the Wythenshawe image.... :bash::bash:

Chorlton Bloke

February 25th, 2012, 12:01 AM

I hope they don't redo it until they sack the architect that they used for the Wythenshawe one! Otherwise me might get another concrete wall, to separate the bus station and tram stop!! - It's the next step from the wall of trees in the Wythenshawe image.... :bash::bash:

What short memories folk have. I remember Piccadilly when it was all enclosed cattle pen like shelters and offices and staff canteens on stilts over it all.

VoldemortBlack

February 25th, 2012, 12:35 AM

Piccadilly Gardens bus terminal would be a very difficult one to redesign into a new modern interchange whilst also integrating the tram.

future.architect

February 25th, 2012, 01:00 AM

In a perfect world, I would prefer it if the bus routes could be adjusted so there was no need for such a large terminus in the centre of town.
That way we could make space for the nice urban park that this city craves, maybe the setting for a landmark building by Hadid or someone equally high profile.

iheartthenew

February 25th, 2012, 01:23 AM

Mmm Zaha Hadid does lovely buildings. I bet she would do an excellent bus station!

future.architect

February 25th, 2012, 02:00 AM

Mmm Zaha Hadid does lovely buildings. I bet she would do an excellent bus station!

Lets just hope she designs it so that the buses can fit in :)

Speaking of nice bus stations, has anyone seen Vauxhall Bus station in London?

WatcherZero

February 25th, 2012, 04:25 AM

Rochdale SB has the Emergency Alarm system to Metrolink but that's all as far as I know.

As I have said previously the retention provides little benfit as the structure gauge is so tight that many heavy rail vehicles cannot pass.

I suspect the Dean Lane one was removed at this stage as the cost of making the connection just wasn't justified. At Altrincham maintenance costs versus likely usage were used and it appeared that the cost of any percieved renewals during conversion to Line of Sight wasn't justified. I don't know whether the Rochdale one will be retained orwhether the Victoria one will either although as that one exists and is fairly new the conversion will be fairly inexpensive. I would imagine each connection involves a significant cost in the same way as a private siding would. Network Rail will want to be paid for maintenance.

Guess you didnt see the internal photos from it with the signal board layout covering future Metrolink track layout.

WatcherZero

February 25th, 2012, 04:28 AM

Does anyone know where the Fourth Platform at the Train Station will be if this is built as part of the Hub

Where the bridge is on the left, it will start at the end of the existing platforms so quite a walk.

uklad1979

February 25th, 2012, 08:19 AM

Piccadilly Gardens bus terminal would be a very difficult one to redesign into a new modern interchange whilst also integrating the tram.

What about ripping out Piccadilly Gardens out and placing the bus station in it's place then the current bus station could be turned into a nice long public square (rectangle) suitable for events and better in shape.

traffordboy

February 25th, 2012, 10:47 AM

...deleted...

Irish Blood English Heart

February 25th, 2012, 11:20 AM

What about ripping out Piccadilly Gardens out and placing the bus station in it's place then the current bus station could be turned into a nice long public square (rectangle) suitable for events and better in shape.

Eh?

Johnny de Rivative

February 25th, 2012, 11:38 AM

Guess you didnt see the internal photos from it with the signal board layout covering future Metrolink track layout.

Can you point us to where we can all have a look at that Watcher?

Originally Posted by Viscount702
Does anyone know where the Fourth Platform at the Train Station will be if this is built as part of the Hub

Sorry Viscount, which particular Station is this?

:cheers:

Viscount702

February 25th, 2012, 11:51 AM

Sorry Viscount, which particular Station is this?

:cheers:

It is the Station at the airport and WatcherZero replied

WatcherZero

February 25th, 2012, 01:33 PM

Can you point us to where we can all have a look at that Watcher?
:cheers:

We talked about it last year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d7606/6074609566/in/photostream

Freel07

February 25th, 2012, 02:29 PM

We talked about it last year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d7606/6074609566/in/photostream

You are quite right I hadn't seen that, thanks for the link. There is a new panel for Deansgate Junction which has the Metrolink lines and crossover on it but it will be modified to remove the whole lot. Unfortunately I have no picture.

