Metrolink To Withdraw First T68

[northernrail]

Manchester Metrolink are soon to withdraw T68 number 1011 from service, it will have currently have its ATS removed so that further M5000's can be put into service.

1011 is due for withdrawl in the next couple of weeks at the latest.

 

[Anon Mouse]

Manchester Metrolink Have now withdrawn T68 number 1011 from service, it is currently having its ATS removed to that further M5000's can be put into service.

As a personal lover of the T68's, RIP 1011.......

Is it going to be converted to some kind of maintaince machine, scrapped, preserved or sold to another system?

 

[northernrail]

Is it going to be converted to some kind of maintaince machine, scrapped, preserved or sold to another system?

id say Scrapped.....they have the SPV (Diesel Loco) for maintenance, ive heard nothing from any preservation society's and as far as im aware theirs no system that could use them or want them

 

[Anon Mouse]

id say Scrapped.....they have the SPV (Diesel Loco) for maintenance, ive heard nothing from any preservation society's and as far as im aware theirs no system that could use them or want them

It would be a useful exhibt in that Museum near Salford or somewhere like the NRM (if they were not so steam orientated). Maybe somewhere in Eastern Europe could use them? IIRC loads of Amsterdam trams went to somewhere like Bosnia

 

[northernrail]

It would be a useful exhibt in that Museum near Salford or somewhere like the NRM (if they were not so steam orientated). Maybe somewhere in Eastern Europe could use them? IIRC loads of Amsterdam trams went to somewhere like Bosnia

The problem is there High floors and unreliability.....

 

[Nym]

They could use them on the Harrogate Loop?

Or maybe stack 63 car batteries in one of the carriages and use it on the East Lancs Railway?

How come the're removing the ATS for an M5000 tram, one would have thought they'd come ready in...

Perhaps even use it as a testbed to see about making a tram-train by slotting a diesel generator into the unit.

 

[northernrail]

The condition some of them are in, it would be better, probabily even cheaper buying new tram-trains...

 

[302PS]

Very badly corroded I'm told, shame but off to the scrap

 

[12CSVT]

It seems ironic that they are starting to withdraw the T68s when they spent years fixing the electrics on no. 2001, which was re-instated to traffic a few months ago.

 

[northernrail]

It seems ironic that they are starting to withdraw the T68s when they spent years fixing the electrics on no. 2001, which was re-instated to traffic a few months ago.

2001 will have to be one of the last to go then, the T68a's are younger than the T68's so in some cases in better condition.

 

[Geeves]

I think the T68a 2000 series ones are supposed to have more reliable electronics? Although 2001 puts a dampener on that . I have heard that all the 2000 series will be modified to the same systems currently in use in 2001 so they should be around a little longer.

Still I agree very sad to hear about the first T68 to be retired. I didn't think it would be so soon! I'm still saying they should semi-permanently couple two T68 sets up and run they are crowd busters rather than scrapping. Until Mosley Street is closed they cant run double M5000s as they have no steps.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It would be a useful exhibit in that Museum near Salford or somewhere like the NRM (if they were not so steam orientated).

It would be a useful exhibit addition to the collection of the Museum of Science and Industry, as not all their exhibits are steam engines. I recall seeing the cab section of a Class 76 electric engine being displayed, but the available space may well militate against the display of a T68 there.

 

[northernrail]

They could use them on the Harrogate Loop?

Or maybe stack 63 car batteries in one of the carriages and use it on the East Lancs Railway?

How come the're removing the ATS for an M5000 tram, one would have thought they'd come ready in...

Perhaps even use it as a testbed to see about making a tram-train by slotting a diesel generator into the unit.

Only M5000's 3001-3012 came fitted with the ATS, 3013 was Retro-fitted when 3001 and 3002 were out of service, 3014-3016 have been retro-fitted for the South Manchester Line opening and now more M5000's are having the ATS fitted to carry on service+the Oldham line.

 

[Anon Mouse]

It would be a useful exhibit addition to the collection of the Museum of Science and Industry, as not all their exhibits are steam engines. I recall seeing the cab section of a Class 76 electric engine being displayed, but the available space may well militate against the display of a T68 there.

Yeah, thats the museum I was on about, they have a Tommy in NS livery in their as well. Maybe at least half an articulated unit or a cab may find space?

 

[jp4712]

1000, the prototype, is already preserved... http://www.gmts.co.uk/explore/vehicles/profiles/1000.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ed_webster/6251676640/

Paul

 

[Geeves]

That one at the museum is only half a carriage and made out of wood, hardly preserving the real thing!

 

[Anon Mouse]

That one at the museum is only half a carriage and made out of wood, hardly preserving the real thing!

So its a mock up? the link seems to imply its the prototype....

 

[185]

Manchester Metrolink Have now withdrawn T68 number 1011 from service, it is currently having its ATS removed to that further M5000's can be put into service.

As a personal lover of the T68's, RIP 1011.......

Are u sure? Fairly certain I was on it today at RAD.

 

[northernrail]

Its either out of service now, or very soon, what ive heard is that its had its ATS stripped so that 3024 can come into service,

EDIT: I have no changed the title and opening post, 1011 id due for withdraw in the next couple of weeks

 

[Peter Jones]

T68 tram 1011 was still in service today, sunday 11th March 2012,operating strengthened services on the Altrincham line in connection with the Man Utd versus West Brom game.

It was paired with tram 1015. I travelled on it back from Old Trafford to Piccadilly Gardens.

New trams 3018 and 3024 were also both out, 3018 on an Eccles service and 3024 on a St Werburgh Road service.

Peter Jones

 

[northernrail]

Anyone who wants a picture of 1011, better get it before Wednesday......

 

[The Sage]

How are they in such bad condition? The T &W metro cars are a decade older and not due for replacement any time soon!

 

[pemma]

So is this going to mean even less doubled up trams on Altrincham-Bury?

 

[WatcherZero]

How are they in such bad condition? The T &W metro cars are a decade older and not due for replacement any time soon!

Theyve been running on street which is a much more harmful environment, for example when roads are salted in winter.

 

[pemma]

Theyve been running on street which is a much more harmful environment, for example when roads are salted in winter.

True but the Manchester Metrolink has less street running than the Berlin and Potsdam tram systems and they retain trams that are older than the T68s alongside newer trams.

 

[Class377/5]

Anyone who wants a picture of 1011, better get it before Wednesday......

Dammit, I can't get to Manchester until the 20th! (Whole trip being based on getting snaps of the T68's before they go!)

 

[futureA]

True but the Manchester Metrolink has less street running than the Berlin and Potsdam tram systems and they retain trams that are older than the T68s alongside newer trams.

It seems to be regarded by many that the t68's are crap.

 

[The Sage]

That makes sense, I guess the stop start associated with street running and the crazy bends found in mcr city centre won't help either. It's a shame they couldn't be cascaded to Tyne & Wear to start a few extra services on the cheap such as Sunderland to South Shields.

 

[martin2345uk]

Tyne and Wear wouldn't want them trust me!

Phillip Purdy stated that they suffer on average three t68 failures per DAY. Not per week, per day!! They are the suckiest trams in the UK.

Not that I wont be a bit sad to see the back of them..

 

[WatcherZero]

5-10 thousand operating hours between service affecting failures, as opposed to 20,000 for the M5000's which is considered good for a tram. A class 350 has something like 50,000 miles between service affecting failures so thats what, couple of thousand hours?