Manchester Metrolink master thread

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Surprised no ones posted about the disruption ice has been causing over the past few days, apparently Metrolink should run more icebreakers however a driver off WNXX posted saying how the ice forms in the 12 minutes gaps between trams describing how difficult it can be to drive especially on the Central Park finback bridge.

Could not have TfGM made contact with British and European light rail operators with regard to this particular problem many years ago, as the 12 minute ice formation period referred to in your quote surely is not specific to the area of the TfGM empire.

 

[Manchester77]

The MEN have a Metrolink quiz on their website: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ster-news/how-well-you-know-metrolink-6323967

Nice to see they went to town on editing it to ensure no typos came through :roll:

Dd Metrolnk boss Peter Cushing blame Rochdales altitude on specific problems due to ice on the line?

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Could not have TfGM made contact with British and European light rail operators with regard to this particular problem many years ago, as the 12 minute ice formation period referred to in your quote surely is not specific to the area of the TfGM empire.

I don't know Paul they've said that they do talk to other EU tram systems about operational issues etc - just a shame that the public aren't told the full story and instead decide to release stuff about M5000s not liking ice (its the OHLE which doesn't like ice!)

 

[familyguy99]

I see Freehold Metrolink stop have now got Smart Card reader (get me here) on station now.


Smart card reader at Freehold stop

I also took picture in Oldham Town Centre today but as many of uses are on SCC (Skyscrapercity) website I wouldn't bother uploading them on here and the nothing new to show too but here link that showing picture that I took today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/sets/72157632535235149/

 

[507 001]

The MEN have a Metrolink quiz on their website: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ster-news/how-well-you-know-metrolink-6323967

Nice to see they went to town on editing it to ensure no typos came through :roll:

Dd Metrolnk boss Peter Cushing blame Rochdales altitude on specific problems due to ice on the line?

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Could not have TfGM made contact with British and European light rail operators with regard to this particular problem many years ago, as the 12 minute ice formation period referred to in your quote surely is not specific to the area of the TfGM empire.

I don't know Paul they've said that they do talk to other EU tram systems about operational issues etc - just a shame that the public aren't told the full story and instead decide to release stuff about M5000s not liking ice (its the OHLE which doesn't like ice!)

The T68's can cope better with ice d OHLE than the bananas.
Trying to draw power in icy sections will cause all sorts of faults (all sorted fairly easily but performance hampering) whereas the T68s just keep going.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

BBC North West TV news interviewed Peter Cushing on the 1830 programme tonight.

 

[Manchester77]

A new software package I think has been mentioned, what it does look like though it isn't M5000s don't like ice - they don't like low voltage

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I see Freehold Metrolink stop have now got Smart Card reader (get me here) on station now.


Smart card reader at Freehold stop

On the TfGM media webpage, there was mention made the the holders of the TfGM-issued ENCTS passes would be the first to fully use these Smart Card readers as those cards are fully programmed in readiness. Unlike the present situation where the holders of these passes can just embark and disembark, once the new system is operational, those card holders will have to use the reader first before boarding.

 

[507 001]

A new software package I think has been mentioned, what it does look like though it isn't M5000s don't like ice - they don't like low voltage

It's not so much that they dislike the low voltage, They don't like gaps in the supply that Ice causes.

If thy get a constant low voltage they're fine, it's when you get short sections of no volts that they start having hissy fits.

 

[Rail Bus]

Nice to see they went to town on editing it to ensure no typos came through :roll:


--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I don't know Paul they've said that they do talk to other EU tram systems about operational issues etc - just a shame that the public aren't told the full story and instead decide to release stuff about M5000s not liking ice (its the OHLE which doesn't like ice!)

Excuses, excuses, excuses

It's not good enough

 

[Class377/5]

It's not so much that they dislike the low voltage, They don't like gaps in the supply that Ice causes.

If thy get a constant low voltage they're fine, it's when you get short sections of no volts that they start having hissy fits.

Modern units all have the same problem as they are design to regulate the power to the units and ice interferes with that and the units software don't like it.

The Bombardier Electrostar model n the mainline has the same problems.

One issue that people have mentioned is the fact that stretches of ice vary which creates voltage spikes that can damage the units. Its happened before.

Love the idea of run more trams, so your happy to pay much more for the service along with more delays as the trams have to reverse on open lines too to keep out of the city center.

 

[familyguy99]

Not to sure if anyone posted this let but Metrolink have now opened account on Twitter to let everyone know how Metrolink service are doing.

https://twitter.com/MCRMetrolink

 

[Polo Mint]

I am shocked they did not have it years before, every other company does.

 

[familyguy99]

For one day only today trams was only running to Shaw & Crompton due to engineering work taking place between Rochdale and Shaw and here is 3018 tram just leave Freehold stop with "Shaw via Oldham" as destination.


3018 tram leaving Freehold stop

Only one problem on ORL today was that PIDS were still saying "Rochdale Railway Station" on them which must be confused for passengers who think that trams was running to Rochdale then see tram come in with "Shaw via Oldham" on it.

 

[507 001]

We were told to keep Rochdale showing on the PIDS so that people knew there was a replacement bus service.

1022 & 1023 now in the Demic line up at TFD. Both with lights on and pans up. 1021 is still at QRD though.

