The end of the line has been reached for 15 of the 16 Midland Metro T69s with the news that Transport for West Midlands are to sell them by auction early in 2018. Withdrawn between 2006 and 2015 the T69s were replaced in service by the Urbos 3 trams but were not disposed of at the time and were eventually moved to Long Marston for further storage. But now the decision has been made to sell the trams on.
Only 15 of the trams will be available with no. 16 still retained at Midland Metro’s Wednesbury Depot. Only registered companies are able to register for the auction which will take place online on Monday 29th January 2018 at 1000, hosted by BravoSolution. No reserve will be place on the trams but it has been confirmed that bidding will be in increments of £100 and will be sold as seen. Visits to the storage facility will be on an appointment basis only.
Cllr Roger Lawrence, the West Midlands Combined Authority’s lead member for transport, said: “They’ve got more than a few thousand miles on the clock but in their time the T69 trams were excellent servants for the Midland Metro.”
With only registered companies able to submit bids it seems that WMCA are expecting there to be some interest to use the trams again in the future although it could just as easily be scrap merchants who see the worth in purchasing the trams.
it must be remembered these cars are as withdrawn and several had truck exchanges to eke out remaining life as they were replaced and least one and I think 2 are on accommodation Bogies ex railway wagons. They have been in open store at Long Marston for some time now. I know of some enquiries all of which have come to nothing. at least one interested party was given a ride (I think the last use of it) in 16 at Wednesbury.
Perhaps some could be used to speed up the reintroduction of trams to Preston as these ready-made trams are available.
My thoughts exactly Nigel!