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Manchester Metrolink T-68/T-68A
T-68 1011 in Manchester city centre
in July 2008
Interior of the prototype T-68
In service6 April 1992 – 30 April 2014
ManufacturerFirema, T68A Firema and Ansaldo
Built atItaly
ConstructedT-68: 1991–1992
T-68A: 1999
Refurbished2007–2010 midlife refurbishment, T-68 gain retractable couplers and covered bogies
2010–2012 reliability modifications, LCD screens, LED lights, driver's cab air conditioning
Number built32 (T-68: 26
T-68A: 6)
Number preserved2
Number scrapped27
SuccessorBombardier M5000
Formation2 carriages
Fleet numbersT-68: 1001-1026
T-68A: 2001-2006
Capacity82/4 seats, 122 standing per vehicle
OperatorsMetrolink
Lines servedAltrincham, Bury, Eccles
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel[1]
Car length29 m (95 ft 1+3⁄4 in)
Width2.65 m (8 ft 8+3⁄8 in)
Height3.7 m (12 ft 1+5⁄8 in)
Articulated sections2
Maximum speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Weight49 tonnes (48 long tons; 54 short tons) per vehicle.[1]
Traction systemT-68A: GTO–VVVF
Traction motorsT-68: 4 × 105 kW (141 hp) separately excited DC motors
T-68A: 4 × 120 kW (160 hp) 3–phase AC motors
Electric system(s)750 V DC OHLE
Current collector(s)Brecknell Willis high reach pantograph
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Part of a series of articles on
Manchester Metrolink

The Firema T-68 was a model of light rail passenger vehicle first operated on the Manchester Metrolink network in Greater Manchester, England in 1992. It was constructed by Firema specifically as a high-floor, articulated bi-directional tram to operate solely on the Manchester Metrolink system.

Twenty-six T-68s were manufactured by Firema at their factories in Italy. Six modified variants (known as the T-68A) were produced in 1999 in a joint project by Firema and Ansaldo. All 32 were replaced by Bombardier M5000s between 2012 and 2014.

T-68

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The first 26 T-68s were built in 1991 by Firema with bodyshells constructed at various plants in Casaralta (8), Casertane (7), Cittadella (4) and Fiore (7). Bogies and the central articulation sections were constructed at Firema's Padova plant (which was later responsible for the construction of the T68A vehicles).[2] The first T68 to be delivered to Manchester was 1001, arriving 29 August 1991; this was the only T68 to be delivered as a complete unit with the others arriving in separate consignments with each bodyshell and bogies being assembled at Queens Road depot.[3]

The T-68s entered service on 6 April 1992. As low-floor tram technology was in its infancy at the time, Metrolink was in its planning stages, and in order to be compatible with standard height railway platforms used by Metrolink, the vehicles were high-floor, using the same 900 mm (35 in) platform height as British Rail trains.[4][5][1] In the beginning, several stops in the city centre (High Street, Market Street, Mosley Street and St Peter's Square) had dual height platforms, with one high part and one lower part. For the low hight sections, the T-68s were equipped with retractable steps to allow passengers to use them. The dual height platforms have since been either rebuilt as high level platforms (St Peter's Square, Market Street), or removed (Mosley Street, High Street). The T-68s could operate either as single units, or coupled together in pairs.[5][1]

The fleet later received various modifications, including electronic destination displays instead of destination blinds, retractable couplers, covered bogies, internal electronic displays, CCTV in place of mirrors and several other electronic modifications.[6] Fifteen were later fitted with air-conditioning.[7]

Vehicle 1022 underwent an interior modification layout trial in 1995 that saw non-standard seating fitted with higher backs and more rounded grab handles. The seats were set in a longitudinal layout to provide for more standing passengers and increase the overall capacity. The trial was unpopular with passengers and the tram was later refitted with standard seats in the original layout.[8] The trial seats were retained and in March 2003 were fitted to vehicle 1007.[9]

The final three T-68s: 1007, 1016 and 1022 were withdrawn on 10 February 2014.[10]

T-68A

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Ahead of the opening of the Phase 2 line to Eccles Line, six new vehicles were ordered and constructed in 1999. Bodyshells were again built by Firema, this time at the plant in Stanga, Italy. Traction equipment was built by Ansaldo at the Padova facility, where assembly of the vehicles was completed.[11]

The six T-68As entered service on the Eccles Line at its opening in 1999, numbered 2001–2006. They were similar to the original fleet, but built with modifications to allow for a high proportion of street running on the Eccles Line with other traffic. These included retractable couplers and covered bogies, as well as electronic destination displays instead of destination blinds.[12] Three of the original fleet (1005, 1010 and 1015) also received the same modifications to allow them to run alongside the new T-68As. Subsequently, all but 1018 - 1020 were similarly modified.[7] Originally, the T-68As were only authorised to run between Eccles, Piccadilly and the Queens Road depot, but from 2009 they were modified to allow running on all lines. The T-68A trams only ever operated as single units.[1]

