M5000 3062 arrives in Manchester

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 15^th 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 15^th December with 3060 expected to see use sometime on 16^th 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On the T68 front eleven remain withdrawn although it is expected the twelfth (of the initially announced batch) will be taken out of service in the next few weeks.