In another significant development on the Manchester Metrolink network non-ATS fitted vehicles are now able to operate on the Rochdale Railway Station to East Didsbury line following the transfer of the section between Victoria and Queens Road Junction to TMS operation. Previously it was possible for TMS only fitted vehicles to run onto the Rochdale line in an emergency but recent work now means they can run via the Irk Valley Junction during normal operations. This now means that M5000s 3062 and above can escape from just running on the Eccles and MediaCityUK services. Steve Kemp provides us with some photos from Sunday 26th October when 3089+3069 and 3072+3087 were in use on the Rochdale-East Didsbury service.
3089+3069 are seen at East Didsbury.
Three further images of 3069+3069, this time at Rochdale Town Centre. (All Photos: Steve Kemp)
It will certainly take the pressure of the A.T.S fleet.I know somedays at old Trafford the availability of A.T.S vehicles was down to the wire.At least it will free up some vehicles which can go anywhere on the system.
Indeed. While they were struggling for ATS vehicles they must at the same time have been overrun with TMS vehicles that they couldn’t find use for. But the airport line will no doubt swallow some of them up.
Ken,
Yes you are right, all the spare T.M.S. will now be swallowed up on the airport line.On paper you would think that there would be enough A.T.S vehicles to cope with demand(3001-3061).But I think one of the problems ,is that the A.T.S vehicles have had four to five years of wear and tear and now require a higher level of maintenance,which takes longer.Of course as more new vehicles arrive it will ease the availability problem.
So only Bury – Altrincham left as ATS-only now then
I noted this afternoon just 2 M5000 in the sidings at Old Trafford Depot.
Not being in competition or anything Ralph but when I passed yesterday 3073 was the only M5000 in the sidings!