The gradual return to service of long-term absentees on Manchester Metrolink has continued in recent days with not one but two of their ranks being used in service again. 3099 was the first to return to action and was followed quite quickly by 3065.
As we’ve reported previously there have been a number of M5000s which have been sidelined for a lengthy report requiring repairs for various reasons. At last count there were six trams in this category, namely 3005 (last ran in February 2020), 3015 (January 2021), 3027 (May 2019), 3065 (December 2021), 3099 (August 2019) and 3100 (July 2022).
But this number has been reduced by two after 3099 and 3065 returned to service following the completion of their repairs and testing to allow them to carry passengers once again. For 3099 its been a lengthy wait for a return to service with it being very nearly four years since it was last used! Even so it wasn’t the longest term out of service tram with the dubious honour of that being 3027 which has not been used since May 2019.
3099 returned to service on Saturday 22nd July and has since been in use on several occasions since.
As for 3065 this had its repairs completed at Trafford Depot in mid-July and after initial testing was sent to Queens Road Depot for a few finishing jobs. This too has now been spotted out in service with the first noted appearance being on Monday 24th July.
3099 runs on Aytoun Street when heading into Piccadilly. Having missed four years from service it looks almost new with bright yellow vinyls in situ. (Photograph by Michael Morton, 25th July 2023)