Firema T-68

Firema

Industry	Rail vehicle manufacturing
Headquarters	Italy
Products	Light rail vehicles (T-68/T-68A trams)

Manchester Metrolink T-68/T-68A Light Rail Vehicles

The Firema T-68 represented a type of light rail passenger tram introduced on the Manchester Metrolink system in Greater Manchester, England, beginning service in 1992. Designed and built by Firema, these vehicles featured a high-floor, articulated, bi-directional configuration tailored exclusively for operation on the Manchester Metrolink network.

A total of twenty-six T-68 units were produced at Firema’s manufacturing facilities in Italy. Subsequently, in 1999, six upgraded versions designated as T-68A were developed through a collaboration between Firema and Ansaldo. Between 2012 and 2014, all 32 vehicles were phased out and succeeded by Bombardier M5000 trams, which offered markedly improved reliability compared to the T-68 series.

T-68

In 1991, Firema produced the initial 26 T-68 vehicles, with the bodyshells manufactured across several facilities: eight in Casaralta, seven in Casertane, four in Cittadella, and seven in Fiore. The bogies and central articulation sections were assembled at Firema's Padova plant, which subsequently handled the construction of the T68A units. The very first T-68 delivered to Manchester was unit 1001, arriving on 29 August 1991. This particular tram was the only one delivered fully assembled; the remainder arrived in parts, with bodyshells and bogies put together at the Queens Road depot.

Service for the T-68 fleet commenced on 6 April 1992. At that time, low-floor tram technology was still emerging and Metrolink was in its design phase. To ensure compatibility with the standard height railway platforms used by Metrolink, these vehicles featured a high-floor design aligned with the 900 mm (35 in) platform height typical of British Rail trains. Initially, several city centre stops—Template:Tram, Template:Tram, Template:Tram, and Template:Tram—were equipped with platforms of dual heights, combining high and low sections. To accommodate boarding from the lower parts, T-68 trams were fitted with retractable steps. Over time, these dual-height platforms were either reconstructed as fully high-level (St Peter's Square, Market Street) or removed altogether (Mosley Street, High Street). The T-68s were capable of operating singly or coupled in pairs.

Throughout their service life, the fleet underwent multiple upgrades such as replacing destination blinds with electronic displays, installing retractable couplers and covered bogies, adding internal electronic screens, substituting mirrors with CCTV cameras, and implementing various other electronic enhancements. Additionally, fifteen units received air-conditioning installations.

In 1995, vehicle 1022 was used for an interior layout experiment that incorporated non-standard seating featuring higher-backed chairs and more rounded grab handles arranged longitudinally to increase standing space and overall capacity. This configuration proved unpopular among passengers and was eventually reverted to the original seating arrangement. The experimental seats were preserved and later installed in unit 1007 in March 2003.

The last three T-68 trams—numbers 1007, 1016, and 1022—were officially retired on 10 February 2014.

T-68A

In preparation for the launch of the Phase 2 route to the Eccles Line, six additional units were commissioned and manufactured in 1999. Firema produced the bodyshells once more, this time at their Stanga facility in Italy. Ansaldo supplied the traction systems from their Padova plant, where the final assembly of these trams took place.

The six T-68A vehicles commenced operation on the Eccles Line upon its inauguration in 1999, bearing fleet numbers 2001 through 2006. While closely resembling the original series, these units incorporated design changes to better accommodate extensive street running alongside other traffic on the Eccles Line. Such adaptations included retractable couplers, enclosed bogies, and electronic destination displays replacing traditional destination blinds. Additionally, three trams from the initial batch (1005, 1010, and 1015) were retrofitted with similar features to operate alongside the new T-68As. Eventually, all but units 1018 to 1020 underwent these modifications. Initially restricted to service between Eccles, Piccadilly, and Queens Road depot, from 2009 onward the T-68As were upgraded for operation across the entire network. These trams always functioned as single vehicles without multiple-unit operation.

Unit 2001 experienced an issue where its emergency brakes would engage spontaneously, leading to it being sidelined from 2006 for several years. After a comprehensive rewiring, it returned to service in June 2011. The last two T-68A trams, numbers 2001 and 2003, were officially retired on 30 April 2014.

Livery

The initial paint scheme featured a white body complemented by a grey lower skirt, with a turquoise stripe running along the skirt's length. Subsequent updates to this livery saw turquoise applied to the doors as well as an additional turquoise band along the upper section of the vehicle’s body, separated from the white by thin orange or yellow lines. Only tram number 1003 was painted in the yellow and grey Metrolink livery introduced with the arrival of the first M5000 units.

