Midland Metro Extension | Birmingham City Centre

[metrogogo]

One of the project management companys involved with the BCCE. Click on projects then transport for more information of Centro projects.


http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct...,d.ZWU&cad=rja

[Michael1608]

Thanks for that, very interesting to read. There seems to be some uncertainty over whether the new planned extension will run all the way to Stourbridge or just to Brierley hill - the above mentions Stourbridge but the Centro future routes page only talks about the extension being between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill.

The above page also mentions the usage of tram-trains for the Brierley Hill/Stourbridge route; the idea of dual running alongside freight trains seems to have been given some serious consideration and if this is the case then the T69s will not be able to be used. If tram-trains are used then because they are not having to interchange with standard train services, they can be built with low floors, hence being able to run along Line 1 as well so you can still have direct services between Birmingham/Wolverhampton and Stourbridge/Brierley Hill.

[Luke3000]

I'm still confused as to how this tram-train will work. Will it only stop at the main stops or will there still be the loads that were planned before?

[Red Ape]

Originally Posted by Luke3000

I'm still confused as to how this tram-train will work. Will it only stop at the main stops or will there still be the loads that were planned before?

I thought the metro would only be sharing the line with freight trains & so as far as the Metro concerned it can have as many stops as it wants.

Another alternative, I've seen old GWR photo's of the Victorian age where the rails were dual gauge. Maybe that would be a way round using T69's on the same rail & freight trains?

[Benjyt]

Does anyone know if there are any plans to display one of the T69's somewhere once they become defunct and the new trams are operational?

[Michael1608]

Originally Posted by Red Ape

I thought the metro would only be sharing the line with freight trains & so as far as the Metro concerned it can have as many stops as it wants.

Another alternative, I've seen old GWR photo's of the Victorian age where the rails were dual gauge. Maybe that would be a way round using T69's on the same rail & freight trains?

The problem with the T69s running with freight trains is nothing to do with different gauges or rails, it is that normal trams are not built to the same strength and safety standards as standard railway vehicles. Tram-trains are essentially trams that are built to these standards. To run on railway lines in the UK a tram-train would also require to have the front painted yellow, as with all other mainline railway transport.

[Red Ape]

Originally Posted by Michael1608

The problem with the T69s running with freight trains is nothing to do with different gauges or rails, it is that normal trams are not built to the same strength and safety standards as standard railway vehicles. Tram-trains are essentially trams that are built to these standards. To run on railway lines in the UK a tram-train would also require to have the front painted yellow, as with all other mainline railway transport.

Thanks for clearing that up for me

[jrawle]

Presumably loading gauge could be an issue, though. They've had to shave the edge of the platforms off to accommodate the new trams, so the old ones must be much narrower than a train, leaving a large gap at platforms.

[Grich]

Originally Posted by jrawle

Presumably loading gauge could be an issue, though. They've had to shave the edge of the platforms off to accommodate the new trams, so the old ones must be much narrower than a train, leaving a large gap at platforms.

If that was a problem they could get round it by using gauntlet track.

[metrogogo]

Tata Steel have won the order to supply the complete volume of tramway grooved rail for the BCCE according to T&Ut's June issue. The 41GPU(55G2) high-performance grooved rail was rolled in Tata steel's rail mill in Hayange Francs and transferred through the Channel Tunnel to the Scunthorpe works for final processing. High-performance grooved rail is Tata Steel's premium grooved rail it is much-longer lasting than other available grades, specifically on curved track which is subject to high levels of rail side wear, Tata steel's grooved rail can be robustly and repeatedly weld repaired using Tats Steel's patented low pre-heat gauge Corner Restoration (GCR) process.

[oldbury63]

Stourbridge / Brierley hill / Wednesbury / walsall line

it seems alot of people want this line to re open again ,my self included one of the most expensive sections of this line to get it in running condition again is Parkhead Viaduct ( just outside of Brierley hill ) network rail put a quote of 15 Million to get this back in to service again and that was a few yeas ago !




photos of the line
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1594438