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Metrolink tram in the city centre coupled units tram with steps in operation

Metrolink operates 32 trams, built in two batches by Italian manufacturer Ansaldo. Numbers 1001–1026 are the original Phase One 'T68' cars and 2001–2006 are Phase Two 'T68a' cars built for the Eccles extension. In appearance the two batches are very similar, though the Phase Two cars carry a revised livery and have dot matrix destination displays rather than blinds. The Phase Two cars also have retractable couplers, and the couplers and bogies are covered. This is necessary for operation on the Eccles line, where there is considerable shared-use street running. Some Phase One trams have been modified in this way.

The trams may be coupled together, and rush hour services regularly use two trams.

Most of Metrolink's Phase one routes were converted from heavy rail routes, and inherited railway standard height platforms. Because of this, Metrolink cars are high-floor. The city centre platforms have a high-floor section the length of one tram, and the remaining part of the platform is lower: when trams are coupled together, and the second tram will, at city centre stops, operate retractable steps which allow pasengers to use the lower section of the platform.

The trams have two carriages, articulated in the centre, and are 30m (98ft) long. The top speed is 50mph, but the trams operate within road speed limits when running on-street. Each tram is accessible for wheelchair users.

Passenger capacity is 86 seated and 122 standing. Trams are one-person operated —there is a driver, but no conductor, with passengers buying tickets from machines at the tram stops.

The system uses 750vDC overhead power supply with single wire pantograph current collection.

Fleet list

Last updated: 9th October 2007

Thanks to Christopher Gallagher for some of the details below
Click on tram number for pictures

T68 (Phase One) cars (1992)

Tram numberNameLivery
1001   New Metrolink (yellow line)
1002   New Metrolink (yellow line)
1003   New Metrolink
1004 The Robert Owen New Metrolink (yellow line)
1005 § The Railway Mission New Metrolink (yellow line)
1006   New Metrolink (yellow line)
1007 Sony Centre Arndale Phase 2 Metrolink
1008   New Metrolink
1009 Virgin Megastores New Metrolink (yellow line)
1010 §   New Metrolink
1011   New Metrolink
1012   New Metrolink
1013 The Grenadier Guardsman New Metrolink
1014 The Great Manchester Runner New Metrolink (yellow line)
1015 § Burma Star New Metrolink (yellow line)
1016   New Metrolink (yellow line)
1017 Bury Hospice New Metrolink (yellow line)
1018   New Metrolink (yellow line)
1019   New Metrolink
1020 Lancashire Fusilier New Metrolink
1021 Sony Centre Arndale Original Metrolink
1022 The Poppy Appeal New Metrolink
1023   New Metrolink (yellow line)
1024   New Metrolink (yellow line)
1025   New Metrolink (yellow line)
1026 The Power New Metrolink (yellow line)

§ Phase 1 unit modified with concealed couplers and skirts to operate over Eccles extension

T68a (Phase Two) cars (1999)

Click on tram number for pictures

Tram numberNameLivery
2001 The Joe Clarke OBE Phase 2 Metrolink
2002 Sony Centre Arndale Phase 2 Metrolink
2003 Traveller 2000 New Metrolink
2004 Salford Lads Club Phase 2 Metrolink
2005 WHSmith West One Phase 2 Metrolink (yellow line)
2006 Sony Centre Arndale Phase 2 Metrolink

Liveries:

Original Metrolink = white with dark grey skirt, turquoise stripe at base of body
Phase Two Metrolink = as original livery plus turquoise doors
New Metrolink = as original livery, plus torquoise doors, a turquoise stripe at the top of the body and orange lines separating the turquoise stripes and the white body
'yellow line' = variation of the New Metrolink livery where the the lower of the two orange lines (at door sill level) is replaced with a yellow line; or a variation of the Phase Two Metrolink livery with a yellow line added at this point on the vehicle

Ancillary vehicles

Metrolink also operate a small number of ancillary vehicles, which include the following:

Registration numberTypeLivery
N983 YNC Ford Transit White with Metrolink logos
V685 FRB Toyota Hilux White
V466 FVM Ford Ranger White with Metrolink logos
X445 RSS Ford Transit White with Serco logos
- Shunter Metrolink
- San Francisco Muni tramcar No. 1326 San Francisco Muni
L253 HKK Multicar with lifting platform White with Metrolink fleetnames
SO02 NUJ Citroën Berlingo White with Serco logos
R75 KBM Ford Transit - hi-top, long wheelbase White with Metrolink logos
SM51 WDY? Citroën Berlingo White with Serco logos
SG51 XLD Ford Transit White with Serco and Metrolink logos
NA54 LGW Ford Transit White
N981 YNC Ford Transit White with Metrolink logos
NG04 RTX Ford Transit flatbed  
? Ford Transit flatbed White
NG04 EOJ Ford Transit flatbed White
BG04 ZSJ Ford Transit Connect White
NG05 CJO Ford Transit Connect White
NJ06 JWW Ford Transit White
KR04 FUM Mercedes Benz Sprinter White
BD53 VDK Ford Transit hi-top White, Metrolink logo on rear door
? Ford Transit hi-top White
N983 YNC Ford Transit White with Metrolink logos
V685 FRB Toyota Hilux White
V466 FVM Ford Ranger White with Metrolink logos
X445 RSS Ford Transit White with Serco logos
- Shunter Metrolink
- San Francisco Muni tramcar No. 1326 San Francisco Muni
L253 HKK Multicar with lifting platform White with Metrolink fleetnames
SO02 NUJ Citroën Berlingo White with Serco logos
R75 KBM Ford Transit - hi-top, long wheelbase White with Metrolink logos
SM51 WDY? Citroën Berlingo White with Serco logos
SG51 XLD Ford Transit White with Serco and Metrolink logos
NA54 LGW Ford Transit White
N981 YNC Ford Transit White with Metrolink logos
NG04 RTX Ford Transit flatbed  
? Ford Transit flatbed White
NG04 EOJ Ford Transit flatbed White
BG04 ZSJ Ford Transit Connect White
NG05 CJO Ford Transit Connect White
NJ06 JWW Ford Transit White
KR04 FUM Mercedes Benz Sprinter White
BD53 VDK Ford Transit hi-top White, Metrolink logo on rear door
? Ford Transit hi-top White

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