Names

From the beginning of the fleet's service in 1992, naming was regularly applied to T68 trams, typically using vinyl lettering on the cab sides either promoting sponsors or commemorating notable individuals. Examples include unit 1004 named "The Robert Owen" and unit 1019 designated "The Eric Black" throughout its operational life. Over time, a total of ninety names were assigned across thirty-one of the thirty-two T68 and T68A vehicles; notably, unit 1023 never received any name during its service period.

Withdrawal

In 2008, a comprehensive refurbishment was carried out on the entire T-68/T-68A fleet, aimed at extending their operational life by at least a decade. Despite this, the newer Bombardier M5000 trams, introduced starting in 2009, demonstrated significantly greater reliability than the T-68/T-68A models. While the older trams averaged around 5,000 miles (8,000 km) between failures, the M5000s initially achieved approximately 20,000 miles (32,000 km) between breakdowns. Additionally, the M5000 vehicles are about 10 tonnes lighter than their predecessors, resulting in reduced track wear and lower energy consumption. Furthermore, a number of T-68 units exhibited corrosion issues affecting their solebars, which would have necessitated costly repairs to maintain serviceability.

By July 2012, Transport for Greater Manchester concluded that replacing all T-68 and T-68A trams with M5000 models was more economically viable. The first withdrawal of a T-68 occurred in 2012. The last three T-68 vehicles were retired on 10 February 2014, followed by the final two T-68As being taken out of service on 30 April 2014.

To commemorate the retirement of the T-68 fleet, a farewell tour took place on 26 May 2014 using trams 1007 and 1016. Tram 1007 held special significance as it was the inaugural vehicle to operate through Manchester’s city streets when the system launched in 1992.

Preservation and further use

File:T-68 1003 Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue training facility.jpg

T-68 1003 at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue training facility

The Heaton Park Tramway acquired tram number 1007 due to its historical importance as the first tram to run through Manchester city centre when the network opened on 27 April 1992. This tram also shares its number with the last vehicle that operated under Manchester Corporation Tramways in 1949. Although intended for display at Heaton Park Tramway, it remains stored at Metrolink’s Trafford Depot until space becomes available.

Tram 1023 is still owned by Transport for Greater Manchester and was relocated to Crewe Heritage Centre in March 2020.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service purchased unit 1003 to serve as a training simulator at their facility in Bury.

Four trams—1016, 1022, 1024, and 1026—were moved to the tram testing site at Long Marston. Of these, tram 1016 was dismantled in June 2021, followed by tram 1024 in August 2022.

A prototype car body numbered 1000 was constructed in Italy in 1990 and brought to Manchester for public display to promote the tram system. This prototype is now preserved and exhibited at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester.

In popular culture

In December 2010, tram T-68 1015 featured in the live broadcast of the Coronation Street 50th anniversary episode, depicting a tram accident on the street. Alongside a replica tram used for post-crash scenes, the actual T-68 1015 was utilized, temporarily renumbered as 1030 and wrapped in the updated yellow and grey livery. Additionally, trams 1019 and 2001 appeared in the 2001 comedy-drama The Parole Officer starring Steve Coogan; however, the extensive scene involving tram 1019 was ultimately removed.

