Manchester Metrolink master thread

[radamfi]

Just in case some people weren't already aware, the North West (and Greater Manchester in particular), has one of the most comprehensive motorway networks in Europe. The rail/tram network, not so much, even after all the Metrolink extensions are finished.

 

[Nym]

Just in case some people weren't already aware, the North West (and Greater Manchester in particular), has one of the most comprehensive motorway networks in Europe. The rail/tram network, not so much, even after all the Metrolink extensions are finished.

Comprehensive maybe, completed, NO!

Note the mahoosive gaps in the network...

 

[martin2345uk]

Just in case some people weren't already aware, the North West (and Greater Manchester in particular), has one of the most comprehensive motorway networks in Europe. The rail/tram network, not so much, even after all the Metrolink extensions are finished.

I don't quite get the relevance! :-/

 

[Mattmatt]

If they are of some interest to anyone; I took these today on the South Manchester Line, just south of SWR, they are still ballasting.

I don't know how to upload a pic, so heres the link, if your interested, there's a couple, all taken at the same place tho.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67294209@N04/7248243202/in/photostream/

 

[neilmc]

There's now a Metrolink level crossing just outside Wythenshawe bus station, alas I'll be retired long since any trams pass over it (not alas at being retired, just the length of time it takes to develop).

 

[martin2345uk]

There's now a Metrolink level crossing just outside Wythenshawe bus station, alas I'll be retired long since any trams pass over it (not alas at being retired, just the length of time it takes to develop).

Do you mean they've laid some more track on the Airport Line??

 

[Nym]

Give it a couple of weeks and then it will get nicked...

 

[northwichcat]

Give it a couple of weeks and then it will get nicked...

Weeks? You mean minutes.

 

[Nym]

Come on, I do give them some credit in Wythenshawe, I did used to work there...

But yeah, anything that isn't incredibally heavy or bolted down will be nicked by this weekend, and anything else within the week when they bring out the grinders and acetaline torches.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Incidentally. I have seen comments in the press and other areas with regard to the position of booking rail tickets from National Rail stations to stations on the Manchester Metrolink system. What exactly is the current position with regards to this matter?

Is this facility that is something already operational on the Croydon Tramlink and the Sheffield Supertram system ?

 

[185]

Hi Paul, generally there are two types of ticket to Met stops outside the city.

If the ticket origin is a Greater Manchester rail station, the ticket is to 'Metrolink Zone A-G, H or P. A is Bury, E Old Traff, G Alty, H Eccles line, P St Werbs.... etc.

Other type is from an origin station outside the county, in this case, ticket will be eg. Liverpool Stns to Bury MTLK or to Sale MTLK.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Can this particular thread be used in future for all postings on all the four Manchester Metrolink lines currently under construction. Its title covers all these.

 

[martin2345uk]

Good idea Paul and maybe people can avoid simply debating the tram vs train vs bus thing that ended up killing the Oldham Line thread.

Well ghost running has commenced on the Oldham Line today which is good news, hopefully they're still on track for the 11th

 

[Rail Bus]

Well ghost running has commenced on the Oldham Line today which is good news, hopefully they're still on track for the 11th

I doubt it, Metrolink never do anything on time!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I doubt it, Metrolink never do anything on time!

Well, as they say, there is a first time for everything. I am looking forward to travelling along this route.

 

[Manchester77]

Hi I'm new but a few might know me from Dean's Metrolink Forum.
I went up to Oldham today. The PIDs were on at South Chadderton and they were very accurate. I think I just missed a tram because I could hear the noise they make when they aproach but i never saw it:cry:
So it seems testing is going good on ORL.
The Airport Line bridges across the M60 & M56 are slowly making progress. On the M60 driving from junction 6 you can see land clearance for Sale water park stop and behind the big fences there are portocabins and diggers. There is a large cleared space now. On the M56 bridge from the motorway all you can see it the two huge areas of cleared land with some support stuff in.
A quick question though, will the bridges across the motorway be like the one up a Jacksons Boat (pillars) or the one just after junction five (fixed concerete block)
Thanks

 

[martin2345uk]

You could always do what I did and mail future Metrolink to request visualisations of how the bridges will look.

