manchester metrolink
 

ive read somewhere that the new metrolink trams will have 20 fewer seats than the old ones,Thats progress[not],the new spur from the eccles line to media city is very short,does anyone know where the service will start from?if the oldham,droylsden lines etc..will not be running for over a year,what will the new trams be doing apart from route learning etc,shame to leave them in the depot,i would like to see them running on existing routes in the meantime,the new trams look very smart but think nottingham and sheffields look better-anyone agree?.

Not to sure about the service which will run to Media-City maybe one to Eccles and one to the new line is a possiblility(I have heard the frequency of the service will be improved)
As for the new trams they are being brought into service on the existing lines so Metrolink can withdraw the older ones for complete refitting and overhaul,with the intention of when all the new lines are open they have got a fully functioning fleet.
Cheers John

Yeah the Nottingham transport system looks very smart, the platform areas look so much more modern in places compared to the Metrolink. I think the Sheff Supertramis very similar to the original metrolink though, possibly nicer inside.

I hope that the new trams don't shake you about so much at speed.

Meh.

More blind critism.

The new trams have fewer seats because there is *far* more standing room, and the layout makes it logical to stand in more areas of the tram, which means less being squashed randomly around the doors as under the current T68s under any kind of load.

The new trams are also less "shakey", in theory. They will operate across the ENTIRE network, not just on the spur, but the drivers have to be trained to use them. It's a senseless moan to say "just roll them out there" - bad idea.

thanks john for feedback,not sarcastic like someone on here.

You need to learn the definiton of sarcasm?

Nothing I said was sarcastic, just fact.

Personly I wouldn't allow any standing what so ever on buses trams or trains as I just don't find it safe at all especialy when people crowd around the doors which will still happen with or without extra standing room.

As for the new trams They should have been built as three car not two as to me it seem that this ocuntry as has fasination with two carige rail vechicles and only at a push will we get three.

when did i say the new trams will be running on the media city spur only?i did mention droylsden oldham etc,obviously they are going to have driver training,what i meant was -are they going to be put into service across the network whilst the new routes are being built.

A bit more information for you faltskog36abba, when the Media-City line opens next year it will be served by a 12 minute frequency service running from Cornbrook to Media-City,it seems that Metrolink have put in the means to turn trams back at Cornbrook for this purpose.
I don't know if it will carry on after the other new lines open.
Cheers John

thanks for info on media city tram,any idea what the frequency will be on the oldham,chorlton,droylsden lines?

Just a bit of advice on the trams point of view.
Don't eat or try to eat a yogurt on board.
It is not a good idea.
When the new trams enter service, I think I shall test them out for myself in such a way.

Oh and the frequency on the oldham loop will most likely be very high.
There was 4 trains an hour in each direction, so light rail will be much more frequent.
I would think something like the altrincham line would be a good example, a similar thing happened here in the 90's.

Haha, cause of the wobbling around on the higher speed sections? :D

Try that Activia yogurt. It's supposed to improve transit.:D

:DOh very funny!
I tried it on the east lancs railway that same day as a comparison.
Don't worry pavorossi, I didn't spill any!

Glad to hear it, I shall have to pathe compliment on to myfriend in P-Way!

Oh forgot to mention, the coaches are beautifully maintained at the east lancs, so well done there.
The yogurt was yeo valley as well; very messy brand!

I'm glad you think so, it's always good to hear a compliment about the line.

A few jottings from today's visit that are relevant to this thread

1. the Cornbrook turnback is only partially installed (some rails missing)

2. the Media City spur has rails down (at the junction anyway) and seems to be a traingle i.e. you can go direct from there to Eccles

3. there were 5 new trams in the depot. Livery didn't look as bad in the flesh as I was expecting - but I didn't see them close up, of course

I was going to go as I said, but then it rained, so I stayed at home, well done for braving the weather!

Actually the sun was shining when I left home ! More to the point, I had to go to Manchester anyway for an eye test.

Toaday I was walking past Altrincham station and I saw the new tram type on test, what a sight, it's fantastic!

[QUOTE=steam for ever;34082]Don't eat or try to eat a yogurt on board.
It is not a good idea.
I am very sorry, but i can`t see why anybody would eat yoghurt on a tram?
Must be an unhealthy eater i suppose.
Richard

It is just to test stability.
I have ruined a lot of my best suits this way!

Sounds to me that it would be a good idea to wear protective clothing! Go dressed for the occasion sort of thing.....

Cheers, 62440.;)

I have noticed after a bit of spotting at Altrincham most of the trams now have LED destination boards.
I must say it is much better under stagecoach.

Serco look pretty neglegent now.

Serco had no reason to put investment in really, they knew they'd lost it and tried to do as little as possible before handing it over.

Stagecoach are investing but some of their tactics are apparently controversial, some claim they're trying to steer people onto their buses. Don't see it myself but anyway.

