Abraham Moss & MediaCityUK

[northernrail]

Hi All,
Just to let you know Metrolinks Abraham Moss Stop is due to open on Monday The 18 Of April.

MediaCityUK Shuttles have stopped and the station closed, i was talking to the engineers at MediaCityUK before and it looks like some points are going to have to be replaced.

Mosley Street is due to close in Late May
No date has been set for the closure of Woodlands Road but with Abraham Moss opening in a week it looks like Woodlands Road will not be with us much longer.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I discovered that yesterday the hard way when trying to get the track on the Media Triangle!

Tram left Piccadilly Gardens saying "via Media City" on the front but paused for a bit then skipped straight to Broadway - would have been just my bad luck to have got the first tram after they shut it down again! The rails to Media City on both sides of the triangle were shiny...

 

[Class377/5]

I discovered that yesterday the hard way when trying to get the track on the Media Triangle!

Tram left Piccadilly Gardens saying "via Media City" on the front but paused for a bit then skipped straight to Broadway - would have been just my bad luck to have got the first tram after they shut it down again! The rails to Media City on both sides of the triangle were shiny...

Not as bad as my luck. When it first open made arrangements to visit Manchester and it closed before I got there. Went home on the sunday and it reopened the next day. Given up now, likely do the Chorlton and Central Park lines along side it!

 

[45rpm]

i have managed to do mediacity uk,albeit at my third attempt. fortunately i live in york so manchester isn`t too far for me to go & there`s always plenty to do so i don`t have to put myself out.

 

[umontu]

When you say Mediacity is to close does that mean permanently or until work is done? Any news on the new lines opening dates at all?

 

[WatcherZero]

The Mediacity service is back on the travel updates so could have reopened now (not been on the ground to confirm). Theyve also posted an update on future services:

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/servicechanges/

Confirms Altrincham-Bury service retimed due to a future new service (Mediacity shuttle probably), Abraham Moss opening on 18th April, Woodlands Road becoming a parliamentary service.

 

[northernrail]

Is anyone else going to the opening day of Abraham Moss on Monday?

 

[WatcherZero]

Ive already passed through it, doesnt that count? :P

 

[northernrail]

Close but is anyone going to get on/off a tram on the opening day at Abe Moss??

 

[northwichcat]

The Mediacity service is back on the travel updates so could have reopened now (not been on the ground to confirm). Theyve also posted an update on future services:

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/servicechanges/

Looks like on the Altrincham line the times the Piccadilly and Bury services depart in theory have switched over. Although, in practice they depart as and when and work to a plus or minus 2 minute timetable.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

There are quite a few committees, etc, with decision making capacity before the final decision is granted for the Woodlands Road stop to be officially closed

 

[WatcherZero]

Not really, been through that and had the Dft Public Consultation, now its just awaiting a ministerial decision.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Not really, been through that and had the Dft Public Consultation, now its just awaiting a ministerial decision.

Is that the final step. Nothing before a ministerial decison?

When will this likely to be, once all the Local Elections and the Referendum on the "Yes/No Interlude" are completed.

 

[WatcherZero]

When the Dft finish summing up the consultation response and make a reccomendation to the Minister who gets round to signing it. Theres supposed to be a period before an election once it has been called (usually 6 weeks) when the government cant announce new spending, make policy changes or use public resources to do anything which could alter the outcome of the election but im not sure it really applies in this case.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

When the Dft finish summing up the consultation response and make a reccomendation to the Minister who gets round to signing it. Theres supposed to be a period before an election once it has been called (usually 6 weeks) when the government cant announce new spending, make policy changes or use public resources to do anything which could alter the outcome of the election but im not sure it really applies in this case.

Would the peak-time temporary Monday to Friday service at Woodlands Road still be a useful part of the Metrolink if retained providing there is a demand for it. If so, how detrimental to the running of the line timings would this be?

Also, has a consideration ever been discussed to constructing a link from the Bury line to the new Oldham/Rochdale line at the Irk Valley area, that would allow Bury to Oldham/Rochdale direct services to run without involving Victoria?

 

[umontu]

Also, has a consideration every been discussed to constructing a link from the Bury line to the new Oldham/Rochdale line at the Irk Valley area, that would allow Bury to Oldham/Rochdale direct services to run without involving Victoria?

