1006 has become the seventh T68/T68A to depart Manchester for pastures new – in that we mean it has left to go for scrapping in Rotherham. The LRV was loaded onto the back of the low loader late on 12th June before departing early on 13th June – yes that’s right it has gone to meet its maker on Friday 13th June.
1006 was ironically also the seventh T68 to be withdrawn when it was taken out of service 30th August 2012. In the intervening months and years it was transferred to Trafford Depot where it has spent a long time in the scrap lines before being moved into the workshops for the last of the component removal to take place.
Like several others which have left before, 1006 has being severely attacked by graffiti (artists?) with one side completely covered from end to end in “artwork”.
Following on from 1006’s departure 1005 and 1018 have been moved into the Trafford workshops where preparations are being made for their own scrapings. It is expected that 1018 will the next to go before 1005 makes the sad final journey across the Pennines.
The remaining operational T68As – 2001 and 2003 – have now been powered down having been used recently as depot shunters at Queens Road. They remain stored there before a final decision is made on moving them across to Trafford for further storage.
Meanwhile work on commissioning M5000 3084 at Queens Road is well advanced and it is expected that this LRV will be transferred across to Trafford shortly ahead of an entry into service.
1006 is seen here leaving the G-Mex viaduct on 8th April 2012. It has now gone for scrap. Farewell 1006! (Photo: Gareth Prior)
It has been asked somewhere before, but which components are finally recovered from the T68’s prior to scrapping, since the new trams are so different?
Richard,instead of removing these components when the vehicle was withdrawn from service,they have been left to rot in the yard at old Trafford for up to two years.All the A.T.S and V.R.S equipment has already been removed and retro-fitted to the new M5000s.The only thing left which is compatable with the M5000 is stuff like the T.M.S antenna and control box from the cab,also the radio equipment.They are also removing all the old internal and external camera equipment from the vehicles,which I cannot see a use for.
Maybe I am showing my age here,but I know we live in a throw away society.But I cannot help thinking of all the recent mods to the T68 such as a fleet of new compressors,new hanover destination blinds and new air con-units and new Delner retractable couplers to name a few.Surely there must be some second hand value in these.I know you have to pay someone to actually remove the parts in the first place.But at the end of the day its only tax payers money
1005 and 1018 have now gone in for stripping.
They’re now going thick and fast!