We’re very nearly there with deliveries of the M5000s for use on Manchester Metrolink! The penultimate delivery – 3146 – arrived at Queens Road Depot on Saturday 3rd September, coming over a month since the previous tram was delivered.
As with all previous delivered of the M5000s – originally built by Bombardier but in more recent times an Alstom product now that the latter has taken over the former – the tram entered the UK at Hull Docks and then made its way across the country to Manchester. 3146 turned up at Queens Road Depot (where all tram deliveries have been made) in the usual lunchtime slot on 3rd September.
Once unloaded the tram was moved into the workshops where the commissioning process will begin. This will include mileage accumulation before the tram is cleared for an entry into service. Based on recent trams entering service its likely to be running with passengers on board by the end of the month.
With 3146’s delivery it now means that there is just one more to come of the current order. That will be 3147 and we can expect to see that turning up in the next 3-4 weeks.
3146 arrives at Queens Road on the back of the low loader. (Both Photographs by Ben Worsley, 3rd September 2022)
As 3147 will be the final tram, why don’t they have it painted red – the old Manchester Corporation livery? Or crimson and white – Oldham,l or blue and cream – Rochdale. This would be a welcome change.