The latest extension of Manchester Metrolink has now opened with trams running through to Shaw and Crompton from Sunday 16th December. This is a short extension of the Oldham and Rochdale line with two new stops now open for use, the remainder of the line to Rochdale Railway Station is expected to open early in 2013. 3001 was the tram which was specially chosen to operate the first service on the extension.
Although just a short extension from Oldham Mumps it is hoped that the two new stops at
Derker and Shaw & Crompton will boost the two local areas economies and allow easier access to and from the City Centre. The line will now see services operate between Shaw & Crompton to St Werburgh’s Road at 12 minute frequencies at most times although before 0900 and after 1730 on a Sunday the frequency drops to every 15 minutes.
Testing continues beyond Shaw & Crompton towards Rochdale Railway Station and on the first day of services to Shaw 3056 and 3059 were stabled there waiting to be used for this purpose. In addition 3004 was also at Shaw & Crompton as a spare tram for service in case it was needed (and it was!)
No confirmed date has yet been announced by Transport for Greater Manchester as to when services will go beyond Shaw & Crompton.
3001 approaches St Peter's Square with the first service for Shaw & Crompton on 16th December 2012. Despite the destination display the tram was bound for Shaw. (Photo: Steve Hyde)
At Shaw & Crompton there were three trams stabled. Two of these are shown here - 3056 and 3059 - which were there for use on testing through to Rochdale Railway Station. This part of the line is expected to open sometime early in 2013. (Photo: Steve Hyde)
Also at Shaw & Crompton was a spare tram "just in case" it was required. This was initially 3004 and is seen here against the backdrop of the old mill showing the old and the new. (Photo: Steve Hyde)
* A full Photo Gallery featuring images from the first day will follow next weekend.
3028 has been stabled in Milnrow station for test purposes since Friday,
3057 and 3052 having been used for about a week previously.
3052 was carrying fleet numbers in the front windows printed on card as oppossed to the normal bodyside/nosend transfers
3052 has fleet number transfers on the ends but not the sides, 3057 and 3059 have them on the sides but not the ends! As you say, 3052 had temporary numbers in the saloon end windows.
It is good to see that the Metrolink service seems to have survived the “leaf-fall season” unscathed, unlike the Network Rail / Northern Trains era up to 2009 when it was used as an excuse to reduce the service by 50% and extend the Manchester – Rochdale journey time to not much short of an hour! The vastly increased frequency in the evenings and on Sundays compared to the former train service is also very welcome.
has anybody seen any T68’s on the Shaw line or to Oldham since it opened in June.
No T68s and none will get there – only M5000s are passed for the route.
I may be wrong Glyn but I don’t think the T68/T68A’s are allowed on the phase 3 lines, a pity really as a bit of variety wouldn’t go amiss!
3056 and 3059 have now moved from Shaw and have joined 3028 at Milnrow. They have also been split with ’56 joining ’28 in the Manchester bound platform and ’59 in the Rochdale platform.
Do we know if 2006 is still in service and best routes/days to find it?
Kind regards,
Aidan.
2006 is opperational, it was in service a few days ago when involved in a minor RTC with a taxi, should be back in service by now, its pot luck as to what route its on and what days its out, metrolink have been leaving the T68A’s on the Eccles line again recently so thats probabily your best bet.
As for T68’s on the Oldham Line, Network Rail will not pass them for running next to the line at Newton heath, thats why T68’s tested the line to Central Park only and when 1010 was taken to Oldham it had to be “Top and tailed” by M5000’s…..
I feel that the M5000`s will struggle with capacity issues on this route especially when the Rochdale section opens, their lack of seats will become a big issue for passengers.
Quite right Clifford.
It is an issue already at morning rush hour. Even thought it only starts at Shaw, it’s standing room only from Oldham Mumps.
When the route opened as far as Mumps last June, TfGM said the 12-minute frequency would be increased to 6 minutes when traffic built up. It’s high time they introduced it, at least for the peak hours.
Daytime testing appears to be taking place now between Shaw and Rochdale station, and like the East Manchester line appears to be using vehicles from the operational fleet rather than the 3050-3059 series. 3028 and 3039 were seen at Milnrow stop yesterday afternoon, ’28 departed towards Rochdale and ’39 was in the Manchester bound platform and appeared to have a driver on board. They should be able to test the line in the snow shortly! 3001 was active on the EML this afternoon, ’04 and ’37 were also active earlier in the week on this route.
Some news at last regarding Rochdale
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/trams-begin-test-running-on-new-metrolink-1307620