Testing and driver training on the East Manchester line extension of Manchester
Metrolink has recommenced this week with 3050, 3056 and 3058 all spotted undertaking runs. This is the first time for several weeks that trams have been seen on the East Manchester line and is another step forward towards services commencing.
The line extends from Piccadilly Station through to Droylsden via the Etihad Stadium and Velopark and is still slated on the Metrolink website to open before this year is out although no official confirmation of an opening date has yet to be given by TfGM.
In winter 2013/4 the line is due to be further extended through to Ashton-under-Lyne and in recent weeks the overhead line has now been fully installed on this section. Section insulators have been put in at the limit of the Phase 3a section but these are in a temporary format with no side runners to ensure no overrunning tram pantograph can accidentally energise the Ashton section.
M5000 3056 is seen here at Holt Town whilst being used on testing/driver training on the East Manchester Line on 23rd November 2012. The tram is heading for Sheffield Street - just short of Piccadilly - during a day of testing. (Photo: Steve Hyde)
* A full Photo Gallery on the East Manchester Line tram testing and a look at the
line between Droylsden and Ashton-under-Lyne can be seen at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/gallery334.html
This is good.
I hope the Droylsden extension opens soon!
If the extension runs from Piccadilly maybe it could be linked to the Altrincham, Eccles, or Bury lines.
The 2 platforms at Piccadilly would have to become unloading and loading platforms rather than 1 loading and 1 unloading platform which is how it is now.
This line will not now open until February 2013 according to today’s Manchester Evening News. The trams that were out on test during the daytime over the last couple of weeks have been conspicuous by their absence this week, with the security gates back across the lines at New Islington and Holt Town. On the Rochdale extension 3052 and 3057 continue to camp out at Milnrow station
Do we know which other part of the network these trams will connect to (eg Bury, Altrincham, MediaCityUK) or will they simply terminate at Piccadilly and turn back?
it will be a extension of the Bury and Altrincham Service, the Eccles Service will Terminate in Sheffield Street Sidings.
The Droylsden / Ashton service would have to run through to somewhere I would think. With the layout as it is at Piccadilly turning an Ashton line tram back would involve 3 reversals, which together with all the currently terminating services would create an unsustainable degree of congestion I would think. I was waiting at Piccadilly undercroft for a tram to Deansgate the other day and there were 4 trams arrived from the city centre in the space of about 6 minutes, so the turnback facility is already very busy.