Will the latest M5000 Metrolink trams be different to previous batches?

[Jozhua]

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/manchester-metrolink-trafford-centre-extension.171586/

Looking at the article quoted in sprunt's post, 'first half of 2020', I'm wondering if they're waiting until they've taken delivery of some of the new batch of trams? I think the first is due in February?

Are there going to be any differences with the new M5000's, these ones are going to be a good few years newer?

Would've almost thought it was time for a newer model, say an M6000

Guess they'd need to be tested and training, etc if it was called a new model...

 

[507 001]

Are there going to be any differences with the new M5000's, these ones are going to be a good few years newer?

Would've almost thought it was time for a newer model, say an M6000

Guess they'd need to be tested and training, etc if it was called a new model...

There will be some changes, but nothing major. Everything that is being changed is intended to be retrofitted to the existing M5000s.

 

[Ianno87]

There will be some changes, but nothing major. Everything that is being changed is intended to be retrofitted to the existing M5000s.

Hard to believe the oldest M5000s have notched up a decades's worth of service now....

 

[LOL The Irony]

Hard to believe the oldest M5000s have notched up a decades's worth of service now....

I think part of that is because the T68's were in squadron service until 2014 - just 5 years ago.

 

[507 001]

Hard to believe the oldest M5000s have notched up a decades's worth of service now....

Indeed. They're starting to feel their age now though.

 

[Jozhua]

Indeed. They're starting to feel their age now though.

I don't know, in comparison to pacers and 150's or basically anything on the mainline they feel space age!

 

[507 001]

I don't know, in comparison to pacers and 150's or basically anything on the mainline they feel space age!

Well yes, but you can definitely tell when you’re driving the older ones.
They’re noticeably noisier, more rattly and some of them are battered outside. The cabs need a good going over too, threadbare seats etc. Nothing a decent refurb and repaint won’t sort mind.