Metrolink Track Trespassers

[Leyland155]

Hi everyone, as you can see I'm new here so if this is in the wrong forum, please move it

I was recently at Sale Metrolink station and whilst standing on the Manchester bound platform I encountered something I have never personally seen happen before, and I travel on the network most days of the week. A group of youths who couldn't have been older than 13 or 14 sat on the edge of the platform, (which I thought was bad enough) and then proceeded to climb down and run across both tracks to the Altrincham platform. For those unfamiliar with the Metrolink network, these are full height platforms, and Sale is well away from any street running section.

As stated previously, I have never seen this happen before so was quite shocked. This leads me on to my question which is, what would members of this forum have done if they witnessed a similar event on the Metrolink or indeed the wider rail network?

 

[Class377]

what would members of this forum have done if they witnessed a similar event on the Metrolink or indeed the wider rail network?

They were youths, so some members on here would have thought them to be scum, and would have advocated assaulting them going off previous threads in here :roll:

 

[Segedunum]

I've witnessed youths running along a stretch of track near Dunston. First port of call was the guard on my service who reported them when we reached Newcastle.

 

[Harbornite]

This reminds me of an old limerick...


“On the chest of a barmaid in Sale
were tattoed all the prices of ale.
And, on her behind,
for the sake of the blind,
there was the same list in braille.”


On a serious note, I hope that the offenders are caught and dealt with appropriately.

 

[Domh245]

They were youths, so some members on here would have thought them to be scum, and would have advocated assaulting them going off previous threads in here :roll:

Let's not open that can of worms again!

In reality, there isn't much that you can do with things like this. Hope that they don't get hit, and if they do keep doing it, press the help button and let the staff know. I think there was a thread about this kind of behaviour recently, but I can't find it!

 

[roversfan2001]

Don't the Metrolink stations have track level crossings anyway? The 3 non NR linked ones I saw all did. Also, unlike on the main network, as far as I know no Metrolink services run 'limited-stop' so danger is minimal as a tram travels nowhere near as fast and can brake far quicker.

 

[Philip C]

Firstly, if they have their legs dangling over the platform edge, I'd tell them to move them. My personal line in these circumstances is that I don't care about them but do care about the example they are setting to people younger than themselves - this normally works, but at the very least would clear my conscience should an accident occur! I've picked a youth sat at a mainline platform up by the collar when he didn't respond to reason and been thumped for my trouble, but if that is the price to be paid to save someone's legs then so be it.

Then I would recommend reporting the circumstances to Metrolink Control asap. This can be via help points or by bringing it to the attention of the next tram's driver - this is irrespective of whether they have apparently gone away or not. Control can continue to monitor the situation via CCTV once they know to look and will be able to inform drivers and, if available, get other resources to site.

If you have the means, a photograph of the perpetrators to aid identification might be of interest to the authorities.

Do your best to keep yourself out of harm's way. If you really don't care one way or the other about their lives or the consequences for impressionables who might witness their behaviour or the possible trauma awaiting the next tram driver then just get your camera ready - perhaps you could make some money out of the bloodbath that might follow!

 

[WatcherZero]

Don't the Metrolink stations have track level crossings anyway? The 3 non NR linked ones I saw all did. Also, unlike on the main network, as far as I know no Metrolink services run 'limited-stop' so danger is minimal as a tram travels nowhere near as fast and can brake far quicker.

The newer non BR ones generally do, mainly as its cheaper for wheelchair access than installing and maintaining lifts.

 

[roversfan2001]

The newer non BR ones generally do, mainly as its cheaper for wheelchair access than installing and maintaining lifts.

The ones I was at were Old Trafford, Deansgate-Castlefield and Shudehill and they all had them, presumably none of the lines they are on were ex-BR as Old Trafford has a railway station nearby, Shudehill is slap bang in the city centre and Deansgate-Castlefield is well, next to Deansgate

 

[WatcherZero]

Old Trafford was (under the name Warwick Road). But that's a special case as it gets huge crowds and has holding pens for crowds they need a way to move large numbers across.

 

[roversfan2001]

Old Trafford was (under the name Warwick Road). But that's a special case as it gets huge crowds and has holding pens for crowds they need a way to move large numbers across.

I thought it was more like queuing lines at amusement parks rather than 'pens' but point taken.

 

[Jamesb1974]

Deleted

 

[Antman]

Hi everyone, as you can see I'm new here so if this is in the wrong forum, please move it

I was recently at Sale Metrolink station and whilst standing on the Manchester bound platform I encountered something I have never personally seen happen before, and I travel on the network most days of the week. A group of youths who couldn't have been older than 13 or 14 sat on the edge of the platform, (which I thought was bad enough) and then proceeded to climb down and run across both tracks to the Altrincham platform. For those unfamiliar with the Metrolink network, these are full height platforms, and Sale is well away from any street running section.

As stated previously, I have never seen this happen before so was quite shocked. This leads me on to my question which is, what would members of this forum have done if they witnessed a similar event on the Metrolink or indeed the wider rail network?

