Stagecoach Supertram 105 – one of the original fleet of 25 trams built by Siemens-Duewag for the opening of the system in 1994 – is on its way back to operation after two thirds of the tram returned to Sheffield on Wednesday 30th August. The tram has been in Kilmarnock undergoing repairs following accident damage.
It was back on 23rd July 2021 that 105 was involved in a collision at the Bernard Road crossing close to Hyde Park on the Yellow route to Meadowhall. It was hit by a lorry on the signalled crossing (the driver of the lorry was charged with multiple motoring offences as a result) which saw the tram derailed and suffer significant damage. A woman in her 20s on board the tram was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.
After the accident, 105 was returned to Nunnery Square Depot (a relatively short distance from where it was hit) where it was assessed and a decision made on its future. It was eventually decided that it would be repaired and the contract for the work was given to Brodie Engineering in Kilmarnock.
105 duly departed Sheffield on 14th and 15th March 2022 and has been in Scotland ever since receiving the significant repairs to allow it to be returned to service.
For now only two thirds of the tram has been returned to Nunnery Square (the final third will follow in due course) so it will still be some time before 105 is back in service.
The tram has also enjoyed a repaint although this is a lighter shade of blue than the rest of the Siemens-Duewag trams and is more closely matched to the colour used on the Citylink Tram-Trains.