I don't want this to become a fantasy thread either! But looking at things in a more realistic way! Longer term aspirations have always been to Marple and Stockport. Surely the only way these could link into the network at East of Piccadilly. Due to space constraints and the fact that 2CC will be at capacity, only leaving spare capacity on the original route.
Does anyone actually know the capacities of the current 2 depots?
Total capacity of the current two depots is 135 M5000 units - although the original site maximum capacities were to be 44 - Queens Road, and 95 - Trafford. The current programme will deliver 120 units by the end of this year; and there is an ongoing review of whether to order some more before the new franchise starts running in 2017. If a Marple tram-train happens, it will need 20 new tram-train units (likely 40m plus length); or maybe 40 28m units run doubled. Which means additional depot capacity.
Otherwise, current construction underway has been making passive provision for future Metrolink expansion - so a bit more than pure fantasy;
- the Trafford Park lift bridge has provision for extending the Trafford Park line to Port Salford;
- the Thorley Lane bridge has provision for the Airport Western Loop over the M56, also connecting the Davenport Green HS2 station with the airport;
- the Stockport interchange has provision for a Metolink stop on an alignment linking into Manchester Piccadilly through South Reddish and along the Marple tram train line. From Stockport interchange, the line would go via Stockport station and Edgeley, to the Airport. Again there is passive provision in ongoing project planning along the route.
In addition, assuming that HS2 Phase 2 goes ahead at Piccadilly, the vehicle entrance for Piccadilly Station will have to be shifted from the southside to the northside; and the space vacated used to extend the number of tram platform faces to four.