Andy Coward and John Henderson are currently working on a book to mark the withdrawals of the Manchester Metrolink T68 and T68A LRV fleets, of which the final example is expected to be withdrawn before the end of this year. The book will come out as soon as possible after the final example has been withdrawn, but it is expected to be released early in the new year.
The 200-page perfect-bound softback book will aim to tell the story of the vehicles, which pioneered second-generation tramways in the UK back in 1992. It will be illustrated with many photographs depicting the LRV’s throughout their working lives and is being produced with the support of both Metrolink RATP Dev Ltd and Transport for Greater Manchester. Profits from sales of the books will be donated to Bury Hospice to support the work they do in providing end-of-life care for local people and Metrolink LRV 1017 was named BURY HOSPICE for a number of years in support of the organisation.
The authors are still seeking suitable images of the vehicles to help illustrate the book and would welcome any photographs of the vehicles throughout their careers for possible inclusion. Whilst we cannot pay for images used, any contributor whose photographs are used in the book will receive a complimentary copy as soon as it is published. Photographs for possible inclusion can be sent, preferably as JPEG files, to AndrewmcowardATaol.com (replace AT with @).
Final details of the book will be released closer to its publication, but the authors are grateful to everyone who has assisted in the production of the book, which we hope will be a fitting tribute to these pioneering vehicles.