Over the years Stagecoach Supertram seems to have been affected by accident damaged trams more than many other systems to the extent that there are currently four Siemens-Duewag trams running in mixed formations with sections made from other trams. And now it has been confirmed that a fifth tram on Supertram (and presumably in the long-run six) will run with sections from two separate vehicles as a result of the recent collisions involving Tram-Trains.
As you are likely to recall both 399 202 and 399 204 have been involved in collisions at the same crossing between Attercliffe and Woodbourn Road crossings with both suffering significant enough damage that major repairs will be required to bring them back into service. In order to make another of the Citylink vehicles available for service (currently only five of the seven are available) it has been decided to create one good tram from the undamaged sections. This will see two thirds of 399 202 and one third of 399 204 joined together to create a hybrid tram. Work to join the two together will commence shortly ahead of a return to service. Although not confirmed it is likely it will carry the number 399 202 (based on previous instances where the tram with the majority included gets preference).
The other parts of the trams (two thirds of 204 and one third of 202) will need to be repaired before they can be returned to service. This may necessitate a trip away for the work to take place but this hasn’t been confirmed.
The other trams in Sheffield running “out of formation” are 102 (two sections 102, one section 111), 111 (two sections 111, one section 102), 118 (two sections 118, one section 120) and 120 (two sections 120, one section 118).
The damaged section of 399 202 is seen in the depot yard. The Citylink tram-train seen on the right of this shot is 399 207.
A closer view of 399 202.
The damaged two thirds of 399 204 can just be spotted beyond 399 207 in this view with 399 202 just to the left. (All Photographs by Stuart Cooke)