A Trambitious Comeback - History of Metrolink

A light-hearted look at the growth of Manchester Metrolink, the UK's largest tram network. Born out of a desire to unite the city's two major rail hubs, Victoria and Piccadilly, and after several decades stuck on the drawing board, by 1992 the first trams were delivering passengers across the city. Greater Manchester's public transport links suffered after the loss of street trams in the 1940s, relying almost completely on buses and a handful of infrequent train services. Ideas of how to cross the city from one station to the other varied over the years, from an underground rail link, the Picc-Vic line, to monorails, guided busways, and something that looks like a helicopter. Metrolink was a cheap solution that could join up other parts of the area, outside of the city too. Soon lines were laid to Bury, Altrincham, Eccles, Ashton, Oldham, Rochdale, Manchester Airport, and the Trafford Centre. Join me as I follow this spidery history, including the inclines, the declines, a whole lot of different stations. Music: Kevin Macleod - 'Ghost Dance' CC Licence Scott Joplin - 'Pine Apple Rag' Other credits: ilovemanchester.com