Light Rail Transit Association
Light Rail for better public transport | |
Metrolink Introduction > Bombardier M5000: updated 11 April 2019 |
Bombardier has supplied 120 FLEXITY Swift M5000 light rail vehicles. TfGM (previously GMPTE) placed the order in stages; initially 8 for phase 1 & 2 upgrades, 4 for Cornbrook — MediaCityUK, 28 for the Phase 3a extensions, 8 for Ashton & Didsbury accelerated extensions, 12 for the Airport line, 2 for Oldham & Rochdale town centre lines. To replace the T68 and T68a fleet; first 12 and then a further 20 were ordered. Ten more were ordered for the Trafford line. Finally 16 with cash from the government’s Local Growth Fund, they will be used to provide extra capacity on the expanded tram network.
In 2018 TfGM signed a contract with manufacturer Bombardier Transportation UK and Kiepe Electric for 27 new M5000 light rail vehicles. These will increase capacity on the network by 15%. First announced as part of the Congestion Deal, the city-region’s approach for tackling congestion by improving public transport and providing a genuine alternative to driving. They are being funded by the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to improve productivity and spread prosperity through investment in public and sustainable transport in England’s largest city-regions.
Facts & Figures | |
---|---|
Track Gauge | 1.435 metre |
Length of Tram | 28.4m over body |
Width of Tram | 2.65m over body |
Entrance height above rail level |
955mm empty vehicle with new wheels 899 mm loaded vehicle worn wheels |
Floor height | 980mm above rail level |
Wheel diameter | 660 mm (new) 580 (worn) |
Height of Tram | 3.67m |
Contact Wire Height | 3.8m minimum — 7.01m maximum |
Weight | 39.7 tonnes empty |
Doorways | 4 per side |
Doorway width | 1.3m |
Nominal platform gap | 40 mm |
Outer powered bogies have | 2 by 120 kW, three–phase ac motors |
Maximum speed (off-highway) | 80km/h (50mph) |
Maximum speed (street running) | 48km/h (30mph) |
Acceleration | medium, (fully loaded) 1.08 m/s/s |
Braking (normal) | 1.03m/s/s |
Braking (emergency) | 2.54m/s/s |
Maximum gradient | 6.5% |
Minimum curve radius | 25m |
Voltage | 750V dc |
After manufacture and testing in Vienna, they were delivered to Manchester on the back of an articulated lorry.
3001, the first new tram, arrived at the Metrolink Queens Road depot on Monday 13 July 2009 at around 6 am, having made the final leg of its journey under police escort. It left the Vienna Bombardier depot in the early hours of Thursday and travelled almost 1,000 miles as it made its way through Germany, the Netherlands and Rotterdam before landing at the Port of Hull on Sunday.
Trams go through rigourous testing on the Metrolink system to make sure they meets safety regulations. Following testing the driver training programme started. The first of the new trams went into service on 16 December between Piccadilly and Eccles. There was an official launch event on 21 December 2009.
Numbered 3001 upwards they are double ended, articulated units. The Metrolink colour scheme with yellow ends and yellow and silver sides is used, these colours are also used inside the trams. There are two wheelchair or child buggy spaces. Four 1.3 metre wide full–length glass double doors on both sides will make them feel lighter and brighter.
Each tram has three bogies, the two outer bogies are powered. The unmotored centre bogie supports the articulation gangway. Powered bogies each have two three–phase ac 120 kW motors. Electrical regenerative braking and mechanical disc brakes are provided. For emergency use there are 6 magnetic track brakes.
Based on customer feedback obtained from the TfGM survey in late 2011, the seat layout has been modified for further units, 3075 onwards, to accommodate 8 additional seats. These modifications were developed in consultation with the Disability Reference Group.
These units have 52 seats plus 8 perch seats; with 146 standing passengers at 4 per square metre.
A passenger stood in the centre articulation can see the same layout when looking towards either driver’s cab. There is a perch seat on both sides of the articulation.
Between articulation and centre door lobby there is a single seat on the left and a double seat on the right facing the driver’s cab.
Between centre and outer door lobbies there are; on the left, two single seats then two pairs of double seats facing towards the driver’s cab; on the right is a wheelchair space which also has 3 perch seats, then there are two aisle facing seats. This layout gives room for chair users to turn round.
These units have 60 seats plus 6 perch seats and space for standing passengers.
A passenger stood in the centre articulation can see the same layout when looking towards either driver’s cab. There is a perch seat on both sides of the articulation.
Between articulation and centre door lobby there is a double seat on both sides facing the driver’s cab.
Between centre and outer door lobbies there are; on the left, three aisle facing seats then two pairs of double seats facing towards the driver’s cab; on the right is a wheelchair space, which also has 2 perch seats, then two pairs of double seats facing towards the driver’s cab. This layout gives room for chair users to turn round.
Between the outer door lobby and driver’s cab; on both left and right sides are two rows of double seats looking towards the articulation. Then facing the cab is a row of two double seats followed by a double seat on the left and a single seat on the right. This allows space for the driver’s cab door. Tinted glass in the window and door allow clear through the cab views.
Door lobbies have a darker floor surface which rises slightly from door sill to centre aisle. A yellow centre grab pole is positioned in the middle of the door lobbies, there is space for wheelchair users to pass.
Pictures are now in the new trams photo gallery.
Bombardier M5000: top of page
This page was written by Tony Williams. Contact manwebm@lrta.org if you have any comments, ideas or suggestions about these pages.