This is the third DVD programme featuring the Manchester Metrolink light rail system from independent transport videos. 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. Although the trams may all look similar, trams 3001 – 3060 can be used throughout the system as they are fitted with an automatic tram stop system, but trams 3061 – 3120 do not have this system so can only be used on the Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport and Rochdale lines. All of the trams operate in a yellow and silver livery.
The lines featured on this programme are the lines to Ashton-under-Lyne and East Didsbury. Our cameras travel on the trams and alight at various stations to capture the trams running through them to build a picture that shows just how diversified the Manchester Metrolink system is. We begin at the Piccadilly Metrolink stop, which is situated under the National Rail Piccadilly station. Our cameras travel on six different trams as we head towards Ashton-under-Lyne. Stops are made at the following locations to record the action for you to enjoy: Etihad Campus, Velopark, Edge Lane, Ashton Moss, Ashton West and at the terminus in Ashton-under-Lyne. We then board tram 3117 for the journey from Ashton-under-Lyne through to Deansgate – Castlefield, in Manchester city centre, getting the driver’s eye view along the route. With filming completed at Deansgate - Castlefield we join tram 3090 to Trafford Bar and film at this interesting stop. Tram 3030 takes us to the St Werburgh’s Road stop, but as we leave Trafford Bar we get a glimpse of the Metrolink Trafford tram depot and see a number of withdrawn T68 trams in storage here. At St Werburgh’s Road we join tram 3062 that takes us to the terminus at East Didsbury. Our filming concludes in Manchester city centre at Princess Street and the busy interchange at St Peter’s Square. There is plenty of action for you to enjoy. Our next programme features the very first lines of the Manchester Metrolink - the Bury and Altrincham lines. We hope to see you there!
Produced by Independent Transport Videos
Running time - 60 minutes (approx)
Format - 16:9 Widescreen
DVD only
Release date - June 2018