Not previously illustrated or even mentioned on these pages has been the return of Stagecoach Supertram’s 116 to fleet livery following the removal of its adverts for XPO Logistics. Since the vinyls were taken off it seems the tram has been mainly confined to depot but that wasn’t the case on 6th December 2022 when it was out on driver training. Photographs from Ryan Hartley.
116 had originally received the mainly white advert for XPO Logistics in April 2019. This was its sixth different design making it the tram which has carried the most adverts since trams returned to Sheffield in 1994. In fact the return to fleet livery is the first time July 2012 it hasn’t been carrying an advert (at that time it received an ad for Genting Club and has followed that with East Midlands Trains and Doncaster Sheffield Airport – earlier in its career it had two adverts for Meadowhall).
The advertising vinyls started to be removed during October 2022 and the tram had been seen around the depot during the removal which seemed to be a protracted affair but has now clearly now been finished.
With the bowstring bridge in the background 116 is about to leave Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge with a driver training run.
A short while after the last photo we see 116 continuing its way along the tramway, heading next to Castle Square and then Cathedral. (Both Photographs by Ryan Hartley, 6th December 2022)