Manchester Metrolink (7)

A ride on bus service 216 from Droylesden to Manchester.

These pictures conclude my visit to Manchester last weekend. Work is also in hand in upgrading the former railway from Victoria to Rochdale via Oldham. On the Rochdale section the old track and trackbed has been removed so it will a completely new line when it opens.

Manchester Metrolink (6)

Manchester Road, Droylesden

Cemetary Road stop will be at the side of the road. Looking towards Ashton

Cemetary Road looking towards Manchester.

A view from the pavement. I wouldn't like a fence like this outside my front door for weeks on end.

Some the diversions around the construction have very narrow traffic lanes making it difficult for buses to get past.

The site of the Droylesden stop looking towards Ashton. This part of the line from Piccaddily to Droylesden is scheduled to open in Spring 2012. The line will then be extended to Ashton and some earth works have already started for this.

Manchester Metrolink (5)

Ashton New Road is still a construction site.

The curve from the side of Alan Turing Way into Ashton New Road. Manchester City football ground in the background.

Ashton New Road with the site Sportcity Velodrome stop behind me.

The next stop at Clayton is on the other side of Ashton New Road.

The tramway then continues along Ashton New Road.

A modern day tar boiler.

Firth Park update

Mike Crabtree has sent me a picture of Firth Park in March 1960. http://tramways.blogspot.com/2011/04/sheffield-tram-route-from-meadowhead-to.html

Manchester Metrolink (4)

For a short distance the tramway runs between The Ashton Canal and Pollard Street to the first stop at New Islington (you can just see some poles in front of the red building in the background).

New Islington stop under construction.

After New Islington a short stretch of street running  on Merrill Street.

The next stop at Holt Town with Ashton New Road on the right. The line then goes under the bridge and continues away from the road to Sportcity Stadium, then turns right and runs alongside Alan Turing Way.

Manchester Metrolink (3)

The East Manchester Line will run from under Piccadilly Station to Droylesden and then Ashton.

The roof of Piccadilly Station can be seen with the new tramway emerging to cross Sheffield Street.

The tramway then runs alongside two minor roads. Note the centre poles.

Manchester Metrolink (2)

Two views of the new depot at Old Trafford.

The South Manchester Line from Ayres Road bridge looking northwards towards Trafford Bar.

Looking southwards towards Firswood.

Manchester Metrolink (1)

We visited Manchester on Friday and Saturday.

I saw several coupled sets on Altrincham - Bury journeys. This one is at Old Trafford.

Most Eccles services were worked by new trams. The branch to Media City didn't seem to be in use on Friday evening.

Firth Park

The Sheffield tram route from Meadowhead to Sheffield Lane Top closed in the spring of 1960 but this short section of track through a roundabout at Firth Park has survived for 51 years.
Mike Crabtree sent me the third picture with the comment
'I have been looking through the Crabtree archives and found the attched photo I took on my box brownie on Sunday 27th March 1960 whilst participating in the tram tour  (cars used 222/501/502) that took place on the weekend before the route closed.'
Thanks Mike! 

London United 159

 The top picture show ornamental iron work for the platforms and the tubular framwork for the wiremesh lifguard trays.
The second picture the motor support bar has been placed in position on one of the bogies. Bolt holes have yet to be drilled and the bar itself has to be trimmed to size.

Stone workshop (4)

In reply to the comment, I understand that the stone workshop will be used as an education and visitor reception centre. I will publish some pictures of the interior when the work is complete.

The building will be known as the George Stephenson Workshop and the education area within it as a Discovery Centre.

Cardiff 131

Cardiff 131 made a few training journeys yesterday.

Two red London trams

Yesterday MET 331 and LT 1622 were in service.

We went to Crich yesterday morning to help putting Journals into envelopes. This was done very quickly because there were no inserts so we had a walk round the Museum. Where were all the volunteers other than tram crews?

New curve

Whilst I was in Australia the new curve has been completed.

Tower and Blackpool 166

Tramlink Nottingham

On Tuesday it was announced that Tramlink Nottingham is the preferred bidder for phase two of NET. http://www.tramlinknottingham.co.uk/
My first request to the new operators would be to stop using allover contravision adverts.