T-68
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The T-68 is a type of tram used only in the city of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
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[edit] T68
The T68, the first variant of the T-68 design, was introduced to Manchester in 1992. 25 entered service altogether and were numbered from 1001 to 1025. Soon after, an additional vehicle, 1026, was introduced to simplify scheduling problems. A refurbishment program is now underway. Unrefurbished T68s are unable to operate over the Eccles branch of the Manchester Metrolink system.
[edit] T68-A
The T68-A is the second variant on the T-68 design. Introduced in the year 1999, only six T68-As were built, all for use on the Eccles branch of the Metrolink system.
[edit] The future
The original 26 T-68s are now fifteen years old, and the recent refurbishment should keep them serviceable for another decade. Their design is somewhat antiquated, and their external appearance makes them appear about ten years older than they actually are.
Eventually they will have to be replaced. The entire T-68 fleet is soon to be complemented by up to 30 brand new trams for Phase 3a of the system, more if Phase 3b is also implemented; whether or not these will be a variant of the T-68 design remains to be seen.
