Manchester Metrolink (Non speculative discussion)

[507 001]

Does Metrolink have night drivers rostered, or are they done as overtime?

They’re rostered. It’s a specific grade that does night work.

 

[MetrolinkInsYT]

The Bury Line between Victoria and Crumpsall has gotten slower over the years, I'm sure because the signalling system has changed, however there's one thing that bugs me every time I'm travelling through Abraham Moss.

Trams slow down to a 10mph crawl at the station, before even entering the platforms, so they're trailing along quite slowly for about 30 seconds both upon entering and leaving the stop.

Why is the restriction so severe? Surely the sightlines along the curve of track at Abraham Moss are not that poor?

 

[AlastairFraser]

The Bury Line between Victoria and Crumpsall has gotten slower over the years, I'm sure because the signalling system has changed, however there's one thing that bugs me every time I'm travelling through Abraham Moss.

Trams slow down to a 10mph crawl at the station, before even entering the platforms, so they're trailing along quite slowly for about 30 seconds both upon entering and leaving the stop.

Why is the restriction so severe? Surely the sightlines along the curve of track at Abraham Moss are not that poor?

Isn't there a busy-ish foot crossing where the speed restriction is?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Isn't there a busy-ish foot crossing where the speed restriction is?

There is the level crossing at the station, but the platforms are staggered before the crossing on both sides, trams only need to cross after serving the station.

 

[AlastairFraser]

There is the level crossing at the station, but the platforms are staggered before the crossing on both sides, trams only need to cross after serving the station.

It might well be part of a risk assessment that the speed restriction was instituted to remind drivers of the risks at the crossing, regardless of whether the tram stops or not (e.g. empty stock movements).

 

[507 001]

There’s a variety of reasons for the restriction at ABM.

The crossing does play a part, but it’s mostly due to track geometry and its relationship to the platform. There have been attempts made recently to try and speed it up a bit, but nothing concrete as yet.

 

[AlastairFraser]

There’s a variety of reasons for the restriction at ABM.

The crossing does play a part, but it’s mostly due to track geometry and its relationship to the platform. There have been attempts made recently to try and speed it up a bit, but nothing concrete as yet.

Thanks for the insider knowledge

 

[Adam Evans]

Trams slow down to a 10mph crawl at the station, before even entering the platforms, so they're trailing along quite slowly for about 30 seconds both upon entering and leaving the stop.

The exact same problem occurs on the Oldham/Rochdale Line when trams are arriving into Monsall although it feels even slower than 10mph. It adds at least an extra minute onto the journey.

Anyone know why this is the case here?

 

[AlastairFraser]

The exact same problem occurs on the Oldham/Rochdale Line when trams are arriving into Monsall although it feels even slower than 10mph. It adds at least an extra minute onto the journey.

Anyone know why this is the case here?

Possibly a Temporary Speed Restriction related to a defect here, rather than other factors?

 

[M60lad]

I'm pretty sure the approaches to Monsall in both directions is now down to 5mph due to a defect which is planned to be fixed although I'm not to sure of the timescale, a temporary access road has actually been built to access the track between Central Park and Monsall Stations but when work is about to start is anyone's guess.

There's also another 5mph TSR on the outbound (towards Rochdale) after Newton Heath and Moston Station which is slowing things down as well at the moment.

 

[507 001]

I'm pretty sure the approaches to Monsall in both directions is now down to 5mph due to a defect which is planned to be fixed although I'm not to sure of the timescale, a temporary access road has actually been built to access the track between Central Park and Monsall Stations but when work is about to start is anyone's guess.

There's also another 5mph TSR on the outbound (towards Rochdale) after Newton Heath and Moston Station which is slowing things down as well at the moment.

MON inbound is 5. Outbound is 10. The fix for these should be later this year.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Does anyone know if 3113 is out today (or if not, is it visible on either depot)? It and 3005 (long term out of use) are the only ones I haven't seen.

Edit: Found it! It's on Airports (should be the 11:19 from the Airport)

 

[50002Superb]

Does anyone know if 3113 is out today (or if not, is it visible on either depot)? It and 3005 (long term out of use) are the only ones I haven't seen.

Edit: Found it! It's on Airports (should be the 11:19 from the Airport)

I think there’s a few of us waiting for 3005 to return!

 

[507 001]

I think there’s a few of us waiting for 3005 to return!

I wouldn't expect it any time soon, although there is now a vague plan for its return I believe.

 

[M60lad]

Signalling problems at Victoria yesterday afternoon meant all services towards East Didsbury were diverted via Shudehill and Market Street with some Manchester Airport services diverted to Piccadilly.

This caused quite a bunch in services as within about 5 minutes I spotted 3 East Didsbury Trams almost following each other down Mosley Street towards St Peters Square, also spotted a Manchester Airport coming from Victoria and also one coming from Piccadilly, as one came round from Market Street there was another Airport tram at Piccadilly Gardens.

Out of interest on the rare occasions like yesterday when 2 Manchester Airports are running together what happens when the rear one gets near to Manchester Airport considering there's only one platform in use at Airport?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Out of interest on the rare occasions like yesterday when 2 Manchester Airports are running together what happens when the rear one gets near to Manchester Airport considering there's only one platform in use at Airport?

Is there any allowance at Manchester Airport tram stop for both platforms to be used, should an emergency arise?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Out of interest on the rare occasions like yesterday when 2 Manchester Airports are running together what happens when the rear one gets near to Manchester Airport considering there's only one platform in use at Airport?

