When Manchester Metrolink’s T68 and T68A trams were withdrawn from service the majority of them were sold for scrap and made the journey across to Rotherham where they met their end. But there were a few which would have a different next chapter – some of them entered preservation, some were sold for test purposes to UKTram whilst one had a much more unique future in store for it.
This article features the tram that had the more unique future – 1003. This T68 (which originally entered service on 6th April 1992 and was withdrawn on 12th November 2013) is one which has a lot of key milestones in its life – this includes a trip to Washwood Heath for repairs after being involved in an accident in 1994, becoming the only T68 to run in the yellow and silver livery when it received adverts towards the end of its operating career and then on 11th April 2015 it was the last of its class to run under its own power. This last milestone happened when it was driven to the Metrolink boundary with the East Lancashire Railway ahead of its new life.
1003 had been acquired by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and was to be used as a training vehicle. After a period of storage at the East Lancashire Railway it was moved to the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Training and Safety Centre where it has been used for its new purpose since.
A long shot of 1003 showing its recent condition. (Photograph by Alan Lewin, 11th August 2024)