I've seen similar on Croydon Tramlink many times although platforms are lower.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

As far as my memory serves me, the platforms on Sale station are accessed by stairs leading downwards from the area at street level from the original booking office hall on School Road, so all I can assume is that they did not wish to cross the line by the use of these stairs.

The summer school holidays have commenced, so expect the usual six week crop of outright stupidity to once again occur.

 

[Jonny]

I've seen similar on Croydon Tramlink many times although platforms are lower.

Croydon Tramlink is predominantly (but not entirely) on-street, that is a different kettle of fish... unless you mean the off-street sections. Even then, it is most likely that the relevant tramway bylaws would come into play rather than the usual railway trespass (apart from NR-shared sections). Also given that both the Croydon and Manchester systems have substantial sections of on-road, on-pavement or by-road running along with enhanced braking capabilities, the drivers should be able to cope.

 

[Antman]

Croydon Tramlink is predominantly (but not entirely) on-street, that is a different kettle of fish... unless you mean the off-street sections. Even then, it is most likely that the relevant tramway bylaws would come into play rather than the usual railway trespass (apart from NR-shared sections). Also given that both the Croydon and Manchester systems have substantial sections of on-road, on-pavement or by-road running along with enhanced braking capabilities, the drivers should be able to cope.

Yes I was referring to the off street sections, it's only basically Sandilands to Reeves Corner that is on street.

 

[edwin_m]

While Metrolink is a high platform network it does run on line of sight over most of the network including Sale. So the level of risk, while not zero, is much lower than on the national rail network. Tram drivers should be approaching slowly enough to stop short of any obstruction that comes into view using the service brake, and also have a hazard brake that gives a much greater deceleration but is only used in unforeseen circumstances such as someone jumping onto the track.

With the exception of Old Trafford mentioned above, all the converted railway stations between Trafford Bar and Altrincham remain broadly as they were at the time of conversion, when this part of Metrolink was not officially line of sight so track crossings were not provided.

 

[nerd]

I have once seen a group of youngsters - during the holidays - dangling their legs over the platform edge at St Werby's road. They were told off by other passengers (including me), a message then reinforced over the platform PA.

There is a comms button and mike at every stop; so if you don't want to approach the kids directly (or if they ignore you when you do) a call to the control room should get a response.

 

[Altfish]

Don't the Metrolink stations have track level crossings anyway? The 3 non NR linked ones I saw all did. Also, unlike on the main network, as far as I know no Metrolink services run 'limited-stop' so danger is minimal as a tram travels nowhere near as fast and can brake far quicker.

Apart from the city centre stops the ones on the old BR lines that have level access are all the staggered platform stations. Like Old Trafford, so that pedestrians are crossing in front of trams at the platform.

 

[northwichcat]

Are there actually any Metrolink byelaws saying you can't cross the tracks at stations like Sale? It's not part of the NR network (unlike Navigation Road) so NR rules don't apply

 

[edwin_m]

Are there actually any Metrolink byelaws saying you can't cross the tracks at stations like Sale? It's not part of the NR network (unlike Navigation Road) so NR rules don't apply

There are formal prohibitions of pedestrians but only in certain areas where a particular hazard has been identified. These are denoted by the "man in red circle" no pedestrians sign.

 

[Shrimper]

Are there actually any Metrolink byelaws saying you can't cross the tracks at stations like Sale? It's not part of the NR network (unlike Navigation Road) so NR rules don't apply

Yes.

cross any part of the line comprised in the System other than in
a safe and orderly manner paying due care and attention to any
signs and to the position and motion of Vehicles and any other
vehicles or Persons and save by using the shortest possible
route and otherwise in such a manner as to cause the minimum
of nuisance and interference to the System and to other
Persons;

climb on any part of the System save for entering or leaving
Vehicles in the manner permitted by these Byelaws;

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/Documents/Byelaws.pdf


It's quite common unfortunately - despite trams weighing 35 tons a lot of people seem to treat them with unhealthy disregard. Even at platforms with easy crossings some will occasionally choose to jump down onto the track and heave themselves up on the opposite platform.

 

[edwin_m]

Apart from the city centre stops the ones on the old BR lines that have level access are all the staggered platform stations. Like Old Trafford, so that pedestrians are crossing in front of trams at the platform.

However many of the Phase 3 off-street stops have crossings at non-staggered platforms, which are therefore at the running-on end of the platform in at least one direction.

 

[WatcherZero]

Pretty good standard of crossing design generally. plenty of signs warning to look both ways and barriers to funnel them in to a narrow crossing point with good sightlines by drivers. High contrast paving to increase visibility of pedestrians to drivers.

 

[185]

Are there actually any Metrolink byelaws saying you can't cross the tracks at stations like Sale? It's not part of the NR network (unlike Navigation Road) so NR rules don't apply

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/using-the-network/pages/byelaw-information.aspx

CONDUCT ON THE SYSTEM
11. NO Person shall:
.
.
d) cross any part of the line comprised in the System other than in a safe and orderly manner paying due care and attention to any signs and to the position and motion of Vehicles and any other vehicles or Persons and save by using the shortest possible route and otherwise in such a manner as to cause the minimum of nuisance and interference to the System and to other Persons;