Manchester Metrolink master thread

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The fatality of an elderly woman that occurred at 2230 on Wednesday night on the Oldham line occurred some 100 metres away from the station at Failsworth on the running line which is not a street-running section. The driver of the tram reported the incident at once and police, fire service and ambulance services all attended very quickly. CCTV footage of the accident is said to be currently examined.

A very sad occurrence.

 

[familyguy99]

Some of ur might have already seen is picture on SCC website but here are some picture that I took today on EML (Which will be opening on 11th February unless u live in Droylsden then is tomorrow (8th Feb)


3027 tram at Holt Town stop


3026 tram on Merrill Street

^^ I don't know why that still say Piccadilly on it knowing it was heading to Droylsden.


New Islington Metrolink stop


Posted at New Islington metrolink stop


sign at New Islington Metrolink stop


PIDS at New Islington Metrolink stop


3024 & 3045 trams at New Islignton stop


3019 tram heading under Great Ancoat Street


New Metrolink map with Rochdale line


Metrolink map with Droylsden & Rochdale lines


New Metrolink map with Droyslden line


3035 tram with MediaCity on it


3001 Eccles tram waiting near Piccadilly

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

There more on my flick homepage that I take today too.

 

[Class377/5]

The map looks a bit like this (but with extra blue blobs)


Untitled by Sparkyscrum, on Flickr

But for the full extend of the works under way....


Metrolink 2016 by Sparkyscrum, on Flickr

 

[33109]

So for services running from piccadilly is it bury-droylesden or what? Also take it droylesden services will use the old inbound terminating stop at piccadilly & then run out through the old sidings under the back of the station???

 

[martin2345uk]

So for services running from piccadilly is it bury-droylesden or what? Also take it droylesden services will use the old inbound terminating stop at piccadilly & then run out through the old sidings under the back of the station???

You are correct. The Bury -Piccadilly line has simply been extended through out the back to Droylsden.

 

[JoeGJ1984]

What about the platform usage at Piccadilly? I t used to have one platform for inbound trams and one for outbound. Will the old inbound platform now be used for trams to Droylesden? The signage at PIccadilly also says Arrivals and Departures - will they change this in time for Monday (or even the 'preview' services starting today for local residents)? Anybody been there? Would they put temporary boards on the signs or something?

 

[martin2345uk]

It's already changed. It's all up and running. Anyone can use the line already. The old Arrivals platform is now the Droylsden-bound platform.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I've been following this thread from afar from the start, however I'll break my silence now!

Firstly, using the Metrolink website, I've collated all the opening dates for the confirmed network extensions:
(EML) Piccadilly-Droylsden - 11 Feb 2013 (general public)
(SML) St Werburgh's Rd-East Didsbury - Summer 2013
(EML) Droylsden-Ashton-under-Lyne - Winter 2013
(ORL) Oldham Mumps (Temp.)-Rochdale Railway Station - 2013
(ORL) Freehold-Oldham Central-Derker [Oldham Town Centre] - 2014
(ORL) Rochdale Railway Station-Rochdale Town Centre - 2014
(AL) St Werburgh's Rd-Manchester Airport - Summer 2016

I can appreciate there are a lot of factors to consider, but can anyone expand on any of those periods suggested, specifically Rochdale which I get the impression is rather close?

Also, aside from the well-documented Second City Crossing, are there any more serious proposals for extensions further? I'm certain East Didsbury-Stockport has been discussed...

 

[martin2345uk]

Rochdale is fairly imminent, the new maps have it on them as a dotted "coming soon" line. Nothing official on any others though. And technically EML to Droylsden opened today as anyone can use the line.

The next seriously considered extension is the Port Salford line past the Trafford Centre. It's not got funding but is shown on various future maps and i'd say is the most likely one to come after the Airport Line.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The next seriously considered extension is the Port Salford line past the Trafford Centre. It's not got funding but is shown on various future maps and i'd say is the most likely one to come after the Airport Line.

Is the line to Port Salford one where TfGM say that private stakeholder funding will be to the fore, rather than the method used to fund the existing four routes under construction. I am sure there was a statement made to this effect by TfGM at a meeting not so very long ago.

Can someone with more definite knowledge than I shed some light on this matter.

 

[Manchester77]

I've been following this thread from afar from the start, however I'll break my silence now!

Firstly, using the Metrolink website, I've collated all the opening dates for the confirmed network extensions:
(EML) Piccadilly-Droylsden - 11 Feb 2013 (general public)
(SML) St Werburgh's Rd-East Didsbury - Summer 2013
(EML) Droylsden-Ashton-under-Lyne - Winter 2013
(ORL) Oldham Mumps (Temp.)-Rochdale Railway Station - 2013
(ORL) Freehold-Oldham Central-Derker [Oldham Town Centre] - 2014
(ORL) Rochdale Railway Station-Rochdale Town Centre - 2014
(AL) St Werburgh's Rd-Manchester Airport - Summer 2016

I can appreciate there are a lot of factors to consider, but can anyone expand on any of those periods suggested, specifically Rochdale which I get the impression is rather close?

Also, aside from the well-documented Second City Crossing, are there any more serious proposals for extensions further? I'm certain East Didsbury-Stockport has been discussed...

ORL2 is highly expected to be the next opening after EML1 as ticket machines are starting to appear at ORL2 stops and advanced testing has been completed

 

[WatcherZero]

Is the line to Port Salford one where TfGM say that private stakeholder funding will be to the fore, rather than the method used to fund the existing four routes under construction. I am sure there was a statement made to this effect by TfGM at a meeting not so very long ago.

