And the third special celebration photo series to feature during December is a returning series – “15 Years Apart”. This series sees two pictures of the same tram in 2010 and 2025 as we see if there have been any differences! The first subject will possibly make us all feel old!
For many the M5000s in Manchester are considered the new trams so it may come as a shock that the first batch of trams are now 15 years old (older in some cases!). That includes 3002 (the second of the class) which had actually been delivered to Manchester on 18th September 2009. We initially catch-up with the tram with its fleet livery still pristine as it leaves G-Mex (as it still was then) with a service to Altrincham. Of note, is that this remains the original G-Mex layout with the staggered platforms as well. The tram was photographed on 29th March 2010. (Photograph by Gareth Prior)
We then see 3002 at Trafford Bar in June 2005 with it carrying a special livery for Love Connects Everyone. This was a special livery applied ahead of Pride and was a new design for 2025. It was the first time that 3002 would carry a non-standard livery. (Photograph by Reece Hughes)