After developing a fault with the emergency brakes applying regularly without instruction to do so, 2001 was stored for several years from 2006. It was completely rewired and returned to service in June 2011.[13] The final two T-68As, 2001 and 2003, were withdrawn on 30 April 2014.[14]

Livery

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The trams were originally liveried in white, with a grey skirt, and a turquoise strip running along the skirt. Later modifications of this livery included the doors also being painted turquoise, and a turquoise strip painted along the top of the body, with thin orange or yellow lines separating the turquoise stripes and the white body.[5] Only 1003 received the yellow and grey Metrolink livery introduced when the first M5000s entered service.

Names

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Naming of the T68s was carried out regularly from the fleets inception in 1992, usually applied in vinyl on the cab sides as advertisements for sponsors or carrying the names of notable people.[15] Examples include "The Robert Owen" carried by 1004 [16] and "The Eric Black" carried by 1019 throughout its time in service.[17] Throughout the fleets life a total of 90 names were applied to 31 of the 32 T68 and T68As, with 1023 never having received a name throughout its time in service.[15]

Withdrawal

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In 2008, the entire T-68/T-68A fleet underwent a refurbishment programme, which was designed to keep them in service for at least another 10 years.[4] However, the newer Bombardier M5000 trams introduced from 2009 proved to be considerably more reliable than the T-68/T-68A fleet; which averaged 5,000 miles (8,000 km) between breakdowns, while the M5000 trams at introduction averaged 20,000 miles (32,000 km). The M5000 trams are also 10 tonnes lighter than the T-68s/T-68As, causing less track wear, and using less energy. In addition to this, many of the T-68s were found to be suffering from corrosion to their solebars, which would have required further expensive repairs to keep them in service.

In July 2012, Transport for Greater Manchester decided that it would be more cost effective to withdraw all of the T-68s/T-68As and replace them with M5000s with the first T-68 withdrawn in 2012.[18][19][20][21] The final three T68s were withdrawn on 10 February 2014 and the last two T-68As on 30 April 2014.[14]

To bid farewell to the T-68s, on 26 May 2014 a farewell tour was operated by 1007 and 1016, the former being the first tram to run through the city streets when it opened in 1992.[22][23][24]

Preservation and further use

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T-68 1003 Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue training facility

The Heaton Park Tramway owns T-68 1007, being chosen as it was the first tram to run through Manchester city centre on the system's opening on 27 April 1992 and sharing a number with the last Manchester Corporation Tramways service in 1949. It is destined for the Heaton Park Tramway but remains at Metrolink's Trafford Depot until it can be accommodated.[25] 1023 remains under the ownership of Transport for Greater Manchester and moved to Crewe Heritage Centre in March 2021.[26]

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service purchased 1003 for use as a training rig at its training facility in Bury.[27]

Four of the trams (1016, 1022, 1024 and 1026) were transferred to the tram test centre at Long Marston.[28][29] 1016 was scrapped in June 2021 followed by 1024 in August 2022.[30]

A single car prototype bodyshell numbered 1000 was built in Italy in 1990 and delivered to Manchester for public exhibition to promote the system. It is now preserved and displayed at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester.[31][32]

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In December 2010, T-68 1015 was used in the 50th anniversary live episode of the television programme Coronation Street, to portray a tram crash on the street. As well as a mock-up tram for scenes after the crash, real life T-68 1015 was also used, numbered as 1030 and temporarily vinyl wrapped in the new yellow and grey livery.[33] Trams 1019 and 2001 appeared in the 2001 comedy drama The Parole Officer starring Steve Coogan but the lengthy scene featuring 1019 was eventually cut.

Accidents and incidents

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On 12 August 1996, tram 1006 was involved in a collision with a HGV which had gone through a red traffic light on Corporation Street, near Victoria station. The force of the impact derailed the B car of the tram but there were no serious injuries to the driver or passengers. The damaged carriage was repaired at Metro-Cammell Works in Washwood Heath, with the tram returning to service just over four months later, on 16 December 1996.[citation needed]

On 10 November 2005, the pantograph of tram 1022 detached while in service. Investigations found that a brick, which had been thrown at the tram from a bridge on the Bury Line, jammed underneath the pantograph and caused it to detach as it retracted to match lower overhead wires outside of the city centre.[citation needed]

On 22 March 2006, tram 1011 derailed as it entered a section of street running at Long Millgate near Victoria station. There were no injuries nor damage caused. The derailment was attributed to the failure of a repaired section of track at the interface between on- and off-street running.[34]

On 17 January 2007, tram 1005 derailed on a curve at Pomona station. The RAIB concluded this was due to insufficient maintenance of the tracks by the contracted operator, Serco, which led to the tracks slowly moving apart until they were out of gauge.[35]

On 1 February 2007, tram 1013 split a set of points while being moved at Queens Road depot.[36] This caused the tram to end up diagonally, across two tracks. None of the bogies were derailed in the incident.

