{"id":1548,"date":"2012-08-16T19:45:44","date_gmt":"2012-08-16T19:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/?p=1548"},"modified":"2012-08-16T19:45:44","modified_gmt":"2012-08-16T19:45:44","slug":"uk-light-rail-pioneer-withdrawn-from-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/?p=1548","title":{"rendered":"UK Light Rail pioneer withdrawn from service"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first of the new generation of trams in the UK has been withdrawn from service with
\nManchester Metrolink T68 1001<\/strong> taken out of service during early August becoming the fifth of the initial 12 to be withdrawn (although this has since increased to six).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1001<\/strong> was a trail blazer for the new light rail systems of the UK as it was the very first tram to arrive in the country on 29th <\/sup>August 1991 and also became the first of the T68s to arrive in Manchester. Entering service in April 1992 along with the remainder of its sisters it has
\nenjoyed a career of just over 20 years and has carried the standard old Metrolink colours of white, dark grey and blue throughout the time although in a couple of different styles.<\/p>\n

Having sat out of service at Queen\u2019s Road depot for around a week at the start of August the final decision to withdraw the tram officially was made on 7th <\/sup>August. Following this component recovery will commence before an expected move to Trafford depot for storage and further component recovery.<\/p>\n