Metrolink

[Metroline1511]

RE: Metrolink
This link to the Airport is indeed due to open just over a year early. I may well ride it in December so that I feel I am sampling a 2016 development in 2014! I plan to ride to Rochdale vis Oldham Central for the first time on the same day.

The service will run initially as a shuttle to/ from Cornbrook, prior to continuing via the 2nd city crossing, I believe to Shaw, in 2017. It may have been more appropriate for this service to continue to Manchester now and the East Didsbury service just a Cornbrook shuttle due to so many other buses and trains being available. However, I think this decision is in order to discourage air passengers from using Metrolink as trains are faster.

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Metrolink
Another early opening for Metrolink on the cards

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=8132

Credit: British Trams Online.

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Metrolink
Queens Road Depot loses last T68As

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=8143

Credit: British Trams Online.

[wirralbus]

RE: Metrolink
It will be interesting to see what date they give for the service to start to Manchester Airport.

Its also very interesting that they plan for this service to start at Cornbrook .

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Metrolink
Over-running engineering works causes Metrolink problems

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=8155

Credit: British Trams Online.

[wirralbus]

RE: Metrolink
Im led to believe they have some realigning of the track around Manchester Victoria and that was the cause of some of the delays to restoring the service on time .

The cost implications for obtaining buses for the Bury and Rochdale lines that where affected must be immense , especially trying to get those buses on a weekday when bus replacements would be at a premium.

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Metrolink
Metrolink T68 1018 departs for scrapping

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=8376

Queen’s Road welcomes back a T68!

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=8380

Credit: British Trams Online.

[wirralbus]

RE: Metrolink
Radcliffe P&R has reopened once more , the station previously had a 250 space car park it now has a 369 space car park , over two levels .

[Metroline1511]

RE: Metrolink
I rode to Rochdale town centre via Oldham Central today. As there were some arrows to remind drivers of the sharp left turn past Freehold onto the new Oldham Central line, it seemed sad to see the old line with track removed and the tunnel closed off. I am thankful that I did ride the 2012-14 line via Oldham Mumps ex-BR while I could. Conversely, some track over the road at Oldham Mumps is still in situ, but segregated by a little island with grass on it.

What is odd at Rochdale Rail Station is how Metrolink passes next to the station but has the stop across the road rather than on the same side as the station.

[childwallblues]

RE: Metrolink
I went up to Bury yesterday for the Class 14 gathering at the East Lancs Railway. As there were no trams due to engineering to Altrincham, East Didsbury, Eccles or Media City all Bury line trams were running to Ashton.
On our way we boarded the tram at Piccadilly Gardens. I was surprised that it was just a single tram (3019). Needless to say it was wedged by the time we got to Bury.
On our return we arrived at the Interchange at 1450, the tram arrived at 1510. Again just a single tram (3018) for a vast throng of passengers who had been waiting. We were lucky that we got a seat because for those standing it must have been an uncomfortable and very sweaty journey. We left passengers behind at Bury, Ratcliffe and all other stations down the line because they could not get on board!
What are Metrolink playing at putting single trams out on a restricted service on a Saturday? Metrolink management should be sacked for such a lack of foresight.