Bombardier M5000

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from M5000)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Bombardier M5000 Flexity Swift
Metrolink units, Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop (geograph 4531885) (cropped).jpg
M5000 3049 at Deansgate-Castlefield
Interior of M5000 tram.jpg
Interior
In service2009 – present
ManufacturerBombardier Transportation and Vossloh Kiepe
Built atBautzen, Germany
Vienna, Austria
Assembly and testing
Family nameFlexity Swift
Constructed2009–2016
Number built120 (27 on order)
Number in service120
Formationsingles or pairs
Fleet numbers3001–3120
Capacity52/8 or 60/6 seats, 146 standing per vehicle
Operator(s)Metrolink
Line(s) servedAll Metrolink lines
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length28.4 m (93 ft 2 1⁄8 in)
Width2.65 m (8 ft 8 3⁄8 in)
Height3.67 m (12 ft 1⁄2 in)
Articulated sections1
Maximum speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Weight39.7 t (39.1 long tons; 43.8 short tons) per vehicle
Traction motors4x 120 kW (160 hp) Traktionssysteme Austria 3-phase AC motors
Electric system(s)750 V DC OHLE
Current collection methodPantograph
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Bombardier 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]

History[edit]

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 number of units ordered to 120.[20][21][22][23] The last was delivered in October 2016.[24] In July 2018, a further 27 were ordered to help relieve overcrowding. These are to be delivered in 2020/21.[25] The specification for these new M5000 vehicles is expected to incorporate any statutory modifications arising from the 2016 Croydon tram derailment.[citation needed]


Ordered units
Batch Number Ordered for
2007 April 8 Capacity enhancement
2007 Nov. 4 Media City Branch
2008 28 Oldham, Rochdale,

Droylsden & Chorlton

2010 March 8 Ashton & Didsbury
2010 Aug. 14 Manchester Airport
2011 12 Replacement for T68s
2012 20 Replacement for T68s
2013 10 Trafford Park
2014 16 Capacity enhancement
2018 27 Capacity enhancement

(replacement for Trafford Park)

In service[edit]

The M5000s operate all Metrolink services. 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.[26] 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. Nine vehicles 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.[27]

Like their predecessors, the M5000s are fitted with electronic whistles. The frequent 'toot' sounds are a recognisable symbol of the Metrolink network and common background noise in Manchester City Centre.[28]

Liveries[edit]

Since the M5000s entered service, many trams have sported special liveries or liveries advertising companies. Below is a list of these trams accurate as of November 2018.

Fleet and Livery List
Fleet Number Name Livery
3006 N/A MediaCityUK livery.
3007 N/A 'Mars' advert.
3014 N/A 'Shop Small' advert.
3017 N/A Vodafone advert.
3020 Lancashire Fusiliers. Poppy livery.
3022 Spirit of Manchester. Metrolink 'Bee' livery.
3030 N/A Capital Manchester advert.
3043 N/A Heart (radio network) advert.
3047 N/A Vodafone advert.
3088 N/A TalkTalk Group advert.
3092 N/A Metrolink 'Noel the Elf'

Christmas livery.

3097 N/A Metrolink 'Noel the Elf'

Christmas livery.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "A new generation of trams for Greater Manchester". Metrolink. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  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.[dead link]
  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.[dead link]
  6. ^ "28 trams ordered for Metrolink". Crain's Manchester Business. 24 June 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. 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. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.[permanent dead link]
  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. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Green light for Metrolink extensions". GMPTE. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 7 June 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 1 June 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=. 20 December 2013. Archived from the original on 23 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  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. ^ Metrolink's 120th tram gears up for service Metrolink 19 October 2016
  25. ^ "Transport bosses sign £72m deal to buy 27 new trams". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  26. ^ "In Pictures: Triple M5000 on Metrolink". British Trams Online. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  27. ^ M5000s British Trams Online
  28. ^ Mountford, Emma (28 January 2016). "Things you only know if you travel on the Metrolink". men. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
Part of a series of articles on
Metrolink

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bombardier_M5000&oldid=897541809"