2004 has become the second of the T68As to be withdrawn from service in Manchester, following hot on the heels of 2006 which was taken out of service last week. 2004 last ran in service on 28th March but was lingered on around Queens Road depot until Friday 12th April when it was officially taken out of service.
Like 2006 before it 2004 has only enjoyed a 12 and a half year career in service and many will again question the wisdom behind withdrawing a tram which from the outside looks as if still has much to give. But with Transport for Greater Manchester eager to rid themselves of what they see as the troublesome older trams the decision has been made that the T68As will be next to go with the remaining T68s safe for now because they are vital due to the fact they can run in multiple.
It is thought that the remaining four T68As will soldier on for a while yet as they are needed until further M5000s are prepared for service. It remains a common occurrence to see the T68As operating on the Eccles-Piccadilly service on a daily basis, often alongside the T68s not running in multiple on the Bury-Altrincham direct service.
The entry into service of 3057 last week was as a replacement for accident damaged 3013 which remains out of service following the collision with a HGV in Weaste on 6th February this year. It is now thought likely that 3013 will have to be sent back to Vienna for repairs to be made.
2004 departs Piccadilly on its way to Altrincham on 11th April 2012 - 366 days later and the tram became the second T68A to be withdrawn from service. (Photo: Gareth Prior)
Well that answers my earlier comment this evening. Having filmed off and on on the Eccles line for over a week I had started to conclude that 2004 had gone as all the others were seen each day.
Was 3058 in service yesterday? I saw it pass Mosley St outbound, towards the end of service, saying ‘Not In Service’ but was this it simply returning to depot? Or was it being transferred/tested/other?
I’ve noticed on quite a few occasions recently about 9.30-10pm a tram heading towards Piccadilly station showing Not In Service or Driver Training, and it has always been one of the M5000s available for normal service. A couple of weeks ago 3057 was on it, which had just been commissioned for public service. If 3058 was on its own on Mosley Street I would think that like 3057 it has started working for a living, possibly as a replacement for 2004/6