Manchester Metrolink master thread

[rebmcr]

I have often wondered as to the exact reason for the specific station design at Media City. Was it intended that one platform would be used for terminal services and the other platform for a Manchester Piccadilly - Media City UK - Eccles service ?

I've seen official-yet-speculative GMPTA literature that put the PFI-funded Trafford Centre extension coming off the end of it.

 

[WatcherZero]

The station has moved slightly as before Mediacity was conceived it was intended to be nearer the Lowry theatre at the base of the quay on that strip of land where the sales office was built. Never been conceived of having an extension from Mediacity to Trafford, thats always been from Pomona. If built you would essentially have the two lines running on either side of the Ship Canal. Its two platforms as its a bi-directional terminus at weekends and in the evenings, one platform for Manchester bound services and the other for Eccles services. During the day only one platform is in use as its unidirectional with no services towards Eccles.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I am somewhat confused on a certain matter and ask for clarification from those "in the know".

The Droylsden service currently runs to Bury as a link via Piccadilly to two areas north of Greater Manchester. I have heard Altrincham and Eccles being mentioned as terminal destinations instead, when the Ashton-under-Lyne section is fully operational. Can someone be of assistance, please.

 

[Manchester77]

I am somewhat confused on a certain matter and ask for clarification from those "in the know".

The Droylsden service currently runs to Bury as a link via Piccadilly to two areas north of Greater Manchester. I have heard Altrincham and Eccles being mentioned as terminal destinations instead, when the Ashton-under-Lyne section is fully operational. Can someone be of assistance, please.

Basically the eventual frequency of the EML will be 6 minutes so two of the existing 12 minute services will be extended from Piccadilly to form this service. The current Bury service was extended and will go to Ashton eventually.

What people were saying is that the Eccles service will be extended to provide this 6 minute service which is probably what you're getting confused about

 

[snowball]

They may also have been talking about the temporary arrangements related to the works at Victoria discussed in the last day or so on SSC. From Jan 2014 for 9 months trams which pass through Vic will do so non-stop on a single bidirectional line, and the East Manchester Line service will run to Eccles instead of Bury.

 

[familyguy99]

Some of us will already seen this picture on SSC website but have are some picture that I took this afternoon in Oldham Town Centre.


Metrolink work on Union Street Oldham


Metrolink work on Union Street Oldham 3

Oldham Central stop


Metrolink platform for Oldham Central stop

Kings Street stop


Kings Street Metrolink stop

Metrolink work going under John Street bridge


Metrolink work at John Street bridge Oldham


Metrolink work at John Street bridge Oldham 2


Metrolink line going under John Street bridge

Because of Engineering works taking place around Victoria, trams on ORL was saying "Central Park" on front of trams.


3046 tram leaving Freehold stop


PIDS at Oldham Mumps stop


PIDS saying Central Park

And something new.


3005 tram saying Rochdale rail station

^^ Rochdale Rail Station via Oldham


Metrolink 3005 tram

^^ Rochdale Rail Station

More picture of Oldham Town Centre work can be found on my Flickr homepage.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolink_work/

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Anyone know how much a Metrolink Day Rover (starting after 09:30) costs?

The Metrolink website appears to be unusable from my phone...

Thanks.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

http://www.tfgm.com/journey_planning/Tickets/Pages/tickets_day_adult.aspx

Found it - £4.90!

 

[12CSVT]

deleted

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Any news yet on a starting date yet for the East Didsbury service to commence ?

 

[Darren R]

The location of the Oldham Central stop appears to be a very happy coincidence for Sainsbury's! Which came first out of curiosity - the new Sainsbury's or the location being chosen for the Metrolink stop?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Is the stop at Newbold also hard-by a major retail establishment ?

 

[WatcherZero]

The location of the Oldham Central stop appears to be a very happy coincidence for Sainsbury's! Which came first out of curiosity - the new Sainsbury's or the location being chosen for the Metrolink stop?

Sainsburys came first though of course the Metrolink planning far preceded, they made a minor fuss about the route and store access.

Theres a running joke about just many stops are next to a Morrisons store.

 

[rebmcr]

3061 is currently parked in West Didsbury station under its own power. Gonna go and grab some pictures.

 

[rebmcr]

Pictures (apologies for quality, only have my mobile with me at work). Destination board reads "Tram on Test".

 

[Starmill]

Oooh, reb! How exciting!!!!

 

[Mojo]

Theres a running joke about just many stops are next to a Morrisons store.

Isn't that just railway stations in general? Loads of railway stations seem to be next to MORrisONS (often former Safeway) stores!

 

[rebmcr]

MORrisONS

Ris? I don't get it.

 

[Manchester77]

Ris? I don't get it.

Hope you're being sarcastic

Morrissons
Morons

 

[12CSVT]

Theres a running joke about just many stops are next to a Morrisons store.

So that's why the M5000 trams are in a yellow livery ?

 

[Starmill]

Morrisonlink:

Eccles
Anchorage
Chortlon
Failsworth
Newbold
Whitefield

Think Edge Lane is too far to be counted TBH.

Any I've missed? I thought there were more myself actually! But then, it's not *that* big of a Network and they are all big supermarkets. Plus, with the exception of Failsworth, they are all REALLY close to the stops!

 

[WatcherZero]

And hes not exaggerrating when he says REALLY!

Platform access via supermarket car park.

 

[edwin_m]

That's the one that's so close that some colleagues of mine had to develop a special non-standard platform ramp to avoid it (behind the tram on that photo).

 

[High Dyke]

Morrisonlink:

Eccles
Anchorage
Chortlon
Failsworth
Newbold
Whitefield

Think Edge Lane is too far to be counted TBH.

Any I've missed? I thought there were more myself actually! But then, it's not *that* big of a Network and they are all big supermarkets. Plus, with the exception of Failsworth, they are all REALLY close to the stops!

That would be a trip with a difference. Meal stops included all along the way... Start with the Traditional brekkie, or Meat free option - then sample the liver and onions or suitable alternative; and follow up with something off the evening menu.

 

[snowball]

There's a Morrisons at Hollinwood, not immediately adjacent to the stop but pretty near.

 

[Starmill]

There's a Morrisons at Hollinwood, not immediately adjacent to the stop but pretty near.

That's the one! It's closer to Hollinwood than the other one is to Failsworth (I wasn't sure if the latter might actually be closest to Newton Heath & Moston?).

Eccles:

They couldn't have built it much closer if they'd tried!

 

[johnnychips]

Supermarkets like Morrisons need people visiting by car with a big boot. How much stuff could you carry on a tram? Two bags? No wonder they're losing money

 

[radamfi]

Supermarkets like Morrisons need people visiting by car with a big boot. How much stuff could you carry on a tram? Two bags? No wonder they're losing money

That's what supermarkets don't have 'baskets only' or '10 items or less' tills. Of course, people can arrive at these supermarkets by car as well as tram.

 

[snowball]

The stop that I call Volepark is right in front of an Asda. There's been discussion on SSC that Asda refuse to open an entrance to the building that would be convenient for tram passengers. They have to walk round to the back and go in by the car park entrance.

 

[WatcherZero]

I would imagine they were worried about people crossing the tracks on a corner. Was an RAIB report on Croydon a few weeks ago that stipulated that tram crossings should be designed to force pedestrians to look both ways because if they approach the crossing with their back to the tracks and then do a 90 degree turn they may not look to see if somethings coming before crossing so you should have those S chicanes of railing to force people to look if possible.