Accidents and incidents

• During trial runs before opening in March 1992, tram 1013 derailed at the point-work near Platform B at Victoria station. The light rail vehicle sustained no significant damage and resumed trial operations shortly after.
• Tram 1003 was damaged in an accident at Piccadilly in April 1994. It was transported to Metro-Cammell Works in Washwood Heath for repairs and returned to service by December that year.
• On 6 December 1994, tram 1017 derailed close to Collyhurst tunnel while running empty from Queens Road.
• Tram 1006 collided with an HGV that had run a red light on Corporation Street near Victoria station on 12 August 1996. The impact caused the derailment of the tram's B car; fortunately, neither driver nor passengers suffered serious injuries. Repairs were carried out at Metro-Cammell Works, with the tram re-entering service on 16 December 1996.
• In October 1999, tram 1002 was involved in a collision at Piccadilly, requiring one half of the unit to be sent to Metro-Cammell Works for restoration. It returned to operation by mid-January 2000.
• Tram 2002 collided while servicing the Salford Quays route on 4 December 2000. Repairs took over two weeks, allowing it to resume service on 18 December.
• On 13 December 2000, tram 1015 was involved in a collision on Corporation Street; repairs lasted nearly two months before it rejoined service on 2 February 2001.
• A severe collision occurred on 15 December 2001 involving tram 1023 and a bus crossing Princess Street. The cab suffered extensive damage necessitating repairs at Crewe Works. The damaged "B" end left Manchester on 19 December and returned by early February 2002, with full service resuming on 27 February.
• Tram 1003 derailed at Victoria station on 9 January 2002 after hitting an object on the track but sustained no major damage and returned to service within days.
• On 31 August 2004, tram 1015 derailed at Shudehill and was taken back to Queens Road Depot for repairs.
• A serious collision involving tram 2005 and a refuse vehicle occurred on 26 September 2004, striking the "B" end of the LRV and causing derailment. The damaged section was repaired at Crewe Works from December until April of the following year.
• Tram 1024’s pantograph brought down overhead wires between Prestwich and Heaton Park on 17 December 2004 due to detachment of part of its carbon strip.
• Tram 1015 derailed approaching Piccadilly station on 11 January 2005 when its middle bogie derailed and struck an overhead line stanchion, damaging doors and bodywork.
• A minor cab fire occurred on tram 1014 at Piccadilly Gardens on 8 September 2005. The vehicle was taken to Queens Road Depot for wiring and cab component repairs.
• On 18 October 2005, tram 1002 collided seriously with a lorry crossing Corporation Street, resulting in extensive damage and derailment. It was repaired at Crewe Works from late November until mid-March and returned to service by late May.
• Tram 1022’s pantograph detached during service on 10 November 2005 after a brick thrown from a bridge on the Bury Line jammed beneath it as it retracted for lower overhead wires outside the city centre.
• Collision with buffer stops at Piccadilly Undercroft caused underframe damage to tram 1007 on 17 November 2005. Repairs were performed at Crewe Works between January and March of the following year, with service resuming in April.
• Tram 1011 derailed entering street-running track at Long Millgate near Victoria station on 22 March 2006 without causing injuries or damage; this incident was attributed to failure of a previously repaired track section where street-running begins.
• On a curve at Pomona station on 17 January 2007, tram 1005 derailed due to track gauge widening caused by inadequate maintenance by contractor Serco, as determined by RAIB investigation.
• While being moved within Queens Road depot on 1 February 2007, tram 1013 split a set of points causing it to come to rest diagonally across two tracks; none of its bogies derailed during this event.
• Tram 1016 derailed as the rear vehicle of a double unit crossing Princess Street near St Peter's Square on 29 June 2008. Insufficient maintenance by former operator Serco was cited as cause. Damage affected both tram and overhead wiring; however, the leading vehicle (tram1008) remained undamaged.
• On Mosley Street on 1 November 2008, tram1001 collided seriously with a bus. After four months out of service for repairs, it underwent successful test runs in March before returning to operation.
• Minor derailment affected tram1010 at G-Mex (now Deansgate-Castlefield) ramp on June8,2009; damage was slight and resolved quickly allowing swift return to service.
• On June5,2011,tram1002 struck a pedestrian who stepped into its path at Piccadilly Gardens traveling approximately nine miles per hour; sadly,the individual succumbed to injuries at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
• Tram1021 derailed leaving Market Street stop on June7,2011 due to leading bogie derailment over points; minimal damage incurred but taken out of service for repairs and cab air-conditioning installation before returning eight weeks later.
• A minor heating cable fire occurred aboard tram2006 at Exchange Quay on April3,2013. Following passenger evacuation,it returned to Queens Road Depot but did not resume service due to impending withdrawal plans; it became the first T68A unit retired the next day.
• On June8,2013,tram1016 collided with a taxi on Nicholas Street sustaining coupler and fender damage; repairs utilized parts from soon-to-be-retired tram1014.

Gallery

• Mock-up of the bodyshell prior to production, exhibited publicly in 1990. Currently housed at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester.
  Mock-up of the bodyshell prior to production, exhibited publicly in 1990. Currently housed at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester.
• Two connected T-68 units featuring the initial livery design near Piccadilly station in 1994.
  Two connected T-68 units featuring the initial livery design near Piccadilly station in 1994.
• T-68A tram number 2004 operating in Eccles during 2005.
  T-68A tram number 2004 operating in Eccles during 2005.
• A pair of T-68 trams positioned at the entrance to Victoria station in 2008.
  A pair of T-68 trams positioned at the entrance to Victoria station in 2008.
• Control cabin of a T-68 tram.
  Control cabin of a T-68 tram.
• T-68 unit 1003 sporting the Metrolink yellow livery as of February 2012
  T-68 unit 1003 sporting the Metrolink yellow livery as of February 2012

External links

File:Commons-logo.svg Media related to at Wikimedia Commons

• Comprehensive information on Metrolink Trams at thetrams.co.uk