Services on Nottingham Express Transit suffered disruption on Friday 19th May after Incentro 203 failed just as it was about to ascend the ramp on the approach to Nottingham Station from Meadows Way. The failure led to no trams being able to run between Nottingham Station and Queen’s Walk and NG2 and also saw the fairly unusual sight of two trams coupled together as the errant vehicle was towed back to depot for attention.
The breakdown happened during late morning and took around an hour and three quarters to clear during which time there were no replacement bus services in place with any would be passengers advised to follow the tramlines to resume their journeys. Normal frequencies remained in place from Nottingham Station to Phoenix Park/Hucknall, Queens Walk to Clifton South and NG2 to Toton Lane.
As trams were unable to continue beyond Queens Walk on the Clifton South route there was also the relatively rare chance to see a tram using the crossover there to allow it to reverse and return from whence it had come. This photo shows 204 on the trailing crossover.
On walking towards Nottingham Station the cause of the problem was found with a queue of trams leading to the viaduct. 234 had drawn up behind the failed 203 and was fouling the road junction but was trapped by the broken down tram.
203 is seen here with its wheel covers removed to allow engineers to investigate the problem. In front of 203 is 205 which has arrived to provide rescue for the errant tram. Engineers are in process of connecting the two trams together with a tow bar.
A close-up view of 203 with its wheel covers removed – a sight you don’t often get to see out on the mainline.
Looking down the ramp and 205 – with driver ready – is seen at the head of the formation. 203 is immediately behind it and the tow bar is being connected whilst the stuck 234 is also captured in this shot.
205 now starts to haul 203 back to depot as it gently comes up the slope to the viaduct and Nottingham Station stop.
The pair continue their way through the stop with the failed 205 closest to us here.
And one final image as 203 is towed back to depot by 205. You wonder whether anyone on the rest of the line to Wilkinson Street noticed there were two trams coupled together! (All Photographs by John Whittingham, 19th May 2023)