Manchester Metrolink master thread

[snowball]

Also of course the remodelling of the Metrolink tracks at Victoria, to make them compatible with SSC, starts at the turn of the year.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Also of course the remodelling of the Metrolink tracks at Victoria, to make them compatible with SSC, starts at the turn of the year.

I most sincerely hope you mean 2CC..not SSC....

 

[snowball]

Oops! Yes I do!

SSC would have been a bit faster but not very good at carrying people.

 

[dannypye9999]

Bugs me how never more than two trams are put together during busy times especially old Trafford matches are playing. I heard up to six or seven trams can be joined together yet why is it always two? Would be even nice to see three or four. Im sick of squashed into carriages during football times with my face pressed up against the window.

 

[Manchester77]

It's also nice to be able to board a tram, none of the platforms (except for some of the ex BR ones on the Altrincham and Bury lines) can take such long trams, then you have the long time lights are on red throughout the city. The only longer platform which is refurbished for this is old Trafford which can take three trams however it's pointless since nowhere else can take triples, it's more likely to be used post TMS with a double and single in the platform on match days. Additionally you have the overhead being overloaded

 

[edwin_m]

Not only are platforms only long enough for two trams, there are many (Market Street and Shudehill to name just two) where making them longer would be virtually impossible.

 

[507 001]

It's also nice to be able to board a tram, none of the platforms (except for some of the ex BR ones on the Altrincham and Bury lines) can take such long trams, then you have the long time lights are on red throughout the city. The only longer platform which is refurbished for this is old Trafford which can take three trams however it's pointless since nowhere else can take triples, it's more likely to be used post TMS with a double and single in the platform on match days. Additionally you have the overhead being overloaded

It's bad enough driving a double through the city, never mind a triple!

In addition, you probably wouldn't be able to see the very back of a triple in the cameras, and it would be difficult to see the very middle of the tram when performing station duties.

O/T is indeed designed to take 2 doubles for when TMS goes live, you may well be able to squeeze a single on there too. Longest platforms on the system.

 

[WatcherZero]

Longest formation possible is four, when a failed double is top and tailed back to the depot, more recently though they tend to split a failed double unit.

It is impressive standing and seeing four unit formation go past, just goes on and on and on.

 

[snowball]

07 October 2013

Powers approved for Metrolink’s second city crossing

Powers to install a second Metrolink route through the heart of Manchester city centre have been approved by the Government.

The route – through St Peter’s Square, along Princess Street, Cross Street and Corporation Street and re-joining the existing Metrolink line just outside Victoria station – was the subject of a major consultation in 2011 and a public inquiry earlier this year.

The Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, has now determined the Transport and Works Act Order for 2CC required by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to build and operate the new line.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, has also granted the associated Listed Building Consents for the scheme.

The decision means TfGM can now finalise arrangements for delivering the scheme, which will see a new, larger tram stop in St Peter’s Square and a new stop in Exchange Square, one of the city’s main retail and leisure areas.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “This is fantastic news and means we can now press ahead with developing the detail of the delivery programme, appointing a contractor and getting work started as soon as possible.

“By providing the necessary capacity, flexibility and reliability for the future tram network to operate, the second city crossing will play a vital role in helping to build a strong and prosperous economy for Greater Manchester.

“It’s an essential part of the expansion programme which also complements the city’s redevelopment of St Peter’s Square – so this really is excellent news.”

TfGM’s dedicated engagement team, who have been engaging with stakeholders along the route for some time, will share further details on the delivery of the scheme direct to businesses and individuals as they emerge.

The team can be contacted by calling 0161 244 1555 (during office hours) or emailing future.metrolink@tfgm.com.

http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/media_centre/Pages/News.aspx?articleId=327

Surprising McLoughlin missed the opportunity to announce it at the Tory conference.

 

[ian1944]

http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/media_centre/Pages/News.aspx?articleId=327

Surprising McLoughlin missed the opportunity to announce it at the Tory conference.

Also surprising that Councillor Fender didn't use the word "sustainable", as he slipped most of the other favourite bits of bullspeak in.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/media_centre/Pages/News.aspx?articleId=327

Surprising McLoughlin missed the opportunity to announce it at the Tory conference.

Well, that puts an end to the "if and but" postings on various well-known forums with regard to the preliminary works on this project.

 

[familyguy99]

You can now take tram to Ashton via MEN route.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ews/video-first-journey-new-metrolink-6151503

 

[507 001]

Anybody planning in riding the first tram to Ashton in the morning?

 

[table38]

Just been down for a go between Droylsden and Ashton, 3001 seemed to be mostly full of tram enthusiasts, and pensioners getting a free trip!

Quite a useful park-n-ride at Ashton Moss which I had forgotten about.

Some stuff here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/metrolink-tram-service-launches-ashton-under-lyne-6161044

 

[ValleyLines142]

Was 3001 the first tram on the 0559 from Ashton?

 

[familyguy99]

I been on Ashton line today and knowing Metrolink said it will take 15 mins to get from Droylsden to Ashton it took 10 mins, quite lot of people was on 3054 tram that I was on going to Ashton but not many people was on 3049 tram that I coming back on, here are some picture that I took today at Ashton under Lyne stop.


3054 tram at Ashton Under Lyne stop


PIDS at Ashton Under Lyne stop


3049 tram at Ashton Under Lyne stop


3045 tram waiting at Ashton Under Lyne stop


Next stop Ashton west


Next stop Ashton Moss


Next stop Audenshaw


Next stop Droylsden

Yes I know someone will complain that I upload picture on here but it save you looking on link at bottom of page.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I deserted the website yesterday to make the usual first-day pilgrimage on another newly-opened section of the Manchester Metrolink system to Ashton-under-Lyne. The forecast of a dry day with a sudden drop in temperature evoked memories of when the line was first extended to Droylsden, when it really was bitterly cold. As luck would have it, I chose to wear my heaviest outdoor coat, which is fully waterproof with a hood, as there were very heavy rain showers at mid-day.

