T68 1021 latest to be withdrawn

1021 has become the nineteenth T68/T68A to be withdrawn from service after suffering a traction fault whilst operating solo on the Altrincham-Bury direct service on Tuesday 5th November. The tram was returned to Queens Road Depot where the decision was taken not to make the repairs necessary to return it to service and it was officially withdrawn overnight.

The withdrawal of 1021 is the first for nearly three months following 1024 being taken out of service in August although it is likely that withdrawals will start to accelerate again as 2013 comes towards an end, with rumours suggesting very few examples will see service in 2014.

Meanwhile a further two M5000s have joined the dedicated Eccles/MediaCityUK serviceable pool of trams with 3067 entering service on Thursday 31st October and 3072 operating its first passenger journeys on Wednesday 6th November.

Other recent news concerning the Manchester Metrolink fleet has seen M5000 3020 being decorated with Poppies as the Remembrance tram (following on from 1020 and 1022 which have performed the role in the past, of course 3020 now carries the name formerly held by 1020 – Lancashire Fusilier) and will remain like this until after Remembrance Day whilst 3068 and 3069 are currently temporarily stabled at Rochdale Railway Station for night testing to Rochdale town centre.

1021 leads 1012 when operating as a double unit on 23rd March 2013 on the Altrincham-Bury direct service. 1021 has now been withdrawn from service. (Photo: Gareth Prior)

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1 Response to T68 1021 latest to be withdrawn

  1. Mike Thomas says:

    3073 seen in service today 12th November on media City services along with 3072. 3067 on Eccles service.

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