ELR Locomotives to work on Metrolink Track Relay

PRESS RELEASE – IMMEDIATE​

​

East Lancashire Railway locomotives to work infrastructure trains on Manchester Metrolink​

Over the weekend of 6 & 7 February, Manchester Metrolink will be closed between Bury and Whitefield to allow a major track renewal programme to take place between Radcliffe and Whitefield stations. The contractors will be using the East Lancashire Railway’s Baron Street Locomotive Works site as a permanent way depot, with ELR based diesel locomotives scheduled to work infrastructure trains onto Metrolink in connection with the works.

The contract for these works has been arranged between Metrolink’s operator and maintainer Stagecoach Metrolink, works contractors Babcock Rail and the East Lancashire Railway. In total 750 metres of track is to be replaced from the Manchester bound track up Radcliffe bank as far as Whitefield tunnel.

Being used to haul spoil and ballast trains on Metrolink throughout the weekend will be the East Lancashire Railway based Class 37 locomotives, with 37109 and 37418 Pectinidae expected to haul the majority of trains in top and tail formation. 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer will be acting as standby locomotive at Bury in case of any problems with the two locomotives chosen to haul the trains. 33109 Captain Bill Smith RNR will also be used on the contract, where it will be employed on shunting duties at Baron Street Locomotive Works. All locomotives will be operated by East Lancashire Railway crews.

In preparation for the works, 37418 was sent out onto Metrolink in the early hours of 24 January for a gauging run, which proved successful. Prior to the main contract a great deal of activity will take place on the ELR, with materials being delivered by DB Schenker by rail to Bury. In addition, 37109 and 37418 are to be used on a continuously-welded-rail train onto Metrolink during the night of Sunday 31 January/Monday 1 February.

Due to the high level of activity at the ELR’s Baron Street Locomotive Works, for safety reasons the yard will be closed throughout the duration of the works. Metrolink operator, Stagecoach Metrolink have also said that whilst they appreciate there will be interest in the operation of these trains from enthusiasts and photographers they would like to remind people that venturing onto any Metrolink tracks or the lineside will be treated as trespassing and will not be tolerated at any point during the works and any photographers are urged to view the trains from public areas.

East Lancashire Railway General Manager Andy Coward said: “We are delighted to be able to assist with this major engineering contract and the use of our diesel locomotives will give this contract a unique aspect. This is the first time that any of our former main line diesel locomotives have been used on such a contract, which I am sure will create a lot of interest.”

Stagecoach Metrolink’s Managing Director Andy Morris commented: “Having easy access to the resources and expertise that the ELR can offer in situations such as these is of immense benefit to Metrolink and its customers. It means that we can deliver major improvements, such as the track renewals between Radcliffe and Whitefield, in an efficient and speedy fashion. This is another example in the 18 year history of Metrolink where we’ve worked closely with the ELR to deliver mutual benefit to both organisations.”

More information about Metrolink services during the period of the works can be found at www.metrolink.co.uk.

ENDS

Word Count 551

 

i wonder if msc32 will get a run out again then

 

No it won't - commercial contract needing the Class 37s, due to their suitability. 32 has ventured onto Metrolink before, but it won't be this time I'm afraid.

Regards

 

nice work andy, thatl be good to see some pics of that on the net!!

dom

 

Slightly off at a tangent - did Class 03 locomotives work on the Sheffield Tram System during the installation or am i dreaming?