Manchester Metrolink - 3
This is the third DVD
programme featuring the Manchester Metrolink light rail system from independent
transport videos. Manchester
Metrolink opened in 1992 with a 19-mile route that ran from Bury to Altrincham
via Manchester city centre using former railway lines inherited from British
Rail. In view of this all stops were
constructed to mainline railway platform height. Initially there was some 3km of street
running from Victoria station to Piccadilly station, but this has now been
extended as the system has developed.
Major extensions to the network began in 2009 and by 2014 the trams also
served Rochdale, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Eccles. In late 2014 the trams reached Manchester
Airport and in early 2015 the area of Victoria station used by the trams was
completely remodelled. Work also began
on the second city crossing (2CC) and this opened during March 2017. The fleet
now consists of 120 Bombardier M5000 trams, which are 2-section bi-directional
cars manufactured by Bombardier in their factories in Bautzen, Germany or in
Vienna, Austria. Although the trams may
all look similar, trams 3001 – 3060 can be used throughout the system as they
are fitted with an automatic tram stop system, but trams 3061 – 3120 do not
have this system so can only be used on the Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury,
Manchester Airport and Rochdale lines. All
of the trams operate in a yellow and silver livery. The lines featured on this programme are the
lines to Ashton-under-Lyne and East Didsbury.
Our cameras travel on the trams
and alight at various stations to capture the trams running through them to
build a picture that shows just how diversified the Manchester Metrolink system
is. We begin at the Piccadilly Metrolink
stop, which is situated under the National Rail Piccadilly station. Our cameras travel on six different trams as
we head towards Ashton-under-Lyne. Stops
are made at the following locations to record the action for you to enjoy: Etihad Campus, Velopark, Edge Lane, Ashton
Moss, Ashton West and at the terminus in Ashton-under-Lyne. We then board tram 3117 for the journey from
Ashton-under-Lyne through to Deansgate – Castlefield, in Manchester city
centre, getting the driver’s eye view along the route. With filming completed at Deansgate -
Castlefield we join tram 3090 to Trafford Bar and film at this interesting stop.
Tram 3030 takes us to the St Werburgh’s Road stop, but as we leave Trafford Bar
we get a glimpse of the Metrolink Trafford tram depot and see a number of
withdrawn T68 trams in storage here. At
St Werburgh’s Road we join tram 3062 that takes us to the terminus at East
Didsbury. Our filming concludes in
Manchester city centre at Princess Street and the busy interchange at St
Peter’s Square.
There is plenty of
action for you to enjoy. Our next
programme features the very first lines of the Manchester Metrolink - the Bury
and Altrincham lines. We hope to see you
there!