Joseph_Locke

February 25th, 2012, 04:05 PM

Where the bridge is on the left, it will start at the end of the existing platforms so quite a walk.

?

(and the previous question by Viscount702)

?

The Hub includes a fourth platform scheme, and the spec is for eight car capacity (nigh on 190m). That won't fit unless the platform comes under Outwood Lane, just like the third platform does. As I understand things, both platform 4 and the Metrolink platform will have end-on access to the main concourse. However, I don't think the Hub development work has actually started yet ...

WatcherZero

February 25th, 2012, 04:25 PM

The planning diagram I saw had it start at the end of the existing platforms just the other side of the road bridge (one to car park). Access to it was to walk the length of the existing rail platforms then take a pedestrian bridge over the tracks to the left side. Basically parallel to Ring Road West.

Joseph_Locke

February 25th, 2012, 04:28 PM

WatcherZero

February 25th, 2012, 04:31 PM

Probably first feasability study, pre-Northern hub.

Joseph_Locke

February 25th, 2012, 04:35 PM

Probably first feasability study, pre-Northern hub.

Not by NR / RT though.

WatcherZero

February 25th, 2012, 04:36 PM

Was by NR, circa 2006/7. Part of the previous North West RUS I think.

Joseph_Locke

February 25th, 2012, 04:49 PM

Was by NR, circa 2006/7. Part of the previous North West RUS I think.

Ah. Authored by B. Potter and the Grimm Brothers no doubt.

Viscount702

February 25th, 2012, 06:48 PM

So gentlemen where will the platform go. It was my understanding that the Metro platform(s) would allow for the 4th rail one but I can't see where it could go unless the solution is one along the lines of that put forward by WZ but surely that wouldn't be acceptable.

conn1231

February 25th, 2012, 08:55 PM

?

(and the previous question by Viscount702)

?

The Hub includes a fourth platform scheme, and the spec is for eight car capacity (nigh on 190m). That won't fit unless the platform comes under Outwood Lane, just like the third platform does. As I understand things, both platform 4 and the Metrolink platform will have end-on access to the main concourse. However, I don't think the Hub development work has actually started yet ...

If needs be could you get a small 4 car platform in the rather large gap between platform 1 and 2 if you reduced platform 1's width?

Phreud

February 26th, 2012, 12:24 AM

Speaking of nice bus stations, has anyone seen Vauxhall Bus station in London?

Yes, as it happens, I was there this week. It's striking to look at and handy for the Tube but it lacks any effective shelter on a cold, wet February day! Fortunately the buses are frequent.

Joseph_Locke

February 26th, 2012, 12:57 PM

If needs be could you get a small 4 car platform in the rather large gap between platform 1 and 2 if you reduced platform 1's width?

Yes you possibly could, but that would defeat the long-term plan that put platform 1 on that alignment in the first place. If you stand on platform 1 and look south west (past the buffer stop) you'll see that if it were extended it would miss the station building by a significant margin; this margin is big enough to accomodate another track, effectively allowing a two-track railway to be extended south west under the roundabout, apron, etc and out of the west side of the airport.

Whilst not a fully fledged scheme, it was felt that building the capability in now for the Western Link was a good idea while there was a hole in the ground. Now, who says the railway business doesn't plan ahead?

Secondly, a four-car platform does not meet the long term plan for six car electric units ...

Freel07

February 26th, 2012, 02:20 PM

I'd missed that crossover in Clayton on the photos I took last summer although now you've prompted me I can see on the photos.

One has appeared this week on Ashton Moss in the central reservation just east of the road crossing by Ashton Moss Stop. No photos yet as I have been driving past.

I'm beginning to think I dreamt seeing that crossover on Ashton Moss earlier this month as it has now gone although there are number of short lengths of rail stacked up in the same area now. I wonder whether what I saw were the 8 grooved rail to flatbottom transitions just after they were delivered.

Freel07

February 26th, 2012, 03:34 PM

I had cause to drive into Manchester this morning and went via Ashton New Road to see all the recent progress for myself. I took a few photos but nothing really worth posting as Johnny has already covered the current state of play admirably. One thing I did notice is that the track still isn't complete in Droylsden. There are still some welds to make in Cemetery Road stop. Also now that the majority of Edge Lane area is finished that difference in height between the 2 shelters looks absolutely daft.

