Altrincham Line TMS Conversion

[Manchester77]

As of this Sunday, the second phase of Altrincham line TMS conversion will be completed. This will follow on from the already commissioned section from Trafford Bar junction to Old Trafford & Depot Connections. This phase will bring real time running information all the way down to Brooklands (PIDs) and Line of Sight operation down to the Manchester end of Timperly station.

The next phase is a bit more complex as it requires signalling of the pocket siding which is imidiatly after Timperly station. This phase will take TMS up to the boundary between Metrolink and Network Rail. The final phase is to bring TMS through the two level crossings and Navigation Road to Altrincham. The final part is expected to be done in two halls, the first would see equipment installed for tracking purposes (which would allow PIDs to be turned on between Timperly and Altrincham) and the second the equipment used for full signalling. This final part is awarkward since it requires interface with network rail infrastructure and between the level crossings.

Regardless of this it's good that TMS is finally being migrated down phase 1 lines, the bury line will be done post Victoria rebuilding if anyone was wondering.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The Altrincham line is now running with TMS down the Brooklands with the old signals bagged over and PIDs in operation!

 

[edwin_m]

I was just thinking I hadn't seen any new signals being readied for use when I used the line last week. Then I reallised that this sections is all plain line apart from one trailing crossover (I think) ... so there probably aren't any signals!

 

[Manchester77]

I was just thinking I hadn't seen any new signals being readied for use when I used the line last week. Then I reallised that this sections is all plain line apart from one trailing crossover (I think) ... so there probably aren't any signals!

Yep quite a simple stage, quite right just one at Old Trafford

 

[Boysteve]

I was just thinking I hadn't seen any new signals being readied for use when I used the line last week. Then I reallised that this sections is all plain line apart from one trailing crossover (I think) ... so there probably aren't any signals!

I traveled on this line today and the Old Trafford crossover has been taken out of use (a piece of track has been removed). I did not notice any new TMS signals but I was surprised to see a new traditional fixed signal about 150 meters south of Brooklands on the Alty-bound line. The old signal at the South end of Brooklands platform is 'hooded over' whilst the signal 200 metres North of Timperely (Alty bound) remains in use.

I do have a couple of questions;
1) Why is the PID on the Alty bound platform parallel to the track? To be seen clearly you need to stand on the opposite platform. Seems ridiculous.
2) When will the old signals be removed? They remain hooded over in various places back towards Cornbrook which has been TMS for a while now.

 

[Manchester77]

I traveled on this line today and the Old Trafford crossover has been taken out of use (a piece of track has been removed). I did not notice any new TMS signals but I was surprised to see a new traditional fixed signal about 150 meters south of Brooklands on the Alty-bound line. The old signal at the South end of Brooklands platform is 'hooded over' whilst the signal 200 metres North of Timperely (Alty bound) remains in use.

I do have a couple of questions;
1) Why is the PID on the Alty bound platform parallel to the track? To be seen clearly you need to stand on the opposite platform. Seems ridiculous.
2) When will the old signals be removed? They remain hooded over in various places back towards Cornbrook which has been TMS for a while now.

The Altrincham line from Old Trafford to Brooklands is pretty simple so doesn't need any TMS signals which are only used to signal junctions and points. The new fixed signal represents the boundary between TMS and the existing ATS system. In the opposite direction the end of the platform at Timperly represents the boundary there.

1) when asked metrolink said they are aware and are planning to change it however it will probably need and OHLE isolation due to where it is (the section of platform is very narrow there). TfGM implied it would require a possession which may even suggest they intend upon moving it. I hope you're talking about Stretford here btw!!
2) we don't know, for the minute I'd imagine they'll remain bagged until at the very least the Altrincham line is converted. While they're bagged they don't impact in any running so removing them has little finacial gain so they'll probably wait until they can do them all in one go. The old signals are still In place from Deansgate all the way to Pomona / Brooklands / Old Trafford SML Junction so it does look like they'll wait. When LU has converted lines to ATO the colour light signalling has remained in place for some time afterwards so I'd imagine we'll have to wait too.

 

[Boysteve]

1) when asked metrolink said they are aware and are planning to change it however it will probably need and OHLE isolation due to where it is (the section of platform is very narrow there). TfGM implied it would require a possession which may even suggest they intend upon moving it. I hope you're talking about Stretford here btw!!

Yes I did mean Stretford, sorry to miss the name out!

 

[northwichcat]

I do have a couple of questions;
1) Why is the PID on the Alty bound platform parallel to the track? To be seen clearly you need to stand on the opposite platform. Seems ridiculous.
2) When will the old signals be removed? They remain hooded over in various places back towards Cornbrook which has been TMS for a while now.

The Metrolink PID at Altrincham is not in use and still was covered with cardboard and plastic yesterday. I think the PIS you're referring to is a Northern Rail PID - there are 4 in total, one on platform 3, one on platform 4, one in the car park next to platform 4 and 1 by the short cut out of platform 1.

 

[Manchester77]

The Metrolink PID at Altrincham is not in use and still was covered with cardboard and plastic yesterday. I think the PIS you're referring to is a Northern Rail PID - there are 4 in total, one on platform 3, one on platform 4, one in the car park next to platform 4 and 1 by the short cut out of platform 1.

He was referring to the PID on the Altrincham bound platform at Stretford which is angled weirdly instead of being normal and facing the platform like this: -
it faces it like this: |
which makes it hard to view when on the actual platform but ok to see on the other side!