We would like to
welcome you to this, our second DVD programme featuring the Manchester
Metrolink light rail system. Manchester Metrolink opened in 1992 with a 19-mile
route that ran from Bury to Altrincham via Manchester city centre using former
railway lines inherited from British Rail.
In view of this all stops were constructed to mainline railway platform
height. Initially there was some 3km of
street running from Victoria station to Piccadilly station, but this has now
been extended as the system has developed.
Major extensions to the network began in 2009 and by 2014 the trams also
served Rochdale, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Eccles. In late 2014 the trams reached Manchester
Airport and in early 2015 the area of Victoria station used by the trams was
completely remodelled. Work also began
on the second city crossing (2CC) and this opened during March 2017. The fleet
now consists of 120 Bombardier M5000 trams, which are 2-section bi-directional
cars manufactured by Bombardier in their factories in Bautzen, Germany or in Vienna,
Austria. All are in a yellow and silver
livery, except for a small handful of cars which carry overall
advertisements.
On this programme we begin
our filming in 2014 in Manchester city centre.
Locations include Aytoun Street, Piccadilly Gardens, High Street and
Shudehill. At the latter, evidence of
the construction work can be seen as the trams emerge from Balloon Street. We then move to Oldham town centre where the
trams had just started to run along Union Street. At Oldham Mumps stop we board trams 3039+3016
for the interesting journey to Rochdale Railway Station. Our tram travels at speed though open
countryside with the backdrop of the Pennines, contrasting greatly from the
busy Manchester city centre locations seen earlier in this programme. Alighting at the Rochdale Railway Station
stop our cameras film the street running of the trams as we head towards the
town centre. The next part of our
programme is at the remodelled Victoria Station. Filmed in December 2016 we can see the trams
operating through this major interchange where the trams meet with the main
line trains. Our final location shows
the second city crossing (2CC). Opened
just a few days before our filming, we see the trams running along Corporation
Street, through Exchange Square and then along Cross Street to the new St
Peter’s Square interchange. Plenty of
action for you to enjoy. Look out for further future releases from independent
transport videos which will feature even more from this growing system.