Sunday 2nd April saw the first use of Manchester Metrolink’s Second City Crossing (2CC) for services other than between the East Didsbury and Oldham and Rochdale lines with Bury to Altrincham services diverted to use the line because of essential maintenance work on the original city crossing.
This day also saw additional trams running between Altrincham and Piccadilly to cater for the participants and crowds heading to the Greater Manchester Marathon – this meant that at St Peter’s Square Altrincham trams left from both of the outbound platforms. Trams from Ashton-under-Lyne were diverted to run to Victoria (terminating there but the trams continued out of service as far as the stop at Queen’s Road to reverse) with Eccles line services running into Piccadilly (only until 1600 after which they were terminated at Deansgate-Castlefield).
Two Bury to Altrincham line services pass on 2CC. Double units were in use on this service throughout the day: on the left 3002+3046 are running to Bury with 3044+3024 heading to Altrincham.
Do you want to travel to Altrincham or Altrincham?! A view at St Peter’s Square with the outer 1CC platform home to a double unit trailed by 3029 as the centre 2CC platform sees 3016+3057.
More Bury to Altrincham services are seen on 2CC, this time at Exchange Square. Altrincham bound are 3040+3010 with 3024+3044 with a service to Bury. (All Photographs by Steve Kemp)
* We will have further Manchester Metrolink images from not only the day of diversions onto 2CC but also the previous day, Saturday 1st April, on British Trams Online later this month.