I posted in another thread, which I can't find now, about the new tramway being laid at the end of our garden on the old Manchester to London main line.
Well, for the first time in about 23 years, railed vehicles have been running there in the form of a motorised JCB/Hiab thing on a rail chassis.
The rails are laid all the way to the terminus about 250 yds from our house. The terminus is just past an overbridge and at that piont, the rails splay out round the foundations of a central platform. I haven't seen plans for the access but I know a lift is being installed so I hazard a guess thet passenger access will be directly from the centre of the bridge down onto the platform, with a stairway as well.
Metrolink have been excellent about keeping residents along the line well informed.
A letter arrived on Friday outlining the next phase, starting yesterday. This is to commence putting in the overhead on our section, giving an idea of the noise involved and the time it will take. Sure enough , the drilling for the traction poles could be heard this morning. I would think they might use an ' electrification ' train pulled by a Class 8 loco......where the wire riggers can work from the tops of special flat roofed coaches.
Noise hasn't really been an issue, some piling has made a racket but it was essential to the work. The only real irritating noise has been that all the big ballast carrying lorries have had reversing bleepers, even though not working in a public area. They've all gone now, though.
I'm looking forward to trying to get on the first tram out !
They seem to be well ahead of schedule, electrics to finish, landscaping and stations to complete. The new depot in Old Trafford is well under way with all the sidings laid out.
Ted
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Tram update. new
Tram update. new