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Manchester Metrolink - Scrapping of T68s and T68As at Booths

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Manchester77

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2004 has become the first of the Old Trafford gang to be taken to booths for scrapping. 2004 will be the second of the withdrawn T68/A fleet to be scrapped following 1011 being scrapped last year after use in a red bull biking event. 2004 was always expected to be first to go as it's bogies were taken to keep the other two t68As running and so has been in the sheds until now. Its expected 1001 will be the next to go as it has been moved to the un-electrified siding at Old Trafford ready to be taken off to be cut up.
image.jpg
(Not my image but 2004 at Booths)
 
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yorksrob

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RI have to say, part of me is always a bit saddenned to see a rail vehicle scrapped before forty years old.
 

Manchester77

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RI have to say, part of me is always a bit saddenned to see a rail vehicle scrapped before forty years old.

It is indeed sad to see such a young fleet be scrapped however based on their reliability and body work issues I think it's for the best
 

Starmill

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I find it really hard to believe their purchase could ever have been justified based on 13 years of service.

Before any withdrawals began, 2004 used to stalk me; it was my favorite tram.
 

34D

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It is indeed sad to see such a young fleet be scrapped however based on their reliability and body work issues I think it's for the best

If these were low floor (ie like most other tram systems in Europe) it would be interesting to see whether they may have found a buyer.
 

WatcherZero

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Buyer hasnt been found for the low floor Birmingham versions, though they are thinking of keeping a small amount for future extensions.
 

starrymarkb

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I find it really hard to believe their purchase could ever have been justified based on 13 years of service.

Before any withdrawals began, 2004 used to stalk me; it was my favorite tram.

If they'd have been built better (ie Deuweg or Adtranz) then I suspect they'd still have a lot more life in them.

Mind you they did better then the Dutch V250s (a few weeks in service and now facing scrapping)
 

edwin_m

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Part of the British way of doing things is to search for short-term economies which probably cost more in the long term. Also the DBOM (and similar) method of procurement, used for both the original Metrolink and Midland Metro, means that the civils providers, systems providers, vehicle builders and operators have to form up into consortia for the promoter to choose. It could be that the best value companies in each field aren't all in the same consortium.

For Phase 3 Metrolink GMPTE (as it then was) signed separate contracts for infrastructure, vehicles and operation so could choose what they considered to be the best offer in each area.
 

WillPS

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Part of the British way of doing things is to search for short-term economies which probably cost more in the long term. Also the DBOM (and similar) method of procurement, used for both the original Metrolink and Midland Metro, means that the civils providers, systems providers, vehicle builders and operators have to form up into consortia for the promoter to choose. It could be that the best value companies in each field aren't all in the same consortium.

For Phase 3 Metrolink GMPTE (as it then was) signed separate contracts for infrastructure, vehicles and operation so could choose what they considered to be the best offer in each area.

In fairness, over on the other side of the Pennines, our light rail network of similar vintage is fairing very well. OK, so the first stage of the first major rail replacement project was an unmitigated disaster; but apart from that the infrastructure and fleet seems to be reliable on a day to day basis.

I have no doubt the Siemens trams will make it to another mid life refurb. It's weird to think that similarly aged vehicles (albeit built to a non-standard spec) are now being scrapped.
 

edwin_m

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In fairness, over on the other side of the Pennines, our light rail network of similar vintage is fairing very well. OK, so the first stage of the first major rail replacement project was an unmitigated disaster; but apart from that the infrastructure and fleet seems to be reliable on a day to day basis.

I have no doubt the Siemens trams will make it to another mid life refurb. It's weird to think that similarly aged vehicles (albeit built to a non-standard spec) are now being scrapped.

Yes, in my opinion Supertram was the best engineered of the UK's modern tram networks - both vehicles and infrastructure.
 

Robertj21a

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Buyer hasnt been found for the low floor Birmingham versions, though they are thinking of keeping a small amount for future extensions.

Those Midland trams always seemed 'tatty' and generally uncared for. Hopefully, they'll look after the new ones rather better.

Future extensions ?? - are you joking, it's taken a lifetime to get a few metres further into Birmingham city centre. Given the pro-car attitude in the area I wouldn't hold your breath (or hang on to some older trams) if you're expecting any extensions soon.

Robert
 

edwin_m

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Future extensions ?? - are you joking, it's taken a lifetime to get a few metres further into Birmingham city centre. Given the pro-car attitude in the area I wouldn't hold your breath (or hang on to some older trams) if you're expecting any extensions soon.

To be fair there has been some downgrading of roads in central Birmingham in the last couple of decades, so it's not quite as car-centred as it used to be. Now Croydon seems to be another matter...
 

Xenophon PCDGS

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2004 has become the first of the Old Trafford gang to be taken to booths for scrapping. 2004 will be the second of the withdrawn T68/A fleet to be scrapped following 1011 being scrapped last year after use in a red bull biking event. 2004 was always expected to be first to go as it's bogies were taken to keep the other two t68As running and so has been in the sheds until now. Its expected 1001 will be the next to go as it has been moved to the un-electrified siding at Old Trafford ready to be taken off to be cut up.


Will all the redundant fleet go to Booths ?
 

Manchester77

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Will all the redundant fleet go to Booths ?

Pretty much it's believed one unit (1003 was rumoured) maybe used by the emergancy services for training in the event of an emergancy involving a tram. It's also rumoured one unit maybe preserved but it's not exactly solid.
 

edwin_m

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NRM really ought to take a 1xxx, representing the start of the UK's tram renaissance, or do they consider trams to be beyond their remit?
 

61653 HTAFC

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NRM really ought to take a 1xxx, representing the start of the UK's tram renaissance, or do they consider trams to be beyond their remit?

Don't Beamish (or possibly MMOSI) have dibs on one of them? Of course at Beamish it could only really be a static exhibit due to being high-floor.
 

317666

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A shame 1001 wasn't preserved, a historically very important tram although I really can't see where it would have gone, certainly wouldn't have been preserved as a runner due to being high-floor.
 

familyguy99

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1004 has been taken today. No pictures but some will probably appear.

Here picture of 1004 tram still stay at Trafford depot. (sorry if you can't see it probably as I took it off Altrincham tram)





Off SCC thread (Skyscrapercity) is that 1004 tram will be heading to boots scrap yard on Monday.
 

Ash Bridge

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On the subject of T68s, saw an abnormal load travelling on Ashton Old Road at 19.05 this evening in the shape of No. 1010 being conveyed by Alleleys Heavy Haulage in the direction of Ashton.
 

BurtonM

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Well, past Ashton is Stalybridge and Oldham, past that is the Pennines, then Sheffield, and C.F. Booth of Rotherham, the aforementioned scrap metal dealer commonly associated with trains.
 

Andyh82

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Should have sent them to Leeds. They could have finally got the Leeds Supertram off the ground if the trams were already sorted out. Only the infrastructure to pay for!
 

familyguy99

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Pretty much it's believed one unit (1003 was rumoured) maybe used by the emergancy services for training in the event of an emergancy involving a tram. It's also rumoured one unit maybe preserved but it's not exactly solid.

For anyone who doesn't know T68 1003 tram is sit at Queens Road depot waiting to move to ELR (East Lancashire Railway) were it become is home.

 
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