If one is running late enough that the one behind has caught up, surely it'd be a very short turnaround before the platform is free again.
Although I can't see why stopping in the inside the barriers platform would be too much of a problem (you'd just need to get someone to let them out).

 

[Mogster]

Car jammed on the tracks at New Islington On the way down to Ancoats tunnel. How many times…? Woukd you get charged with “due care” for this, I’d hope so.

Trams OFF on Metrolink line as BMW stuck on track in Manchester

Services were stopped

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Trams have been stopped on a Metrolink line 'until further notice' after a car became stuck on the tracks. A BMW has become stuck close to New Islington tram stop, near Manchester city centre, this morning (January 18).

No trams are currently able to run between Piccadilly and Ashton-under-Lyne. Ancoats and Beswick councillor Alan Good witnessed the car being driven onto the tracks as he was waiting for a tram into town.

He said: "I was at my local tram stop in New Islington and a BMW just drove down the tram tracks. It obviously stopped because of the drop, might have busted a tyre. No way it's getting out without getting towed."

A post from Transport for Greater Manchester's website said: "Due to a car on the track at New Islington we are currently unable to operate services on the Ashton Line. Customers can use tickets on Bee Network Bus Services.

 

[WolvertonWorks]

Arrived off a train at Man Vic yesterday evening just before 6pm and walked over to catch the tram to Man Pic for my onward train.

There were a large number of Metrolink staff in yellow jackets doing a revenue check. Everyone was checked as they walked onto the platform, as they left a tram and the staff boarded every tram and checked everyone on board before the tram could proceed.

In the few minutes I was waiting for my tram I saw a number of people caught for fare evasion.

Do they do these very visible revenue checks at Man Vic frequently? Just wondering as I'd noticed signs saying one of the Manchester football teams were at home yesterday and to expect services to be busier than usual and wonder how many football fans got caught without a ticket!

 

[507 001]

Do they do these very visible revenue checks at Man Vic frequently?

Yes, it’s probably the most common location to find such an operation.

 

[Bantamzen]

Arrived off a train at Man Vic yesterday evening just before 6pm and walked over to catch the tram to Man Pic for my onward train.

There were a large number of Metrolink staff in yellow jackets doing a revenue check. Everyone was checked as they walked onto the platform, as they left a tram and the staff boarded every tram and checked everyone on board before the tram could proceed.

In the few minutes I was waiting for my tram I saw a number of people caught for fare evasion.

Do they do these very visible revenue checks at Man Vic frequently? Just wondering as I'd noticed signs saying one of the Manchester football teams were at home yesterday and to expect services to be busier than usual and wonder how many football fans got caught without a ticket!

I've seen them do the same at Cornbrook and Old Trafford in the last couple of weeks.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Not uncommon for Metrolink revenue protection teams these days to do a full ticket inspection on an inbound tram service at Deansgate-Castlefield and then for another team to do another inspection on the same tram at Market Street (two stops later!)

 

[Kite159]

Yes, it’s probably the most common location to find such an operation.

I guess Victoria is one of those easy stations to put revenue staff at due to only having one entrance/exit compared to some of the other city centre stops.

 

[M60lad]

Quite often the Police will be involved with the checks at Victoria as well

 

[Pete 1981]

Seen similar operations at Cornbrook and Ashton West in the last 48hrs.

 

[TheSmiths82]

I normally get the tram anywhere between East Didsbury to Victoria and rarely use other line and I would say around 15% of the trams I go on end up having a ticket inspection. With those odds it it means it is impossible to really travel without a ticket if you use it regularly because you get caught. I have even been on a single tram when two completely different teams of inspectors got on further down the line.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I have even been on a single tram when two completely different teams of inspectors got on further down the line.

That accords with what I mentioned upthread in post #1282.

 

[M60lad]

While I agree they have to be done dependant on the type of ticket inspection being done this can lead to one of the reasons for delays to services throughout the day especially if its just a platform inspection they are doing as these are normally done with a number of inspectors getting on the tram with one inspector waiting on the platform waiting to give the right away/signal to the driver that they are ok to go. I've seen it in the past where bunching as occurred at Victoria due to ticket inspections.

Not to sure whether this is true about ticket inspections but it does seem that they seem to be only done at specific stations and not others for some reason, for obvious reasons I doubt a Platform Inspection will be done at Newton Heath & Moston Station but could be wrong.

 

[507 001]

While I agree they have to be done dependant on the type of ticket inspection being done this can lead to one of the reasons for delays to services throughout the day especially if its just a platform inspection they are doing as these are normally done with a number of inspectors getting on the tram with one inspector waiting on the platform waiting to give the right away/signal to the driver that they are ok to go. I've seen it in the past where bunching as occurred at Victoria due to ticket inspections.

Not to sure whether this is true about ticket inspections but it does seem that they seem to be only done at specific stations and not others for some reason, for obvious reasons I doubt a Platform Inspection will be done at Newton Heath & Moston Station but could be wrong.

NHM used to be a fairly common location for station blocks as they could do both directions easily.

This stopped when the current long standing TSRs were put in place.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Plain clothes ticket inspection team in operation on the Manchester Metrolink (Altrincham line) earlier this morning, instead of the more usual 'hi-vis' revenue protection teams. Not seen them out and about before, so maybe a new development?