Two more T68s have been retired from service today

[Manchester77]

I'd like to share a posting made on wnxx:

Two more T68s have been retired from service today, with 1017 and 1023 withdrawn from traffic. 1017 had been repaired after its altercation with a car at Exchange Quay a week last Friday, but has succumbed to a failed compressor. 1023 is due replacement tyres, but obviously this late in their careers, it won't receive them now. 1023 is to become the winter ice-breaker vehicle following problems with 1021, which will now be withdrawn from all uses.
Of the original fleet, there is now only 1007, 1016 and 1022 remaining, alongside 2001 and 2003. They aren't all needed on a daily basis now, so time is getting short for anyone wanting to get the final three before they are stood down. I don't have a final date for the last one to be withdrawn, but the day is definitely getting nearer now.

I'd imagine that these remaining T68/A trams will live out their remaining days on directs / Eccles workings. If anyone wanted to go out spotting them you're best chance to see one would be at Cornbrook which is quieter than the city stations.

Regarding the introduction of new trams TfGM released a statement saying that 3075-3077 will enter service on Monday, these units have the higher seating capacity. However, it appears they are TMS only units so will be limited to the Eccles/Media City line. One hopes they've come with factory ATS otherwise there'll be 4 spare units to,operate the Eccles & Media city services, overkill one might say!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Shame about 1017, I caught it on an Eccles service just before Christmas!

Sad times!

 

[theblackwatch]

Regarding the introduction of new trams TfGM released a statement saying that 3075-3077 will enter service on Monday, these units have the higher seating capacity. However, it appears they are TMS only units so will be limited to the Eccles/Media City line. One hopes they've come with factory ATS otherwise there'll be 4 spare units to,operate the Eccles & Media city services, overkill one might say!

3075 has recently used on testing around Oldham (with 3071) so presumably isn't restricted to the routes you mention.

 

[507 001]

3075 has recently used on testing around Oldham (with 3071) so presumably isn't restricted to the routes you mention.

Yes it is restricted. It can't go through Irk valley/Victoria which is still VRS controlled without major faffing.

Regarding the introduction of new trams TfGM released a statement saying that 3075-3077 will enter service on Monday, these units have the higher seating capacity. However, it appears they are TMS only units so will be limited to the Eccles/Media City line. One hopes they've come with factory ATS otherwise there'll be 4 spare units to,operate the Eccles & Media city services, overkill one might say!

AFAIK they haven't been fitted with ATS (although I haven't driven one yet), they certainly don't have VRS. No VRS means no getting through Victoria/Irk valley.

They will become useful when Eccles becomes Eccles-Ashton when Victoria goes single line.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

How many of the "graffiti-adorned" withdrawn T68's are now at the Metrolink depot at Old Trafford and what is proposed to happen to these ?

 

[yorkie]

I have split the posts relating to a completely seperate matter that were mistakenly posted here, to the thread The first tram through Oldham town centre?

Just a reminder that we are not using "master threads" for discussion on a wide range of topics, so unrelated matters should go in specific threads.

That said, threads do naturally drift off-topic sometimes, and we do recognise that.

(Also it is a bit of a pain to split threads, I've only done it this time because there were only 3 posts involved Requests to split half a dozen or more posts to a new thread are unlikely to be fulfilled!)

 

[rebmcr]

I wonder if 1007 will be both the first and last T68 on the rails?

 

[gnolife]

I wonder if 1007 will be both the first and last T68 on the rails?

I hope so - the seats are better than the ones on other T68s.

 

[Manchester77]

Yes it is restricted. It can't go through Irk valley/Victoria which is still VRS controlled without major faffing.
AFAIK they haven't been fitted with ATS (although I haven't driven one yet), they certainly don't have VRS. No VRS means no getting through Victoria/Irk valley.
They will become useful when Eccles becomes Eccles-Ashton when Victoria goes single line.

The ORL is signalled with TMS anyway so it wouldn't be an issue getting 3075 to Oldham (however the transfer is usually done at night).

Quite it's rather annoying we'll have to wait till 2015 since it would allow ORL-SML trams to become operated using TMS only units, even if it was only converted up to queens road it would still be a big help!

Ah well I guess they'll be used for strengthening Eccles services following comments made about overcrowding of those services.

 

[507 001]

Yes it is restricted. It can't go through Irk valley/Victoria which is still VRS controlled without major faffing.
AFAIK they haven't been fitted with ATS (although I haven't driven one yet), they certainly don't have VRS. No VRS means no getting through Victoria/Irk valley.
They will become useful when Eccles becomes Eccles-Ashton when Victoria goes single line.

The ORL is signalled with TMS anyway so it wouldn't be an issue getting 3075 to Oldham (however the transfer is usually done at night).

Quite it's rather annoying we'll have to wait till 2015 since it would allow ORL-SML trams to become operated using TMS only units, even if it was only converted up to queens road it would still be a big help!

Ah well I guess they'll be used for strengthening Eccles services following comments made about overcrowding of those services.

The non ATS/VRS trams that have been used up at Oldham got there via the new monsall gate into QRD so thy didn't have to go through Irk valley

 

[neilmc]

Saw 1007 and 1022 doubled on the through Altrincham-Bury last night. Maybe my last sighting?

 

[Manchester77]

Saw 1007 and 1022 doubled on the through Altrincham-Bury last night. Maybe my last sighting?

No both are still in services, perhaps you're confusing with 1023?

 

[neilmc]

No both are still in services, perhaps you're confusing with 1023?

I meant it may have been my personal last sighting of a T68 since I don't work in the city centre or live on the Metrolink. But who knows?

 

[telstarbox]

There will be a 'farewell' event on 26 May

http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/media_centre/Pages/News.aspx?articleId=446

Special charity event will bid farewell to T68s

A special, never-to-be-repeated event will be held later this month to bid farewell to one of Greater Manchester’s most iconic forms of public transport and raise money for charity.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Metrolink operator, Metrolink RATP Dev Limited (MRDL), have arranged for one of the system's original T68 trams to take a final journey on the network on Monday 26 May.

The limited-stop trip, which will take the ‘classic’ network route – Piccadilly, Eccles, Bury and Altrincham - will mark the fleet's formal retirement from service in April 2014.

To add an authentic touch to the occasion, the vehicles will be driven by drivers who drove the first trams back in 1992, wearing their original uniforms.

Non-refundable tickets can be bought in advance by visiting http://*******/RCkmiI with all proceeds going to TfGM’s chosen charities - The Christie and Francis House Hospice. It is hoped that the event will raise more than £3000.

 

[Manchester77]

We have donated two to museums, another one to emergency services for training and the rest will be scrapped. #AskPeter @champs_time

from the twitter q&a today!!