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Trams feel the Arctic blast
Date published: 13/01/2010
Ageing Italian trams — some of which will come to Oldham when the Metrolink extension is complete — are suffering from the effects of Arctic weather conditions.
Ice and snow had already affected overhead lines, tracks and points. Now, the vehicles, which were first used to open the network in 1992, have suffered damage with some parts needing attention.
As a result, bosses have had to halve the frequency to a 12-minute service on the original Altrincham and Bury lines, though a normal service is operating on the newer Eccles line.
Metrolink director Philip Purdy said: “Temperatures as low as -15C have never been experienced for such a long period.
“The extreme temperatures and excessive snow have caused damage to the trams’ traction equipment, which now needs replacing or refurbishing.”
Trams are operating before passenger service begins each morning to keep the tracks and overhead lines free of ice.
When the current spell of snow and ice is over, a review will be carried out with a view to putting any lessons learned into practice for future cold snaps.
Have Your Say
Am I reading this correctly? Trams which are 18 years old and need repairing are going to be used on the Oldham line whilst other lines get new trams. I wonder if the councillors of Oldham on the GMPTE raised this issue in between signing up for more expenses and grabbing the last Garibaldi or chocolate digestive?
Well isn't this what we pay extra tax for under the tree huggers (liberals) rule
hang on. i thought these aging old trams where being all phased out and being replaced by the new fleet?
or is it history repeating itself. just like with the trains. the existing lines get new trams and the new oldham line gets the old hand-me-downs.
and they closed down the railway stations to accommodate this political white elephant. Ever feel conned?
Trams that are designed by italians for the italian climate. Their roofs were too flat to deal with our rainfall and now their traction can't cope with our snow and ice. What did the people who ordered them expect?
Eigtheen year old trams!!! Is this the marvellous deal for which Sykes and Parker have committed Oldham to 35 years of increased council tax for? Second best accepted first worst.
30Oct09. Chron-on-line: Tomorrow’s world . . how the new silver and yellow Metrolink trams will look on Union St. Shows artists pic of new tram passing Chron. Fooled you OEC. Conned again eh folks! Third rate will do for a third world town run by third rate numpties while the wide boys down in Mcr run rings round 'em. Not a word of disapproval from OEC in this article. At some stage Chron you've got to make a stand. Are you going to fight for the best for this town & it's inhabitants?
Hang on here...Councillor Uddin wrote in the Chronicle that these new bright shiny yellow trams were coming to Oldham. He didn't say anything about 18 year old rolling stock. A quango and incompetent councillors hand the people of Oldham a massive bill for second hand stuff?
Ageing trams? It just gets better and better.
By Get it right @ 13/01/2010 14:06:41
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