Metrolink - T68 statement

[Manchester77]

Evening all, this has just been posted on SkyScraperCity:

Just seen this in a T-68 group on Facebook:

"Hi folks
Here's how it stands at present.
I had at meeting with TfGM today regarding the T68s. There are now 5 left in service (including the T68As). They have no plans or desires to keep any. The scrap merchants have been paid and they will be removing the stored vehicles at Trafford over the next two months or so. 2001 & 2003 are guaranteed to be left in service for another 9 - 12 months. They will be used on the Bury to Crumpsall shuttles during the reduced service through the city centre. The 3 remaining T68Xs will be withdrawn before the reduced city centre service.
I explored the option of keeping one in operational condition so it could run on occasion on the system. Just as any rail vehicle, albeit light or heavy rail, they require an exam every 3 weeks or they cannot operate. Even if an exam was paid for, we would not be permitted to operate it on the system as the TMS equipment will be removed on decommissioning.
The T68Xs are not suitable for preservation as they are so badly corroded they would not be suitable to store outside. The T68As are in much better condition.
Basically there is a minimum of 9 months to secure something. I will happily purchase one and have it moved to a suitable location. However one needs to be found that, preferably, is under cover.
Let's hope something comes up!!"

Guess this answers the question which has been asked so often, will any T68s be preserved. While it doesn't rule it out you'd need an indoor site big enough to take a 90 foot tram so its doesn't rust away! Maybe possible to preserve a non operational T68A outside perhaps?

It would be very sad if a unit which has actually operated (i.e. not the prototype) in service is not preserved somewhere :cry:

 

[34D]

Is there a link to this facebook group please?

 

[Manchester77]

I'll try and find it, I'm not on Facebook so I don't know if it'll let me

 

[ianhr]

Will the Heaton Park tramway have space in their new depot?

 

[rogger13]

Is there a link to this facebook group please?

Just type in T68, there arnt that many of then......

 

[richardio123]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/333711108672/

There you go

 

[507 001]

Evening all, this has just been posted on SkyScraperCity:


Guess this answers the question which has been asked so often, will any T68s be preserved. While it doesn't rule it out you'd need an indoor site big enough to take a 90 foot tram so its doesn't rust away! Maybe possible to preserve a non operational T68A outside perhaps?

It would be very sad if a unit which has actually operated (i.e. not the prototype) in service is not preserved somewhere :cry:

AFAIK there's now a couple of interested parties.

Any of the units sat in the scrap line are unlikely to be preserved. It would be extremely uneconomical to try and rescue one.

Most were withdrawn with faults, most are heavily stripped of spare parts and most are heavily corroded.

One of the t68a units (I think 2002) has a very weak floor that actually buckles in places when you walk on it. All due to corrosion.

My money is on 1007.

 

[jp4712]

Don't forget that there has been 'sort of' a preserved Metrolink since the 1990s - it's 1000, in the Manchester Museum of Transport.


Manchester Metrolink 1000 T68 Prototype by chrisbell50000, on Flickr

 

[BurtonM]

1000 has never seen passenger service, though, as mentioned above. And there's the fact it's basically a big (fibreglass?) model of half a T68, that has no way of moving without a crane being involved.

It would be more than appropriate to preserve 1007 - if preserved, would it go back to having the original lights etc?

According to that Facebook group, the purchase price of a T68 is £3000.

 

[WatcherZero]

Wood/chipboard I think.

 

[edwin_m]

Wood/chipboard I think.

Should be no problems with rust on that one then!

 

[trentside]

According to that Facebook group, the purchase price of a T68 is £3000.

That seems awfully low, if that's their scrap value there obviously isn't much worth salvaging from them.

 

[jp4712]

Wood/chipboard I think.

Nope - it's the real deal from the solebar up, as it was made partly to test passenger reaction (especially disabled ones) but also to test the production jigs at Ansaldo. In fact for a while we had a set of doors in operation after a donation of some kit from Metrolink, but it was unable to stand up to the rigours of school party evil monsters little darlings doing their best to break the mechanism when no one was looking.

But you're right, after living its whole existence indoors there's no corrosion problem with it!

 

[507 001]

That seems awfully low, if that's their scrap value there obviously isn't much worth salvaging from them.

