freetoview33
Established Member
Although knowing metrolink I wouldn't be surprised if we did see trams over the whole of 2CC by the end of the year
Although knowing metrolink I wouldn't be surprised if we did see trams over the whole of 2CC by the end of the year
Kirk: Have you always multiplied your repair estimates by a factor of four?
Scotty: Certainly, sir. How else can I keep my reputation as a miracle worker?
They do seem to finish work remarkably early. One wonders if they simply pad the estimates so everyone is impressed when they beat them. Perhaps they have some Scottish blood in them?
Known in management-speak as "under-promising and over-delivering". Or more crudely you'd probably be more likely to recommend a builder if they say they need three weeks and finish in two, than if they say they only need a week but also end up needing a fortnight!
If TfGM are correct with "approximately nine months" still needed to complete the missing gap along Princess Street, how does that now affect their original date of having the 2CC line as a fully functioning entity?
Please use Manchester Metrolink Trafford Line to discuss this further. ThanksLike with the additional trams, they had funding so managed to get them in one order to get them cheaper and it means additional capacity at an earlier date. I think they have been very lucky with funding so why not put the money in and start getting a return earlier? I can't see the Trafford Line being quite as fast as surely 2CC will be finished before building starts on that line. And who knows about future lines!
First test tram runs along Metrolinks new Second City Crossing
Metrolink began testing trams on the new section of the route between the new-look St Peters Square tram stop and Exchange Square stop in the early hours of Thursday morning (1 December).
The transformational Second City Crossing, due to open to passengers early next year, will allow Metrolink to run more frequent tram services through the city centre and across the 93-stop network.
The new line which connects the expanded St Peters Square stop via Princess Street and Cross Street with Exchange Square and Victoria Station will also allow greater operational flexibility and improve service reliability.
Anyone who lives in, works in or visits the city is also being reminded to be aware of trams in the area as testing continues in the coming weeks.
Transport for Greater Manchesters Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: This is an exciting time as we gear up to open this new line through the heart of the city early next year.
After the busy festive period well continue the testing and commissioning process to check all the infrastructure, and ensure drivers undertake training to familiarise themselves with the new route.
As we prepare to open the line there will be changes to some local road layouts and further tram testing, so Id urge pedestrians and all road users to be mindful and aware when travelling in the area.
Although knowing Metrolink I wouldn't be surprised if we did see trams over the whole of 2CC by the end of the year
I assume testing has continued throughout December?
They didn't want to do commissioning while the markets were running and roads packed.
Hmmm..strange? They won't have a choice next year when they'll be running a live tram service.
Another New Year Resolution of 2016 that fell by the wayside...:cry:
Hmmm..strange? They won't have a choice next year when they'll be running a live tram service.
St Peters Square will be far the busiest and most complex stop on the system; what TfGM would wish to avoid would be a repeat of their experience when Cornbrook was first converted to TMS; when there were continual 'signal failures' at Corbrook that effectively paralysed the entire system. SPS would be worse.
As I understand it; the TMS issue at Cornbrook was exacerbated in that all the SPAS beacons - when triggered - forced a shut-down and re-boot of every signal in the junction; imposing a delay of half-an-hour or more while this was done. Just because a driver had stopped a few inches over the line.
So they need to have all the potential glitches of TMS and SPAS worked through and prepared for. Since neither the TMS nor SPAS implemenations have yet fully been accepted; that necessarily implies that the line could not open for business for several weeks - markets or no.
You would assume that Metrolink have used the issues at Cornbrook as a learning curve to ensure that future implementation does not end up with the same result.
That will then be an awful lot of tram services though; all of whom will have to run over a single path westbound across the Peter Street traffic lights. Any recurrent glitches in either signalling or driver operations could result in serious risk of continual severe episodes of disruption across the whole city centre traffic system.
Third city crossing coming soon then?
A third city crossing has actually been talked about by the council and the combined authority! The consensus seems to be a third tram route is impractical therefore a rail tunnel would be neccessary, which would be a huge project. It would be at high risk of ending up like the 70s Picc-Vic tunnel project. Extra tracks could be put alongside Piccadilly to Piccadilly Gardens / Market Street with a moderate spend but the capacity improvement would be fairly small.
Indeed; the most recent documents specify a tunnel - if one were built - as being used for metro-type operations. Most likely it would run from underground platforms in Piccadilly, under the city centre northwestwards, to emerge around Salford Uni; and might therefore link the Hadfield/Glossop and Hazel Grove commuter rail services with those towards Atherton/Wigan and Bolton.
Very much dependent on continued long-term growth in city centre employment.
Is there any further information suggesting when the second city crossing will open for public service?
I assume testing has continued throughout December?
Indeed; the most recent documents specify a tunnel - if one were built - as being used for metro-type operations. Most likely it would run from underground platforms in Piccadilly, under the city centre northwestwards, to emerge around Salford Uni; and might therefore link the Hadfield/Glossop and Hazel Grove commuter rail services with those towards Atherton/Wigan and Bolton.
Very much dependent on continued long-term growth in city centre employment.
I walked the south end of the line today and the infrastructure appears complete. Although there were a few workmen doing minor road reinstatement works.
As has been said, driver training is being done by simulator, the new track length is probably only about 1/2mile.
I'd be surprised and disappointed if it is not open in the next month.
Running in time for the Beer Festival would be good, though that's only a week and a half away.
Hazel Grove services already interworked with Bolton services. Atherton is not on the electrification shortlist and so will be interworked with other diesel services. The Glossop/New Mills/Rose Hill routes have spare capacity for more frequent services. The big bottlenecks are Stockport viaduct and the Airport line. In 2033 HS2 free up 2 fast train paths through Stockport and if the Airport station goes ahead and shuttle services run to Piccadily many paths to the airport would be freed up allowing some services to be diverted. Greater Manchester needs smaller projects and HS2 (and 3), not a third city crossing.