When we reported recently that Citylink 399 206 had returned to service on Stagecoach Supertram we mentioned that classmate 399 205 was set to follow it – and now it has! 205 returned to action around Thursday 20th April but it’s a bit of a change for the vehicle as for the first time its received the tram-train wheel profiles which means its just that sub-fleet to be used on the service to Rotherham Parkgate.
When the fleet of seven Citylink trams were delivered it had been the intention that they would be switched between being used on the Tram-Train service and on the conventional tramway. Those vehicles with the tram-train wheel profile are only able to run on a limited section of the normal tramway (including as far as Shalesmoor on the Blue/Yellow route) so any of these are dedicated to operate this service. At one stage there was a five/two split of vehicles but more recently this has been a four/three split in favour of tram-train; only two are required for the Tram-Train service as it stands at the moment with the two an hour frequency.
399 205 had been seen on test the week before its return to service when it was noted that it has the tram-train wheel profile and it has now been cleared for use again with its return confirmed on Thursday 20th April.
One of the four precious tram-train Citylinks (which were 399 201–399 204) will now be moved to the conventional tramway pool.
399 205 waits at Cathedral when working on the Tram-Train service after being repaired and returned to action.
We then see it departing from Cathedral as it sets off for Rotherham Parkgate. (Both Photographs by Stuart Cooke, 20th April 2023)