Manchester Metrolink master thread

[507 001]

A t68 weighs 49 tons, so is about 10 tons heavier than an M5000.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What is the current final withdrawal date for the T68's ?

 

[Manchester77]

Still 2014 officially but could actually be end of this year!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wonder if they are waiting for the end of the T68's so they can then effect the required track repairs to the Bury to Radcliffe line section, which is somewht akin to a "white-knuckle" ride on the Blackpool Pleasure Beach at the present time.

 

[Geeves]

If you have rode on the small section of jointed rail left in Oldham on the M5000s you can at least thank your lucky stars they changed to welded rails on the Bury line, my god it would be hellish! It was bad enough on the T68s

I think in the main the M5000s just simply aren't designed for long lengths of high speed running. They used the same design in Germany for the high speed connections between Bonn and Cologne for a few years. Unsurprisingly they went back to the old trams that had proper air suspension rather than just just hydraulics with the K5000s being demoted to slow speed lines.

I dont really mind the swaying, makes for an entertaining ride, tell you what though its a bloody long ride now from Bury to Ashton and back, my ass was numb!!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Whilst mention was made some time ago of the track on the section from Werneth through to Oldham Mumps being used eventually on the Manchester Airport line when lifted, does anyone know what section of the Manchester Airport line is scheduled to receive this track ?

 

[rebmcr]

Whilst mention was made some time ago of the track on the section from Werneth through to Oldham Mumps being used eventually on the Manchester Airport line when lifted, does anyone know what section of the Manchester Airport line is scheduled to receive this track ?

I was under the impression that lineside equipment would be reused, not track.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I was under the impression that lineside equipment would be reused, not track.

Thanks for that. I should not listen to all that I am told by "so-called" enthusiasts on trams....

 

[Manchester77]

The tracks the old track used in the days of northern rail and pacers it was merly refurbished for metrolink. I guess they'll go into store like they did with Mosley Streets stuff which will probably be used at Queens road

 

[HSTEd]

I've seen references in some TfGM documentation about a proposal for a Street Tramway on Oxford Road that has not been proceeded with because all the money went on the conventional Metrolink upgrades.

Does anyone have any documentation relating to this proposal?

 

[familyguy99]

Daylight testing have begin today in Oldham Town Centre with line expect to open early next year.

TRAMS are now zipping across the town centre as residents get a glimpse of how Metrolink will run through Oldham.

After a week of night-time testing on the new tramline which includes four stops between Westwood and Oldham Mumps, trials are now taking place during the day.

The first test tram set off at 8.20 this morning as Oldhamers got to see trams running down Union Street in daylight for the first time.

An official opening date for the new line, which will link Oldham to Rochdale and Manchester, is yet to be set but it is believed to be early 2014.

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/82859/hot-past-the-press

 

[WatcherZero]

A t68 weighs 49 tons, so is about 10 tons heavier than an M5000.

Ahh, I think youve taken the number from the press release when the M5000 arrived that claimed they were ten tonnes lighter than the 37 tonne M5000, in reality they are 39.7t, empty, T68 is 45t empty so its really 5.3t lighter or 6 with their rounding down to 37t.

 

[beavercreek]

All of the T68's will be withdrawn before Xmas.
I will miss driving the T68 but it's time to move on.

 

[Geeves]

I guess the rails and sleepers will probably go to the East Lancs Railway for the eventual extension to Castleton, the wires and what not for the Airport line?

 

[34D]

All of the T68's will be withdrawn before Xmas.
I will miss driving the T68 but it's time to move on.

Will any form of celebration be planned?

 

[507 001]

A t68 weighs 49 tons, so is about 10 tons heavier than an M5000.

Ahh, I think youve taken the number from the press release when the M5000 arrived that claimed they were ten tonnes lighter than the 37 tonne M5000, in reality they are 39.7t, empty, T68 is 45t empty so its really 5.3t lighter or 6 with their rounding down to 37t.

No, I'm going off the figures we were given during training.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

All of the T68's will be withdrawn before Xmas.
I will miss driving the T68 but it's time to move on.

Will any form of celebration be planned?

There are whispering a of a farewell tour, whether it happens though is any bodies guess.

 

[familyguy99]

I been very lucky today and catch double tram doing test run in Westwood area.


