As we have reported on these pages in recent weeks, revised services have been operating across the Manchester Metrolink network recently. Firstly, came the land movement at Derker which meant trams couldn’t go beyond Oldham Mumps and then a couple of weeks later and it was scheduled rail replacement works in Manchester City Centre which led to revised routings for services. Steve Hyde provides us with a pictorial update of these unusual destinations.
Seen from the bottom of Balloon Street which is currently closed to trams a coupled pair of trams consisting of 3024 in its Pride wrap and 3015 approach Victoria from Exchange Square on an Altrincham to Bury journey. This unusual working is the result of the engineering works on the 1CC route. At present all trams from both Bury and Altrincham are running direct via 2CC with no Bury or Altrincham to Piccadilly trips.
A scene at Victoria with two trams displaying unusual indications as a result of the engineering works. 3025 stands in the middle road awaiting to departure for Manchester Airport via Exchange Square rather than via Market Street and 3016 coupled to 3036 is waiting to depart for Altrincham via Exchange Square on a Bury to Altrincham working which would normally run via Shudehill and Market Street.
3089 is seen here approaching the camera from Exchange Square with an East Didsbury to Oldham Mumps working. The displayed destination of Oldham is the result of serious ground movement closing the line beyond Oldham just north of Derker.
Finally a shot of 3036 departing for Altrincham across the pointwork leading to Exchange Square on its diverted trip. (All Photographs by Steve Hyde, 26th July 2024)