I did that for the Chorlton Brook and Mersey bridges and they kindly sent them (they were posted a while back on SSC).

I don't however think they will use pillars. I think they only used them due to the fact that the viaduct crosses the Mersey flood plain.

 

[Manchester77]

Thanks for that suggestions. I just have done and I'm awaiting their reply. Thanks again

 

[PR1Berske]

I doubt it, Metrolink never do anything on time!

Let's leave the Metrolink bashing for a few days while we still have a sub-forum to use

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Let's leave the Metrolink bashing for a few days while we still have a sub-forum to use

I totally agree with you. This particular thread was dormant, whilst the "Oldham Loop" thread opened just to discuss one very specific matter, so I caused this particular thread to re-surface, as by its very name, it covers all the four routes in construction. It can also be used under the "new routes" part of its title thread name, for discussions on the Port Salford proposals and also for ideas on possible new routes.

We cannot hope to match the excellent SkyscraperCity site with its long-standing membership and much in the way of photographic images being submitted by some talented individuals, but Railforums UK should have one dedicated Manchester Metrolink thread....and it should be this one.

If members want somewhere to discuss "tram/train" matters, which is still awaiting the trials in the Sheffield area to start, why not set up a dedicated "tram/train" thread, where all matters of this type can have their own home for discussion.

 

[The Snap]

On a bright note they have been testing trams out on Oldham line (to Mumps) on Tuesday and yesterday (Thurs) and from Future Metrolink website they believe the line could be opening this Summers to Mumps or even to Rochdale.

Picture of East Manchester line and of Oldham line

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

Very interesting to see my stops from the public's perspective!

 

[martin2345uk]

Interesting rich, when you say your stops does that imply you have been involved in their construction?

I find the EML to be the most exciting line so far as it doesn't use an existing railway alignment, they've had to carve out a totally new one down roads, paths, through industrial estates, fabulous. Can't wait till they start testing it.

 

[The Snap]

Interesting rich, when you say your stops does that imply you have been involved in their construction?

It does indeed. I was part of the Stops team responsible for all stops between (and including) Newton Heath & Moston and Oldham Mumps (Temp). The rest of the team started to disband from last September time, so from about mid-March this year until last Friday I was the Engineer responsible for finishing them.

 

[martin2345uk]

Fascinating! What about the Airport Line? Are you involved there in any way?

 

[The Snap]

Fascinating! What about the Airport Line? Are you involved there in any way?

Interestingly enough, I've just moved from ORL to the Airport Line yesterday!

 

[martin2345uk]

Great stuff! That's the line closest to home for me! Please tell them to make a start on Barlow Moor Rd! its funny how some stops like Benchill are so advanced while some haven't been started yet...

 

[familyguy99]

Very interesting to see my stops from the public's perspective!

^^^^ Why which stop have u been working on or live near by?

Also They some picture of Oldham line on my second flickr account

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work_2/

 

[telstarbox]

Testing on the East Manchester Line is due to begin next week (via SSC).

 

[Class377/5]

Finallaly the opening of Oldhm line has been officially announced.

http://www.tfgm.com/tfgm_news.cfm?news_id=9009280?submenuheader=4

Friday, 08 June 2012Metrolink line to Oldham set to open

Metrolink services to and from Oldham Mumps are scheduled to open to the public for the first time on Wednesday 13 June, subject to final testing.

The first in-service tram to Oldham Mumps is scheduled to leave Manchester Victoria at 5.24am on Wednesday, calling at all eight stops along the new line - Monsall, Central Park, Newton Heath & Moston, Failsworth, Hollinwood, South Chadderton, Freehold and Oldham Mumps (temporary).

