As we reported a few days ago, Manchester Metrolink 3023 has recently received a new vinyl wrap livery to celebrate the upcoming Manchester Pride event (taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend). With the slogan “Love Connects Everyone” it also includes the rainbow colours of LGBTQIA+ whilst retaining the normal fleet livery ends.
This isn’t the first time that Metrolink has used the rainbow on a tram but this is the first time its been a full livery as previously there has been a more subtle use of the colours on the standard fleet livery spots. The livery – the first time 3023 has lost fleet livery – was first seen at the start of August and is expected to remain in place until at least the August Bank Holiday weekend.
3023 may have received a new advertising livery but for 3047 and 3066 they have gone the other way they are now back in fleet livery following the removal of their previous adverts. 3047 – which has spent a short period out of use – has now lost its Soccer Aid advert whist 3066 is back in fleet livery after the Hits Radio vinyls were removed.
Not quite on the same scale but the long standing window vinyls for MediaCityUK have now been removed from 3006 and 3009.
Elsewhere on Metrolink and it appears that both 3012 and 3092 are currently sidelined from use having been stabled alongside long-term absentees 3015, 3100 and 3027.
3023 at Stretford on the way to Piccadilly with a service from Altrincham.
Another view at Stretford showing the other end of the tram. (Photographs x2 by Roland Bull, 1st August 2023)
3066 back in fleet livery and seen at St Peter’s Square. (Photograph by Michael Morton, 9th August 2023)