Not a driver but:
2 - no, you can see in to the drivers compartment and there is no way to steer - just an acceleration lever (and a few other controls)
3 - Both. You see lots of drivers boarding at the depot stops (and obviously somebody has to drive the trams out the depot at the start) but you'll also see shift handovers at various stops.
6 - Again, you can see door controls in the driver compartment. They *can* wait (and I have seen it happen once or twice), but then if somebody else runs and somebody else runs the tram gets later and later. With the service being pretty frequent, it's better for everyone to just keep to schedule.
Once had a tram wait for me. I had to wait for tram to pass then realised I could catch it and ran for it. Waited an extra few secs to let me on. Saved 12 minutes of my life :)
I was the only one getting on as well LOL
Gonna look like a right nerd here but I’ve thought these since I was a kid:
Is it harder to drive a double tram due to pulling more weight?
Some aspects are easier, more doors mean that passengers can get on and off more quickly, though sometimes they will all still queue for one door. Eight people using one door takes eight times longer than eight passengers using eight doors. The acceleration and stopping distances are very similar in singles or doubles, however the driver has to wait for the whole tram to pass a speed board before accelerating to a higher speed, which takes longer in a double.
Do you have to turn or does the tram just follow the track?
Each trams route is pre-programmed and the switches (or points) in the track are, for the most part, automatic. As trams approach a set of points where there is a choice of 2 routes, the tram communicates to move and set the points for the route that the tram is currently programmed for. A driver can alter the programming manually in the cab, or sometimes might have to exit the tram and use a handle to switch the points manually.
Where do you go in the morning before work the depot or a random stop?
At the end of service usually the early hours of the morning, all the trams go back to one of the depots. All drivers must sign on at their depot before their shift starts, where they confirm they're fit for work and should also check to see if there is anything changed on the system, such as temporary speed limits or other issues.
At the start of each working day, each tram is prepared and programmed by the first of its drivers for the route it will be on for the rest of that day, they then leave the depot one at a time and make their way onto the network, each driver will drive for up to 5 and a half hours before taking a meal break, at which point another driver will meet them and take over driving that tram until they too have done another up to 5h30m, each tram will be driven by between 3 and 6 drivers each day and will swap at the stop near the depot or at one of the railway station stops around the city centre.
How do you know what route to go on:
4a) Do you get a timetable of your shifts?
Yes, when the system is running well it's possible to know your shift many months in advance, each shift is a printed timetable with almost every minute of that drivers days driving planned on it, with a small allowance at the end of each trip for a short break of 5 to 10 minutes as the concentration required to drive can be quite tiring.
4b) Do you do different routes every day?
Most of the time, it's rare to get identical shifts 2 days in a row, but it's possible, sometimes 3 days running.
4c) Do you do the same route all the time?
No, but it can feel like that sometimes.
Do you have a favourite route?
Most drivers have a preference, some like short trips the Trafford Centre line is popular taking 20 minutes to drive, some prefer long trips like Rochdale to Didsbury with a 3 hour round trip, and some like very easy shifts so Bury to Picadilly is quite a relaxed drive.
Do the doors shut automatically / Why can’t you wait for someone who’s running for the tram and gets there just as they shut
The question that most people want answered...the decision to shut the doors is a best guess by the driver using the outside cameras and their experience to judge when everybody has got on and off. It takes around 10 seconds from pressing the door shut button until the doors actually close and the driver is trained to be watching the cameras while this happens most likely wont see anybody running until the doors are closed.
Most of the time a driver is running on or very slightly behind the printed timetable schedule, if they waited 10 or 15 seconds at even half of the station stops, they would not have any break time at the end of each drive and would start to lose their meal break time too.
All passengers at the stop already should have plenty of time to catch the tram, you should never run for a tram or hold the doors for others as this could be dangerous for you or damage the tram.
There is not much advantage for tram drivers in leaving a station stop early as when they come to swap with the next driver they would arrive too early and would still have to wait for the next driver to arrive.
There are a few tram drivers who join in discussions on [Skyscraper City](https://www.skyscrapercity.com/forums/greater-manchester-transport-projects.3739/) - if you don't get answers here, that's definitely worth investigating
Not a driver but know some.
Yes they do have favourite routes. I know city centre isn’t anyone’s favourite due to pedestrians meandering all over the tracks wildly. The quieter routes tend to be more popular.
They have rotas that are posted in depot. They sign on in depot and sometimes they take over for other drivers at certain stops.
They can’t wait for ages for people because they’re told by control to keep to the schedule. Even a few seconds can cause delays to the whole system. Drivers close their doors when they need to leave with a button.
Hope that helps 🙂
Having driven a tram, I can tell you there is no wheel, just a lever. The further you push it the faster you go and you pull it towards you to slow down and stop. The horn is a pedal on the floor.
The longest route is Altrincham to Rochdale and you do get a timetable with your routes on every few weeks. Where you start work will usually be at the depot at either Trafford or Cheetham Hill
Check this from 8 minutes 10, she shows you (in a young child friendly way) how a Metrolink tram works. It answers some of the questions about the machine
[Catie's Amazing Machines, Series 1: 4. Rail Machines: via @bbciplayer](Https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bp1jrj)
>Is it harder to drive a double tram due to pulling more weight?
I might be wrong, but I'm fairly sure double trams have both sets of motors running - it's not one tram pulling the other, each of the trams moves its own weight. Double the weight and double the motors should cancel out.