It will then become the first in-service tram to depart Oldham Mumps, leaving at 6am.

Journeys from Mumps to Manchester city centre will take around 25 minutes.

Services will run every 12 minutes. A six-minute service will be introduced as patronage grows and capacity through Manchester city centre increases.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: "This is an historic day for Oldham and the Metrolink network. From next week, people will be able to make brand new journeys from brand new stops on brand new trams and tracks.

"For the first time, people will be able to travel to and from Monsall, Central Park, South Chadderton and Freehold on this line, so we are opening up new and exciting opportunities.

"Of course, Oldham is a brand new destination for Metrolink and I encourage everyone to take a tram ride to see all the great things the borough has to offer.

"Today also marks the latest stage of a massive expansion of the Metrolink network that will bring our trams to even more new destinations and open up even more opportunities for businesses and communities.

"It's a very exciting time but, like any major project, it is not without its challenges and I am grateful for the patience that has been shown as we work through them to deliver these new lines."

Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader, said: "To have Metrolink up and running will be a hugely significant and exciting day in the history of our borough.

"The arrival of the tram has been a long time coming and we must make sure we keep to the agreed timetable for the town centre route as it is central to our future prospects.

"This is the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken here and we believe it will act as a catalyst to create new jobs and opportunities.

"Work continues now on the town centre extension and Oldham Council is firmly focused on trying to deliver major improvements on that front.

"This includes the proposed redevelopment of the Old Town Hall, for example, plus the Hotel Future scheme and improvements to the public realm which will help us to forge a new family-oriented leisure economy.

"It is essential to our plans to get people to see Oldham differently - as a place with excellent new infrastructure and opportunities, but also a place that is 'open for business' and has a real commitment to making things happen."

Tickets to any of the stops in Manchester city centre, up to and including Deangsate-Castlefield, start at £3.20 for a peak 'anytime' single from the Oldham Mumps-Hollinwood stops, or £2.30 from the Failsworth-Monsall stops.

An 'anytime' return ticket for the same trip will be £4.80 from the Oldham Mumps-Hollinwood stops, and £3.40 from the Failsworth-Monsall stops. Off-peak (9.30am onwards) equivalents will be £3.50 and £2.80 respectively.

Further savings can be made with special day, weekend, family and group passes, as well as longer term tickets, including weeklies, four-weeklies, quarterlies and annuals.

Monsall, Central Park, Freehold and South Chadderton are all brand new destinations, while the stops at Mumps, Hollinwood, Failsworth and Newton Heath & Moston, which were served by the Oldham Loop until it closed as a heavy rail line in October 2009, have been completely rebuilt.

Once complete, the decked car park at Hollinwood, which is currently under construction, will provide almost 200 park-and-ride spaces exclusively for the use of Metrolink passengers. Up to 100 spaces will be provided in the interim.

As part of Metrolink's commitment to improving cycle parking facilities across the existing and future network, cycle stands are available at Freehold, Hollinwood, Failsworth, Newton Heath & Moston and Monsall, with cycle lockers also available at Freehold, Hollinwood and Failsworth.

All services will call through Manchester city centre and then travel on to the South Manchester line, ending at St Werburgh's Road in Chorlton.

Passengers can connect with services to Bury at Victoria and services to Altrincham, Eccles and MediaCityUK in Manchester city centre or at Cornbrook. They can also link up with bus services at Central Park and Shudehill, or heavy rail services at Manchester Victoria.

Testing on the East Manchester Line is due to begin next week (via SSC).

It's only the initial stages of testing. The line to Velopark had the same one last year and consisted of a tram or two overnight going down the tracks. Big difference this time is they will be out on the road sections.

 

[martin2345uk]

It's only the initial stages of testing. The line to Velopark had the same one last year and consisted of a tram or two overnight going down the tracks. Big difference this time is they will be out on the road sections.

Although it does say they will be doing "dynamic" testing at speeds up to 30mph mack so pretty sure it's not just gauging...