It was quite an interesting final section of the East Manchester line that was open and the ride was quite good. I then chose to ride the return journey to Bury (Wednesday being a good day to visit their famous indoor and outdoor markets).

However, the return run from Bury to Radcliffe was rather worrying and seasickness pills should have been issued to all passengers, such was the violent side-to-side motions that took place. Is there anything that can be done to eradicate this sorry affair..

The platforms and other works for the new Queens Road stop are now well under way.

 

[radamfi]

However, the return run from Bury to Radcliffe was rather worrying and seasickness pills should have been issued to all passengers, such was the violent side-to-side motions that took place. Is there anything that can be done to eradicate this sorry affair..

I've queried about this before. There was a complete shutdown of the Bury line a few years ago to allow, what I thought, a replacement of the track on the whole line, but evidently the Bury to Radcliffe section wasn't done. I wonder why the 50 mph limit is still in force on this section?

 

[rebmcr]

Yes I know someone will complain that I upload picture on here

I can't speak for anybody else but I think the 'preview' sized ones are fine.

 

[507 001]

I've queried about this before. There was a complete shutdown of the Bury line a few years ago to allow, what I thought, a replacement of the track on the whole line, but evidently the Bury to Radcliffe section wasn't done. I wonder why the 50 mph limit is still in force on this section?

The bury to Radcliffe section WAS done, it's just the M5000s don't ride very well, especially in areas that have had T68s hammering up and down.
Once the T68s are gone word is that ride quality should start to improve.

Various solutions have been tried and most have failed I believe.

I've noticed that something has been done to the railhead between hag side crossing and the garden centre on the inbound line which has made a hell of a diference to ride quality and noise levels so hopefully we should start to see some improvement fairly soon.

 

[radamfi]

The bury to Radcliffe section WAS done, it's just the M5000s don't ride very well, especially in areas that have had T68s hammering up and down.

But why doesn't the rest of the Bury line have such a poor ride?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

But why doesn't the rest of the Bury line have such a poor ride?

Would a lower speed limit of sorts in that Bury to Radcliffe section improve the ride quality until matters improve ?

 

[185]

Once the T68s are gone word is that ride quality should start to improve.

Various solutions have been tried and most have failed I believe.

One that pway are trying is to switch both rails over (ie putting the two wrecked railheads facing the other way / outwards.

Can't see it working, in honesty.

 

[507 001]

The bury to Radcliffe section WAS done, it's just the M5000s don't ride very well, especially in areas that have had T68s hammering up and down.

But why doesn't the rest of the Bury line have such a poor ride?

There are a few places where it's as bad, it's just that Bury to Radcliffe is quite a long run so it's more noticeable.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

But why doesn't the rest of the Bury line have such a poor ride?

Would a lower speed limit of sorts in that Bury to Radcliffe section improve the ride quality until matters improve ?

Possibly, but bury line times are quite tight as it is.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Once the T68s are gone word is that ride quality should start to improve.

Various solutions have been tried and most have failed I believe.

One that pway are trying is to switch both rails over (ie putting the two wrecked railheads facing the other way / outwards.

Can't see it working, in honesty.

I think it might help, but purely by just getting rid of the odd wear pattern that's developed on the railhead.

If you watch you can see the silver strip zig-zagging across the top of the railhead.

 

[Manchester77]

Regarding track on the northern part of the Bury line this wasn't done I think it was just reconditioned. 3074 has been delivered to Queens Road this lunchtime too (SCC)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Regarding track on the northern part of the Bury line this wasn't done I think it was just reconditioned. 3074 has been delivered to Queens Road this lunchtime too (SCC)

It is still a terrible stretch of track where unwary travellers new to this line can only but wonder what the hell was happening and have visions of derailment and it is a total disgrace that the travelling public, both young or old, should be subjected to this situation. For heavens sake, I am the biggest critic of the ride quality of the Class 142 Pacers, but that ride I experienced last Wednesday between Bury and Radcliffe made the worst Pacer ride that I have ever experienced almost "Rolls-Royce" like in comparison..

 

[Manchester77]

It does however seem to be linked to the T68s, they're banned on the new lines (with the exception of the Sheffield Street Turnback & Media City). Yes they have been on the SML once or twice but it doesn't really compare to the daily beating on the altrincham & bury lines

 

[507 001]

Regarding track on the northern part of the Bury line this wasn't done I think it was just reconditioned. 3074 has been delivered to Queens Road this lunchtime too (SCC)

most of it is on the light rail style sleeper, i.e. the ones with 2 concrete pads linked by a steel bar, which implies that it was replaced at some point.

something i have noticed is that the ride quality of an M5000 deteriorates considerably when running on track with "light rail" sleepers, possibly because the lighter sleepers are being hammered by T68s.

Ride quality is starting to deteriorate on the new lines in areas where the above sleeper type has been used.

 

[Manchester77]

I guess we'll have to wait a few years until we see the final cause. I didn't know about the different types of sleepers used, so it does seem plausible considering how heavy the T68s are after all aren't the T68s more closely related to heavy rail vehicles than most LRVs (I'm sure I read it somewhere!).

 

[WatcherZero]

They arent that much heavier, 45 compared to 39 tonnes or so.