On 29 June 2008, tram 1016 derailed as the rear vehicle of a double consist while crossing Princess Street near St Peter's Square. The derailment was attributed to insufficient maintenance by the previous operator, Serco. Damage was caused to tram 1016 as well as the overhead line at the point of the derailment. Tram 1008, the other vehicle, was not damaged in the incident.[37]

On 5 June 2011, tram 1002 struck a pedestrian on Piccadilly Gardens. The person walked into the path of 1002 and was struck at 9 mph (14 km/h). The person died at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.[38]

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  • Pre-production bodyshell mock-up, on display to the public in 1990. Now displayed at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester.
    Pre-production bodyshell mock-up, on display to the public in 1990. Now displayed at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester.
  • A pair of coupled T-68s, in the earliest version of the livery near Piccadilly station in 1994.
    A pair of coupled T-68s, in the earliest version of the livery near Piccadilly station in 1994.
  • T-68A tram no. 2004 in Eccles, in 2005.
    T-68A tram no. 2004 in Eccles, in 2005.
  • Two T68s at the entrance to Victoria station in 2008.
    Two T68s at the entrance to Victoria station in 2008.
  • Driver's cab of T-68 tram.
    Driver's cab of T-68 tram.
  • T-68 1003 in Metrolink yellow livery in February 2012
    T-68 1003 in Metrolink yellow livery in February 2012

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "T68 and T68a — Metrolink phase 1 and 2". LRTA. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  2. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 92.
  3. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. pp. 14, 52.
  4. ^ a b "Manchester Metrolink, United Kingdom". railway-technology.com. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  5. ^ a b c "Metrolink Trams". TheTrams.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  6. ^ Manchester Metrolink increases capacity Rail issue 260 30 August 1995 page 18
  7. ^ a b "Manchester Metrolink 1007". Heaton Park Tramway. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  8. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 77.
  9. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 58.
  10. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 197.
  11. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 102.
  12. ^ Metrolink phase 2 trams unveiled The Railway Magazine issue 1183 November 1999 page 59
  13. ^ 2001 back in traffic Today's Railways UK issue 116 August 2011 page 27
  14. ^ a b Manchester Metrolink Archived 11 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine British Trams Online
  15. ^ a b Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 148.
  16. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 164.
  17. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 165.
  18. ^ Manchester tram fleet renewal starts Rail issue 695 2 May 2012 page 33
  19. ^ End of the line for Metrolink's first tram fleet Manchester Evening News 30 April 2014
  20. ^ "Manchester Metrolink to order 20 new trams". Railway Technology. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  21. ^ "Next stop for Metrolink". Rail. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  22. ^ Coward, Andrew (2014). LRV Superb A Tribute To The Manchester Metrolink T68 & T68A Light Rail Vehicles. Andrew Coward. p. 42.
  23. ^ Special charity event will bid farewell to T68s Archived 21 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for Greater Manchester 14 May 2014
  24. ^ "Historic day as Metrolink tram enthusiasts make final trip on the T68". Manchester Evening News. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  25. ^ Heaton Park seeks expansion to display second-generation Manchester T-68 tram The Railway Magazine issue 1423 October 2019 page 84
  26. ^ "Manchester Metrolink 1007 – Heaton Park Tramway". Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Metrolink T68 1003 leaves Manchester Metrolink | British Trams Online News".
  28. ^ "UK moves to create tram test fleet" Tramways & Urban Transit issue 921 September 2014 page 360
  29. ^ "Four Metrolink T68s moved to Long Marston". Rail (758): 25. 1 October 2014. ISSN 0953-4563.
  30. ^ "Manchester Metrolink 1007 – Heaton Park Tramway". Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Vehicle Collection". Museum of Transport Greater Manchester. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  32. ^ A taste of things to come, in Manchester, Geograph.org
  33. ^ "Coronation Street Tram Crash 6th December 2010 - Tram 1015 Burma Star (Marked up as tram 1030 on the show)". Flickr. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  34. ^ "Derailment at Long Millgate". GOV.UK. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Derailment of tram at Pomona". GOV.UK. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  36. ^ Prior, Gareth. "Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1013 | British Trams Online News". Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  37. ^ "Derailment at St Peter's Square". GOV.UK. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  38. ^ "Fatal accident at Piccadilly Gardens". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
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Media related to Ansaldo Firema T-68 trams at Wikimedia Commons

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