Manchester77
Established Member
I posted this on SCC earlier and thought I may as well do my first RailUK trip report too! I decided to check out the latest extension to the metrolink as well as see how things were going with TMS at Cornbrook.
So 3037 + 3046 took me from stretford to cornbrook.
3037 interior by Manchester_77, on Flickr
M5000 seats by Manchester_77, on Flickr
On route, 300X (with the media city branding) zoomed past just after Old Trafford. At Old Trafford and past the depot I noticed that TMS signals had been erected with bags over the aspect
Covered TMS signals at old Trafford depot by Manchester_77, on Flickr
There were lots of orange men at the altrincham line / OTD connection. So we arrived at Trafford Bar as 3002 pulled in on the adjacent platform. This has been fixed to the city bound platform, is it temporary coasting section or?
Trafford bar sign by Manchester_77, on Flickr
As we left I noticed two new signs on the entrance to the tunnel after Trafford Bar - 'New Signal Layout Ahead' and 'Line of Sight' - relating to TMS operation. The old signals remain however they weren't lit up. The journey was stangely smooth, no stopping just some slowing down at the junction with the Eccles line before we entered Cornbrook. Cornbrook's PIDs are two line with the bottom displaying a message.
Cornbrook PID by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Cornbrook PIDs by Manchester_77, on Flickr
While waiting for my East Didsbury tram several others passed:
3004 + 30XX
3002 to Altrincham
3003 to Media City
1007 - Piccadilly (Eccles working)
3012 + 3019 to Altrincham
3016 to Piccadilly
3057 to Piccadilly
3056 to East Disdbury - the tram I got on
we then passed along the SML where several trams passed:
3044 Rochdale via Oldham
3056 back to Rochdale and then 3052 - the tram i got on at Withington
I got off at the least used station on the latest extension - Withington.
View from Withington by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington PID by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington PID by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington local area map by Manchester_77, on Flickr
An example of the 1930s LU poster being used by metrolink.
Poster 1 by Manchester_77, on Flickr
There was also this poster which isn't as good as the metrolink ones.
Poster 2 by Manchester_77, on Flickr
I was surprised to see how much graffiti there was along the SML here some at Withington
Withington Graffiti by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Theres more of withington on my flickr page, the link can be found at the bottom of this post!
3052 then took me East Didsbury, lots of grafitti in the Didsbury village tunnel. Something I was glad to see was how busy the East Didsbury car park was! Driver had a bit of bother on 3052 doors were playing up, however after a few bangs they were back to normal!
On the way back 30XX was heading into East Didsbury as we exited, 3050 was heading to East Didsbury at Withington.
Another mock 30s poster this time at our former terminal, St Werburgh's Road
St Werburgh's Road poster by Manchester_77, on Flickr
We then passed the depot where the T68As were in death row. Also saw 3065 with Queens Road on its Blind!! I took a picture but we were moving and you can't make it out
At Trafford Bar 2001 was on Altrincham duties. And so I moved back to Cornbrook where I waited for my next Altrincham tram home! As I waited the following passed:
3048 East Didsbury
3002 Altrincham
1012 + 1021 Bury
3029 Piccadilly
3057 Piccadilly
3037 + 3046 took me back home (having took me out!!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchester77/sets/72157634745007503/ - Withington
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchester77/ - photostream
:banana:
Roll on Trafford Bar TMS!
To add - the new TMS boundaries are heading to the city are at the end of the platform at Trafford Bar and heading to Altrincham there is a motorway style 300 yard approach before the first heavy rail style signal. The signs are red /s on a white background.
///
//
/
Heavy Rail Signal
For those who aren't familiar -
OTD - Old Trafford Depot
TMS - Tram Management System (new signalling system)
So 3037 + 3046 took me from stretford to cornbrook.
3037 interior by Manchester_77, on Flickr
M5000 seats by Manchester_77, on Flickr
On route, 300X (with the media city branding) zoomed past just after Old Trafford. At Old Trafford and past the depot I noticed that TMS signals had been erected with bags over the aspect
Covered TMS signals at old Trafford depot by Manchester_77, on Flickr
There were lots of orange men at the altrincham line / OTD connection. So we arrived at Trafford Bar as 3002 pulled in on the adjacent platform. This has been fixed to the city bound platform, is it temporary coasting section or?
Trafford bar sign by Manchester_77, on Flickr
As we left I noticed two new signs on the entrance to the tunnel after Trafford Bar - 'New Signal Layout Ahead' and 'Line of Sight' - relating to TMS operation. The old signals remain however they weren't lit up. The journey was stangely smooth, no stopping just some slowing down at the junction with the Eccles line before we entered Cornbrook. Cornbrook's PIDs are two line with the bottom displaying a message.
Cornbrook PID by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Cornbrook PIDs by Manchester_77, on Flickr
While waiting for my East Didsbury tram several others passed:
3004 + 30XX
3002 to Altrincham
3003 to Media City
1007 - Piccadilly (Eccles working)
3012 + 3019 to Altrincham
3016 to Piccadilly
3057 to Piccadilly
3056 to East Disdbury - the tram I got on
we then passed along the SML where several trams passed:
3044 Rochdale via Oldham
3056 back to Rochdale and then 3052 - the tram i got on at Withington
I got off at the least used station on the latest extension - Withington.
View from Withington by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington PID by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington PID by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Withington local area map by Manchester_77, on Flickr
An example of the 1930s LU poster being used by metrolink.
Poster 1 by Manchester_77, on Flickr
There was also this poster which isn't as good as the metrolink ones.
Poster 2 by Manchester_77, on Flickr
I was surprised to see how much graffiti there was along the SML here some at Withington
Withington Graffiti by Manchester_77, on Flickr
Theres more of withington on my flickr page, the link can be found at the bottom of this post!
3052 then took me East Didsbury, lots of grafitti in the Didsbury village tunnel. Something I was glad to see was how busy the East Didsbury car park was! Driver had a bit of bother on 3052 doors were playing up, however after a few bangs they were back to normal!
On the way back 30XX was heading into East Didsbury as we exited, 3050 was heading to East Didsbury at Withington.
Another mock 30s poster this time at our former terminal, St Werburgh's Road
St Werburgh's Road poster by Manchester_77, on Flickr
We then passed the depot where the T68As were in death row. Also saw 3065 with Queens Road on its Blind!! I took a picture but we were moving and you can't make it out
At Trafford Bar 2001 was on Altrincham duties. And so I moved back to Cornbrook where I waited for my next Altrincham tram home! As I waited the following passed:
3048 East Didsbury
3002 Altrincham
1012 + 1021 Bury
3029 Piccadilly
3057 Piccadilly
3037 + 3046 took me back home (having took me out!!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchester77/sets/72157634745007503/ - Withington
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchester77/ - photostream
:banana:
Roll on Trafford Bar TMS!
To add - the new TMS boundaries are heading to the city are at the end of the platform at Trafford Bar and heading to Altrincham there is a motorway style 300 yard approach before the first heavy rail style signal. The signs are red /s on a white background.
///
//
/
Heavy Rail Signal
For those who aren't familiar -
OTD - Old Trafford Depot
TMS - Tram Management System (new signalling system)
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