First of the new trams entered public service today between Manchester Piccadilly and Eccles. Anyone wishing to try out a new tram can catch one on the same service for the time being, but be prepared for up to an hoursish wait?

I might try my luck tomorrow.

was waiting for a bus today on corporation street,seen a new tram entering victoria..on a victoria service,must of come off the eccles line and on to the depot-gonna bash one soon,is it just the eccles line it runs on?

I believe at the moment it is, yes.

went on a new tram from piccadilly on an eccles service today,got off at g-mex,as i crossed to the other platform another came along,great units and very smooth running,got on the tram back to piccadilly,walked to victoria and got older tram home,as it passed woodlands road another new tram passed,it seems they are now running on all lines..great.

I used the metrolink earlier in the week and was shocked at the destruction.:mad:

I think many enthusiasts used the line as it still retained many MSJ&A features.
Now a huge amount has been ripped out.
The line to Altrincham has been rationalised from its original formation in many places which could prevent expansion in the future.
if it becomes more busy they will have to use the buses, so I do agree with that.

They have made it imposible to restore four track running and the Old trafford 4 platforms are a brilliant example.
The station had 4 platforms, all original and now they have all been ripped out and replaced with 2 new small ones that cannot possibly cope at this of all stations.
Now the other two platforms are gone it will overflow and quickly.
the new trams are also smaller, wonder why now?

The next thing you know the line has been closed and turned into a bus route.

All I can say is enjoy what is left while you can, it may not be around for much longer.

.................huh?

1) The MSJ&A / BR features needed replacing because they where old, unsafe, and not fit for purpous. Nobody used Metrolink for railway nostalga, probably not even enthusiasts, they use it to get from A to B. It's now much more suited to that role.

2) The line to Altrincham has been modernised and spurs added for all the authorised extentions well into the future, so expandability is very much there.

3) The new trams are now entering services to aleviate the conjestion problems.

4) There is NO reason EVER for four track running on a tram system. It's neither nesssasary or required. What they've done = money saved best spent elsewere.

5) Again, tram stops don't need four platforms, the current modern platforms are more than suited and easier for passengers.

6) The new trams are dimensionally identical to the T68s, they have less seats but MUCH MUCH more standing room - the idea is that it's better to have more places to stand if you're likely to end up standing anyway. The new trams are popular in this respect.

You really have a funny idea about how the tram system should be. It isn't a railway, and it especially isn't a preserved railway - the upgrades and enhancements are all pretty awesome and well taken by the people of Manchester so far in my view.

It seems I might be the only sad enthusiast who hates change, or am I?

Has there been any contact from the Altrincham electric group?

I was sure their aim was preserving the aspects of this line.

....it's an operational tram line? Not being funny, because I am an enthusiast and I support preservation, but it should be preserved away from Metrolink operation.

Sure, take the features and move them elsewhere to a preserved line, storage, whatever, which may very well be the case, but you can't leave them there at the detrement of an operational tram system, that requires the upgrades to grow and prosper?

To have kept thing exactly as they where would have been at major detrement to the Metrolink system, not benefit to the people who use it.

SFE old chum.

We can't preserve everything from the past however much you might think.

If there is a way to incorporate worthy buildings from the past into new developments, even if the purpose they are used for is different, then all good and well but not otherwise.

I do realise these things but most of the removed infastructure has been destroyed by the builders and this is the point i have been trying to make.
I did ask the builders what they were going to save and they did not have an answer.
They were just mindlessly ripping ou the past.
I know not everything can be saved but nothing at all?

As far as I know most of the removed infrastructure was B.R. overhead line stantions, not really worth keeping because they're everywhere anyway and nobody really notices them.

What else have they destroyed, exactly, apart from bufferstops?

several stations were destroyed to my knowledge.
It is not all bad however.
The line via didsbury was under construction and this was good news.

On study though the Chester line via Altrincham which used to use what is now the Altrincham metrolink line is becoming more and more busy and I did wonder if the line would be taken over and converted back.

This now seems impossible to do this.

There is a question I have also.
The now disuded bridge that runs along side the metrolink bridge over the ship canal just outside Central was weeded and the trackbed had been given considerable treatment.
Fences have also been removed.
Is this bridge bing brought back into use?
Is central going to see rail traffic once more?

There has been several concerns that there will be the problem of over crowding in the near future and there is a limit to the number of trams that can be run.
Will we see any three coach trams?

All platforms are long enough for two coupled together so why not rebuild some of the old trams with a centre coach.
Or centre coaches with new trams.
Many trams systems have trams with three around the world and it has been suggested before.
This may end concerns about track capacity and shortage of trams to create double ones during football matches when the tram system obviously cannot cope.

But trams run far more frequently than trains? There would be less trains.

I don't know if I've heard of a three car tram before but I don't see why not I guess. It'd make sense.