3015, one of the trams which has been on the long-term “out of service” list for Manchester Metrolink, returned to service on Tuesday 19th March 2024. This was the first time it had been used in service since 21st January 2021 – a gap of 38 months (give or take a couple of days) or 1,153 days!
3015 had to be rescued from Cemetery Road on 21st January 2021 and the repairs required were not simple and so it became one of several trams to be put on the stored road waiting for a chance to be fixed and returned to the operational fleet. Much of this work was completed at Trafford Depot but it was moved over to Queens Road Depot earlier this month for the conclusion of the works.
This was swiftly completed with 3015 able to be sent out on test on the Bury line on 18th March. It then subsequently entered service the next day – 19th March – when it was allocated to the Victoria to Airport circuit. It was also used in service on 20th March when it ran on the Etihad Campus to MediaCityUK service.
3015 arrives at Victoria. Its about to terminate before heading off back out to Manchester Airport (its difficult to tell from this photo but the destination display has already changed for its return journey). Its on the 1CC tracks here with the 2CC tracks the other side of the tram remain closed to all trams. (Photograph by Gareth Prior, 19th March 2024)
They could have put it through the wash-bay before sending it out!
I suspect that having stood outside for so long it will take far more effort to get it clean than a run through the washplant. It is also missing a large section of the yellow dots on the bogie side skirts. Sadly many of the fleet are looking shall we say unloved at the moment.