Can someone with more definite knowledge than I shed some light on this matter.

Line as far as the Trafford Centre should produce enough revenue to break even so they can build from public funds, between Trafford Centre and Port Salford would require private finance contributions.

 

[Class377/5]

I suspect ORL2 testing will begin soon with driver instructors learning the route first.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I thought that the Bury to Droylsden service was not due to start until Monday, 11th February, but on our arrival from Clitheroe at Manchester Victoria yesterday afternoon, we made our way to the Metrolink platforms to access the tram to Manchester Piccadilly railway station in order to make our homeward rail journey from there. I was amazed to see the tram coming in from Bury was showing "Droylsden via Piccadilly" and the automated internal announcements stated it was a Droylsden service.

 

[PR1Berske]

I thought that the Bury to Droylsden service was not due to start until Monday, 11th February, but on our arrival from Clitheroe at Manchester Victoria yesterday afternoon, we made our way to the Metrolink platforms to access the tram to Manchester Piccadilly railway station in order to make our homeward rail journey from there. I was amazed to see the tram coming in from Bury was showing "Droylsden via Piccadilly" and the automated internal announcements stated it was a Droylsden service.

They've been running a week early, local residents have been able to ride them.

 

[dggar]

I thought that the Bury to Droylsden service was not due to start until Monday, 11th February, but on our arrival from Clitheroe at Manchester Victoria yesterday afternoon, we made our way to the Metrolink platforms to access the tram to Manchester Piccadilly railway station in order to make our homeward rail journey from there. I was amazed to see the tram coming in from Bury was showing "Droylsden via Piccadilly" and the automated internal announcements stated it was a Droylsden service.

Paul, check out the Metrolink pages on SSC. There has been a lot of excitement there.

 

[martin2345uk]

They've been running a week early, local residents have been able to ride them.

Only three days early. Friday it started. It's a fantastic line, well worth a ride if you like trams! Which, granted, isn't that many people on here...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Only three days early. Friday it started. It's a fantastic line, well worth a ride if you like trams! Which, granted, isn't that many people on here...

I will certainly be there on Monday to experience this new route.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
On Saturday, having arrived at Manchester Piccadilly on the tram from Manchester Victoria, I used the escalator from the arrival platform to the mezzanine floor (with the strange holding pen barriers) where I noticed a sign on the wall saying "Trams to Droyldsen" near to what looked like steps leading downwards.

Incidentally, what are those "holding pen barriers" on that mezzanine floor used for ?

 

[martin2345uk]

I will certainly be there on Monday to experience this new route.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
On Saturday, having arrived at Manchester Piccadilly on the tram from Manchester Victoria, I used the escalator from the arrival platform to the mezzanine floor (with the strange holding pen barriers) where I noticed a sign on the wall saying "Trams to Droyldsen" near to what looked like steps leading downwards.

Incidentally, what are those "holding pen barriers" on that mezzanine floor used for ?

Indeed, the arrivals platform now being the Droylsden departure platform, the stairs up are now the stairs down as well, as you observed.

I believe the holding pen is for football fans heading to etihad campus on match days.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I made my inaugural Piccadilly-Droylsden run this morning and found the route traversed via New Islington and Holt Town taking me back very many years when I knew that area in my more youthful years. Was the location of New Islington stop once part of a canal link route ?

 

[PR1Berske]

I hope to make the trip tomorrow. As long as Droylsden has at least one decent real ale pub, I'm happy.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Might be brave and attempt this one a few hours before the Man City v Leeds game on Sunday!

 

[PR1Berske]

Might be brave and attempt this one a few hours before the Man City v Leeds game on Sunday!

Well that's one definition of "brave"

 

[northwichcat]

I imagine they can't wait until they move to 'line of sight.' Signalling problem causing disruption on the Altrincham line yesterday morning. Another one causing problems on the Altrincham, Chorlton and Eccles lines this morning.

 

[martin2345uk]

I imagine you're right. Should have been all converted by now according to the original timelines. Still we understand some progress is finally being made; apparently the turnback at Cornbrook should be entering testing soon.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Does anyone have a guide for journey times on the Metrolink? Aside from the PDFs for the Oldham and Droylsden lines I can't find any indication of them on the website, and I'm certain they used to be part of the Train Times or Station Info pages... Currently having to use Traveline for guidance!

 

[Rail Bus]

Does anyone have a guide for journey times on the Metrolink? Aside from the PDFs for the Oldham and Droylsden lines I can't find any indication of them on the website, and I'm certain they used to be part of the Train Times or Station Info pages... Currently having to use Traveline for guidance!

it's so random Altrincham - Manchester can take anything between 25 - 45 min

I live in Altrincham and work on Whitworth Street in Manchester, I know now from bitter experience to allow at least an hour now for my journey to work

 

[northwichcat]

it's so random Altrincham - Manchester can take anything between 25 - 45 min

I live in Altrincham and work on Whitworth Street in Manchester, I know now from bitter experience to allow at least an hour now for my journey to work

A M5000 is 3-5 minutes slower than a T68 and the journey time can vary by about 5 minutes depending on the Chorlton line running.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Apparently on Matchdays at the Etihad, announcements on trams and stops on the EML are recorded by Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, James Milner and Roberto Mancini. Given how awkward Mancini sounds in interviews, I'm not sure that's such a good idea!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-city-stars-lend-voices-1707240

 

[loopers]

just seen a gr8 video on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA_OjsFGoTc

it covers the new tests on the rochdale line, well worth a view, i thought they were not testing till next week...