Manchester Metrolink - Second City Crossing

[SHMD]

On Friday (the 9th of Sep) I had an early dentist appointment. This allowed me to get from Victoria to St Peters Square, via 2CC, in some good light.

Here is what I saw...

 

I got on to 3082 to Exchange Square.

Here is the view leaving Manchester Victoria Station with the two lines to the right going to Exchange Square and the two lines to the left going to Piccadilly Gardens via Market Street.

 

Approaching Exchange Square which is currently the only open station on the 2CC so everybody off!

 

The Tram then turns back via the Crossover on the end of Corporation St which carries into Cross Street.

(This is just about ground zero for the 1996 Manchester IRA Bomb attack. Thankfully, no injuries.)

 

This is where the line crosses over Market St. (If you turn left and go on one city block, you will come to Market Street station on 1CC.)

Cross Street carries on once you have crossed Market St.

 

Cross Street is nearly complete with clearing up, OHLE and paving to be done.

 

The end of Cross Street then enters Albert Square - just past the bus.

The town hall is around the bend veering left.

 

To get onto Princess Street, from Cross Street, the lines have to swing into Albert Square.

Again, nearly all over bar the shouting!

 

This is where the most work is left to be, along Princess Street, by the side of the town hall.

(I think all rails have now been set in place but there is still plenty of tarmacadam to be laid down.)

 

This is where the lines enter St. Peters Sq. by the side of the repositioned cenotaph.

The Tram in the distance is heading leftwards(!) along Moseley St. towards Piccadilly Gardens.

 

 

 

Kev.

 

[SHMD]

..the second batch from Friday. All in or around St. Peters Square.

 

This Platform is still unfinished on this side but will be the Platform for Trams to Man. Vic via 2CC.

 

..and this is the view, from that platform, towards Princess St.

One thing that these contractors, and everyone involved with building Metrolink's infrastructure, is that the paving has all been top notch quality.

Top materials and laid to a very high standard. Well done.

 

On the left is the cenotaph and behind it is the town hall.

This is pretty much the last place where there is still some heavy work to be done.

 

St. Peters Square with a Tram heading south and then on to Altrincham.

Lots more paving in progress.

 

Another view of the paving being laid.

In the background to the right is Central Library. Well worth a visit.

The big red building is the Midland Hotel. I very much regret to have never being inside.

 

Back on track and heading past the site where the cenotaph used to be and then on towards Lower Moseley St.

 

Now at the side of the Midland Hotel.

There are three lines here. The line we are on is for both city crossings heading south.

The other two lines are for each city crossing heading into the city.

I guess this is to allow "some storage" where Trams can pass if there are any problems on one of the city crossings.

 

Manchester Central is on the right.

Should anyone want to attempt to build this "kit" Ron Heggs has some excellent instructions on his thread

"Manchester Central, CLC & GN Warehouses & Castlefield Viaducts"!

 

...and to the future...

I know not related here, but all those contractors are going to have to do something when they finish 2CC!

(The stop I need to use will be the next one on this line.)

 

Kev.

 

[Edwin_m]

I guess the three-track section by the side of the Midland Hotel is queueing space for the platforms at St Peters Square, not just for disruptions but so a tram bound for one route can get into its platform even if there is a tram on the other route waiting for its own platform.  Unless someone has decided it is unsafe, we should also see trams (or doubled pairs) lining up next to each other on Lower Mosley Street then moving across Oxford Street simultaneously when the lights change (with quite possibly a third one going the other way too).  This reduces the effect on Oxford Street traffic compared to each tram needing its own signal phase. 

[SHMD]

I took the crossing (1CC) today and took some photos of progress. I was going to post them tonight until I noticed I hadn't posted my last visit!

 

So here is the progress for the 23rd of Sept. (Todays to follow tomorrow!!)

 

Two views of Princess St. looking west towards Albert Sq, from St. Peters Sq.

 

 

Most work is nearly done by now - but there is plenty of details still to be attended to.

 

St. Peters Sq. finished (this bit) too a high standard.

 

 

Kev.

[AMJ]

These are interesting and looks from these that the opening is coming sooner rather than later.  Planned opening date?

[dhjgreen]

They are planning no disruption before Christmas, early 2017 is the only statement.

[dhjgreen]

2CC Opening 26th Feb

 

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/pages/news.aspx?newsID=461

[tractionman]

Just spotted this on BBC website

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39053356

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

[4630]

... opened as scheduled on 26th February 2017.

 

A tram to Rochdale from East Didsbury via Exchange Square turns on to the new Second City Crossing at St Peters Square on the morning of 26th February.

 

https://twitter.com/RussWPhoto/status/835778220104482816