As normal Manchester Metrolink have shown support for the Poppy Appeal by decorating one of their trams with poppies – with the appropriately named Poppy Appeal (T68 1022) the tram chosen for this honour in 2012. 1022 entered service with the Poppies adorned on 31st October and they will remain in situ until the end of service on Remembrance
Sunday itself, 11th November. Meanwhile Transport for Greater Manchester have confirmed that they will be rededicating M5000 3020 Lancashire Fusilier following the recent withdrawal of T68 1020.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Metrolink have decorated a tram with poppies and is intended to show their support for the cause – with several members of staff at Metrolink being former members of the armed forces.
Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “We are pleased to be able to show our support for such an important cause, and as the poppy tram travels across the network, it will be a reminder to people about supporting the appeal. Please support the Poppy Appeal and take a few moments to reflect not only on our Armed Forces but on their families and friends as well. We are very proud to support them, and have particularly strong links with the Lancashire Fusiliers – as demonstrated by tram 1020 and our commitment to continuing that connection long into the future by naming one of our new trams after the historic regiment.”
As part of the Remembrance Day events in Manchester City Centre there will be disruption to Metrolink services on Sunday 11th November. Between 0930 and 1230 buses will replace all trams on the Eccles line to Piccadilly Station whilst services from Altrincham and St
Werburgh’s Road will terminate at Deansgate-Castlefield and Oldham Mumps services will be diverted into Piccadilly and terminate there.
The naming of 3020 as Lancashire Fusilier is expected in the next few weeks with the nameplates and crests now having been removed from 1020, which has recently become the eleventh T68 to be taken out of service. The Lancashire Fusiliers were formed on 5th November 1688 and have been involved in the American War of Independence, the Napoleonic Wars and both World Wars. They were originally called the 20th Foot and changed their name to the 20th Lancashire Fusiliers on 1st July 1881 (hence why 1020 and now 3020 have carried the name). In 1968 they merged with three other regiments and formed the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.