The day that we all knew was coming has finally arrived, the mass scrapping of the withdrawn T68 and T68A fleet of Manchester Metrolink has started. A low loader arrived at Trafford Depot on Wednesday 2nd April to take 2004 to meet its maker in Rotherham with the well known company C F Booth Ltd having won the contract to dispose of the LRVs.
Some may consider it a surprise that 2004 has been chosen to be the first T68/T68A to be scrapped (with the exception of course of 1011 which met its maker last September following its use at the Red Bull Trials in Manchester City Centre) but it has been out of sight within the workshops at Trafford for a number of months presumably preparing it for this day. 2004 has been in Manchester for less 15 years having arrived in August 1999 – a staggeringly short operational life. It was the 14th vehicle to be withdrawn and last carried passengers on 28th March 2013 (don’t forget you can find out all the facts and figures on the T68/T68As in the excellent book Superb, available from http://www.buryrossendalerails.com/.)
It is now expected that the remaining T68 and T68As will leave Trafford Depot at fairly regular intervals and that it won’t be that long before they are but just a memory on Manchester Metrolink metals.
There currently remains three operational T68/T68A vehicles with just two of these available for passenger service. 2001 and 2003 continue to be used sporadically on the Bury-Abraham Moss shuttle service but now tend to only be used when there are not enough operational M5000s available. Although it was originally thought that they may see service for a large percentage of 2014 it now appears that they will be withdrawn sooner rather than later so if you see one in service you better jump on for a ride or take a picture before its too late!
The other operational vehicle is T68 1023 which was retained for use as an ice breaker tram over the winter period but now we are in spring it should be hoped it won’t be needed for this purpose anymore (fingers crossed it will continue warming up now!) One significant event for 1023 occurred at the end of last week when it received a name on the “A” end only – it’s first and only name of its career meaning that finally all T68/T68As have now carried a name. The LRV was named MIKE MABEY to mark the departure of Metrolink’s Head of Operations who had been with Metrolink since 1991.
2004 seen during happier times at Harbour City on 3rd September 2008. (Photo: Gareth Prior)
2004 departs Manchester for the last time on the back of a low loader. (Photo: Reece Hughes)
I was going to film the shuttle this dinnertime but having arrived at Queens Road I noted 2001,2003 and 1023 all parked outside the depot. So I returned on the next tram. Hope I manage to film this pair before they disappear. I have been too busy with the house and the Crossley to spare the time filming. I had already filmed Rochdale Centre earlier this week.
The only logic as to why 2004 was the first to go,was because after donating its bogies to keep the last two T68a’s in service,it was decided just leave it in the workshop at old Trafford.So hence it became the first to go.Give or take a couple of days,its almost exactly a year since it last carried passengers.
If it all goes to plan,they intend to take one vehicle every Wednesday.The next vehicle lined up to go next week is 1001.Things didn’t quite go to plan.Because the low loader couldn’t turn round in the depot,he had to reverse out of the gate then reverse down warwick road and across Kings road before he could make a left turn.
The impending scrapping of 2004 has echoes of the fate suffered by the 1953 Blackpool Coronations; most only in service for about fifteen years before withdrawal.
It is very strange that history is repeating itself in this way. At least the T68s managed a twenty year life span.
how about hand one or two of he t68’s to manchester fire service for training use in preparing for tram crashes.
Paul,i think plans are already in hand for what you suggested.The rumour is that 1003 will be towed back to queens road,then it will be donated to the fire service.
When I first heard the rumour i thought whats the point of training on a vehicle that’s no longer in service.But I suppose a T68 is the same in principle as a M5000.High floor,articulation section in the middle and eight doors.
There is a photograph of 2004 at Booth’s on WNXX.
If 1001 go for scrap then shame on TfGM for not recognising the historical importance of this vehicle.
Shame on the preservation movement for exactly the same reason. Future generations will ask why did we not save it in the same way that railway enthusiasts ask why so many pioneer diesels were allowed to go for scrap
…shame on the operating company, too!