Metrolink activities & the stupid Metrolink timetable

[rtracey]

I`m wanting to make some activities for the new metrolink route based on actual tram times, but I can`t seem to find a metrolink timetable & the closest thing to a timetable is a pocket guide.pdf file on the metrolink website that tells me the service frequency & the first & last tram times, which ain`t no good for trying to create activities for msts. Im baffled about the off peak & peak hours services between Bury & Altrincham. What I mean is that according to the pocket guide, the first Bury - Piccadilly tram leaves at 0600 & the first Piccadilly - Altrincham service departs at 0557 & the first tram from Altrincham to Piccadilly is 0553 & the first Piccadilly - Bury leaves at 0549. So I guess that Bury - Altrincham trams go via Piccadilly & then the confusion starts because at 0718 the Bury - Altrincham direct service runs until 1818 & the direct service in the opposite direction runs between 0723 & 1823. So what i`m trying to find out is do both the direct & via piccadily services run together? and if not then what are the times of the last trams from Piccadilly to Bury & Altrincham before the direct service starts?

If anyone could help me with the tram times then I might upload some activities to uktrainsim. Now Stagecoach have taken over they might actually put some proper timetables on the metrolink website. The pocket guide I keep referring to is this one http://www.metrolink.co.uk/pdf/Pocket_Guide.pdf

Ta
Rich

[systema]

Hi Rich,

I see you have uploaded a timetable to help activity writers.
However, I believe you may have misinterpreted the silly Metrolink Website version of the timetable.

They state that in peak times trams are every 6 minutes between Bury and Altrincham, but every other tram goes via Piccadilly. I think this means that every 12 minutes a tram goes direct to Atrincham (ie misses out Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly Station- and these are probably 4 car units but this may be completely wrong). I believe you are correct to assume the first direct tram from Bury to Altrincham starts at 7.18am.

The real difficulty comes with what happens on the other 12 minute intervals. My guess is that this is the base service operating throughout the whole day, but trams don't continue from Piccadilly to Altrincham, they terminate at Piccadilly and return to Bury. Ditto for the base service trams starting at Atrincham, they go to Piccadilly and then return to Atrincham.

Eccles services are straightforward being 12 minute intervals throughout the day.

The next question arises how does all this work at PG and Piccadilly. Some simple maths supports the idea that a rotating service from Piccadilly operates every 4 minutes to Bury, Eccles and Altrincham, giving your 12 minute base timetable for each service.

Another problem is that the timetable does not indicate the service times between the termini. However practice runs in explore mode indicate this is approx 30-35 from each start point to PG and about 1 hr on the direct end to end route.

Allowing for the time to travel to Piccadilly, shunt and return to PG (approx 10 mins). This fits in with the idea of a 4 minute rotating service from Piccadilly.

I hope this is of some help. Anyway its the basis of some activities I am trying to write for Metrolink.

Mick Clarke

[Lad491]

Anyway its the basis of some activities I am trying to write for Metrolink

You're trying to write activities for metrolink Fed up with Mid East Plus already
Get back to your scenery placing job

[systema]

Laurie,

I need variety from MEP scenery placing. I often do something a bit different after each upgrade for a couple of days or so. This is in case there is any feedback of errors. No point in pressing on if its all to ..

Also Its a chance to learn other stuff- I am getting to grips with BIN lighting right now as a result. I have modified a tram to work with reverse cab and it shows correct lighting for all conditions including AI. I felt reverse cabs was essential for Metrolink. This will help with setting up reverse cabs and lighting for the new MEP skins.

Don't worry, MEP has not been abandoned.........

Mick Clarke

[rtracey]

Thanks systema, i`m still trying to work out what happens with the peak & off peak services at Piccadilly, so i`m basing my activities on sunday services. Maybe Terry Cunliffe could help us out on this one.

Ta
Rich

[terrycunliffe]

Thanks for all the interest.
I actually used this (well, an earlier variant of it):-
http://www.gmpte.com/pdf/Journey_times_ ... 27_Aug.pdf
to assist in timing my activities.
I'm sure that it'll be updated for the whole route again soon.
Terry

[rtracey]

Journey times between stops, just what I needed, but I hope it`s updated now that the bury lines re-opened.

Ta
Rich

[systema]

Yes,

Driving as best I could, I managed to do Eccles to Picaddily in 30min 30 secs. However, I found a more realistic time in MSTS was 34 min which fits in with my made-up timetable. This also allows for slight traffic hold ups which must occur in real life. I don't believe they would be able to do every journey in 31 min, but who knows?

Mick Clarke

[terrycunliffe]

As a tip, after I'd packaged everything up for release, I started tinkering with the Blocker traffic (again ).. Anyone that's writing any new activities could consider adding secondary blocker paths, starting, say, a third of the way between the current starts and the invisible cross-overs. This could make some of the timings a bit more variable. (as in real life)
They really do need careful planning to get them to work....(what happens in the AE preview certainly isn't what happens in the simulation ) In the end, frankly speaking, I got sick to the back teeth of 'em, and perhaps my activities on the CD could have been a little better in that respect.
T

[systema]

Terry,

I am using the latest bin patch and the electrics now work with the opening doors. The patch has the advantage that the waiting points work so you can control the progress of AI services more or less at will. Blockers are needed far less, perhaps if you want to impede the player progress.

I agree though getting timings just right with the Piccadilly spur is quite a test of patience. I like your route though.

Mick Clarke

[terrycunliffe]

Journey times between stops, just what I needed, but I hope it`s updated now that the bury lines re-opened.

Ta
Rich

<Bump>

Anyone wishing to do any activities, this will hopefully help with the timings...

http://www.gmpte.com/pdf/Metrolink_jour ... 271108.pdf

[DarthMunch]

Don't know if this will help, but after spending a lot of time at Piccadilly Gardens, i've noticed that tram services cross at Piccadilly. For instance, A Piccadilly bound tram from Bury will cross with an Altrincham bound tram from Piccadilly. Then a tram from Altrincham will follow which will meet a Bury bound tram in the opposite platform and the 2 Eccles trams cross.

Not sure if thats of any help but might provide a better insight on crossing trams.