Waiting at Wilkinson Street tram stop.
The tram stop as well as a crew change location is a timing point. If trams are running early they will wait time here. In addition to the delta at the east of Wilkinson Street tram stop, there is an emergency crossover at the west end. Even though this photo was taken on first day of public operation, "infrastructure testing", as NET calls it was taking place on the crossover.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P3095479 WSBUP01
After the crossover the tram line crosses the Robin Hood line on the road bridge. The bridge was a wide bridge originally, with the road being narrowed to accommodate the tram. The tram line then turns sharp right and descends to run alongside the Robin Hood line. From this point the tram line no longer runs along road formation either as segregated way or as shared use. There is a solar powered automatic flange greaser located by the 20 Kph sign. The solar panel is located on the right, out of view.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P3095480 WSBUP02
Once the tram line levels and straightens out the line speed limit increases to the maximum allowed speed of 80 kmph. The acceleration of the tram is noticeable at this point.
İStephen Dee
12th April 2004 - ID P3095958 WSBUP03
The R Leen was first crossed, but not noticed in Wilkinson St, just before the depot. Now the tram line follows the R Leen towards Bulwell, keeping to its east bank to Highbury Vale.
İStephen Dee
17 April 2004 - ID P4176044 WSBUP04
The Western Boulevard bridge was built for steam days and the clearance under it is limited. The pantograph almost touches the tram roof as it passes under the this and the following Church Street bridge.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P3095484 WSBUP05
The R Leen runs to the left of the track, and the tram line formation has been cantilevered over the river as there is limited space. The trees on the left are on the far bank of the R Leen. The bridge in front is Church St. This bridge parapet has not been raised due to the overhead wire, instead there is a short wire fence over the tram line part.
İStephen Dee
12th April 2004 - ID P4125959 WSBUP06
Slowing down for the tram stop, it seems we have caught the Robin Line train. That has slowed for the signals a short way ahead. Robin Hood line trains are often held just before David Lane to allow south bound trains to clear the single line section at Bulwell.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P3095485 WSBUP07
As David Land level crossing comes into sight, on the right the old Midland Railway footbridge across the Robin Hood Line can be seen. The line speed is reduced to 30 kph here.
İStephen Dee
12th April 2004 - ID P4125960 WSBUP08
David Lane crosses both the tram and heavy rail lines on the level. The tram line is controlled by traffic signals only. The heavy rail Robin Hood line is protected by barriers controlled by Trent Signal box.
İStephen Dee
8th April 2004 - ID P4085737 WSBUP09
The junction for Phoenix Park or Hucknall is further up the line just before Highbury Vale tram stop. There is a facing point indicator at David Lane for the HVP3 points which form the junction at Highbury. The indicator is showing the route set for Phoenix Park. As this is a tram for Hucknall the point will need to change. Tram 204 is passing on a Station Street service.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P3095487 WSBUP10
The indicator is showing stop as the points change for the correct route. This is only a momentary indication.
The Highbury Vale point HVP3 is called form David Lane tram stop before departing towards HV. The point controller at HVP3 has a queue facility, which works like this: A Hucknall tram calls the points right at DL and they throw, and it departs. These points are now locked until the point controller sees the tram pass over. A PP tram arrives at DL and calls points left, the points will not move until the HU tram has passed over the points. The PP tram will not depart DL until the points throw for him. There is no point request loop at HV, if the points fail then the tram goes as far as the Facing Point Indicator at HV and the driver has to change the points manually. If an set aspect (left/right) cannot be obtained, the tram can go over the points at no more then 10kph , provided the driver is happy the points are fully across.
Photo İStephen Dee. Detail on point HPV3 operation from a NETTrams@yahoogroups correspondent.
8th April 2004 - ID P4085738 WSBUP11
Before the junction for Phoenix Park there is an emergency crossover, with points HVP1 (SB) and HVP2 (NB).
İStephen Dee
8th April 2004 - ID P4085740 WSBUP12
The junction for Phoenix Park is at at point HVP3.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P4085490 WSBUP13
The junction for Phoenix Park is at at point HVP3.
İStephen Dee
13th March 2004 - ID P3135635 WSBUP14
Highbury Vale has no direct road access. Access to the stop is via footpaths, with that from Lauriston Drive and the Vernon Road crosses both the tram line and Robin Hood line on anew footbridge. The footbridge has been protected by guard rails in case of derailment and extended covers above the overhead to prevent the little ones dropping things onto the overhead head wire.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P4085492 WSBUP15
The Class 170 that passed us when we joined the Robin Hood line route, has been caught by the signal before Bulwell - a chance for tram to overtake!
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P4085493 WSBUP16
The footbridge is a new bridge that links Deptford Crescent with Coventry Road. When the bridge was built to replace the old structure, NET provided a free minibus service as the alternative walking route was a long way round. The heavy rail speed restriction is just before the Robin Hood line changes from double track to single line. The Robin Hood line was singled at this point to make room for NET beyond Bulwell.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P4085494 WSBUP17
There is an emergency crossover just south of Bulwell tram stop. To the left of the crossover is the sub station for NET. To the right where the train is, is the Robin Hood line platform at Bulwell, with a Nottingham bound train. Access between the tram stop and the Robin Hood line is by the yellow and green footbridge in the distance.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P4085495 WSBUP18
The tram stop at Bulwell is the end of the double line section from the city. At the north end of the stop on the right there is a repeater for the stop signal that is located beyond the bridge on the single line section.
İStephen Dee
9th March 2004 - ID P4085496 WSBUP19