The withdrawal of the original fleet of T68 LRVs from service on the Manchester Metrolink system, has provided a glut of modern tram parts which are potentially up for grabs. One organisation that has been quick to seize this opportunity is the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society, who have requested a number of seats removed from the T68s for a novel purpose.
Now that the MTPS are wholly responsible for the operation of the Birkenhead heritage tramway, the charity is looking at ways to attract more visitors and maximise revenue. One such idea, is the proposal to set up a small refreshment area in order to expand the attraction of the tramway, and offer improved visitor facilities in the area. Rather than simply purchase some normal furniture, the Society contacted Metrolink who were happy to provide a total of twenty seats formerly used in their recently withdrawn trams. Whilst this may not be quite as good as actually preserving a complete tram, it will ensure that a small part of Manchester’s recent tramway history will survive and be put to good use at a new home.
Incidentally, with reports suggesting that the final T68 units may now have been withdrawn for good, the next chance to sit on a seat from one of these cars could well be at Birkenhead! It is strongly believed that one of the class is already earmarked for preservation although no official announcement has yet been made in regard of this; naturally any definite information will be posted on British Trams Online once it is confirmed.
I am reliably informed that the seats come from 1011!