More Manchester T68s to enter preservation?

The Manchester Transport Museum Society have released a statement concerning the future of three of the withdrawn T68s stored at the Trafford Park depot on the Metrolink system. It is already well known that the MTMS plan to acquire car 1007 and it is currently stored awaiting a future move to the Heaton Park Tramway. Although it must be stressed that no firm plans are in place yet, it seems increasingly plausable that two other Metrolink trams may also be preserved.

The MTMS is involved in ongoing discussion with Transport for Greater Manchester regarding the future of not only 1007, but also fellow T68 car 1020 and T68A 2001. The Society is not able to comment further on the future of either vehicle as these talks are of a delicate nature and they do not wish to jeopardise the future of the vehicles, but the Chairman decided to respond to some rumours. His statement confirms that talks are underway with both organisations and other interested parties which, it is hoped, will enable the preservation of all of these trams for posterity. The survival of a T68A would be particularly welcome as it was feared that none of this sub-class would be retained, which would have been a great pity.

1007 is expected to be accommodated at Heaton Park in a new extension to the existing Lakeside depot to be built at some point in the future, which would hopefully incorporate an exhibition about the history of Manchester’s second generation trams. Whatever happens it is heartening to know that efforts are being made to try and ensure that these modern yet historic tramcars survive and we hope that this will ultimately be successful. Whilst the Metrolink fleet may not be to everyone’s taste – and few would consider them to be amongst the prettiest trams ever to run in the UK – their place in the story of British tramways and light rail is highly significant, so any additional examples being saved should be viewed as a positive development.

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3 Responses to More Manchester T68s to enter preservation?

  1. Phil Hart says:

    Apart from 1007 there are 3 other T68/A trams at Trafford Depot
    1020, 1023 & 2001
    One note is that 1020 is still in it’s original unmodified condition with original exterior lights and mirrors and no valances over the couplings.

  2. Erik Ickerbobs says:

    And is 1023 still getting scrapped?

  3. Clifford Stead says:

    I gather 1023 has a future in Oldham, private project

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