Queens Road Depot now has no T68 LRVs in situ – for the first time since the 29th August 1991. The remaining four T68s were moved across the city to Trafford Depot for storage over the first few days of June bringing to an end the classes association with the original Manchester Metrolink depot.
Up until the start of June there were four T68s at Queens Road Depot with 1007, 1016, 1022 and 1023 still flying the flag but this was all to change over a few days at the start of this week. Firstly on Sunday 1st June 1016 and 1022 were moved across the city before the final two examples, 1007 and 1023, made the same move overnight on Monday 2nd June. This means that the first time since 1001 was delivered to the depot on 29th August 1991 there are now no T68s at Queens Road with just two T68As (2001 and 2003) and numerous M5000s now calling it their home.
2001 and 2003 are expected to remain at Queens Road for the time being although their long-term futures remain unknown. With the SPV, 1027, having been located at Trafford Depot recently 2003 has actually been used as a depot shunter at Queens Road but again it is not known whether this was a short-term measure or would be a long-term role for the LRV.
It is now confirmed that the next T68 to depart Manchester for scrapping is to be 1006 which has been undergoing final component removal in the workshops at Trafford Depot for the past couple of weeks although no booked departure has yet been announced for the LRV which will become the seventh T68/T68A to be scrapped.
Meanwhile the latest M5000 has now been delivered to Queens Road Depot with 3084 arriving on Saturday 31st May. As with all other recent deliveries this vehicle is now undergoing commissioning work and mileage accumulation before it can be considered for an entry into service.
Talking of entries into service it looks as if 3062 is finally approaching its entry into service after rebuilding at Trafford Depot. 3062, of course, was used as a source of spares to keep other M5000s on the road until a start was made on rebuilding it around three months ago. The LRV made some test trips between Trafford Depot and East Didsbury during the afternoon of Friday 30th May – its first moves outside of the confines of the depot since its initial mileage accumulation runs immediately following its delivery to Manchester. It is also expected that 3083 will not be far off entering service with both LRVs due to join the non-ATS/VRS fitted fleet.
A sight consigned to the history books: a T68 at Queens Road Depot. Ironically it is 1006 which is destined to be the next to leave for scrapping. (Photo: Gareth Prior)
At least a part of 1006 will survive with the a end street whistle I won in the raffle on the t68 farewell tour
Following on from the previous comment, I wonder if there would be any interest in selling collectable parts from the T68s to enthusiasts, with the proceeds going to charity. This approach was recently undertaken by the French railways SNCF for the retirement of some of the Paris suburban stock, and raised seevral thousand euros for a railway charity. Bearing in mind the huge interest the withdrawal of the T68s is causing, such a charity auction could be worthwhile.