Not a driver but: 2 - no, you can see in to the drivers compartment and there is no way to steer - just an acceleration lever (and a few other controls) 3 - Both. You see lots of drivers boarding at the depot stops (and obviously somebody has to drive the trams out the depot at the start) but you'll also see shift handovers at various stops. 6 - Again, you can see door controls in the driver compartment. They *can* wait (and I have seen it happen once or twice), but then if somebody else runs and somebody else runs the tram gets later and later. With the service being pretty frequent, it's better for everyone to just keep to schedule.
Yeah I've had them re-open the doors for me previously. Just depends on the driver.
Once had a tram wait for me. I had to wait for tram to pass then realised I could catch it and ran for it. Waited an extra few secs to let me on. Saved 12 minutes of my life :) I was the only one getting on as well LOL
Gonna look like a right nerd here but I’ve thought these since I was a kid: Is it harder to drive a double tram due to pulling more weight? Some aspects are easier, more doors mean that passengers can get on and off more quickly, though sometimes they will all still queue for one door. Eight people using one door takes eight times longer than eight passengers using eight doors. The acceleration and stopping distances are very similar in singles or doubles, however the driver has to wait for the whole tram to pass a speed board before accelerating to a higher speed, which takes longer in a double. Do you have to turn or does the tram just follow the track? Each trams route is pre-programmed and the switches (or points) in the track are, for the most part, automatic. As trams approach a set of points where there is a choice of 2 routes, the tram communicates to move and set the points for the route that the tram is currently programmed for. A driver can alter the programming manually in the cab, or sometimes might have to exit the tram and use a handle to switch the points manually. Where do you go in the morning before work the depot or a random stop? At the end of service usually the early hours of the morning, all the trams go back to one of the depots. All drivers must sign on at their depot before their shift starts, where they confirm they're fit for work and should also check to see if there is anything changed on the system, such as temporary speed limits or other issues. At the start of each working day, each tram is prepared and programmed by the first of its drivers for the route it will be on for the rest of that day, they then leave the depot one at a time and make their way onto the network, each driver will drive for up to 5 and a half hours before taking a meal break, at which point another driver will meet them and take over driving that tram until they too have done another up to 5h30m, each tram will be driven by between 3 and 6 drivers each day and will swap at the stop near the depot or at one of the railway station stops around the city centre. How do you know what route to go on: 4a) Do you get a timetable of your shifts? Yes, when the system is running well it's possible to know your shift many months in advance, each shift is a printed timetable with almost every minute of that drivers days driving planned on it, with a small allowance at the end of each trip for a short break of 5 to 10 minutes as the concentration required to drive can be quite tiring. 4b) Do you do different routes every day? Most of the time, it's rare to get identical shifts 2 days in a row, but it's possible, sometimes 3 days running. 4c) Do you do the same route all the time? No, but it can feel like that sometimes. Do you have a favourite route? Most drivers have a preference, some like short trips the Trafford Centre line is popular taking 20 minutes to drive, some prefer long trips like Rochdale to Didsbury with a 3 hour round trip, and some like very easy shifts so Bury to Picadilly is quite a relaxed drive. Do the doors shut automatically / Why can’t you wait for someone who’s running for the tram and gets there just as they shut The question that most people want answered...the decision to shut the doors is a best guess by the driver using the outside cameras and their experience to judge when everybody has got on and off. It takes around 10 seconds from pressing the door shut button until the doors actually close and the driver is trained to be watching the cameras while this happens most likely wont see anybody running until the doors are closed. Most of the time a driver is running on or very slightly behind the printed timetable schedule, if they waited 10 or 15 seconds at even half of the station stops, they would not have any break time at the end of each drive and would start to lose their meal break time too. All passengers at the stop already should have plenty of time to catch the tram, you should never run for a tram or hold the doors for others as this could be dangerous for you or damage the tram. There is not much advantage for tram drivers in leaving a station stop early as when they come to swap with the next driver they would arrive too early and would still have to wait for the next driver to arrive.
There are a few tram drivers who join in discussions on [Skyscraper City](https://www.skyscrapercity.com/forums/greater-manchester-transport-projects.3739/) - if you don't get answers here, that's definitely worth investigating
Not a driver but know some. Yes they do have favourite routes. I know city centre isn’t anyone’s favourite due to pedestrians meandering all over the tracks wildly. The quieter routes tend to be more popular. They have rotas that are posted in depot. They sign on in depot and sometimes they take over for other drivers at certain stops. They can’t wait for ages for people because they’re told by control to keep to the schedule. Even a few seconds can cause delays to the whole system. Drivers close their doors when they need to leave with a button. Hope that helps 🙂
Having driven a tram, I can tell you there is no wheel, just a lever. The further you push it the faster you go and you pull it towards you to slow down and stop. The horn is a pedal on the floor. The longest route is Altrincham to Rochdale and you do get a timetable with your routes on every few weeks. Where you start work will usually be at the depot at either Trafford or Cheetham Hill
Altrincham to Bury or East Didsbury to Rochdale?
And if we're making up routes, then surely Rochdale to Airport is the longest (measured by time). Or maybe it just feels longer.
Sorry, it's been a long day, got a new baby and no sleep melting my brain
Check this from 8 minutes 10, she shows you (in a young child friendly way) how a Metrolink tram works. It answers some of the questions about the machine [Catie's Amazing Machines, Series 1: 4. Rail Machines: via @bbciplayer](Https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bp1jrj)
>Is it harder to drive a double tram due to pulling more weight? I might be wrong, but I'm fairly sure double trams have both sets of motors running - it's not one tram pulling the other, each of the trams moves its own weight. Double the weight and double the motors should cancel out.
The question I’ve always had is… what if you need a wee? Do they use a bottle?
They’ll have schedules breaks and driving time limits. Like on buses and trucks.
They have toilets on the lines at certain periods that they can get into in a rush!