Since the extension of Manchester Metrolink to Rochdale opened it has been necessary for the use of both T68s and T68As to increase again to ensure that a full service can still be operated. This is particularly key for the T68As as in the few weeks leading up to the opening they had become very much last resort choice and some feared may have run their last. Rumours had even suggested they were banned from routes running into Piccadilly Station but judging by recent events this was not so although it is believed it was preferred they weren’t used on journeys here.
1024 is seen arriving at Deansgate-Castlefield with a service for Eccles on 28th February. (Photo: Ken Walker)
2001 at the Sheffield Street turnback reversing to head back to Eccles on 28th February. (Photo: Ken Walker)
Thanks for the photo’s Ken. Good to see the T68A’s in service again. Perhaps the withdrawal of the other T68’s was a little premature?
I must admit I was surprised on 28 th Feb, as when crossing London Road to enter Piccadilly undercroft on a Droylsden service, 1024 passed me going to MediaCity, followed a couple of minutes later by a T68A on an Altrincham service. I also noticed that day that the MediaCity trams appeared to be turning back at Sheffield Street regardless of whether they were T68 or M5000, although I was only there for a short time. I thought the appearance of the older trams might be a short-term measure, but they were still appearing a couple of days ago. A second (final?) chance for those who want to photograph and ride on the 2000’s; make the most of it!
Not entirely to do with this posting, but did anyone manage to get photos of double M5000’s running from Media City thru to Droylsden today? I am guessing Man City were at home.
1003 and 1007 coupled together yesterday on Bury Altrincham services . I have not seen these as a pair befrore. It seems they had problems at Cornbrook yesterday as I arrived at St Peters square on the aformentioned pair trams were stacked up both in front going to gmex and behind up Mosley street.
It seems the Eccles line has been suffering delays nearly everyday and many complaints are being made.
I took my little boy to see his mother yesterday evening using the Rochdale Service. On returning from Piccadilly Stn at around 1700 there was a problem “medical emergency” on the Bury line. All the Bury trams were turning short at Victoria. However having got as far as Shudehill a few minutes later, it was announced that the line to Bury had cleared. I then witnessed without my camera! 6 trams one after another going to Bury before the Rochdale tram. Lots of unhappy passengers. We have all talked about the handling of these problems before but they do seem to stumbel from day to day. Very much crisis managed situations without forward planning and I am not pointing the finger specifically at yesterday. It does seem that everytime I venture into the city centre by tram there is a problem. I wonder always whether there will be tram back again. I feel sorry for those that have to commute everyday. I suppose many have already returned to their cars and I don’t blame them. I so wish for the best for our tram system but they just do not get it together at all. Maybe lack of experience not sure.
But such is the life of a commuter regardless of what form of transport it is! I commute to work (sadly not on any trams!) and have got into the habit of always checking to see if the train is actually running, and on time, before even leaving the flat in the morning because I don’t actually trust them to be able to run it after previous experience! I would imagine most commuters could given stories of how bad their service is even if it isn’t actually that bad – even those who commute by car can quite easily get delayed and probably frequently do.
Medical emergencies are always tricky and obviously outside Metrolink’s control. If a passenger is taken ill on board obviously the person concerned can’t be dragged off the tram and left on the platform to wait for an ambulance. But some effort could be made to sort out the service once the emergency is over. When the shadow running was taking place to Rochdale, I was out photographing between Shaw and Newhey, and no trams appeared for between 30 and 40 minutes, apparently due to a medical emergency at Failsworth. But then 4 trams appeared within about 15 minutes, although they were obviously not carrying passengers. I would have thought that the first one at least should have turned round at Shaw for a right time start back towards Manchester. Instead there was probably a queue for the single line into Rochdale, and resultant late running into Manchester for a considerable time afterwards.
Have to say Ralph that 98% of my tram journeys run without incident and are instantly forgetable. The 2% that go wrong are the ones you remember and I think that is true for most users. I have to say though it is my impression that there has been a marked drop in off-peak useage on the Altrincham line particularly in the evening where theatre traffic has all but gone. I could say the M5000’s are a factor and for some it will be but for others its the journey that goes wrong and there have been quite a few lately often due to factors beyond Metrolink control but Metrolink get blamed! The only times I have had major delays is when there is an event in what I call the choke point that is between Cornbrook and the delta junction. There does not seem to be any contingency plans for when there is a hold up in that section and the effects can be felt through out the system.
2004 in service today 9th March – seen at Deansgate/Castlefield with Piccadilly as destination.
The last three weeks have seen a resurgence in their use especially on match days when the M5000s have been doubled up. Saturdays the Eccles line has been almost 100% T68/T68a and looking at the street track especially on Langworthy Road you can see one of the reasons they want to rid themselves of these overweight cars. Obviously unloved the T68s especially are looking very grubby externally.From a passenger point of view they are much warmer and better riding than the M5000s and some like 1007 still are very presentable internally although I was on T68a 2006 yesterday and her condition whilst not dirty was totally worn out and rather a disgrace.
The street track on the Eccles Line appears bad because the road surface is breaking up badly and needs renewing. The actual track itself is fine. Resurfacing the highway for a certain distance either side of the rails (I think its still 18 inches) is Metrolink’s responsibility and it needs doing urgently. I’m surprised Salford City Council haven’t been pressuring for it to be done.
The handling of service disruptions is very poor generally. The type of operating contract is one reason for this as the penalty regime doesn’t encourage turning back short. Unfortunately the operator will always focus on trying to meet the contractual performance rather than what we, the passengers, actually want. If they don’t do this they are financially penalised. Trams that turn back short to regain their timetable slot attract a penalty payment for both parts of the journey so they may just as well run them through. The only regular short runs tend to be those turned at Timperley for late running to Altrincham.
On the other lines the lack of turnback facilities is another problem. The Rochdale Line currently only has one useable crossover, that at Oldham. Shaw is set up for through running because the signalling there isn’t commissioned. The crossover and siding are out of use. The crossovers at Central Park, Freehold and Milnrow are for preplanned emergency use only and I believe need engineering attention to set them up prior to use. The one at Clayton on the East Manchester Line is similar.
How ironic that the only operational crossover on the Rochdale line is situated on the section that will soon be abandoned!
It is ironic yes. However Shaw will be returned to use once the full signalling system is commissioned there and I would have expected the new Mumps to also have a crossover.
Is there any suggestion yet as to when the signalling problems are going to be resolved?
The handling of service disruptions is becoming a public relations disaster for Metrolink, what should be an exciting time for the system is being overshadowed by poor service. Withdrawing the T68`s prematurely will lead to overcrowding, I presume there won`t be enough new trams to double up once the whole system opens in 2016. The condition of the T68`s is a sad reflection of the short term contractual approach taken these days and which leads to a lack of pride in the system.
The withdrawal of T68s takes place on a one for one replacement basis so that the number of trams available doesn’t drop. Admittedly actual seating does diminish but overall capacity doesn’t I don’t think.
The services that were intended to run doubled up will still do so but even before T68 replacement was proposed only the Bury to Altrincham direct service was intended to run with doubles. That is still the intention. It is believed that the next withdrawals will come from the 6 T68As which cannot run coupled anyway, this will leave the remaining 14 T68s to soldier on until Mosley Street stop closes and sufficient M5000s are available to allow the double diagrams to be replaced with them.
I noticed today that 2003 and 2006 were carrying quite audible wheelflats, whether these will be attended to or lead to their early demise remains to be seen.