As we recently saw in another article, there are improvement works taking place in Manchester City Centre which had led to service alterations on the Metrolink network. This time most of the destinations being served and displayed on the front of trams are not that unusual (with possibly the exception of Crumpsall) but how they’re getting there and from where is a bit different! Steve Hyde shows us the unusual destinations in this pictorial article.
In Piccadilly Gardens 3135 is seen heading to Victoria on a service between Etihad Campus and Victoria diverted from MediaCityUK by the renewals work on the Delta Junction.
Still in Piccadilly Gardens 3127 has just departed from Market Street on a service from Crumpsall to Ashton. The Ashton services are being diverted from their usual Eccles terminus to Crumpsall as a result of the engineering work.
Taking the curve from Piccadilly Gardens towards Market Street 3111 is seen on an Ashton to Crumpsall service which will terminate in the siding originally built for the Trafford Centre trams.
In St Peters Square 3058 on an Altrincham to Bury service passes a Bury to Altrincham service with 3002 leading. Both these having been diverted via Exchange Square because of the closure of Mosley Street.
Finally at Victoria three diverted services are seen crossing Long Millgate outside the station. 3135 on the left has just left the centre platform with a Victoria to Etihad Campus trip whilst in the middle 3147 approaches from Balloon Street with a service originating at Ashton and bound for Crumpsall. On the extreme right approaching from Exchange Square3008 leads a coupled set from Altrincham on its way to Bury. (All Photographs by Steve Hyde, 5th September 2024)