Sheffield Supertram Master Thread

[WillPS]

No, they're an evolution of the ones used in Nottingham (or at least the ones NET used last time I took a trip, must be a year ago at least now).

So fed up with this track replacement now. Still not finished even the up-side yet.

 

[WillPS]

I've just seen the weekly exchange of trams take place, for the first time since July using the 'up side' of the road. I presume that means that side is done.

Progress has certainly come on a pace in the last couple of weeks. I'd say around a third of the 'down side' is now complete, with another third in-progress. Absolutely can not wait for the trams to be back.

 

[WillPS]

I am so *so* annoyed right now. The cause? This horrible attempt at spin: http://www.supertram.com/Railreplacement.html

To recap on the project so far:
Weeks 1-10: Project expected to take 12 weeks (mid September)
Mid-Sept: with not even half the work done, a delay is announced to end-October, cause: "too warm".
Last weekend: work on course to finish this weekend, end date of 27/10 announced
This weekend: work will take *at least* an extra 2 weeks, cause "too cold and wet".

How have we gone from being a week away last weekend to being 2 weeks away now? Somebody has seriously cooked it.

And, this 2 week+ estimation carries this *wonderful* disclaimer:

However, the remaining work can only be carried out in dry conditions, therefore there is a chance that a prolonged period of wet weather over the next few weeks could have a further impact on the completion date.

Remind me what's forecast for November.

SYPTE have massively mismanaged this project. Both they and Stagecoach have done a bloody awful job of communicating. It was a total joke that at Week 9 they were still "anticipating completion within the 12 weeks". It's as if nobody was actually looking at what was actually going on.

 

[Starmill]

Had a brief trip to Sheffield last Wednesday on an S Yorks Travelmaster, didn't realise they were valid on trams so I was glad of my 'free' return form the Station to the University but I was surprised the works were still going on from when I did my supertram bash in summer!

Broadly impressed with the attention paid to local national rail stations though. In Greater Manchester we are far lagging behind due to the lack of interest in trains our PTE has... just the shiny yellow trams.

 

[WillPS]

I'm absolutely delighted to report that during the usual Thursday night changeover, trams descended and ascended the hill on the respectively correct sides. In the case of the down-side, the trams proceeded extremely slowly (no doubt because Volker Rail were still working on it until this afternoon).

Weirder - in the up-direction each tram in turn stopped at Park Grange tram stop, then the driver left their cab and walked down the tram opening each door, before returning to their cab, closing the doors and moving on. Any idea what that's about?

 

[WatcherZero]

Tram doors catching on platform edge?

 

[button_boxer]

Work officially complete and trams are running as normal again, the purple route included.

Presumably the whole debacle will repeat every summer for the next few years as they work on the remaining sections, I wonder where will be the lucky stretch next year...?

 

[WillPS]

Hillsborough next apparently, then Spring Lane to Gleadless the year after.

 

[30mog]

Hillsborough next apparently, then Spring Lane to Gleadless the year after.

I thought Spring Lane to Gleadless was done through additional weekend closures during the summer?

 

[WillPS]

Nah, City Road at least wasn't touched.

 

[bradders1983]

Anyone any ideas why the Purple trams were still running to Meadowhall yesterday evening? Is this a new timetable?

 

[WillPS]

Anyone any ideas why the Purple trams were still running to Meadowhall yesterday evening? Is this a new timetable?

I dunno, I noticed that too. They do normally start running extra evening trams towards Meadowhall in the evening, although in the past these have been additional Yellow services; I always thought leaving the Purple line to run the complete route would have made more sense.

 

[bradders1983]

I dunno, I noticed that too. They do normally start running extra evening trams towards Meadowhall in the evening, although in the past these have been additional Yellow services; I always thought leaving the Purple line to run the complete route would have made more sense.

I dont mind it, would just be nice if they told people on the timetable!

 

[IanXC]

Following feedback from the recent member survey, the forum staff have decided that Light Rail Systems justify multiple threads, rather than the current situation with most discussion in a single thread which many of you told us you find impenetrable.

Going forward we expect to see a range of threads, for example detailing subjects such as day to day running, operating policy, construction progress on new fleets and lines and future proposals for the system.