I hadn't seen Clayton Substation before at the east end of the stop.
[URL="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000769a.jpg"]

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae333/freel07/Metrolink/P1000772a.jpg

Johnny de Rivative

February 26th, 2012, 04:25 PM

Cheers Freel. Behind the substation is the one house in all that demolition area that has refused to move! A misguided plan by New East Mcr in my opinion, having demolished all those terraced streets with nothing much wrong with them, they found the land is contaminated, preventing rebuilding homes for a lot of potential passengers. Not quite the Kelvin flats fiasco in Sheffield, but getting on that way!

Anyway, Rob and I had a good day out and about yesterday, looking at a few things Past, Present, Future - and No Future!

Terrorists may have placed this blight over Victoria for more than a decade, but it will surely rise again before long :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Central/Victoria/100_0917.jpg

The MEN Arena was the first Phoenix to rise out of these ashes, and undoubtedly serves its own purpose with a fabulous internal space, but its exterior and undercroft did nothing at all for the ambience of this major rail terminus. The zillions of harsh fluorescent tubes still fail to alleviate the depressing gloom that hangs over the through platforms - hopefully this will change though with better lighting under the new plans :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Central/Victoria/100_0919.jpg

Nevertheless a brighter day is at hand. A modern banana passes the remnant of an old platform – was this the EMU Bury line prior to1991? Actually I think it may have been through the underbridges further back towards Corporation Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Central/Victoria/101_8267.jpg

Sorry, folks, I’ve completely gone off this particular confection! It looked all right at first glance from close up, but as the novelty wears off the lack of style becomes evident, especially when seen against the backdrop of one of the most stylish cities on Earth. I’m afraid it’s now just a clash of colours and a cheap and tacky Blackpool type of synthetic fun and advert-spiel :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Central/Victoria/101_8262.jpg

The roof is dead, long live the roof!! The colours of Greater Manchester – green, yellow, and a turquoise T68 heading up towards Balloon Street :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Central/Victoria/101_8270.jpg

We just made it on to the green train. Arriving at Rochdale, some orange pipeage has appeared at the breakout point between the railway and High Level Road on the left. In the centre of this shot can be seen one of the quasi-Victorian streetlamps on the raised footpath under the bridge :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8287.jpg

I posted a couple of shots of them earlier in the week :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8211.jpg

Sorry for repetition, but I have wet dreams about the beige and black together! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8209.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8298.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8300.jpg

We found big things going on elsewhere in Rochdale. This is preliminary work on the site of the new Interchange, seen from Water Street. The 1970s bus station dominates the centre ground, but it is doomed along with its tall black neighbour on the left, the Metropolitan offices. A new college is springing up on the right, and you can make out the course of the River Roch, partly culverted and causing a few problems for Metrolink at the foot of Drake Street, out of shot to the left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8302.jpg

The bus station subways (like Hilda Ogden, all the rage in the 1970s) will presumably disappear along with their urine and muriels of trams old and new :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8304.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8305.jpg

Another scene soon to be no more. But at least the concourse has some colour in it, unlike Shude Hill’s four drab shades of grey! :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8317.jpg

Outside is also pure 1970s :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8314.jpg

How many orange and brown ‘M’ logos are there left? - soon there will be one less :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8316.jpg

Oldham has also had one or two changes in the last few days. The rails across the site of the old Mumps roundabout have been paved, here looking towards the Temporary terminus :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_8324.jpg

Williamson’s charming hardware shop on Brook Street now has a panoramic view :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_8328.jpg

In July 2010 it faced the high stone wall of the viaduct :-

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

Just in the last few days, ohle poles have appeared in the newly created trambaan between Brook Street on the right and Bell Street on the left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_8325.jpg

A reminder of Bell Street in July 2009 :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/tubular/100_1992.jpg

The Ways to the West – there’s only one at present, but soon they will be two :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Oldham/Mumps/101_8335.jpg

Happy days!

:banana:

marni1971

February 26th, 2012, 04:49 PM

Nice, Johnny.

