M5000

Flexity Swift M5000

M5000 3009 at Abraham Moss

Interior
In service 2009-Present
Manufacturer Bombardier Transportation and Vossloh Kiepe
Built at Bautzen, Germany
Vienna, Austria
Assembly and testing
Family name Flexity Swift
Constructed 2009–2016
Number built 120
Number in service 119
Formation singles or pairs
Fleet numbers 3001–3120
Capacity 52/8 or 60/6 seats, 146 standing per vehicle
Operator(s) 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 120 kW Bombardier Three-phase AC motors
Power supply 750 V DC OHLE
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 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 of October 2016, 119 have entered service.

History

In April 2007, eight Flexity Swift LRVs were ordered by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive for Metrolink; with a further four being ordered in November 2007 to allow for a new 12-minute service between Cornbrook and the new MediaCityUK extension in Salford Quays.[2] 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 were built by Bombardier Transportation factories in Bautzen, Germany and test facility in Vienna, Austria,[3] with all electrical equipment supplied by Vossloh Kiepe of Werdohl, Germany.[4]

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 3001 to 3074 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.[5] 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.

In June 2008, a further 28 trams were ordered for the extensions to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden, and Chorlton.[6][7] The first M5000 was delivered on 13 July 2009, entering service on 21 December 2009.[8][9][10][11]

In March 2010, a further eight trams were ordered for the Ashton-under-Lyne and East Didsbury line extensions.[12] Fourteen additional trams were ordered in August 2010.[12][13] 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[14][15][16] this was followed by an order in July 2012 for a further 20, when it was decided to replace all of the T68s.[17]

In 2013, ten more were ordered in anticipation of the Trafford Park Line before the production line closed.[18][19] In September 2014, TfGM ordered a further 16, bringing the total amount of units ordered to 120.[20][21][22][23]

In service

The M5000s operate all Metrolink services. As at October 2016, 119 had entered service. They operate both singularly and in pairs, denoted by dbl for pairs on passenger information displays. Multiple M5000s are able to be coupled and operate as triple and quadruple units however this only happens in case of emergency such as a tram unit breaking down.[24] Most platforms on the Metrolink are not long enough to accommodate triple and quadruple units and the increased length of tram units would require signalling and point changes. Furthermore, the increased length of triple or quadruple trams would cause issues in areas of large pedestrian traffic nearby such as stops through Manchester city centre.

The first 60 (3001-3060) are fitted with automatic tram stop and vehicle recognition equipment and can be used anywhere on the Metrolink network. The last 60 (3061-3120) are not fitted with this equipment and can only be used on services to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport and Rochdale. Eight are fitted with ice-breaker pantographs. 3004, 3005, 3051 and 3055 at Queens Road Depot and 3014, 3016, 3017, 3021 and 3032 at Trafford Depot.

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 2013-2014 In service as public trams - Equipped with TMS signalling devices.
3093-30962014-2015Delivered to Queens Road Depot from November 2014 to May 2015.
3097 2015 In service April 18.
3098-3099 2015 In service June.
3100 2015 In service June 27 [25]
3101-3108 2015 In service between August and December 2015.
3109 2015-2016 In Service between December 2015 and January 2016.
3110 2016 Delivered to Queens Road Depot (Q.R.D.) 23 January 2016. Entered Service 13th February 2016
3111 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 13 February 2016. Entered Service 11th March, 2016
3112 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 5 March 2016. Entered Service 9th April, 2016
3113 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 2 April 2016. Entered Service 23rd April, 2016
3114 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 16 April 2016. Entered Service 11th May, 2016
3115 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 7 May 2016. Entered Service 7th June, 2016
3116 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 4 June 2016. Entered Service 29th June, 2016
3117 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 25 June 2016. Entered Service 23rd July, 2016
3118 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 16 July 2016. Entered Service 20th August, 2016
3119 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 20 August 2016. Entered Service 14th September, 2016
3120 2016 Delivered to Q.R.D. 1st October 2016.

References

  1. "A new generation of trams for Greater Manchester". Metrolink. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
  2. "More trams for Manchester" Rail Magazine issue 581 19 December 2007 page 18
  3. "Metrolink's first new tram lands in Manchester". GMPTE. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  4. "Manchester: high-floor M5000 light rail vehicles". Vossloh Kiepe. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  5. "New trams take shape". GMPTE. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  6. "28 trams ordered for Metrolink". Crain's Manchester Business. 24 June 2008. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  7. "Manchester orders 28 Metrolink trams from Bombardier" Rail Magazine issue 595 2 July 2008 page 14
  8. "Metrolink's first new tram lands in Manchester". GMPTE. 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
  9. "First new Metrolink arrives" Rail Magazine issue 623 29 July 2009 page 28
  10. "Metrolink 3001 unveiled at Queen's Road" Today's Railways issue 93 September 2009 page 24
  11. "LRTA web page on the new trams for Metrolink". LRTA. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  12. 1 2 "Green light for Metrolink extensions". GMPTE. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  13. "Metrolink Phase 3b and Financial Strategy Update". www.gmita.gov.uk. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  14. "Early retirement for Greater Manchester's first Metrolink trams". Transport for Greater Manchester. 30 September 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  15. World rolling stock market November 2011 Railway Gazette International 25 November 2011
  16. "Manchester Metrolink to phase out its T68 trams" Rail Magazine issue 681 19 October 2011 page 26
  17. "Metrolink orders 20 more light rail vehicles to replace original fleet". Railway Gazette International. 17 July 2012.
  18. "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.
  19. TfGM backs Manchester tram-train proposals Railway Gazette International 11 November 2013
  20. Thompson, Dan (7 July 2014). "5,000 jobs on the way in £470m bonanza". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  21. "Metrolink investment confirmed" Tramways & Urban Transit issue 921 September 2014 page 360
  22. "Sixteen more trams for Metrolink to cater for expected growth" Rail Magazine issue 757 17 September 2014 page 27
  23. UK's Transport for Greater Manchester orders 16 new Bombardier trams Railwaytechnology.com 18 September 2014
  24. "In Pictures: Triple M5000 on Metrolink". British Trams Online. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  25. "Pages - News". www.tfgm.com. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
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