 

[Manchester77]

TMS is now active at the Trafford Junction, the depot gates were open with all TMS LED signals lit

 

[507 001]

TMS is now active at the Trafford Junction, the depot gates were open with all TMS LED signals lit

Yup and fingers crossed, seems to work quite well!

 

[hughesfowler]

1026 niw failed with a fault and is unlikely to be re instated, 1013 is earmarked for withdrawal as the next one.

Meanwhile my twitter feed was full of complaints of quite substantial delays on the network yesterday, all seemed to me very valid. Someone has now asked Sir Richard Leese to get involved and he has said that he is already looking at the issues.

I can see Metrolinks point that yesterday the volume of people walking in the track area would cause some delays but not 30 or 40 minutes and in some cases longer.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
t68 pool now stands at 1007/9/12/13/16/17/22/23 and t68a 01/03 in the pool. many thanks to Andy Coward for info.

The end is nigh as they say.

 

[Manchester77]

I'll miss the T68s and T68As, 1007 with its big comfrey seats and DC motors and then the T68As with their musical motors ah well!

 

[Moonshot]

Thought I would join in on this thread.....seen as though I m using Metrolink more and more as the new extension to Ashton has a new stop right at the top of my avenue. early impressions......well it seems to be fairly popular , the park and ride facilty at the next stop up from me seems to be attracting some numbers - though not at capacity yet. One tram I was on the other day had to make an emergency stop just past piccadilly gardens, after some clown wearing headphones seemed totally oblivious to her surroundings.....I guess this is an occupational hazard for drivers in general.

A couple of not so favourable points to make.....the journey time on the east extension isnt as quick as I thought it would be.....seems to be a long dwell at both Audenshaw and Droylesden stations.....and also some 5mph speed restrictions near the Etihad stadium and New Islington. So it seems to take same journey time as bus .....and I can actually beat the bus on my bike going straight down the Ashton canal !!

 

[Manchester77]

Theres a lot of padding in the timetable for the recently opened section of the EML so much so that we worked out on SCC that you could free up an extra tram if you took out all the padding!

 

[Moonshot]

Is there a timetable??? The other sunday I spotted 2 going to Ashton in the space of about 90 seconds ?

 

[Manchester77]

Yeah but it's more for timekeeping and pathing rather than 'take the 09:00 tram to Altrincham'
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/manchester_metrolink_working_tim_2

 

[Moonshot]

the stagecoach 216 service seems to have become a bit hit and miss just recently as well......some gaps appearing on a regular basis inbound in the morning...

 

[Topgun333]

1026 niw failed with a fault and is unlikely to be re instated, 1013 is earmarked for withdrawal as the next one.

Meanwhile my twitter feed was full of complaints of quite substantial delays on the network yesterday, all seemed to me very valid. Someone has now asked Sir Richard Leese to get involved and he has said that he is already looking at the issues.

I can see Metrolinks point that yesterday the volume of people walking in the track area would cause some delays but not 30 or 40 minutes and in some cases longer.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
t68 pool now stands at 1007/9/12/13/16/17/22/23 and t68a 01/03 in the pool. many thanks to Andy Coward for info.

The end is nigh as they say.

1013 was looking quite sprightly on the Eccles line this morning!

 

[rogger13]

1026 niw failed with a fault and is unlikely to be re instated, 1013 is earmarked for withdrawal as the next one.

Meanwhile my twitter feed was full of complaints of quite substantial delays on the network yesterday, all seemed to me very valid. Someone has now asked Sir Richard Leese to get involved and he has said that he is already looking at the issues.

I can see Metrolinks point that yesterday the volume of people walking in the track area would cause some delays but not 30 or 40 minutes and in some cases longer.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
t68 pool now stands at 1007/9/12/13/16/17/22/23 and t68a 01/03 in the pool. many thanks to Andy Coward for info.

The end is nigh as they say.

This news is panicking me now...........

Am off at the w/e and BBC weather says the sun is coming out.

So Im off hunting Mk 1's (T68s) as they call them in my house.

Is there anyway of increasing my chances of stumbling across them, if they are running at all?
Like hanging around Piccadilly Gardens...?

thanks

 

[Manchester77]

Most likely be on Eccles or directs if its any help

 

[northwichcat]

Yeah but it's more for timekeeping and pathing rather than 'take the 09:00 tram to Altrincham'
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/manchester_metrolink_working_tim_2

I heard they run to a plus or minus 2 minutes timetable so if a service has been cancelled or terminates short the next one will run early (if it can) to reduce the gap between services. While if the Bury-Altrincham trams are taking longer than usual between Bury and Market Street due to a problem they can run the Piccadilly-Altrincham services late to try and keep the 6 minute gap between services.

 

[12CSVT]

One tram I was on the other day had to make an emergency stop just past piccadilly gardens, after some clown wearing headphones seemed totally oblivious to her surroundings.....I guess this is an occupational hazard for drivers in general.

Whenever I'm in Manchester on a Saturday, this seems to happen about every 2 minutes in the Piccadilly Gardens / Market Street area.

They could do with having a byelaw against jaywalking on the tram tracks.

 

[hughesfowler]

Although no timetable is published you can request the working timetable under the freedom of information act and it will be supplied.

You would be amazed as to some of the timings quoted on there.

 

[northwichcat]

They could do with having a byelaw against jaywalking on the tram tracks.

I don't think a byelaw would apply to people who are on the streets of Manchester and aren't Metrolink users.