And now from the south, the Mersey to St Werbys as of today:

Both Mersey embankments have now gone:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/f8b4bb08.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/cc2e9cf0.jpg

Mersey Valley, a collection of fenced off areas at the moment:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/cc931fcb.jpg

End of Hardy Lane. The cranes on the Mersey are just visible on the horizon, right of the power pylon:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/f051123e.jpg

All quiet here. For now.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/576c371c.jpg

Hardy Lane to Barlow Moor Rd still,closed:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/188631ee.jpg
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/0438dadb.jpg

Mauldeth Rd West. Still bare without the trees.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/4b537a24.jpg

Up towards the SML bridge. The line will veer left just up the bridge from here....
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/285564d9.jpg
...veering left here....
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/055e736d.jpg
....and down towards the SML here. Note the tram turning around at the current end of the SML in the distance:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/12927737.jpg
A Closer look:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/7c12e192.jpg
This surely is an exciting part of the network, with two seperate under construction lines meeting the latest one to open, all in one place!

Reverse angle on Mauldeth Rd West, from the airport the line will come from the left and drop onto the SML behind the current fence to the right:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/069be268.jpg

The airport line will come from the left here to connect with SML... The offset OHL pole at the end of this path shows where the lines will split:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/3f7dbff6.jpg

End of the SML line. For now:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/fdb41152.jpg

Facing the opposite direction, Towards Didsbury under Mauldeth Rd:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/3d244c07.jpg

And Finally... SML towards Princess Rd bridge and Didsbury
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/448e3db0.jpg
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z349/Uploads1971/b519d612.jpg

Chorlton Bloke

February 26th, 2012, 05:40 PM

The airport line will come from the left here to connect with SML... The offset OHL pole at the end of this path shows where the lines will split:

I think from the alignment through the HS grounds the split will be much closer to St Werburghs stop.

If you'd walked a little further you would have seen what I mean.

BoyamIjealous

February 26th, 2012, 05:50 PM

I’m afraid it’s now just a clash of colours and a cheap and tacky Blackpool type of synthetic fun and advert-spiel :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Central/Victoria/101_8262.jpg

A bit harsh on Blackpool, given their new kit, but probably fair.

The roof is dead, long live the roof!! The colours of Greater Manchester – green, yellow, and a turquoise T68 heading up towards Balloon Street :-

Took me a while to spot the T68.

Arriving at Rochdale, some orange pipeage has appeared at the breakout point between the railway and High Level Road on the left.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8287.jpg

This is presumably for the proposed Tango pipeline, to all local schools?

We found big things going on elsewhere in Rochdale. This is preliminary work on the site of the new Interchange, seen from Water Street. The 1970s bus station dominates the scene, but it is doomed along with its tall black neighbour on the left, the Metropolitan offices. A new college in springing upon the right, and you can make out the course of the River Roch, partly culverted and causing a few problems for Metrolink at the foot of Drake Street, out of shot to the left :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Rochdale/RRS/101_8302.jpg

Is that crane built from an old T68?

Nice, Johnny.

Excellent sets of snaps from you both. It's an amazing amount of work going on. You can see where the money is going!

SF07

February 26th, 2012, 07:09 PM

Great pics guys. Never noticed there a M at the top of the car park at Rochdale bus station. Also good to see the OHLEs going up east of Oldham Mumps too..

Johnny de Rivative

February 26th, 2012, 07:42 PM

Right on boy, Blackpool is really getting its act together now, we went to see it in August and will be there again when the system re-opens in April. I've always hated the 'Ice Cream' type of all-over adverts - weak jazzy colours like pink and mauve etc don't stand up to the corrosive sea air, and very quickly adopt the mantle of faded jolliness of better times now gone by!

But I agree the future looks brilliant, & congratulations are well due as I've posted enthusiastically on the Blackpool thread!
:cheers:

r02bapurdie

February 26th, 2012, 08:00 PM

r02bapurdie

February 26th, 2012, 08:07 PM

One last thing I forget on Friday I call train into Manchester and I notice that near Victoria it look like they where putting a new Signal in onside where Bury tram go and sure I will't on as it where near this other signal.

