Manchester, Metrolink 2001

In July 2001 I could combine a family visit with my first trip on the Manchester Metrolink systems.
The Altrincham branch used to be a (catenary) railway line ending at Piccadilly Station. The Bury branch was also a railway line but fed by 3rd rail. In 1992 these were connected through Manchester City centre. In 2001 an entirely new line was opened: from the city centre to Eccles passing the upgraded old harbour area.
32x Ansaldo multiple units type T-68 were in service. The trams operate at 750V DC.
At 23.13: passing Radcliffe (thanks, Mace Power :-)
For my 2nd visit, 2017, see: • Manchester, Metrolink ...

[@robrossington7118]

Easily the best footage of old Metrolink that I’ve seen!

[@ChineseJohnCena]

I miss the old tram…

[@timerchannelofficial]

Dang, the trams were MUCH faster back then.

[@RailFan4000]

we had better trams back then

[@tramographyMCR]

​@@RailFan4000how do you define better though?

[@RailFan4000]

@@tramographyMCR More seats which were more comfortable, could run smoother at speed on the Bury/Alty lines whereas the M5000s hunt around on the track, better acceleration (in the case of the T68As), sounded much nicer (from an enthusiasts point of view), Many drivers have told me the T68s were much nicer to drive too. They had some character, whereas the current ones are just boring. God I miss travelling on the T68s.

[@tramographyMCR]

@@RailFan4000 Never been on one, but by your description I probably would have liked it. They stopped using the T68s because they wore out the track a lot more than M5000s, and the newer trams break down three times less often, apparently

[@tramographyMCR]

@@RailFan4000 Personally, I don't think they're "boring", but maybe that's just because I'm used to them.

[@macepower6886]

23:13 Going over Radcliffe

[@FredHofman]

Thank you, Mace Power, I just added this in the description.

[@macepower6886]

@@FredHofman k