Manchester Metrolink 1027 – the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) built in 1991 – has left Greater Manchester for the last time. Having not been used out on the network since 2019 and barely even around the depot since 2022, the vehicle (and its matching wagon) had become surplus to requirements and was offered for sale in a sealed bid auction last year. With negotiations now concluded it has a new home and left Queens Road Depot for the last time on the back of a lorry during the evening of 20th May 2025.
The SPV, which received the number 1027 in the Metrolink fleet to follow on from the T68s, was built in 1991 by RFS (who also built a batter powered similar vehicle for the Docklands Light Railway around the same time – numbered 993) and was delivered to Manchester not long after.
Its matching wagon – number 1028 – was not a new build for Metrolink but was converted from a British Rail tank wagon from the 1950s/60s. The tank was cut off and a new body built on the underframe before it too was sent to Manchester for use as part of the engineering fleet.
In the earlier days of the network both used to regularly make it out onto the network – mainly being used for permanent way, overheads and signalling and telecommunications work. The SPV was also sometimes used for tram rescue but a lot of its work was confined to the depot for shunting work.
Perhaps one of its most significant jobs was to haul the San Francisco Boeing LRV from Queens Road to Eccles overnight, stabling out at Eccles for the day and then returning it the following night.
The SPV definitely covered the entire phase 1 and phase 2 sections of the network (to Altrincham, Bury and Eccles) as well as the South Manchester Line as far as St Werburgh’s Road. Some reports also say it made it to Oldham, Velopark and onto the Airport line but this has never been fully confirmed.
As the network evolved its mainline career came to an end in the latter half of 2019 after which it remained confined to Queens Road Depot. From this point on the wagon barely moved and indeed until recently was in the same place since April 2020. Spring 2022 saw the Crab take over depot duties which is when 1027 was more or less retired, except for the odd shunt.
In August 2024 it was confirmed that KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) were ready to dispose of the two vehicles and a sealed bid auction was launched. With this having concluded a new owner has been found and after preparations they were shunted by the Crab onto the loading road ready for collection.
The low loader to take them away came on the evening of Tuesday 20th May 2025 and after loading they departed for pastures new, with more information on their new home expected in due course.
The SPV was originally in this plain white livery (later years have seen it, and the wagon, go yellow). Its seen here helping 1001 off the lorry at the depot. (Photograph courtesy of MTMS/Steve Hyde)
Photos of the two out on the network in daylight are not that common but they are seen here with a Policeman keeping an eye on things. (Photograph courtesy of MTMS)