The tram now stopping at Mumps...

Photo: Picture: VINCENT BROWN

ARRIVALS: some of the first passengers from the 5.24am Victoria service.

“WHEN is it going to arrive?” was the question from excited Kian Sheldon, who was one of the first passengers waiting at Oldham.

The six year old was making a return trip to Manchester before starting at Littlemoor Primary School.

He said: “I think it’s nice. It’s better than the train when it used to go to Oldham, because it’s faster.”

His mum Heather added: “He is obsessed with transport. He has been waiting since the train finished for this to open up. He made me set the alarm and everything! It’s all I have heard about since I read about it in the Chronicle.”

There was no fanfare or applause as the first tram from Manchester rolled into Mumps station shortly before 6am.

But people did their best to mark the occasion, with many taking photographs and filming the event. Others struggled to get to grips with the novelty of new ticket machines.

Many passengers had been on the last train from Oldham to Manchester in October, 2009.

They included Chris Totty, from Jersey, who made a special 24-hour trip from Jersey to be on the first tram.

Originally from Oldham, the journey was a present to celebrate his 64th birthday yesterday and he said: “I am quite keen on railways and I went on the last train.”

Police officer Andrew Marsden (51), from Lees, has just started a new job at the force HQ at the new Central Park Station on the Oldham to Manchester line. He will use the tram to commute to work.

He said: “It’s great! I love the trams. I used to work at Sedgley Park in Prestwich and if I needed to go to Manchester I went on the tram

“It’s much better than the buses. I am hoping it will be good for Oldham.”

Paul Marshall (36), from Moorside, was among the first on the platform.

“It’s just an absolutely magnificent occasion for Oldham and it’s something to savour. Hopefully it will bring business into the town and put Oldham on the map.”

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