The last of the Bombardier built M5000s ordered for the Manchester Metrolink Phase 3b extensions has now arrived at Queen’s Road Depot with 3062 being delivered on Saturday 15th December. Although there are still another 32 trams to be constructed and delivered to Manchester the remaining examples were ordered to replace the T68 and T68A fleets which are in the process of being retired from service.
The delivery of 3062 did not go according to plan as the escort vehicle suffered a puncture on the way and so the tram did not arrive at Queen’s Road until the afternoon (the delivery tends to normally be during the morning). Upon arrival the tram was unloaded and moved into the Workshops at the Depot where initial commissioning work commenced.
Another two M5000s have now entered the operational ranks with 3041 and 3060 now fitted with the required ATS and VRS equipment for operation on the current system. The former was first used in service on 15th December with 3060 expected to see use sometime on 16th December.
But this is not where the introduction of more M5000s will end as another eight vehicles will also be received the ATS/VRS equipment over the next few weeks. 3042–3045 are already undergoing the treatment at Trafford Depot with a further four examples (likely to be 3046–3049) to receive the equipment after those. The need for extra M5000s to be available for service has come about as a result of the forthcoming opening of the East Manchester Line to Droylsden in February 2013.
On the T68 front eleven remain withdrawn although it is expected the twelfth (of the initially announced batch) will be taken out of service in the next few weeks.
Any ideas if 1003 or 2006 are in that batch that you mentioned? I’m hoping to catch them both in service tomorrow before they get withdrawn!
Kind regards,
Aidan.
Neither 1003 or 2006 are down to be withdrawn currently. One more T68 has now been selected and will join 1001, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1011, 1015, 1018, 1019, 1020 in being part of the first 12 to be withdrawn from service. The rest will then be withdrawn by 2014 although no details of when this will start to happen has yet to be confirmed.
Thanks Gareth. I caught 1003 today luckily but never saw 2006. I waited for an hour and a half in city centre in grey and miserable weather hoping it would come by!
Kind regards,
Aidan.