The latest two M5000s to be delivered to Manchester Metrolink have now entered service with 3081 and 3082 both joining the non-ATS/VRS fitted fleet over the past few days. 3081 operated its first passenger services on 29th April being quickly followed into use by 3082 on 2nd May, both running on the Eccles to Ashton-under-Lyne service. With these two LRVs having now carried passengers it means there have been 113 different vehicles to have carried passengers on Manchester Metrolink (the 26 T68s, 6 T68As and 81 M5000s). The only M5000 in Manchester not yet to have entered service now is 3062 which has been undergoing rebuilding in the Trafford Depot workshops over the past few weeks and has now been spotted in the depot yard powered up although it is not thought it has undergone any test runs as yet.
3081 at MediaCityUK on 30th April 2014 - its second day in service. (Photo: Steve Kemp)
Np point hankering for the old days now they are gone but has anybody noticed just how mucky the m series are getting. The T68 colour scheme , despite being lighter, seems to have faired better with the general muck thrown up every day.
The Berlin trams are a similar shade of yellow but also seem to fair better, or are they cleaned more often ?
Nigel I agree with you on this one.There are a couple of reasons for this,firstly the yellow dots are vinyl and are applied after the vehicle has been delivered.These yellow dots stain very easily and harder to clean than the yellow paintwork.Secondly we are always being told of the state of the art depot at old Trafford,but the vehicle wash has not worked correctly since day one.If you notice the vehicles based at Queens rd always look cleaner than old Trafford vehicles.This is because they are washed everyday front and back by hand and then go through a twenty three year old wash which works.Thats progress for you.
Wrong on Manchester trams,they do run through the city Piccadilly garden’s.Please amend your news and correct.Thank you