Metrolink T68 1024 latest to be withdrawn

The fourteenth Manchester Metrolink T68 has been taken out of service following the withdrawal of 1024. The tram last operated on Friday 9 August when it was paired with 1021 on the Bury to Altrincham direct service.

The withdrawal of 1024 now means that more T68s are out of service than available for use with just 12 able to be called upon on a daily basis. These are normally used Mondays-Saturdays mainly on the Piccadilly-Eccles route and also on the Bury-Altrincham service. In addition there remain two operational T68As, both of which see regular use normally on the Bury to Altrincham direct service.

1024 currently remains at Queen’s Road depot where it will undergo the usual component recovery before being transferred to the “scrap line” at Trafford depot awaiting its eventual fate.

The advice to anyone who wants to enjoy the remaining 14 T68 and T68As is to get them whilst you can as withdrawals are expected to continue at fairly regular intervals with the last examples still on schedule to be taken out of service in 2014.

1024 passes Manchester Central on 19th July 2013. Less than a month later and this tram became the latest victim of the T68 cull on Metrolink. (Photo: Gareth Prior)

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