M5000

Flexity Swift M5000

M5000 3012 at Shudehill Interchange

Interior of 3010
In service 2009-Present
Manufacturer Bombardier Transportation and Vossloh Kiepe
Built at Bautzen, Germany
Vienna, Austria
Assembly and testing
Family name Flexity Swift
Constructed 2009–ongoing
Number built 96 (120 by 2017)
Number in service 96 (3001-3096)
Formation singles or pairs
Fleet numbers 3001–3120
Capacity 52/8 or 60/6 seats, 146 standing per vehicle
Operator Metrolink
Line(s) served All Metrolink Lines
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminium
Car length 28.4 m
Width 2.65 m
Height 3.67 m
Articulated sections 1
Maximum speed 50 mph (80 km/h)
Weight 39.7t per vehicle
Prime mover(s) 4x 120kw Bombardier Three-phase AC motors
Power supply 750v DC OHLE
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The M5000 is a model of light rail passenger vehicle. It is part of Bombardier Transportation's Flexity Swift range of vehicles, built specifically as a high-floor, articulated bi-directional tram to operate solely on the Manchester Metrolink system in England. The Metrolink system is the only tram network in the United Kingdom to run multiple vehicles together and subsequently the M5000 can operate as either a single vehicle or coupled together to form a "double" unit.

The first M5000 entered service on 21 December 2009. Following the withdrawal of the last T-68s, the M5000s have operated all Metrolink services since May 2014.[1] As at March 2015, 96 had entered service. This will increase to 120 vehicles by 2017.

History

In April 2007, eight Flexity Swift LRVs were ordered by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive for Metrolink. Designated the M5000, they are similar in design to the K5000 series used in the German cities of Cologne and Bonn, and comparable to the low-floor CR4000 model used by Croydon Tramlink. The M5000s are constructed by Bombardier Transportation factories in Bautzen, Germany and test facility in Vienna, Austria,[2] with all electrical equipment supplied by Vossloh Kiepe of Werdohl, Germany.[3]

Two M5000s operating in pairs on the East Manchester Line

Each vehicle is 28.4 metres (93 ft) long. Numbers 3001 to 3074 have 52 standard seats with a further 8 "perch" seats, while numbers 3075 upwards have 60 standard seats and 6 perch seats. On numbers 301 to 374 there are two wheelchair spaces, one in each half of the tram; which increased to four spaces for numbers 3075 upwards. At a standard 4 persons per square metre there is space for 146 standing passengers, giving each vehicle a total peak capacity of 206 passengers[4] A further four were ordered to allow for a new 12-minute service between Cornbrook and the new MediaCity UK extension in Salford Quays. The M5000 can be operated as single vehicles or in pairs, the latter providing capacity for over 400 passengers at any one time. The trams are equipped with a passenger information system to deliver timely and relevant travelling information using Mitrac's propulsion system.

On 24 June 2008, a further 28 trams were ordered for the extensions to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden, and Chorlton.[5] The first M5000 was delivered on 13 July 2009, entering service on 21 December 2009.[6][7]

On 8 March 2010, a further eight trams were ordered for the Ashton-under-Lyne and Didsbury line extensions.[8] Fourteen additional trams were ordered August 2010.[8][9] In October 2011, a further 12 units were ordered as part of the initial stages of creating a uniform fleet for Metrolink, with the plan that the oldest 12 T-68 vehicles be withdrawn and replaced by the newly ordered vehicles[10] this was followed by an order in July 2012 for a further 20, when it was decided to replace all of the T68s.[11]

In 2013, ten more were ordered in anticipation of the Trafford Line before the production line closed, they will be used upon delivery until the Trafford Line opens to keep the extension of the MediaCityUK service from Cornbrook to the city centre running and for general capacity enhancement.[12] In September 2014, TfGM a further 16 were ordered, bringing the total ordered to 120.[13][14][15][16]

In service

The M5000s operate all Metrolink services. They operate both singularly and in pairs with tram size denoted by either sgl or dbl on passenger information displays.