There isn't much metal left in them, just rust!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Going to Manchester on 27th and 28th February. Hoping that I can get a last ride on one of the T68s!

 

[507 001]

Going to Manchester on 27th and 28th February. Hoping that I can get a last ride on one of the T68s!

You'll be lucky, Victoria is supposed to be going single line on the 24th so there might not be any left!

 

[ValleyLines142]

You'll be lucky, Victoria is supposed to be going single line on the 24th so there might not be any left!

I know, such a shame. I'm staying in Salford Quays so perhaps one will be up there. I saw 1017 on an Eccles service on 17th December.

 

[Greybeard33]

I know, such a shame. I'm staying in Salford Quays so perhaps one will be up there. I saw 1017 on an Eccles service on 17th December.

From 24 Feb, the Bury-Ashton service will be curtailed to Bury-Abraham Moss to reduce traffic through Victoria, and the Ashton service will be instead be linked to the Eccles service at Piccadilly. http://www.metrolink.co.uk/pages/news.aspx?newsID=75
T68s have not been cleared to operate to Ashton.

 

[ValleyLines142]

From 24 Feb, the Bury-Ashton service will be curtailed to Bury-Abraham Moss to reduce traffic through Victoria, and the Ashton service will be instead be linked to the Eccles service at Piccadilly. http://www.metrolink.co.uk/pages/news.aspx?newsID=75
T68s have not been cleared to operate to Ashton.

True, forgot about Ashton to Eccles.

 

[507 001]

I know, such a shame. I'm staying in Salford Quays so perhaps one will be up there. I saw 1017 on an Eccles service on 17th December.

T68s haven't been to Eccles for a few weeks now, all Eccles set are now allocated to Trafford which can't accommodate a T68 (unless it's dead!).

 

[familyguy99]

T68s haven't been to Eccles for a few weeks now, all Eccles set are now allocated to Trafford which can't accommodate a T68 (unless it's dead!).

Isn't all Eccles/MediaCity service run by TMS trams now eg 3061 to 3077 trams with T68 trams just doing Bury to Altrincham service until the are withdrawn which is probably be 20th February?

 

[507 001]

Isn't all Eccles/MediaCity service run by TMS trams now eg 3061 to 3077 trams with T68 trams just doing Bury to Altrincham service until the are withdrawn which is probably be 20th February?

Pretty much, it's exclusively banana operated at any rate.

The T68as will be staying to operate bury-crumpsall shuttles.

 

[Manchester77]

How many units are required for the Bury line shuttles? I can't imagine it being more than 4 unless they're doubled?

 

[507 001]

How many units are required for the Bury line shuttles? I can't imagine it being more than 4 unless they're doubled?

Not sure, I think last time I did bury-crumpsall shuttles during a shutdown there were indeed 4 of us out.

 

[Manchester77]

Not sure, I think last time I did bury-crumpsall shuttles during a shutdown there were indeed 4 of us out.

Cheers, and since Ashton-Eccles will be a full TMS route the T68s on directs will probably be used for the bury local service to utilise capacity through Victoria best.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Update off SCC:

I hear the last 3 T68s have been stood down this morning 1007, 1016 and 1022 were officially taken out of service today with the final T68 runs being 1016 and 1022 as a double last Monday morning. The set failed that morning around lunchtime

If true then very sad.

 

[34D]

So just 2001 and 2003 left for the Bury shorts during the blockade?

 

[Manchester77]

Looks so, some interesting posts off SCC:

I think the answer to that one is probably that, by current thinking, they simply aren't needed. Discounting 3013/62/78/9 leaves 75 M5000s available for service, adding the two T68As makes 77, that should be enough for a peak turnout of 65.
(Note the phraseology).

Apparently the contract for the removal and scrapping has been signed. I think they were just waiting for the full lot before they started. Over the next two weeks should start to see them go, where I have no idea.

One tram is to head for the sidings at the ELR unfortunately not for safe keeping but as a fire and rescue training aid.

Good night T68s. I will miss you!

 

[507 001]

It is indeed true, the death warrant was signed at 14:00 yesterday afternoon

 

[BurtonM]

2001 is still going, saw it passing Cornbrook yesterday from the Mini dealer over the road.

 

[34D]

2001 is still going, saw it passing Cornbrook yesterday from the Mini dealer over the road.

This and 2003 should live a couple more months.

RIP