Double tram on test at Westwood Business Park


3067-3069 tram on test run for Oldham Town Centre line


Double tram on test in Westwood area

Sadly I didn't catch it running along Union Street in Oldham Town Centre but here it is sit at new Oldham Mumps stop.


3069 tram at New Oldham Mumps stop


3069 tram sit at new Oldham Mumps stop


3069 tram at New Oldham Mumps Metrolink stop


looking at tram sit at new Oldham Mumps stop

And sometime next year tram wouldn't be doing this any more.


3031 tram crossing Oldham Way

 

[34D]

Is the current formation in Oldham going to be removed completely?

 

[Manchester77]

Yes all trams will go via Oldham Town Centre.

 

[507 001]

Is the current formation in Oldham going to be removed completely?

yes, the tunnels are to be bricked up apparently as they are well beyond repair

 

[61653 HTAFC]

yes, the tunnels are to be bricked up apparently as they are well beyond repair

Yet safe enough for trams currently using them?! Seems a shame if they can't be turned into a cycleway or something...

 

[Mattmatt]

I guess the rails and sleepers will probably go to the East Lancs Railway for the eventual extension to Castleton, the wires and what not for the Airport line?

I think its unlikely it would be used for the extension to Castleton as they've already got their connection which is maintained to a high standard. Any other remedial work would have to to be to network rail standards.

 

[rebmcr]

Yet safe enough for trams currently using them?! Seems a shame if they can't be turned into a cycleway or something...

"Safe enough for now but will cost too much long-term."

 

[Shrimper]

Yet safe enough for trams currently using them?! Seems a shame if they can't be turned into a cycleway or something...

Would you really want to cycle through those tunnels? They leak, have their own microclimates and I suspect would become a hive of antisocial activity very quickly. It would take more than just a few lights and some new tarmac.

 

[beavercreek]

It's the only place on the system were you need to use the wipers even when it's not raining.

 

[Starmill]

I feel so hollow inside that there's a new section on Metrolink open and I haven't ridden it - I rode every other extension on the first day and was building up to it for weeks. And now I'm running out of time to get back to see my beloved T68s off, and there's just no way I have time to keep up with all things Metrolink.

(I've lived in Manchester all my life, but recently moved out to Leeds).

I'm missing the trams almost as much as my family!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I see the second city crossing (2CC) has been approved by the DfT.
What will that do to the routeing of services, or hasn't it been decided yet?

 

[radamfi]

Presumably services between Rochdale and East Didsbury will use the new line, and maybe the future airport service as well. I am assuming Bury will still be linked to Ashton and so it would be logical to also keep the Bury to Altrincham trams by the current route to maintain a 6 minute service between Bury and Market Street.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Let us not forget what area of Manchester city centre that will be regarded as useful to those passengers whose services may well be affected by being on the 2CC route from Manchester Victoria to St Peters Square. In my personal view, I would remind forum members that the Piccadilly Gardens stop serves quite a major part of the city centre and should be borne in mind when discussions concerning what services the 2CC should take. It also has a major interchange bus station adjoining it. This facility will not be available to any prospective passenger on the 2CC route from Manchester Victoria to St Peters Square, without the need for a change of journey to access it.

 

[radamfi]

Let us not forget what area of Manchester city centre that will be regarded as useful to those passengers whose services may well be affected by being on the 2CC route from Manchester Victoria to St Peters Square. In my personal view, I would remind forum members that the Piccadilly Gardens stop serves quite a major part of the city centre and should be borne in mind when discussions concerning what services the 2CC should take. It also has a major interchange bus station adjoining it. This facility will not be available to any prospective passenger on the 2CC route from Manchester Victoria to St Peters Square, without the need for a change of journey to access it.

Well yes, this is an inevitable downside to the 2CC project. However, there will still be a tram every 6 minutes from Victoria to Piccadilly Gardens/Market Street so passengers from the Rochdale line would probably only have to wait for a short time at Victoria for a tram. From the south there are more routes to Piccadilly Gardens/Market Street so the wait time would be even less.

Changing is a necessary evil. Without changing public transport can only get you to a very small number of destinations. So you have to accept that interchanging is necessary, and make it as easy and convenient as possible.