Fleet

3001–3012 were fitted with the old signalling system so they could operate but with 3001/02 out of service long-term, 3013 was retro-fitted and operational. 3014/15 have now been fitted with the old signalling system following the opening of the South Manchester Line to St Werburgh's Road. As of August 2011 3016 was in service. During the summer of 2012, several T68 trams were withdrawn. The signaling equipment from these trams were transferred to units 3029–3040. As at March 2015, 96 had entered service.[17]

Units in service

Fleet Numbers Date of Delivery Additional Information
3001–3012 2009-2010 Original units retrofitted with existing signaling system to operate existing metrolink services
3013-3025 2010 Second batch of trams retrofitted with existing signaling system for South Manchester and Oldham Line openings (3022 out of service) †††
3026–3030 2011 Received old signaling system from five T-68/T-68A trams withdrawn before the Olympics
3031–3036 2011-2012 Received old signaling equipment from the six T-68/T-68A trams withdrawn since the Olympics
3037–3040 2012 Received old signaling equipment from T-68/T-68A trams, for strengthening services during the Olympics
3041–3045 2012 Received old signaling equipment for the East Manchester Line opening to Droylsden
3046–3049 2012-2013 Received old signalling equipment for Shaw to Rochdale opening.
3052–3057 2013 Equipped with old signalling equipment possibly for the opening of the South Manchester Line and additional double trams.
3058–3059 2013 In service as public trams - Equipped with TMS signalling devices.
3060 2013 Retrofitted with old signaling equipment (possibly factory fitted like 3001–3012).
3061-3092[18] 2013-2014 In service as public trams - Equipped with TMS signalling devices.††
3093-30962014-

2015

 Delivered to Queens rd from Nov 8
3097 2015 In service April 18
†3013 came back into service on 3rd February 2015 following a RTC on the Eccles line

††3062 has come out into service on 5 June 2014 for the first time after it was delivered[19]

††† 3022 has come out of service on the 27 January 2015 following a collision with a car on Mosley Street. [20]

References

  1. ↑ "A new generation of trams for Greater Manchester". Metrolink. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
  2. ↑ "Metrolink's first new tram lands in Manchester". GMPTE. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  3. ↑ "Manchester: high-floor M5000 light rail vehicles". Vossloh Kiepe. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  4. ↑ "New trams take shape". GMPTE. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  5. ↑ "28 trams ordered for Metrolink". Crain's Manchester Business. 24 June 2008. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  6. ↑ "Metrolink's first new tram lands in Manchester". GMPTE. 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
  7. ↑ "LRTA web page on the new trams for Metrolink". LRTA. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Green light for Metrolink extensions". GMPTE. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  9. ↑ "Metrolink Phase 3b and Financial Strategy Update". www.gmita.gov.uk. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  10. ↑ "Early retirement for Greater Manchester's first Metrolink trams". Transport for Greater Manchester. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Metrolink orders 20 more light rail vehicles to replace original fleet". Railway Gazette International. 17 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Bombardier to Supply 10 Additional Light Rail Vehicles to Manchester Metrolink in the UK". Manchester: Marketwired=. 2013-12-20. Archived from the original on 2013-12-23. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
  13. ↑ Thompson, Dan (7 July 2014). "5,000 jobs on the way in £470m bonanza". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  14. ↑ More M5000s for Metrolink British Trams Online 7 July 2014
  15. ↑ "Metrolink investment confirmed" Tramways & Urban Transit issue 921 September 2014 page 360
  16. ↑ UK's Transport for Greater Manchester orders 16 new Bombardier trams Railwaytechnology.com 18 September 2014
  17. ↑ Metrolink welcomes M5000 3097 as 3096 enters service British Trams Online 28 March 2015
  18. ↑ http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/07/a390632ab09b7e17b24969b47b948ee4.jpg
  19. ↑ http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/manchester.html
  20. ↑ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/passenger-speaks-terrifying-moment-tram-8525033

External links