I wondered this too, would be fascinating to see it happen but would a route through Middleton not be a good idea?

 

[Nym]

Bury - Rochdale could run now, would just need to run on East Lancs Railway metals to Bury Bolton St is all...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Bury - Rochdale could run now, would just need to run on East Lancs Railway metals to Bury Bolton St is all...

I mentioned the Irk Valley link, as the trams from the Bury line would reach Oldham BEFORE Rochdale. For example, you could go from Prestwich to Failsworth, from Whitefield to Oldham, etc.

 

[northernrail]

I wondered this too, would be fascinating to see it happen but would a route through Middleton not be a good idea?

It would be great for me, a local tram stop

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wondered this too, would be fascinating to see it happen but would a route through Middleton not be a good idea?

Last month, I picked up copy of "MIDDLETON TRAMWAYS" by A.K.Kirby, published in October 1976. The publishers name is Manchester Transport Museum Society with an address in Castleton,Rochdale. There are numerous black and white photogaphic images in the book.At the end are inserted route maps, one of which is called "Through Routes--Middleton to Manchester 1930".

The book covers the whole operation from 1902 to 1925 until municipal operation commenced. There are detailed appendeces on Fares and Tickets, Company Rolling Stock and Financial Matters.

 

[umontu]

Last month, I picked up copy of "MIDDLETON TRAMWAYS" by A.K.Kirby, published in October 1976. The publishers name is Manchester Transport Museum Society with an address in Castleton,Rochdale. There are numerous black and white photogaphic images in the book.At the end are inserted route maps, one of which is called "Through Routes--Middleton to Manchester 1930".

The book covers the whole operation from 1902 to 1925 until municipal operation commenced. There are detailed appendeces on Fares and Tickets, Company Rolling Stock and Financial Matters.

Very nice, I wonder if that would be a good idea for the metrolink still.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Very nice, I wonder if that would be a good idea for the metrolink still.

Do you ever remember the proposed monorail (?) that was to run from Langley, Middleton to Manchester Airport about 30/40 years ago?

What route was that supposed to take?

 

[umontu]

Do you ever remember the proposed monorail (?) that was to run from Langley, Middleton to Manchester Airport about 30/40 years ago?

What route was that supposed to take?

'Fraid I don't

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

'Fraid I don't

I have sent an e-mail to the Manchester Museum of Transport to see if their archive section can come up with any news on this.

I have since been told that it was more like the period 1958 to 1962 when discussion took place INFORMALLY about this project, but my contact is now well into his 90's.

I will post any news if I receive it.

 

[umontu]

Very kind of you, thanks.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Just a general query here. At Manchester Piccadilly Metrolink station, there used to be illuminated LED signs that told you which tram was the next one to depart, which was very useful, but no longer functions. What is the reason for this service to passengers not working?

Many modern 3 - train indicators are now functioning on many North-West railway stations. Will the Metrolink system when all new lines have been completed have a similar system in operation by then?

 

[WatcherZero]

The previous system was an estimated time to arrival based on the timetable and a few timing points, it was only used at a few stops. The new system derives its data from the signalling system and will know the exact location of all the trams at all times meaning exact real time information, however as it derives its positioning data from the new signalling system it cant display it until the signalling system itself is operational.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The previous system was an estimated time to arrival based on the timetable and a few timing points, it was only used at a few stops. The new system derives its data from the signalling system and will know the exact location of all the trams at all times meaning exact real time information, however as it derives its positioning data from the new signalling system it cant display it until the signalling system itself is operational.

Thank you for that excellant reply. Do you think that the new system will give a similar "next three trams" information, as this will be very useful to those waiting on the platforms, especially in the main city area, once all the new lines are putting traffic on the system?

 

[WatcherZero]

At Mediacity where its operational the top line is fixed next arrival, the second line is alternating next two arrivals (or just next arrival if it hasnt detected a third), the third gives a scrolling service message so far its said stuff like 'Mediacity shuttle in operation, please use Broadway or Harbour City for trams to Eccles' and the fourth line is a clock.

 

[asb]

Talking of MediaCity, I was travelling out there last week, and fully expected to have to walk as I was travelling at 6pm and the website claimed it was only interpeak. However, I get to Piccadilly and the first tram in is to MediaCity! Even the posters on the Eccles branch still say it only runs 10-4. Was I just lucky?