Metrolink Challenge
Posted: 27 Oct 2011, 23:06
Looking through the list of non-UL challenges, there seems to be a notable exception. No sign of Manchester. It being on my doorstep, I decided to try and rectify this yesterday, Bury start, Altrincham finish. What started out as an attempt to do the full Metrolink network quickly turned into a simple recce, partly because circumstances dictated I parked in Altrincham, which meant I would have had to travel up to Bury just to come all the way back again and partly because the area where the South Manchester and Eccles branches diverge from the Altrincham one deserved a good look to see if there are any viable on-foot options. On paper, the quickest route at present seems to be to do out-and back on both Eccles & St Werburghs, but the three branches are tantalisingly close as far as their first stations. Surely there had to be a better way?
Salford Quays is very reminiscent of Docklands, with Metrolink taking a rollercoaster ride across and between the docks. The Ship and Bridgewater canals run side by side here, with Pomona station between them. I could see it, but dual carriageways, waterways and chainlink fences proved impenetrable barriers. Even when I passed through the station on the tram, I still couldn’t see how to access it from the outside world! And so to MediaCity, to suss out the on foot connection to Broadway or Harbour City. What was the point of building this branch? The three stations are so close you can stand on the corner and see them all! I retraced my steps to Cornbrook, with half a mind to go at least some way down St Werberghs, but there was an Altrincham on platform as I arrived, which was too big a temptation, particularly given that the platform indicators are not yet working.
So I shall leave the challenge for a day when I am able to get the train into Piccadilly from home. I don’t know when I’ll be able to do it, but I shall of course report on here when I do. I still reckon there are some interesting on foot/bus options for someone fitter than me. Of course, once the Rochdale and Droylesden lines open next year, the challenge becomes much more fun!
Salford Quays is very reminiscent of Docklands, with Metrolink taking a rollercoaster ride across and between the docks. The Ship and Bridgewater canals run side by side here, with Pomona station between them. I could see it, but dual carriageways, waterways and chainlink fences proved impenetrable barriers. Even when I passed through the station on the tram, I still couldn’t see how to access it from the outside world! And so to MediaCity, to suss out the on foot connection to Broadway or Harbour City. What was the point of building this branch? The three stations are so close you can stand on the corner and see them all! I retraced my steps to Cornbrook, with half a mind to go at least some way down St Werberghs, but there was an Altrincham on platform as I arrived, which was too big a temptation, particularly given that the platform indicators are not yet working.
So I shall leave the challenge for a day when I am able to get the train into Piccadilly from home. I don’t know when I’ll be able to do it, but I shall of course report on here when I do. I still reckon there are some interesting on foot/bus options for someone fitter than me. Of course, once the Rochdale and Droylesden lines open next year, the challenge becomes much more fun!
Piccadilly 
As I trotted down Warwick Rd, I began to meet departing Man United fans. I just missed a tram at Old Trafford, but wouldn’t have got on it anyway because there were several fans left behind as it was. Next one was crush loaded before it even arrived. “Don’t try to get on it, there’s an empty one just behind,” said the platform staff. I was a bit cynical about this, but lo and behold another tram appeared one minute later, presumably having worked ECS from nearby Trafford Bar depot. A bit of a wait while they loaded it to the gunwales and at last we were off. Total time 2h38. 