Freel07

February 26th, 2012, 08:34 PM

Freel07

February 26th, 2012, 08:37 PM

Hi

Good pictures to everyone who took them:cheers:, Nice to see Mumps getting on well Haven't been down they for a while I should go down sometime, also I think that Engineering works they had today wasn't anything do with Oldham line special as it finish at 11am, do anyone know what they where doing today?. :banana::banana:

The work was at Irk Valley junction doing preparatory civil engineering works for the temporary signalling. I think it involved cable route and signal bases etc.

LNGCats

February 26th, 2012, 08:48 PM

Has the Future Metrolink website (http://www.metrolink.co.uk/futuremetrolink/index.asp) been updated with the most recent predictions for opening (the ones where things were put back a few months in the autumn).

The currently state...

Mumps - 2012
Rochdale Railway station - 2012
Droylsden - 2012
East Dids - summer 2013
Ashton - Winter 2013/14
Oldham town centre - 2014
Rochdale town centre - 2014
Airport - 2016

Has anyone got the 'original' predictions? To me although the 2012 are now very vague, overall it seems to be very similar to the original dates and the TMS does not seem to me to have made that much difference (yet).

CHAPS2034

February 26th, 2012, 09:16 PM

Here's the News Manc take on it.

No mention of the architectural merits (or otherwise.....)

http://newsmanc.co.uk/2012/02/24/news-wythenshawe/

CW

Freel07

February 26th, 2012, 09:27 PM

Has the Future Metrolink website (http://www.metrolink.co.uk/futuremetrolink/index.asp) been updated with the most recent predictions for opening (the ones where things were put back a few months in the autumn).

The currently state...

Has anyone got the 'original' predictions? To me although the 2012 are now very vague, overall it seems to be very similar to the original dates and the TMS does not seem to me to have made that much difference (yet).

I think it was changed about a month ago when the seasons were removed.

Motortownman

February 26th, 2012, 09:32 PM

The work was at Irk Valley junction doing preparatory civil engineering works for the temporary signalling. I think it involved cable route and signal bases etc.

Whatever it was , it was over by 11am this morning. Replacement buses were called up at 11 , told to finish the trip and return to their garages, so obviously the trams had started earlier.

Freel07

February 26th, 2012, 10:05 PM

Whatever it was , it was over by 11am this morning. Replacement buses were called up at 11 , told to finish the trip and return to their garages, so obviously the trams had started earlier.

Eleven was quoted as being the return to normal. I was in Piccadilly Gardens about 11 and the driver of the tram I was on from MCUK was still announcing the replacement bus to Abraham Moss so I guess the return must have just been starting then. I did see a Bury on Aytoun Street about 10 minutes later.

Chorlton Bloke

February 26th, 2012, 10:11 PM

Johnny de Rivative

February 26th, 2012, 10:16 PM

I think it was changed about a month ago when the seasons were removed.

Cheers Freel - after looking at the Victoria layout again I thought that was where the Bury lines must have been. I am also guessing that the new arrangement will take over part of that area - two island platforms with only one bi-directional tram road between them (allowing for the possibility of walking between the platforms via the vehicle if both doors are open!).

But we were speculating as to whether it will have merged back to two tracks before it passes under Ducie Street bridge?

# The original opening predictions were :-

MediaCity Summer 2010 (just made it on 20 Sep 2010 here - Mr Purdy is behind Kate Adie (sorry, that's Felicity Goodey, not Kate Adie!) :-

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/Johnny_de_Rivative/Eccles/MediaCityUK/100_7843.jpg

St Werburgh Spring 2011 (Opened 7.7.11, couple of weeks late)
Central Park Spring 2011
Mumps Autumn 2011
Rochdale RS Spring 2012
Droylsden Spring 2012

. . and the rest as now indicated.

So Central Park is coming up to 12m behind, and a 'concertina' effect is developing whereby the later ones are coming ready for TMS along with the earlier ones. E.G. Central Park will now be absorbed with Mumps, and when the running wires have gone through to Droylsden (due to happen w/c 6th March 2012), in 'hardware completed' terms Droylsden will have caught up with Velopark, which has been ready since last August.

But the time lag is still nowhere near as bad as happened on other previous new systems, such as Croydon, DLR SI, and in their day the Glasgow Blue Trains.

The TMS will also have to come on stream sometime - hopefully before E Didsbury and Ashton catch up as well!!

:banana: