Coronation Street

This is true, however, how knackered it is doesn't nessecerilly have to do with how old they are. 2001 had an accident several years ago and hasn't been in service since as they can't work out how to sort a fault caused by the accident. In a similar way, 3001 was hit by a HGV last year and hasn't been used since.

To clarify - this is the tram that will be used?

http://www.thetrams.co.uk/metrolink/pictures/001391/image/medium.jpg

That's the one. 1001 is hardly used anymore, except in 'exceptional circumstances' as it developed a major fault with the traffic signal controller onboard. Ironically, when the 10xx series of trams were launched over 18 years ago, each tram was given a name. 1001 was originally called 'Granada Studios Tour'.

2001 has been out of commission since an accident in the city centre a while ago, and has since been removed off the rails. It is currently in storage at the Queens Road Depot. Stagecoach Metrolink are hoping to get the tram re-railed shortly.

3001, one of the new trams, which had an accident recently, is railed and will be back in operational service as soon as possible. The tram only suffered minor 'side swipe' damage.

It'd make sense to use 1001 as since the new 30xx series are being introduced some of the old 10xx series are being scrapped plus 10xx series trams would work the 'route' that covers the area Coronation Street is based:

10xx series: Altrincham - Piccadilly/Bury
20xx series: Bury - Piccadilly / Eccles - Piccadilly
30xx series: Eccles - Piccadilly / mediaCity.UK - Piccadilly

A mock-up tram would actually cost more than buying a decommissioned tram from Stagecoach Metrolink as they'll only go to the scrapyard anyway.

1001 will be renamed shortly to 'Coronation Street - 1960' before it's taken out of commission.

The line that Weatherfield is on is actually the Altrincham line. The stop, Nightingale Row, is located between Deansgate GMex and Cornbrook.

(Source GMPTE)

Even by TV Forum standards, this is getting geeky!

The GMPTE / Stagecoach Metrolink map showing Nightingale Row...



Oh, and here's 2001 and 3001 together...

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/images/sized/images/uploads/logos/metrolink-250x131.jpg

Map source: GMPTE/ITV Productions
Image source: Travelnews

I like it, it's good trivia

Fascinating though all this minutia about trams is, it is detail that would be wasted on 95% of the audience.

They could use some bashed-up old decommissioned tram shipped in from Amsterdam (or anywhere else in the world) - and painted to approximate something you might see in Manchester.

That's if they even use a real tram. It could be a half-sized prop with a fair whack of compositing and CG.

That's what the Mill are known for, isn't it?

The actual crash will most likely be CGI, I think, but I'd imagine the tram would remain on the street throughout the whole week. It will be very intresting how they do it all though, I'm guessing part of the studio set behind the viaduct will have to be knocked down

http://c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00000UI0mdBTMGA/s

I'm waiting for Nick Harvey to come along and post a pic of a 125!

Nothing need be knocked down.

The viaduct could be draped in green screen, and then master shots could be made of the damage "through" the collapsed part.

In the subsequent days (as you would imagine from such an event) the area would be scaffolded over/boarded up.

Although many of you will have seen this, some might not know quite how effective greenscreen can be for creating shots like this, even on location and on back lots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clnozSXyF4k

Wow! I didn't know it was used so widely! I've always wondered if they've had trouble shooting things like this in US shows...I had no idea it was all greenscreened

It's pretty amazing isn't it?

Have a wee look at the website of this effects house, and you'll see plenty of other examples.

Can't believe anything you see these days!